April 2024
3rd April 2024 - (Wednesday, Szerda)
A sunny afternoon visit, but the scattered cloud moving across the Sun caused me to pause my photography several times. We'd had quite a lot of rain over the Easter weekend, but the water in The Bowl was at about the same level as on my previous visit. I think that some further work needs to be done on the top irrigation channel. Some butterflies were enjoying the sunshine: Queen of Spain Fritillary (2), Peacock, and Wood White. I heard several Fire-bellied Toads piping from various parts of The Bowl. However, I had a slight mystery: I photographed two small 'frog types' in what is effectively the Coffee Pool. I thought they were young Fire-bellied Toads ... but, looking closer at the eyes, they don't have triangular pupils. In addition, the undersides are not orange and black, but white and black. After some research on the internet, I feel pretty sure that they are young Agile Frogs, which often have these black and white spotted markings. I photographed two juvenile Green Lizards (one at Rock Bath 1), and my first Grass Snake of the year. It was 'full-length' near the junction of the pathways, and was about 18 inches long (45 cms).
8th April 2024 - (Monday, Hétfő)
Phew ! Many tales from today's SQ visit. Firstly, I brought the spade and proceeded to clean the top channel, and fill in the deep hole near to the road. I was concerned that a car might 'drop' a wheel in there, causing damage and problems. After the work, I started my observations. When I arrived, I heard a Green Tree frog calling, but from across the airfield road, near the hunting tower ! Several butterflies were active, some of them too active to photograph. Species seen: Scarce Swallowtail, Orange Tip (several males and one female), Wood White, Peacock, Small Copper, Brimstone (male), Large White, and Eastern Pale Clouded Yellow. I found one 45 cm Grass Snake halfway up the bank next to The Coffee Pool. At the reedbed, a female Green Lizard made its way through the fallen reed stems, and then I observed 2 more Grass Snakes (same size as the first) making their way through the fallen vegetation. Then, a male Green Lizard (blue head) appeared. He had come down to the water to drink, but this was quite dangerous with those 3 Grass Snakes hunting in the area. At least 12 Agile Frogs and a small Fire-bellied Toad were enjoying the warmth in the Coffee Pool. Several Fire-bellied Toads were calling from most water areas. Several Common Winter Damselflies were mating and laying eggs. I photographed a small Newt in the Coffee Pool, and I wonder if was a small Great Crested. Sadly the photos were not too good. Birds heard were: Nightingale (inside, at the usual corner), and Golden Oriole and Hoopoe (both outside the site).
17th April 2024 - (Wednesday, Szerda)
After several warm and sunny days (up to 28 degrees), we had a very rainy Saturday. However, despite my best efforts with the spade last week, no water went into the SQ. In fact, due to the (unseasonal) heat, the Coffee Pool had almost dried out completely, and the only water was found in the mid area of The Bowl, the reedbed section, and Rock Bath 1. I suspected as much, but it was, nevertheless, disappointing. Today's visit was on a cloudy, showery day, complete with a strong wind. A few small frogs and toads jumped into the water as I inspected the Coffee Pool, but no dragonflies, butterflies, lizards, or snakes were detected. At least three clumps of Yellow Flag Iris were 'in bud' in RB1. The other 'usual' Green-winged Orchid was again in flower outside the perimeter fence.