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).
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.
