December 2016
2nd December 2016 - (Friday, Péntek)
Teréz's photos:
3rd December 2016 - (Saturday, Szombat)
A 30-minute visit on a sunny, but very cold afternoon. The larger bushes offered some shelter, but once past them, the icy wind started to 'bite' again. Someone (who is most likely 'very local' to the SQ) has had a bonfire inside the SQ since our last visit, and we suspect that we know the culprit(s). Will they ever learn? The fire site (just below the rock face, nearest to the houses) is just over 1 metre in diameter, and has left brown ash about 18 cms deep. I found a piece of wire among the ashes. Another dirty job ahead for the SQ clean-up team ! Ice had formed on all of the open water, including Rock Baths 1 & 2. Some of the sheltered sections of path were frosty. I heard Bullfinches calling overhead, and saw a few Great Tits. I also observed 2 or 3 birds that appeared to be Buntings, but unfortunately, I couldn't confirm the species.
8th December 2016 - (Thursday, Csütörtök)
A short, afternoon visit on a very frosty, icy day. As I arrived, I saw one Bullfinch fly off, but that was the only bird recorded. From a distance, I thought that someone had thrown some big white bags of rubbish into the site, but upon closer examination, I found that they were just large rocks, covered in frost!
11th December 2016 - (Sunday, Vasárnap)
Teréz's photos ..... a visit with Robika, Kati Bódi, and her husband:
13th December 2016 - (Tuesday, Kedd)
A sunny afternoon for my visit, but with a cold wind blowing across the site. I was able to record several gall species today, with four of the species being found on the usual Sessile Oak host on the top rim. The only 'moving life' today was provided by the birds: Bullfinch, Jay, Blackbird, and Great Tit were seen. A Great Spotted Woodpecker and a Fieldfare were heard, and a small flock of Greenfinch were photographed.
15th December 2016 - (Thursday, Csütörtök)
Teréz's solo visit, during which she obtained the first record of a Sparrowhawk at the Small Quarry.
24th December 2016 - (Saturday, Szombat)
A short, afternoon visit on Christmas Eve to take some scenic shots of the snowy and frosty views. Bullfinches and Fieldfares were heard. Teréz paid a short visit during the morning with Robika, and her photos will appear soon.
Teréz also paid a short visit to the 'Winter Wonderland' with Robika:
30th December 2016 - (Friday, Péntek)
A 10-minute, lunchtime visit to check that all was well with the SQ, and to record the scenes on this day. The only sign of life was a Great Tit. All water was frozen, and frost was still on the paths that hadn't been touched by the sun.