Saturday

 Fine weather but a strong north easterly wind, meant the 20c temperature felt more like 15c. With most of the flower areas now out of bloom , I payed a short visit to three places to check out whether the Ivy was in bloom.

Maesteg Welfare park

The Ivy here [background of 2nd photo) was yet to open, but the flower bed in front of it had a few ornamental flowers which were attracting hoverflies particularly the ornamental umbellifer Orlaya grandiflora (White Laceflower) and Anemone hupehensis var. jappnicax hybryda (Japanese Anemone). 13 species of hoverfly were recorded in this small one bed, with the commonest being Eristalis arbustorum (6) and Cheilosia scutellata (6).

Cheilosia scutellata

Eristalis arbustorum

Maesteg Cemetery

I visited at the wrong time of the day and the Ivy although starting to open was in the shade and I only recorded 8 species with the best being Sericomyia silentis (f).

Lletty Brongu woods

This small Ivy patch over the stream by the farm was very productive, holding 15 species of hoverfly, with Eristalis arbustorum again the commonest (8) species. The best from the woods included Eupeodes luniger (f), Riponnensia splendens (m) and Helophilus pendulus (3).

Eristalis horticola - rather scarce this year

Between the three sites I also saw the butterflies Comma (1), Red Admiral (4), Small White (2) and Speckled Wood (4). Also 3 Green Shieldbug were seen.

Comma

Green Shieldbug (3rd instar)