As I mentioned in Saturday’s post, I spent some time last Friday staring at leaves and found some interesting mini-beasties, including these two that were found on the leaves of a tree adjacent to a small stream. Unfortunately, I don’t know anyone who can help with the identification of these so my information here has not been confirmed. I’m fairly confident that this first creature is a mayfly, and I think it may be a Large dark olive mayfly (Baetis rhodani) [UPDATE: identity confirmed 1 May 2024] because it seems to have the distinguishing characteristics outlined on the NatureSpot website, namely

The pairs of short veins between each of the long veins in the forewing indicate that this is a Baetis species. B. rhodani is the largest sized member of this group, especially the early hatch, later in the year specimens become smaller. It is also one of the earlier mayflies to hatch out.

The second insect found near water was this weird-looking creature. I think this might be Microtendipes pedellus because, once again, it seems to fit with the NatureSpot description of its key features:

This striking species has dark brown thorax, and a pale green abdomen with the final three tergites brown. The legs are pale with dark tips to the femora. The wings are unpatterned. Males have plumose antennae.

The second photo below is not very sharp but I simply had to include it to show the superb antennae.

If I manage to get confirmation of the identity of these creatures, I’ll edit and update this post. [As marked above, the mayfly was confirmed as Baetis rhodani sensu stricto on 1 May 2024.]