This is one of the range of flies known as snipe-flies but I cannot find the origins of why they are called this. They tend to rest head downwards so may be it something related to that?
This particular species is one of twelve in the genera and is called the Black Snipe-fly because many of this group are quite brightly coloured whereas this one is not! A fairly common species in damp, shady woodland found from May through until August. Its larvae live in rotting wood and leaf litter where they are predators of other small insects and invertebrates.
They do like to sunbathe as adults and this one was by the river at Kingcombe where it runs through the woodland, text book habitat!
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Find out more here: www.natureofdorset.co.uk/species_panel/Black%20Snipe%20Fly
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