...because this time of year is when mayfly adults are emerging from the water in order to breed. After spending most of their lives as aquatic larvae the mayflies climb out of the water up the stems of emergent vegetation and transform into flying adults. They have only a short time in which to find a mate, breed and lay eggs before they die.
In this short time they will create an amazing spectacle over the water surface with thousands emerging at the same time. This spectacle attracts lots of birds including swallows and martins as well as banksdie dwellers such as warblers and wagtails. If this weekend is a sunny one wherever you are this might be worth checking out!
Warden Intern at Otmoor.
I love mayflies! Funnily enough, my friend & I were just discussing that the other night! On our evening cycle rides last May, we were surrounded by *thousands* of them! Not seen any yet this year.... Do hope that they will eventually hatch!
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Hi Ian
That's an interesting plan, I might do just that!
Might they attract the occasional hobby?
I need to get a sharper photo than the one of the last hobby I saw.
Best wishes Chris
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We already have some on our river, and you are right - we have dozens of swallows. It's wonderful to watch them.
Cheers, Linda.
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I have never seen this spectacle, thank you for letting us know. I will definitely try to get out to our nearby beck and see them. Are they likely to appear this far north, in Cumbria, or will we have to wait until it warms up a bit?
Kind regards Jane.
You should be seeing them about now Jef . Best time to see a good hatch of Mayfly is about a half hour eather side of Noon.
Once the weather heats up (I wish). you will see more of them.
I have been standing in the river fishing when a Hatch happened and couldent see the bank there was so much of them.
Cheers
AL
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Thanks Al, that is good to know. I will try to get out for a walk one evening over the next few days. I hope I see them.
You may well find hobbies hunting over water at this time of year, especially if there are plenty of swallows, swifts and martins around. Large areas of reedbeds and heathland are also good spots for hobby watching.
Good luck getting that perfect shot!