Ugliest fly of the Year?

New one on me- but must be the ugliest fly I've seen yet and I thought I was beginning to like flies - Maybe it's a Christmas chocolate fly ?
Taken this morning at an air temp of 3'C.
Brian V.

You're right, that one IS ugly. great capture. Makes my Wasp look pretty.

Actually, quite a handsome fellow Brian, good shot

Unusual for the time of year. Is that a tear in the wing? Maybe someone tried to get the wrapper off your choccy fly! Nice shot.

Thanks all for the comments, certainly is strange looking and a bit tatty
The fly experts have identified it as "Hippoboscidae. I think Ornithomyini."
These are very unpleasant blood sucking parasites especially on Birds. There goes my Christmas choccy
Brian V.

Cracking shot as usual Brian! I was wondering what book(s) you use for identifying diptera? It's a family I haven't really got to grips with yet.

Best Wishes

Denis

Thanks denis,
Haven't really got a good Diptera book- just Collins Complete British Insects, but I actually use this site
http://www.diptera.inf​o/news.php
That's who I meant by the experts.
When I get stuck- they are excellent on Diptera (not suprisingly) but are also pretty good on any other bugs I get stuck on.
Brian V.

Brian V.

Ugly yes but not as ugly as them Krane Flies I've seen BE and other post.

One great capture. I thought you always love flies

Thanks Desertraptor,
I actually quite like crane flies .
Brian V.

Leorooster wrote:
One great capture. I thought you always love flies

Thanks Leorooster,
Well I like most flies, but there are limits
I used to think Dung Flies looked pretty odd but this one just looks nasty (and is)!
Brian V.

Update on identification- apparently it's not a bird blood sucker at all but a seaweed sucker (Coelopidae)- makes sense- I'm just up the road from the beach but definately do not have any seaweed in the garden Funny thing is I went down to the beach in the Summer to see if I could get a pic of seaweed flies and failed miserably.
Brian V.

Great shot of a hairy legs fly....

LordV wrote:
New one on me- but must be the ugliest fly I've seen yet and I thought I was beginning to like flies - Maybe it's a Christmas chocolate fly ?
Taken this morning at an air temp of 3'C.
Brian V.

that's a great looking fly and even greater shot Brian

He sure is an ugly little guy Brian, but it's a great shot!