April 2015
8th April 2015
My continuing cold-like illness had kept me house-bound for a few days, but I was determined to enjoy the sunshine today. This was my first visit in April 2015. Besides species recording, I also collected the shards of glass that had come from the smashed windows of the SQHQ. This damage had been done long ago, before 2006, of course, and the clear-up had been on my to-do list for a long time. 3 butterfly species were seen, plus 2 amphibian species, and a young Grass Snake. The latter, after posing for pix, slid into a mossy patch in The Bowl to shelter for the night, forming a perfect circle as it did so. Also seen were 2 adult Green Lizards, and a juvenile. Young Robika enjoyed his 2nd visit, which he celebrated by building a rock castle. This was quickly populated by the spider we found !
9th April 2015
We visited the SQ on a very warm and sunny afternoon, both to study, and also to do some practical conservation work. We had noticed that the mass of grass stems from last year had 'keeled over' and were lying on top of flowering plants. Therefore, it was the intention to 'make hay while the sun shined'. I dealt with this project, while Teréz cut encroaching Bramble from the many pathways inside the site. We don't like making the place 'too attractive' to those who come in to cause trouble, but it's also not good for the SQ carers to get scratched by unforgiving thorns ! Several Green Lizards were observed today - adults and juveniles. A Peacock butterfly avoided the camera, as did a Blue Carpenter Bee.
14th April 2015
A sunny afternoon, but with quite a strong, cool wind. Even so, 2 small Grass Snakes (Vízisikló) were seen near the reed bed, but both were too fast to photograph ! About 5 adult Green Lizards were seen, basking on rocks. In Rock Bath 1, several Fire-bellied Toads (Vörös-hasu unka) were seen, along with 2 Edible Frogs. Quite a number of Smooth Newts (Pettyes gőte) were very active in the sun-lit water. The water level in RB1 is dropping quite quickly, as it is in The Bowl. Only one butterfly was seen (no photo): a Queen of Spain Fritillary (Közönséges gyöngyházlepke). Teréz cleared some small Dog Rose bushes that were encroaching on a 'butterfly area' and I cut some of the old grass stems at the top (entrance) section. Towards the end of the afternoon, we were visited by 'Friend of the SQ' Gyuri Csóka, and Maartje (full name to appear later !), a researcher from Sweden. The day also gave us a NEW SPECIES of Bee-fly: Triplasius pictus - ??? Magyar név
16th April 2015
Today was 'Water Day' at the SQ: 105 litres was delivered to Rock Bath 1 in 3 separate trips ! There is still quite a lot of water in the reedbed area of The Bowl, but it won't last for ever (unless we soon have some substantial rainfall). Therefore, the decision was made to keep RB1 topped-up, as we have done several times in the past. In RB1, I had an Agile Frog friend which showed its gratitude by staying amazingly close as I was pouring water in, and a Grass Snake that was so busy feeding on tadpoles below the water surface, it didn't realise I was there ! It's head was pushed through the surface vegetation. When it 'surfaced', it was very surprised, and slid into cover very quickly ! Butterflies observed were: Wood White, Green-veined White, Orange Tip (male), Queen of Spain Fritillary, and Grizzled Skipper, but only the latter was photographed, as the others were far too lively ! It was very hot and sunny today, and there were not as many Green Lizards basking because of this.
17th April 2015
Another 105 litres of water delivered to Rock Bath 1 today ... making it 210 litres for the 2 days. My last contribution occurred at 1930 ... and I was being rained upon at the time !
20th April 2015
I paid a late afternoon visit, and although it was mostly sunny, there was quite a strong, cool wind. I only brought 15 litres of water today, as I really couldn't carry the big container today ! I dropped the 2 small water containers inside the main gate, and, as I started to walk up the airfield road, I had my first, but very sad, observation. a young male Green Lizard dead on the road, run over by a car, today. Things got better after that, but it was a sad start to my visit.
22nd April 2015
Sunny, with a strong wind this afternoon. We brought 70 litres of water to Rock Bath 1 (2 trips !), and then started the study time. There were several small insects in evidence, and some spiders too. A new species of moth was recorded: the Small Yellow Underwing. A male Brimstone butterfly was seen, but it didn't stop to be photographed. Other butterfly species were more co-operative: Orange Tip (male), Wood White, Weaver's Fritillary, and Small Copper.
23rd April 2015
A late afternoon visit on quite a warm and sunny day. We delivered 35 litres of water to RB1, and then recorded species for a while. The 'star of the show' today was the Southern Festoon – Zerynthia polyxena – Farkasalmalepke. This had a very relaxed attitude to life, as it settled each time it was disturbed. It was also in mint condition, indicating that it had newly emerged. Not photographed were Wood White and a male Orange Tip.
24th April 2015
Two quick visits this afternoon, with the primary aim of delivering 70 litres of water to Rock Bath 1. However, despite the limited time available, I managed to record the amphibians and the single reptile of RB1, and also the first Lesser Fiery Copper – Thersamonia thersamon – Kis tűzlepke of the year. I was welcomed to the site by the songs of the first Nightingale – Luscinia megarhynchos – Fülemüle of the year.
26th April 2015
An afternoon visit revealed that 'romance was in the air' for the Green Lizards ! 3 'courting couples' were observed, and there were also a few solo males ... without 'girlfriends'. 2 small Grass Snakes were seen in Rock Bath 1, along with around 8 Smooth Newts. The Nightingale was still singing in our trees, and butterflies NOT photographed were: Orange Tip (male), Wood White, and, I think, a Swallowtail !
28th April 2015
A late afternoon visit, mainly to deliver water to Rock Bath 1 to ensure that the amphibians and snakes stayed happy .... and ALIVE ! This morning I purchased 5 x 10 litre water containers. We had a generous donation a few months ago from Mr Árpád Miklós, and this paid for these containers. I made 2 trips, totalling 120 litres of water. At last I've been able to reject the 20 litre container, which is really far too heavy to carry over such a long distance. Birds seen/heard were: Nightingale, Chiffchaff, and a Cuckoo that landed on the entrance electricity pole, but departed while I changed lenses ! There was also a large flock of roosting Starlings that kept taking to the air with a great rustling sound ! Dark clouds were all around, but no rain fell ! The only butterfly species seen (but not photographed) was: Wood White – Leptidea sinapis – Mustárlepke. Oh .. I nearly forgot : as I drove up the hill to the SQ with the 2nd load of water, an adult Fox – Vulpes vulpes – Vörös róka ran across the road in front of me !
30th April 2015
A morning visit, accompanied by Dave Bevan and his brother Brian, from the UK. Both avid nature photographers. Photo titles will be added later !