Last few days

Weather being poor lately, with storm Hannah wiping out 4 days recording. But the last 2 days and particularly today were much better. Hoverfly numbers are steadily increasing and today was my first 20 species haul of the year (Blaencaerau). New for the year were Paragus haemorrhous, Cheilosia bergenstammi, Melongaster hirtella, Neoascia meticulosa and Sphegina clunipes. Highest recorded was Platycheirus albimanus (50) and best of the day was Chrysotoxum arcuatum (male). We are only 10 days away now from the spring explosion when numbers and species increase dramatically over the space of a few days.

Not much on the insect front to report, but I have 4 species on Irecord awaiting confirmation which could be new for the valley, will report if confirmed. Orange-tip butterflies are still out in good numbers and seems to be its best year for a while as is Brimstone. Thought I had a Brown-banded Carder Bee today but it took flight before I could photograph it, so that's one that got away 😞.

Cuckoos are now in and Whitethroat numbers are increasing as are Grasshopper Warblers. Swifts should start arriving in the next 10 days if the weather holds. Took a trip to Gloucestershire on Thursday just before the storm arrived to see a Citrine Wagtail at Pilning wetland reserve on the Severn estuary, which was a British Tick for me. But I missed the same species that was found in Glamorgan on Saturday.

 Meliscaeva auricollis

Parasyrphus punctulatus