Garnwen

The fine weather finally brought in a mini fall of summer birds with Willow Warbler (20) and Blackcap (6) at last joining the Chiffchaff (3), otherwise a pair of Siskin displaying and small numbers of Green Woodpecker, Nuthatch and Goldfinch the pick of the rest. No Tree Pipit or Whitethroat in as yet.

Most of the Sallow blossom has finished and has been replaced by Blackthorn, so hoverflies are starting to pick up. I had ten species today with new for the year Melanostoma mellinum (1), Syrphus ribesii (1), Syrphus vitripennis (1) and Xylota segnis (1, and earliest date for valley). Parasyrphus punctulatus (3) still the best hoverfly about.

Butterflies were more numerous than last week with Orange-tip (4) and Speckled Wood (2) new for the year as well as Brimstone (3) and Peacock (5). Other insects seen included Honey Bee (120), Buff-tailed Bumblebee (5) and the moths Adela reaumurella (15) and Cydia ulicetana (2).

 Orange-tip (male)

Syrphus ribesii (female with yellow hind femur)