Lletty Brongu woods

 It's surprising what a bit of sunshine can do at this time of year. A good selection of spring hoverflies were in the woods at Lletty Brongu and some in good numbers. 11 species were recorded with the best being Epistrophe eligans (4), Rhimgia campestris (7) and Cheilosia pagana (1). Highest counts were Melanostoma scalare (46), Platycheirus albimanus (41) and Eristalis pertinax (40).

Epistrophe eligans

Rhingia campestris

Xylota segnis

Eristalis pertinax

Helophilus pendulus

First butterflies of the year included Speckled Wood, Brimstone, Small Tortoiseshell and unusually Small White, I have never seen them emerge before Green-veined White before. Tree, Buff-tailed Bumblebee and Tawny-mining Bee were present as well as the common Honey Bee. Other flies include the spring cranefly Tipula vittata and the first shieldbug of the year was Green Shieldbug.

On the bird front Sand Martin (4) have returned and the woods held Blackcap, Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff, but no Rooks using either Llangynwyd or the Sewage works as a nest site.

Tawny-mining Bee

Green Shieldbug

Speckled Wood

Tipula vittata

Finally one of the oldest oak trees in the woods has succumbed to the winter storms and split right down the middle as it fell and was heavily laden with Ivy.  In fact quite a lot of trees have come down and lots of paths are blocked.

Easter weekend

 No new species of hoverfly but numbers are increasing slowly, which was a bit of a surprise after the snow on Thursday. Platycheirus albimanus numbered 24 and there were two male Parasyrphus punctulatus at Blaencaerau. But still singles of Eristalis pertinax and tenax.

Firsts for the year included Tree Bumblebee and the tachinid fly Tachina ursina. Cuckooflower was starting to blossom - a bit earlier than normal. On the bird front seven male Chiffchaffs have returned for the summer.

Parasyrphus punctulatus

Tachina ursina - my yearly photo📷

Cuckooflower

Sunday (24th March) - the season begins

 Things have started to emerge, 4 species of hoverfly were recorded on a 2hr walk up Gilfach (west) on Sunday with Platycheirus albimanus (1), Parasyrphus punctulatus (2), Eristalis pertinax (3) and Eristalis tenax (1) all on the wing.

The only other insects seen were Honey Bee (5) and Buff-tailed Bumblebee (3).

Parasyrphus punctulatus

Eristalis pertinax

Eristalis tenax

The new season

 Hoverfly season is about to begin in the valley, roughly on 21 March (first of the Sallow blossom) and end on 10 October (last of the Ivy blossom). These dates are about 2 weeks later than England and coastal Wales due to the higher altitude micro-climate we endure throughout the year particularly in Spring and Autumn. So here's a snippet of our overall records over the last nine years, with the valley list standing at 147 species, with a few notable missing species that should be recorded in the near future.