Orange-tip butterflies were still present in good numbers due to a good showing of Cuckooflower this year. My first Cuckoo of the year was seen, Whitethroat numbers remain at 2 for the moment.
Orange Tip
Cheilosia chrysocoma
Sunday 26 April 2020
Blaencaerau C.O.P.
23 species of hoverfly were seen today, which easily beats my previous April record of 19 species. A number were new for the year - Platycheirus tarsalis, Chrysotoxum arcuatum, Cheilosia fraterna, Cheilosia illustrata, Cheilosia proxima, Chrysogaster virescens, Neoascia meticulosa, Sphegina sibirica, Eristalis horticola and Xylota segnis. Another Cheilosia chrysocoma (male) was seen and it is turning out to be a good year for this species.
Orange-tip butterflies were still present in good numbers due to a good showing of Cuckooflower this year. My first Cuckoo of the year was seen, Whitethroat numbers remain at 2 for the moment.
Cheilosia species - fits the albitarsis agg. tarsi pattern, but the antennae are the wrong colour and could be a Cheilosia ranunculi, which is very rare, but won't get it past the Hoverfly Recording Scheme tight identification procedure for photographs of difficult to identify species.
Orange-tip butterflies were still present in good numbers due to a good showing of Cuckooflower this year. My first Cuckoo of the year was seen, Whitethroat numbers remain at 2 for the moment.
Saturday 25 April 2020
Gilfach west, Llangynwyd
My "3 week lockdown" is well and truly over. Called back into work, as the company is making ceiling tiles for the new temporary Nightingale hospitals. In fact I've just worked a 70 hour week and will be doing the same next week.
I stopped off at top Llan on the way home to get a bit of fresh air and stretch my legs. The beech woods were particularly lively with insects today, most of which were firsts for the year. On the hoverfly front I had my first Melangyna cincta (👍), a female laying eggs on the underside of beech twigs. Not new for the valley as Paul Tabor had a couple in 2018. New for the year besides the cincta were Cheilosia albitarsis, Sericomyia silentis and Xylota jakutorum. 9 species seen overall with Platycheirus albimanus being the most numerous (20).
Birds were very numerous in the April sunshine and included Red Kite (1), Blackcap (6), Willow Warbler(10), Chiffchaff (4), Whitethroat (2), Tree Pipit (1), Lesser Redpoll (2 pairs), Goldfinch (3 pairs) and Siskin (1 pair).
Notable sightings included Adela reaumurella, Micropteryx calthella, Drinker moth caterpillar (moths). Rhagium bifasciatum, Poecilus cupreus, Green Tiger Beetle (beetles). Dock Bug, Hairy Shieldbug and Red and Black Groundhopper. Plus galls on Oak of the gall wasp Andricus curvator.
Adela reaumurella - 100+ dancing on Beech leaves 5 feet off the ground
Oak galls of the wasp Andricus curvator
Dock Bug
Hairy Shieldbug
Parasyrphus punctulatus (4) perching on a beech tree foilage awaiting approaching females.
Poecilus cupreus ground Beetle
Rhagium bifasciatum longhorn beetle
I stopped off at top Llan on the way home to get a bit of fresh air and stretch my legs. The beech woods were particularly lively with insects today, most of which were firsts for the year. On the hoverfly front I had my first Melangyna cincta (👍), a female laying eggs on the underside of beech twigs. Not new for the valley as Paul Tabor had a couple in 2018. New for the year besides the cincta were Cheilosia albitarsis, Sericomyia silentis and Xylota jakutorum. 9 species seen overall with Platycheirus albimanus being the most numerous (20).
Birds were very numerous in the April sunshine and included Red Kite (1), Blackcap (6), Willow Warbler(10), Chiffchaff (4), Whitethroat (2), Tree Pipit (1), Lesser Redpoll (2 pairs), Goldfinch (3 pairs) and Siskin (1 pair).
Notable sightings included Adela reaumurella, Micropteryx calthella, Drinker moth caterpillar (moths). Rhagium bifasciatum, Poecilus cupreus, Green Tiger Beetle (beetles). Dock Bug, Hairy Shieldbug and Red and Black Groundhopper. Plus galls on Oak of the gall wasp Andricus curvator.
Sunday 19 April 2020
Blaencaerau
My last day of freedom, had a phone call Friday to go back to work after 3 weeks isolation and exercise. So with the weather quite warm (17c) and very little wind a walk around the COP was in order. I recorded 18 species of hoverfly, 1 short of my April record. New for the year were Eupeodes luniger (1f), Sphaerophoria scripta (1m), Cheilosia vernalis (2f) and Syritta pipiens (10). Good records included Melanostoma mellinum (2m), Epistrophe eligans (1m), Melangyna lasiophthalma (1f), Parasyrphus punctulatus (16), Cheilosia chrysocoma (2m) and Cheilosia pagana (1f). The C. vernalis and C. chrysocoma were new for the square taking it to 105, one behind Garnwen. Unusually today the insects weren't jittery and were easily photographed.
Butterflies continue to show in good numbers in the warm sunshine, with Orange Tip (8) leading the way. New bees for the year were Hairy-footed Flower Bee (1), Early Mining Bee (5) and Common Carder Bee (2). Adela cuprella (40) gathered in their masses [just like witches at black masses 😝].
On the bird front Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler and Blackcap are now settled in. New for the year were the first Whitethroat and a reeling Grasshopper Warbler. Siskin and Goldfinch seem to have good numbers to.
Parasyrphus punctulatus
Butterflies continue to show in good numbers in the warm sunshine, with Orange Tip (8) leading the way. New bees for the year were Hairy-footed Flower Bee (1), Early Mining Bee (5) and Common Carder Bee (2). Adela cuprella (40) gathered in their masses [just like witches at black masses 😝].
On the bird front Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler and Blackcap are now settled in. New for the year were the first Whitethroat and a reeling Grasshopper Warbler. Siskin and Goldfinch seem to have good numbers to.
Melangyna lasiophthalma
Cheilosia albipila
Cheilosia chrysocoma
Cheilosia chrysocoma
Epistrophe eligans
Typical Cheilosia chrysocoma habitat
Adela cuprella
Thursday 16 April 2020
Valley lowlands
A few trips around the lower valley at Lletty Brongu woods and Pont Rhyd-y-Cyff lanes over the last couple of days, has taken my hoverfly year list to 20 species. New for the year include Syrphus ribesii, Epistrophe eligans and Rhingia campestris. I also potted a Brachyopa which under a hand lens it appeared to be "pilosa", but I then managed to lose/drop the pot during the day before I could get it home for identification under magnification. I dropped it somewhere along the path by the sewage works outfall but couldn't relocate it, so keep an eye out if you're down there🙏. Melangyna lasiophthalma are still out in good numbers, so far this year I have seen 51 individuals, a record by a long way (previous best was 12).
Rhingia campestris
Syrphus ribesii
Green-veined White
Monday 13 April 2020
Hoverflies last couple of days
I recorded 12 species on Sunday, highest count this year. New for the year was Meliscaeva auricollis, Cheilosia chrysocoma, Syrphus torvus and Helophilus pendulus. Better sightings included 30 Parasyrphus punctulatus (a record count) and a female Cheilosia albipila. The Cheilosia chrysocoma was to quick to photograph but I did manage a record shot of Cheilosia albipila.
Cheilosia albipila
Helophilus pendulus
Green Shieldbug
Quick round up
On the 12th April Paul Tabor found a new hoverfly for the valley in Cheilosia caerulescens a species whose larva feed on imported House Leek, it's also new for Wales a really exceptional find. The valley has produced some exciting records since 2015 and a summary is below.
Before 2015 the list of hoverflies for Glamorgan was 196 out of the then 282 British species. Since we started recording hoverflies in 2015 we have added 10 new species for Glamorgan [VC41] and 5 new for Wales as listed below.
New for Glamorgan
Platycheirus aurolateralis, Eupeodes lapponicus, Melangyna arctica, Parasyrphus malinellus, Cheilosia caerulescens, Cheilosia carbonaria, Brachyopa pilosa, Eristalis similis, Psilota anthracina and Xylota tarda.
New for Wales
Platycheirus aurolateralis, Eupeodes lapponicus, Cheilosia caerulescens, Eristalis similis and Psilota anthracina.
Our current list for the valley stands at 142 species, we are now well within range of that mythical 150 number. With coronavirus now looking close to peak, I will have to go out every fine day for some "exercise" to increase that number. May and June usually being the best months for new species.
Before 2015 the list of hoverflies for Glamorgan was 196 out of the then 282 British species. Since we started recording hoverflies in 2015 we have added 10 new species for Glamorgan [VC41] and 5 new for Wales as listed below.
New for Glamorgan
Platycheirus aurolateralis, Eupeodes lapponicus, Melangyna arctica, Parasyrphus malinellus, Cheilosia caerulescens, Cheilosia carbonaria, Brachyopa pilosa, Eristalis similis, Psilota anthracina and Xylota tarda.
New for Wales
Platycheirus aurolateralis, Eupeodes lapponicus, Cheilosia caerulescens, Eristalis similis and Psilota anthracina.
Our current list for the valley stands at 142 species, we are now well within range of that mythical 150 number. With coronavirus now looking close to peak, I will have to go out every fine day for some "exercise" to increase that number. May and June usually being the best months for new species.
Friday 10 April 2020
Three squares down
With a lull in new species for the next 2 weeks and a rather warm 23c, I took the opportunity to walk three 0 recorded 1km squares for hoverflies to put them on the map. I was successful in all three which were
[SS8892] Foel Gwilym Hywel, Maesteg (P. albimanus)
[SS8791] Bryn De Faid, Maesteg (P. albimanus, M. cinctella, E. pertinax)
[SS8792] Mynydd Bach (Pant-y-ffald), Maesteg (P. albimanus)
I also came across the first three Tree Pipit in the valley for me this year, all were displaying but rather surprisingly no Redstart. Still good numbers of butterflies headed by Peacock (7) and plenty of the moth Adela cuprella (25+) around sallow blossom and the beetle Green Tiger Beetle (25+) on the dry forestry secondary tracks.
[SS8892] Foel Gwilym Hywel, Maesteg (P. albimanus)
[SS8791] Bryn De Faid, Maesteg (P. albimanus, M. cinctella, E. pertinax)
[SS8792] Mynydd Bach (Pant-y-ffald), Maesteg (P. albimanus)
I also came across the first three Tree Pipit in the valley for me this year, all were displaying but rather surprisingly no Redstart. Still good numbers of butterflies headed by Peacock (7) and plenty of the moth Adela cuprella (25+) around sallow blossom and the beetle Green Tiger Beetle (25+) on the dry forestry secondary tracks.
Tree Pipit
Meliscaeva cinctella
Wednesday 8 April 2020
Gilfach (west), Top Llangynwyd
A warm day today topping 17c at around 1300hrs for my first visit of the year to top Llan.
Plenty of hovers about today on the Sallow and Dandelion, big numbers of Platycheirus albimanus (75) and Eristalis pertinax (35). I am also still getting good numbers of Melangyna lasiophthalma (6). New for the year were Parasyrphus punctulatus (7) and Meliscaeva cinctella (1). Seven species for the day was rounded off by Episyrphus balteatus (1).
1st Willow Warblers (3) were heard and seen as well as Crossbill (3), Barn Swallow (1) and Chiffchaff (3). Some of the paths are blocked by fallen trees. The forestry commission having been cutting down spruce and pine trees and this has left the old beech and willow trees vulnerable to the elements and a high proportion have been ripped out of the dry ground by high winds as they have shallow roots having coniferous trees densely packed around them for 30 odd years. Same butterflies out as yesterday as were Large Bee-fly (15), Green Tiger Beetle (15), Clarke's Mining Bee (1), Ashy Mining Bee (1) and Red-tailed Bumblebee (1).
Plenty of hovers about today on the Sallow and Dandelion, big numbers of Platycheirus albimanus (75) and Eristalis pertinax (35). I am also still getting good numbers of Melangyna lasiophthalma (6). New for the year were Parasyrphus punctulatus (7) and Meliscaeva cinctella (1). Seven species for the day was rounded off by Episyrphus balteatus (1).
1st Willow Warblers (3) were heard and seen as well as Crossbill (3), Barn Swallow (1) and Chiffchaff (3). Some of the paths are blocked by fallen trees. The forestry commission having been cutting down spruce and pine trees and this has left the old beech and willow trees vulnerable to the elements and a high proportion have been ripped out of the dry ground by high winds as they have shallow roots having coniferous trees densely packed around them for 30 odd years. Same butterflies out as yesterday as were Large Bee-fly (15), Green Tiger Beetle (15), Clarke's Mining Bee (1), Ashy Mining Bee (1) and Red-tailed Bumblebee (1).
Parasyrphus punctulatus.
Tuesday 7 April 2020
Out and about
I have been locked out of my google account for the last few days, so I have not been able to update my blog, so I'll condense it all into one post. I'm off work for at least 3 weeks due to the lockdown, but daily exercise allowance means I can still get about locally.
On the hoverfly front new for the year include Melanostoma scalare, Cheilosia pagana, Platycheirus scutatus and Eristalis tenax, sadly all common. Still no sign of Melangyna quadrimaculata or Cheilosia grossa despite intensive searching.
Butterflies are starting to emerge in good numbers, just today at Lletty Brongu woods I had Small Tortoiseshell (4), Peacock (5), Brimstone (3), Comma (3) and a male Orange Tip. All other insect families are pretty much as expected for this time of year.
On the bird front had my first Swallow (5th) and Blackcap (7th). I also had a large pipit very briefly on a deserted Maesteg Golf Course and it took flight and flew over towards Garnwen and the recently named obesity trail. It did not call but my instincts and brief views would suggest Richards Pipit, but we'll never now. Other species seen included Crossbill, Stonechat and Reed Bunting.
All spring flowers are blossoming, with Early Dog violet now making way for Common Dog violet. Ramsons flowers are starting to open and my first Cuckoo Flower of the year was in bloom on the 7th.
pair of Swallow at Maesteg Golf Course
Cuckoo Flower
Finally a mystery hoverfly stood out amongst the other small ones at Blaencaerau. When I took the photograph I initially thought it was maybe a male Melanostoma mellinum, but looking at the photograph it appears to be a Platycheirus of either the clypeatus or peltatus groups. I'll run it past Roger Morris and update when I get a reply.
On the hoverfly front new for the year include Melanostoma scalare, Cheilosia pagana, Platycheirus scutatus and Eristalis tenax, sadly all common. Still no sign of Melangyna quadrimaculata or Cheilosia grossa despite intensive searching.
Butterflies are starting to emerge in good numbers, just today at Lletty Brongu woods I had Small Tortoiseshell (4), Peacock (5), Brimstone (3), Comma (3) and a male Orange Tip. All other insect families are pretty much as expected for this time of year.
On the bird front had my first Swallow (5th) and Blackcap (7th). I also had a large pipit very briefly on a deserted Maesteg Golf Course and it took flight and flew over towards Garnwen and the recently named obesity trail. It did not call but my instincts and brief views would suggest Richards Pipit, but we'll never now. Other species seen included Crossbill, Stonechat and Reed Bunting.
All spring flowers are blossoming, with Early Dog violet now making way for Common Dog violet. Ramsons flowers are starting to open and my first Cuckoo Flower of the year was in bloom on the 7th.
Finally a mystery hoverfly stood out amongst the other small ones at Blaencaerau. When I took the photograph I initially thought it was maybe a male Melanostoma mellinum, but looking at the photograph it appears to be a Platycheirus of either the clypeatus or peltatus groups. I'll run it past Roger Morris and update when I get a reply.
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