Swarming flies at Eglwys Nunydd Res

Swarming in nature is always fascinating, whether it's a plague of Locusts or a winter Starling roost. Today at Eglwys Nunydd, I was amazed at the masses of flies that were forming enchanting shapes around the reservoir. The video below tries to capture the spectacle.



I'm not sure what the flies are but the fishermen say this happens every year and that the scenes today were pretty special. Other insects today included 2 Green-veined White Artogeia napi and at least 2 Bombus vestalis searching for the nests of Bombus terrestris to take over.
The birdlife was pretty good today also. 10 Common Sandpiper, 13 White Wagtail, 3 Reed Warbler, 11 Sedge Warbler, 8 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Lesser Whitethroat and 6 Whitethroat. In fact 1 male Whitethroat was seen carrying nesting material! Also, at the end, a female Mallard with 8 chicks taking a quick swim.