[BB]

Rumour has it that the midges are out and grit season is over? What's the word from residents of the Cratcliffe, burbage and stanage areas?

[SA Chris]

We have had sleet and snow up here the last couple of days, hopefully knocked them back for a while (unlikely though).

[Krank]

they were out at Rivelin on sun, not many, but they are on there way back.

[JamieG]

They were pretty bad at Wimberry last week. But the burbage valley seemed alright.

[dave]

the midges are always out if its vaguely warm (i've seen em out in snow), just depends on how windy it is as to whether you notice them or not.

[SA Chris]

Word. Apparently they are shit at flying and struggle in poor conditions, which to them means any wind more than a light breeze, cold, and thin air (so they struggle when humidity is low) and the aren't keen on bright light, which is why they are most common in sheltered shady spots, damp overcast days, and at dusk and night.

[Pantontino]

I got a face full of the fuckers last night while running along the bottom of the Fachwen road. Two in my eyes and swallowed a few too! Massive dense cloud of them.

I thought the heavy winter was meant to have wiped them out - and we've had snow on the tops for the last week too!

Anybody got any science to explain what is going on?

[SA Chris]

Apparently the heavy winter would have killed off something like 20% of the eggs, which equates to there still being a shitload (a scientific figure) that are still around to annoy the shit out of you.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/highlands_and_islands/8542670.stm

[Johnny Brown]

Lots of flies about, but I can't say I've seen a single Culloides impunctatus yet. Given that they're at their worst in Scotland I can't see why a harsh winter in Wales would bother them.

[Johnny Brown]

Last summer, two men cycling from Land's End to John O'Groats in their underwear for charity were badly bitten by midges shortly after reaching the Highlands.

Adam Dunn and Gavin Topley, from Branksome, near Bournemouth, had taken no other clothes, money, food or insect repellent for their journey.

What can you say?

[dave]

Lots of flies about, but I can't say I've seen a single Culloides impunctatus yet.

You've not been looking very hard, they were out at cragx last week. I've got the bites to prove it.

[Johnny Brown]

Well, there were no flies on me.

[BB]

Thanks for the info. I'll be heading to Portland at the weekend instead!

[dave]

Well, there were no flies on me.

Just midges round the top holds of problems word.

[Johnny Brown]

Sucks to be tall eh?