April 2020 - part 1
7th April 2020 - (Tuesday, Kedd)
My first visit this month as I've been staying indoors, trying to avoid getting or spreading the Covid-19 virus. It was a warm and sunny day that brought me out, and all was calm after days of very strong winds. The few butterflies I saw were very active, and not stopping for portraits. Seen were: Comma, Wood White, and a few other whites, unidentified. The water in The Bowl is lessening, but I heard one piping Fire-bellied Toad, and also found some Agile Frog spawn near the reedbed channel. Two adult Green Lizards were seen, and several juveniles, but all were too quick to be photographed. On the surface of the (still connected) Coffee Pool were several Whirligig Beetles, some large Pond Skaters (Aquarius najas), and a few Common Winter Damselflies were seen, including one pair engaged in egg-laying. I photographed my first Crab Spider of the year (accidentally, as I didn't see at the time!). It was a yellow Thomisus onustos hiding on Cypress Spurge. More plants were either in-leaf or coming into flower, including the regulars: Wild Privet, Blackthorn, Dogwood, Hawthorn, Dog Rose, and Ground Ivy. As always, more rain is needed if the amphibians are going to be successful with their breeding. At the moment, we are in a long period of blue, cloudless skies, which does not bode well for their success.
9th April 2020 - (Thursday, Csütörtök)
Today was 'butterfly day' at the Small Quarry, with 7 species being recorded. Those photographed were: Green-veined White, Peacock, Queen of Spain Fritillary, and Scarce Swallowtail, the latter egg-laying on Blackthorn on the top rim of the quarry. Those that escaped the camera were: Swallowtail, Wood White, and Brimstone - a fresh male that was stunningly yellow. Also seen was the moth, Dewick's Plusia - Cseppfoltú aranybagoly. One Fire-belliedToad piped occasionally, and an Agile Frog was surveying things from the middle of the open water. A pair of Mallard were quietly exploring the reedbed area, hoping I wouldn't notice them. If the weather remains sunny and warm the Coffee Pool will be cut off from the reedbed water in about 3 days. Only one juvenile Green Lizard seen today. No basking by adults, despite the favourable conditions.
16th April 2020 - (Thursday, Csütörtök)
Butterflies recorded: Southern Festoon (2), Grizzled Skipper (4), Dingy Skipper (4), Green-veined White, Wood White, Eastern Pale Clouded Yellow, Scarce Swallowtail, Small Copper, Queen of Spain Fritillary, Hungarian Skipper, Short-tailed Blue = 11 species. Baby Grass Snake in Rock Bath 1. 3 adult Green Lizards and 2 juveniles. Chiffchaff calling as it hunted insects inside the site. Bee-fly Triplasius pictus (with dotted wings and white spots on abdomen. I either disturbed 3 female Pheasants as I explored the site, or the same female, 3 times!
17th April 2020 - (Friday, Péntek)
Butterflies recorded: Short-tailed Blue, Small Copper (6), Southern Festoon (2 males), Grizzled Skipper, Dingy Skipper, Wood White, Scarce Swallowtail, Swallowtail, Comma, and Camberwell Beauty = 9 species. The 2 Festoons were engaged in a swirling mid-air territorial battle. A few Green Lizards of various ages were seen.