During one of last week’s walks, my route took me along the edge of our two local rivers, first the Ely, then the Taff, and on vegetation along the riverbanks of both, I spotted my first Alder flies of the year.

Though I can’t be sure about which exact species of Alder fly these are – distinguishing between the three British species requires ‘examination of the external genitalia (males) or anal plates (females)’ (Naturespot website) – I can tell you that their species is Sialis, the genus Magaloptera, and they belong to the family that includes lacewings and scorpion flies.

The Naturespot website also relates that the ‘adults only last long enough to mate and deposit eggs which are laid in large masses on vegetation near to water’. These are not something I’ve ever seen but I found images of the eggs (and the larvae) on the UK Wildlife website, so I’m planning some leaf turning next time I walk by those two rivers. Fingers crossed!