Blaencaerau

Last of the warm weather today according to the weather reports. Very heavy today, with the weather just waiting to break with maybe a thunderstorm. Again good numbers of summer migrants in song and included Grasshopper Warbler (1), Tree Pipit (2), Whitethroat (3), Willow Warbler (30), Chiffchaff (12) and Blackcap (4). Otherwise Green Woodpecker and Great-spotted Woodpecker were noticeable.

5 species of butterfly, Orange-tip (12) the most numerous. 5 species of bee with Common Carder Bee (2) new for the year. Also new for the year was the micro moth Micropterix calthella (12) joining the ever present Adela reaumurella (20). Lots of Bibio lanigerus (50) flies and still a couple of the tachinid fly Gonia picea (2).

Late blossoming Sallow attracted 15 species of hoverfly including first of the year records in Chrysotoxum arcuatum (2), Megasyrphus erratica (1), Meliscaeva auricollis (1) and Helophilus pendulus (1). Most numerous being Platycheirus albimanus (25) and good records being Melanostoma mellinum (1), Parasyrphus punctulatus (2) and Cheilosia pagana (1).

 Helophilus pendulus

 Micropterix calthella

Adela reaumurella