A walk a couple of weeks ago in the wonderful September weather around Wilstone Reservoirs revealed a number of interesting insects in the field behind the bird hide.
My first ever 'Hornet Hoverfly' (I believe Volucella zonaria), the UK's largest hoverfly, loosely . Two were hanging around the entrance to a wasp's nest in the long grass and I was able to get a few photos. Afterwards I realised I had missed taking a photo of a wasp to compare sizes, the hoverfly being larger than the wasps. According to the field guide their grubs live in the wasps nests, so I suppose they were waiting to enter the nests to lay their eggs.
Vagrant Hawkers were abundant patrolling the hedge line. I was lucky enough to spot this one resting on a blackthorn
Later on I came across this spider that seemed to be struggling to remove a bird feather from its web.
Finally I came across this camouflaged Common Darter (female I think), resting on the seedhead of the grass.
