This sweet little creature was a lovely surprise on the park railings earlier. It was tiny, looked only half the size of the many Harlequins that were lumbering along nearby.

I wasn’t sure which of the ladybird species it was until I got home and checked. Though its colours and markings can vary greatly, this is a 10-spot ladybird (Adalia decempunctata), a species I’ve only seen once before and that was back in 2016.

They prefer woody places, whether they be actual woodland or parks or simply gardens with plenty of trees, and they can be found from now until October, so I’ll be keeping my eyes peeled for more.