Wed 2011-07-27 
Tachinid fly Gymnosoma rotundatum (Diptera: Tachinidae). Gymnosoma nitens, which is also found in the UK, is very similar in appearance but is distinctly smaller (3-4mm long, as opposed to 6-8mm).
Photo taken in Whiteknights Park, Reading University grounds, Reading, UK, on 2011-07-25.
Tue 2011-07-26 
A common moorhen, Gallinula chloropus.
And a side view showing the green feet (chloropus) more clearly:
Photos taken beside the large lake, Whiteknights Park, Reading University grounds, Reading, UK, on 2011-07-23.
Mon 2011-07-25 
A pair of hoverflies mating: species Sphaerophoria scripta (Diptera: Syrphidae), recognizable because the male's abdomen is clearly longer than its folded-back wings. The male is the larger one.
Photos taken in the field below Chazey Wood, near Caversham, UK, on 2011-07-22.
Sun 2011-07-24 
From last year: a tortoise bug, Eurygaster testudinaria (Hemiptera: Scutelleridae).
Also from last year: what I think is an early-stage nymph of the same species:
See here for photos of a late-stage nymph from a couple of years ago.
Photos taken Whiteknights Park, Reading, UK, on 2010-05-26 and 2010-06-19, respectively.
Sat 2011-07-23 
Hoverfly Volucella zonaria (Diptera: Syrphidae), a male from the side. And from above:
Note that the yellow bands are much darker towards the front of the abdomen.
A few seconds later the following similar hoverfly landed on a neighboring thistle flower head:
This a a male Volucella inanis (also Diptera: Syrphidae). Here the yellow bands on the abdomen are all evenly yellow.
Photos taken in the field below Chazey Wood, near Caversham, UK, on 2011-07-22.
