kthirtya wrote, On 29/04/2007 21:18:
Sounds like the ubiquitous gnat.

Apparently there are 300 odd species in the UK.
-http://www.gardensafari.net/english/mosquitoes.htm

This is a good bit of information about the lowly gnat ~
Large mating swarms of adults often appear about dusk and may occur for several days, especially after a prolonged wet period. Many gnats are attracted to light and may be a nuisance, landing on people or entering homes or businesses. These tiny flies do not feed. They only live long enough to mate, lay eggs, and die. Eggs are laid in masses in the water or on aquatic vegetation. The life cycle usually takes about 4 to 5 weeks. There may be several generations during the summer but these insects usually disappear with the onset of dry weather. Fortunately, problems are usually temporary and intermittent.
from USA page http://www.uky.edu/Ag/Entomology/ent...ruct/ef632.htm

k :-)

I saw something similar this weekend is North Essex. Just a little
smaller than a house fly, but with larger lacier black wings. There were
not gnats or midges, too big. The whole insect had a skinny but slightly
fluffy appearance. I imagine they wont be around for long, the flying
technique around the pond was pretty bad.
Another strange insect seen this weekend was a larger black fly with two
long dangling legs. They were in hedgerows and repeatedly flew at us
with they freaky legs while walking.
You have to lets us get excited about things like this, we have so few
interesting insects in the UK

--
DavidM
www.djmorgan.org.uk