After the two day mini heatwave, temperatures returned to 14c and a bright sunny day saw the first spring emergence of multiple hoverfly species. All the spring flowers were in bloom such as Lesser Celandine, Wood Anemone, Marsh Marigold, Early Dog Violet, Ground Ivy, Primrose and Opposite-leaved Golden Saxifrage as well as Sallow Blossom. This meant there was plenty of pollen for hoverflies to feed on. Large numbers of Platycheirus albimanus (85) and Eristalis pertinax (60) were present plus smaller numbers of Melanostoma scalare (5), Platycheirus scutatus (1), Episyrphus balteatus (1), Syrphus torvus (1) and Cheilosia pagana (2).
Other insects included four species of butterfly in Comma, Red Admiral, Small Tortoiseshell and Speckled Wood. Bees included Gwynne's Mining Bee, Clark's Mining Bee, Honey Bee, Buff-tailed Bumblebee and Common Carder Bee. Finally there were 10 Dark-edged Bee-fly feeding on Lesser Celandine dotted around the wood.
Amongst the birds summer visitors are starting to arrive in Chiffchaff (3) and Blackcap (1) all males singing. Of the resident species Nuthatch, Green Woodpecker and Goldcrest were the most vocal.
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