Fourth week of June

 Finally a bit of rain, but not enough to trigger the summer hoverfly broods. Around about 30-35 species seen this week with the first Cheilosia scutellata emerging as well as Riponennsia splendens. Highlights being Scaeva selenitica which is probably resident in the coniferous forests rather than migrants and continuing large numbers of the "big boys" - Sericomyia silentis, Volucella bombylans and Volucella pellucens. We are in the quiet fortnight between spring and summer broods and things will really explode with a couple of days rain.

On the butterfly front Ringlet, Dark Green Fritillary and Small Skipper are on the wing albeit in low numbers. Speckled Longhorn beetles continue in good numbers. Masses of various bees are about, just wish I had time to collect and ID them all. Day moths especially Burnets are out in good numbers but haven't found any Forester yet this year. All quiet on the bird front but the swifts are performing well. Early umbellifers are now finished so its waiting time for Hogweed and Angelica season although Cowbane is starting to blossom.

Cheilosia illustrata

Volucella bombylans

Volucella pellucens

14-spot Ladybird

Common Awl Robberfly

Dock Bug

Third week of June

 New hoverflies are continuing to emerge pushing me past 75 species for the year, but the dry weather is affecting overall numbers, with totals struggling to match last year unless I get a very good day. Highlights for the week include higher than usual numbers of Volucella bombylans, Sericomyia silentis and Xylota sylvarum.

Comma butterflies second brood are now emerging as are the Longhorn Beetle Rutpela maculata. Quiet on the bird front but Swifts seem to be making frequent entries to the nest cavities probably started feeding young.

Cheilosia variabillis

Xylota sylvarum

Rutpela maculata

Garnwen after another fire

Second week of June

 Fine weather continues, a bit to warm at times. Hoverflies out in good numbers, 31 species seen at Blaencaerau on Sunday, mostly in the central field which is now coming into its own with Hemlock Water-droplet and Ragged Robin in full bloom along with Bramble. Highlights include Scaeva selenitica, Anasymia contracta and Xylota sylvarum.

Chrysogaster solstitialis

Eupeodes corollae

Amongst the butterflies Meadow Brown are starting to emerge and Common Blue are becoming more noticeable. The Five-spot Burnets are now out in big numbers and the huge numbers of Burnet Companian continue. Middle-barred Minors are regularly being seen feeding on umbellifers during the day.

Meadow Brown

Common Blue

Five-spot Burnet

Five-spot Burnet pupae case

Burnet Companion

First week of June

 Dry weather and hoverflies are emerging in bigger numbers, finally got my first Helophilus pendulus of the year, but still a few common species missing most notably Cheilosia proxima. But nevertheless I have reached 70 species for the year. Some good sightings at various places over the last week include Cheilosia lasiopa, Chrysotoxum festivum, Parasyrphus lineola and I think I have  Parasyrphus vittiger as a specimen from Garnwen, the only other Welsh record is from here a few years back at the same Hawthorn tree !.but will have to wait for confirmation from Roger Morris at the end of year. Hawthorn has served me well this year, but now its umbellifer season with firstly Ground Elder and Hemlock Water- droplet for the next 3 weeks before Hogweed and Angelica flower. Lots of Volucella bombylans of both forms around at the moment with Bramble finally blooming. 

The first Large Skipper butterflies have emerged as are Gold-ringed Dragonfly and various Hawkers. Bugs include Rhopalus subrufus but no Forester or Burnet moths yet, but there are literally hundreds of Burnet Companion, Soldier beetles and Oedemera beetles of various species are also very abundant too.

A maximum of 12 Swifts are over Caerau at the moment in the evenings. Protheroe Street, George Street, Victoria Street, Church Street and Caerau Road all looking like they are holding colonies. Cuckoos are still plentiful but am yet to see a Garden Warbler. House Martins sem to be lacking but Swallows are staring to be more noticeable.

Volucella bombylans bombylans

Volucella bombylans plumata

Helophilus pendulus

Large Skipper

Rhopalus subrufus

well camouflaged Crab Spider

Meadow Cranesbill