August 2019 - part 2
12th August 2019 - (Monday, Hétfő )
I was on-site for no more than an hour as the temperature was very high (at least 34 degs.). Butterflies recorded were: False Grayling (30), Dryad (20), Chalkhill Blue (4 males), Silver-studded Blue (20), Grizzled Skipper, Green-veined White, Small White, Eastern Pale Clouded Yellow, Weaver's Fritillary, Meadow Brown, Painted Lady (2), and Silver-washed Fritillary = 12 species. I heard a flock of Bee-eaters calling overhead but, as usual, they could not be seen. A small family group of Yellowhammer were drinking at RB1, which still has about 10-15 cm of water. However, once again, the rescue pool at the reedbed looks to be in trouble again. I hope most of the tadpoles have, by now, reached maturity. I want to clean the top irrigation channel soon (remove the accumulated road debris) as I'm expecting big thunderstorms, judging by this tremendous temperature - it is now 34 degs at 1851 !!
13th August 2019 - (Tuesday, Kedd)
Another one-hour visit, but this time it was fairly early in the morning (0850-0950). Rain was forecast so I headed straight to the SQ to clear the top irrigation channel of road debris. We need maximum water if those remaining tadpoles are to survive. It took about 30 minutes to cut back the vegetation and clear the blockages. I filled my plastic bucket four times and carried the material to Teréz's new concrete barrier. By the time I'd completed my work the sweat was pouring off me ... and it wasn't even 0930 ! The other half-hour was spent species recording, although I carried the secateurs with me to clear any encroaching Bramble and Dog Rose branches from the pathways. Butterflies noted were: Eastern Pale Clouded Yellow, Dryad (15), False Grayling (40), Small White (6), Silver-studded Blue (30), Silver-washed Fritillary (2 females), Painted Lady, Small Heath, Chestnut Heath, and Common Blue = 10 species. When I arrived, I saw a lovely Hare slowly crossing the road. It stopped to check me for a moment, but soon disappeared into the undergrowth before I could take a shot through the windscreen. Later, I heard the distinctive 'trim phone' call of a Black Woodpecker.
14th August 2019 - (Wednesday, Szerda)
Last night, at 2300, thunderstorms rolled in, and it rained from this time, almost continuously until 0500 today. At times, the rain sounded monsoon-like and I had high hopes that a waterfall would be in action when I paid my quite early visit. However, as I drove up the airfield road there was no torrent of water running down the road to greet me. In fact, no water was running down the hill at all. In our channel, there were signs that water had passed through, but there weren't even any small puddles in the channel. Entering the site, I saw that the water level in RB1 was marginally more than yesterday, and the RB2 had a small amount of water in it. The reedbed area had been topped-up a little, but there was nowhere near the level I'd exprected to see. So ... either this area didn't enjoy as much rainfall as other parts, or, if it did, then perhaps the very dry airfield area had soaked-up the rainfall like a sponge. Inside the site I was dazzled by the brightness of a male Adonis Blue. It seems that old Janos' ramshackle house has been sold as there was the sound of interior walls been sandpapered. Other butterflies seen were: False Grayling (20), Dryad (8), Reverdin's Blue, Silver-studded Blue (20), Chalkhill Blue (1 male), and Small White (3) = 7 species. One final highlight came as I was about to leave the site. As I neared the bottom (metal gate) area, an adult Green Tree Frog started calling to the right of the gates, and was then answered by another to the left of the gates.
15th August 2019 - (Thursday, Csütörtök)
Well ... it was business as usual, as we returned to blazing sunshine and associated temperatures. Not good news for the surviving tadpoles as they 'try to make a living' in what's left of their watery world. Another problem they face is the lack of food as this wetland is not a permanent feature. This means that an aquatic food chain cannot develop in the short time available. At least I saw something cheerful in this area: two of this year's baby Fire-bellied Toads were swimming across the water surface. At least they will survive the upcoming drought, unless eaten by something else. Butterflies seen were: Short-tailed Blue (female), False Grayling (40), Dryad (10), Meadow Brown (4), Wood White (2), Small Heath (6), Eastern Pale Clouded Yellow (2), Chalkhill Blue (2 males), Small White (6), Large Skipper, Weaver's Fritillary, Grizzled Skipper, Common Blue (4), and Silver-studded Blue (20) = 14 species.
23rd August 2019 - (Friday, Péntek)
A late afternoon 1-hour visit in a bid to miss the worst of the intense heat. Not sure it made THAT much difference, though ! The only 'open' water is in Rock Bath 1. The reedbed area has some dampness, and perhaps some more tadpoles will survive, deep down, but it's not looking too good. I was amazed by how many butterfly species were on show: Eastern Pale Clouded Yellow (2), Reverdin's Blue (male), Small Heath, Green-veined White, Adonis Blue (1 male), Silver-washed Fritillary (male and female), False Grayling (10), Chalkhill Blue (2 male), Sooty Copper (male), Small Copper (female), Painted Lady (2), Small White, Wood White, Chestnut Heath, Silver-studded Blue (10), Meadow Brown, and Silver-spotted Skipper = 17 species. I not only HEARD Bee-eaters over the SQ, but actually SAW them this time! Unfortunately they were too high to photograph ... but they were there!
29th August 2019 - (Thursday, Csütörtök)
My late morning visit didn't last too long as the heat was intense. It must have been at least 36 degs inside the SQ. I photographed moths and Odonata, but my main quest was butterflies. Of the latter, species recorded were: Silver-Washed Fritillary, Common Blue, Adonis Blue (1 male), Eastern Pale Clouded Yellow (3 seen), Painted Lady, Chalkhill Blue (2 males, 1 female), Chestnut Heath, Small Heath, Meadow Brown, False Grayling (8), Dryad (3), Sooty Copper (female), Silver-spotted Skipper, Green-veined White (2 seen), and Small White (3) = 15 species.