Unidentified - bee, or hoverfly?

[Dawn01]

Took these pics this morning, can't work out even if this is a bee or a hoverfly. It had quite a high pitched buzz, and by the way it flew I suspect it is some sort of hoverfly.
Can anyone help please?

[Jason Green]

Afternoon Dawn,

It's a male Hairy-legged Flower Bee, Anthophora plumipes. A common spring species.

Take care,

Jason

[Dawn01]

Thanks very much. It was the hairy feet, as well as the 'darting' flight and high pitched buzz which were confusing me. I think we have them nesting under the lead on top of a bay window.

[Geoff F]

Yes, Dawn, Eristalis tenax and a few close relatives are starting to occur now and make excellent bee mimics, including the buzz.

But if in doubt, look at the wing veins. The Hoverflies have distinctive cross veins near the wing tips; and the Eristalis family have a most noticeable dip in one of the long veins.

If you compare them and your specimen side by side it will be instantly obvious.

[eucera]

You could just count the wings. Bees have 2 pairs and flies 1 pair