Photos with permission of Mike Kerry

Local Greenhavens member Mike Kerry is often out in the Last Wood, Seaford and other local green spaces with his camera and sharp eye. An experienced naturalist, he realised that this fly seen near the reservoir at the top of Blatchington Golf Course on 13 September was something quite unusual!

This was later confirmed to be Chrysosomopsis aurata by Chris Raper of the Natural History Museum.

This is only the 4th record of this fly in the UK in 70 years and the very first in Sussex!

Well spotted Mike. What stunning photographs!

Flies are not always the most popular wildlife, but they are vital part of our ecosystem.

If you have seen spotted something unusual in your green spaces (plants, insect, fungi, bird etc!) we would love to hear from you!