Blaencaerau coal-tips reclamation site

A rather heavy and sultry day was not helped by the stiff breeze from the north-east. 2 Tree Pipits were still displaying and a Cuckoo was seen calling in close. Otherwise breeders look like 6 Whitethroat, 6 Blackcap, 4 Grasshopper Warbler and plenty of Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff. 2 pairs of Stonechat, 1 pair of Skylark, 5 pairs of Meadow Pipit and 2 pairs of Goldfinch.

Hoverflies were in short supply but I did record 19 species, one of which needs to be confirmed as I think its a new one for the valley [update later if so]. The more interesting species included. Anasymia contracta at three locations, Eristalis intricarius and Parasyrphus punctulatus.

On the insect front Common Blue and Small Heath butterflies are now emerging. Plenty of Large Red Damselfly and Tree Bumblebee headed the common bee species Day flying moths included Ancylis badiana, Glyphipterix thrasonella and Grapholita compositella. Longhorn Beetle Rhagium bifasciatum was again seen on Hawthorn Blossom, but Guelder Rose was seemingly devoid of insects. I also found a small conical shell Snail on Yellow Iris and it has been identified as a Large Amber Snail (Succinea putris), which is new for me if not the valley.

22 new blooms for the year were headed by Water Forget-me-not, Ragged Robin and the first Southern Marsh Orchid.

EVENING UPDATE - 3 male Nightjars at Foel Fawr, Caerau holding territory and very cagey, which probably means the females are on eggs. 4 pairs of Swift over Caerau at dusk.

 Large Red Damselfly

 Large Amber Snail

 Southern Marsh Orchid

path along the site of the old railway track to the former coal mine now a good site for hoverflies.