Ivy watch season saw me visit Caerau (13 species) and Maesteg Welfare Park (12 species) this week. Highlights were surprisingly late Chrysotoxum arcuatum and Sphegina clunipes. Otherwise the commonest hoverfly was Episyrphus balteatus (32). Nothing much else to report except Ivy Bees are hanging on at Caerau.
Caerau Nature & the rest of the world
Monday 14 October 2024
Sunday 6 October 2024
Ivy watch
Hoverfly numbers are now dropping dramatically with most of the flowers dying off. So this time of the year means its time to tour the Ivy patches for the next few weeks. Saturday was fine so visited Maesteg cemetery and also a quick look around the patches of Caerau. I recorded 13 species (the record is 17 species for October). Highlights included Eupeodes latifasciatus, Scaeva pyrastri and Sericomyia silentis. Most numerous was Eristalis tenax (14).
Of the other insects, a few butterflies were still on the wing in Comma and Red Admiral, I also had a Parent Bug (Shieldbug) which I haven't seen for a while
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Thursday 19 September 2024
Caerau revisited
A quick walk around the Caerau circuit on Wednesday brought in much the same 31 species of hoverfly but with high numbers of Helophilus pendulus (33) and Sericomyia silentis (24). It is still the one Ivy blossom in bloom so looks like the other bushes will keep the season going well into October. Finally had Eupeodes lapponicus and Eupeodes luniger for the year taking me to 102 species for 2024 so far. Highlights were more sightings of Volucella zonaria and Rhingia rostrata both having exceptional years. Eristalis tenax (50) still the commonest hoverfly.
Tuesday 17 September 2024
Maesteg cemetery
Much of the Ivy has yet to open (60%), the parts that did held 22 species. Highlights being Eupeodes latifasciatus, Scaeva pyrastri, Rhingia rostrata, Helophilus hybridus, Sericomyia silentis and Volucella pellucens. Most numerous species was Eristalis tenax (60).Also on the Ivy were a few Red Admiral and a Brimstone (not seen many this year). Ivy Bees (5) were also present as was a single Tachina fera.
Monday 16 September 2024
Caerau - street lanes and old railway path
The first of the Ivy has opened in the back lanes of Treharne Road and one particular bush was dripping with hoverflies. Of the 30 species recorded today 24 of them were at this single spot. The rest of the species were recorded along the old railway path behind Railway Terrace, where there is a small patch of Michaelmas Daisy. Highlights for this time of year included - Dasysyrphus tricinctus, Eupeodes latifasciatus, Scaeva pyrastri, Helophilus hybridus, Helophilus trivittatus and Volucella zonaria. Most numerous hoverflies where Eristalis tenax (65) and surprisingly Melanostoma mellinum (45). Plenty of other insects were about too, some of which I photographed.
Friday 30 August 2024
Caerau - Devilsbit Scabious patch
It's that time of year when the scabious is in full bloom supported by Goldenrod and Common Ragwort. The Angelica, Hogweed and Hemp Agrimony has finished early here this year. But I still managed 30 species of hoverfly with good records being Epistrophe grossulariae (f), Eupeodes latifasciatus (m), Rhingia rostrata (3m), Eristalis intricarius (2f), Helophilus hybridus (m,f) and Helophilus trivittatus (f). The most numerous species was Eristalis tenax (80).
On the Goldenrod 2 Star-wort caterpillars were happily munching on the leaves and a Essex Skipper was feeding on the Devilsbit Scabious. Two Sparrowhawk, probably and adult female and an immature together flying overhead were the only birds of note.Tuesday 27 August 2024
Spelter
The Spelter is essentially just a football field size colliery spoil meadow, with the rest of the square being urban areas. Nevertheless at this time of year a new selection of blooming flowers always attracts a lot of hoverflies. The dominant blossoms in order were Water Mint, Wild Parsnip, Upright Hedge Parsley, Common Ragwort and now even a small patch of Devilsbit Scabious. So here I had 28 species some in good numbers over 2 hours on Sunday. Again I recorded another female Volucella zonaria. Other highlights included Chrysotoxum bicinctum, Eupeodes latifasciatus, Scaeva pyrastri, Helophilus trivittatus and Volucella pellucens. Eristalis tenax (65) was the most numerous.
Sunday 25 August 2024
Caerau
Hoverfly numbers are starting to drop steadily now, but I still managed 23 species at Caerau. The Devilsbit Scabious has mostly yet to bloom, probably about 10 days away for that. Otherwise Rhingia rostrata was the highlight, this formerly scarce species seems to be having a good year. As does Volucella zonaria which was seen in lanes at the back of Caerau Road. Eristalis tenax (35) was the most numerous.