Gilfach (west) - Top Llangynwyd

 Another bright fine day with temperatures the same as yesterday, with plenty of spring hoverflies feeding on Sallow blossom.

This Sallow blossom in the car park at the top of Gilfach mountain produced 10 species of hoverfly and 70% of all the hoverflies seen today. Why they should opt for this blossom and not any other of the Sallows in blossom, including one 5 yards away is any-ones guess, but the totals were quite staggering and listed below.

3  Platycheirus albimanus
4  Episyrphus balteatus
3  Eupeodes lapponicus - rare

6  Melangyna lasiophthalma - scarce
2  Meliscaeva auricollis
35 Parasyrphus punctulatus - scarce
4  Syrphus torvus
1  Syrphus ribesii
60 Eristalis pertinax
2  Criorhina ranunculi - scarce - male & female

Other species of insect also visited the blossom including Holly Blue, Orange Tip, Peacock and Small Tortoiseshell butterflies. Adela cuprella (10) micro moth were dancing above the highest blossoms, 8 Dark-edged Bee-fly and Buff-tailed Bumblebee. The tree was also visited by the bird species Chiffchaff and Siskin.

Criorhina ranunculi

Eupeodes lapponicus

Episyrphus balteatus

Melangyna lasiophthalma

Parasyrphus punctulatus

Holly Blue

The rest of the trees (about 20 in blossom) in the area only produced Platycheirus albimanus (4), Episyrphus balteatus (3), Parasyrphus punctulatus (10), Syrphus torvus (1), Eristalis pertinax (30) and a male Criorhina ranunculi.

Another Chiffchaff was heard as was the first of the year for me Willow Warbler.