July 2017 - part 2
11th July 2017 - (Tuesday, Kedd)
Last night there was another large thunderstorm, accompanied by heavy rain. Even so, the cynic within me could not believe that the water situation in Rock Bath 1 would have changed. However, when I arrived at RB1 with the first two containers, I was surprised to see that quite a lot of water had gone into it. The indicator rock, which had been totally exposed, was now half submerged, and the rock I'd previously been standing on for balance as I poured in the water was now under water. At last, with the larger open water areas, I could see that many tadpoles had survived the onslaught of the Grass Snake. I completed the water delivery, thereby increasing the level to the 3/4 mark on the indicator rock - which was the level after last night's rainfall. Of course, it had dropped a little in today's heat. I then started my nature walk. As I passed RB2 I saw that it also held quite a lot of water, and I just could not let it go to waste. I decided that, after my species-recording walk, I would collect the buckets from the car and transfer the water to RB2. By the time I'd finished, I'd moved 19 bucketfuls to RB1. Instead of pouring the water directly into RB1, I poured it onto the sloping bank in order that it didn't cause too much disturbance, and also, the land vegetation filtered-out the dead leaves, etc. The Spadefoot tadpoles displayed some strange behaviour: they were attracted to my regular waterfalls! Despite the fact that they kept getting swept away across the 'pond', they still kept coming back, waiting for the next bucket of water! Maybe the water flow was cooling, or increased the oxygen level? When I left the site, there was one little item protruding above the water: the very tip of the indicator rock! I was sorry that I couldn't cover it completely, but it was still a good effort. As for The Bowl, there seemed to be water through most of the reedbed ..... including my rescue patch next to the reedbed. I managed to get some aerial shots of a male dragonfly of the aeshna family. What I didn't realise at the time was that it was a male Blue-eyed Hawker, kindly identified by our friend Attila Kalmar. This is a new species for the site, and makes it: 19 species of dragonfly, 15 species of damselfy .. making a grand Odonata total of 34 species.
12th July 2017 - (Wednesday, Szerda)
More thunderstorms overnight, but it doesn't look like much rain fell in the Small Quarry area, as the indicator rock in RB1 showed a slight decrease in water level. After I added today's 100 litres the level reverted to 'almost' what it was yesterday, after I added the extra water from RB2. There were several butterfly species about today, including a male Large Copper, which is probably the first sighting of this species at the SQ this year. I also saw two female Short-tailed Blue ... the second brood of the year. There were still some Marbled White around, including one individual that lacked markings on its underwings. The other species seen were: Scarce Swallowtail, Common Blue, Silver-studded Blue, Reverdin's Blue, Small Heath. Meadow Brown, and Grizzled Skipper: 9 species. Several species of Odonata were also present: Lestes sp., Ruddy Darter, and, at last, the newly-identified Blue-eyed Hawler sat down for me ! Despite the mixture of sunshine and cloud cover, it was still hellishly hot at the site. When I arrived at RB1 with the first two water containers, there seemed to be much tadpole activity. I believe, out of the corner of my eye, I saw a snake body hunting in the water. This would certainly explain the tadpole frenzy.
13th July 2017 - (Thursday, Csütörtök)
Today was a double trip to the SQ ..... which meant 'double water'. Yes, I transported a total of 220 litres (approx.) today. When I arrived the first time, just the top of the pyramid was showing above the water level, but my first 110 litres was enough to cover it. My second 110 litres improved the situation, and I'm hoping to get more help from tonight's thunderstorm ... if we get one! The tadpoles seem to be enjoying themselves as they explore the expanded area. They don't seem to be developing legs very quickly though, and I wonder if there is not enough 'real' aquatic vegetation to feed them. This is the problem when the wetland areas of the site dry-up regularly: there is no chance for a real aquatic community to become established. After my second 'watering', I started a brief nature walk, recording: a male Lesser Fiery Copper, two female Short-tailed Blue, Small Heath, Silver-studded Blue, Reverdin's Blue, Common Blue, Grizzled Skipper, Eastern Pale Clouded Yellow, Marbled White, Meadow Brown, and Holly Blue: 11 species. There seemed to be slightly more water in The Bowl, as evidenced by the photos taken near the reedbed. During my walk, a light blue dragonfly whizzed past me, but then, it couldn't be found. It looked rather like a Southern Skimmer, which would be a new species for the site. Hopefully it will still be there tomorrow for a positive identification.
14th July 2017 - (Friday, Péntek)
My late afternoon visit happened under cooler conditions, mainly because large sheets of cloud blocked out the sun. It was also a calm day, as the recent strong winds had abated.When I arrived at RB1 with the first two water containers I saw that a small pyramid of the indicator rock was visible above the water. After eight containers of water, the pyramid was below the water level. Frustratingly though, when I looked again at the end of my visit, a tiny pyramidal tip was again above the water surface. Can I ever win this battle? Anyway, early on I re-found the shield bug with its moulting problem. This time, I was able to get shots of it from different angles. Its 'red robes' made me think that it wouldn't look out of place in the House of Lords. After some difficulty, I managed to photograph a Twin-spot Fritillary, but it wasn't very cooperative. Other butterflies seen were: Marbled White, Silver-studded Blue, Reverdin's Blue, Common Blue, Short-tailed Blue, and Brown Argus: 7 species. As I checked my 'rescue patch' I discovered a small water beetle there, and also a single tadpole! How it survived the drought after NOT being rescued is a mystery. I have left it there as it may thrive better than if it was moved to RB1. Maybe others are lurking within the reedbed.
15th July 2017 - (Saturday, Szombat)
When I arrived (at 1826), I noticed three things: 1) The ground was rather wet after the the heavy rain showers this morning; 2) It looked like someone had cut the fence wire that I usually limbo under; 3) The reason for that soon became obvious: it made access easier so that they could dump some garden cuttings into the SQ. So .. the score was 1-2 for good things versus bad things. When I reached RB1 with my first 2 containers I was very happy to see that the water level had increased, and the indicator rock was submerged. I quickly checked RB2 and was pleased to see a fair amount of water in that, too. I decided to transfer RB2's water to RB1 after I'd emptied my 10 containers. Before emptying the 10 containers, I noticed some movement right at the front edge of RB1. As I looked closer, I saw that it was one of this year's 2cm babies, and not a Common Spadefoot Toad ... but a baby Fire-bellied Toad. So as not to disturb it, I poured the water down the slope at the left side. At RB2 I was able to scoop-up 10 bucketfuls of water, and this was also poured in via the new slope location. The water was cloudy or milky, as it had presumably filtered through the rock fissures. This is a normal thing in the SQ, and the tadpoles didn't seem to mind. On the contrary, they flocked to enjoy the new water! As the usual indicator rock was nicely submerged already, I selected a second one that was positioned at the rear of RB1. When I arrived, only the top pyramid was visible, but after my 10 containers, and the 9 buckets, it is also now fully submerged. If only this rainy sequence could continue ! On a short nature walk, I found the shield bug with the moulting problem again, and he was linked to yet another female. His physical deformity doesn't appear to deter the ladies. Maybe he tells them that he's a body-builder? A second shield bug species was seen, and the usual 3 blue butterflies: Common Blue, Silver-studded Blue, and Reverdin's Blue. No Short-tailed seen today. An adult female Green Lizard scurried away from the reedbed area as I approached. Before leaving the site, I collected all of the dumped vegetation from the lip of the SQ and placed it outside the fence line. I followed that by reconnecting the wire strand ... more as a gesture of defiance, than anything else.
16th July 2017 - (Sunday, Vasárnap)
I arrived, late afternoon, to see that the top of my 'new' indicator rock was just peeping above the water surface. It's amazing how quickly the water either evaporates or seeps away. My 100 litres was enough to cover the rock again, but no doubt it will be the same tomorrow. I need to recruit 9 other strong men to each bring 100 litres per day ... then we can make some progress! It was very much a shield bug day, with many being observed on the flower heads of Knapweed. I saw a few more tadpoles in my 'rescue patch', so they really must have found some damp hollows in the reedbed so that they could survive the recent drought conditions.
17th July 2017 - (Monday, Hétfő)
Despite waiting until after 1700, the Quarry was still amazingly hot when I arrived. This was underlined by the fact that my new indicator rock (located at the rear of RB1) already had its top 'pyramid' showing above the water. My 100 litres helped the situation, although a small part of the rock was still protruding when I left the site. My nature walk was quite short as the heat made me feel rather uncomfortable. Butterflies seen were: Red Admiral, Eastern Pale Clouded Yellow, Silver-studded Blue, Reverdin's Blue, Common Blue, Brown Argus, Marbled White, Small Heath, and Twin-spot Fritillary: 9 species. There was also a small Fritillary that didn't sit long enough for a photo to be taken, but it 'may' have been a Heath Fritillary. I also saw a Hummingbird Hawkmoth, but these really need to be feeding on the mass of Purple Loosestrife in The Bowl. Otherwise, they are almost impossible to photograph when 'free range'.
18th July 2017 - (Tuesday, Kedd)
Today, I paid two visits to the SQ ..... which meant 2 x 100 litres of water for Rock Bath 1. This small water body really needed that amount as the water level had dropped quite a lot since yeterday. This was mainly due to the fact that today's temperature was up around the 36 degree mark. Again, I saw a tadpole in my 'rescue patch' at the reedbed channel. By accident, I photographed a tiny water snail on a leaf in RB1 ..... how did that arrive there? The Orthopteran species put on a fine display today, with Italian Locusts whizzing about in front of me, giving a distinctive buzzing sound as they flew. Several other species were also photographed. The star of the day, though, was the male Chalkhill Blue, the first sighting of this species this year. Although its colouring is somewhat subtle, it is, nevertheless, a spectacular species, and one of those that 'stops you in your tracks'.
19th July 2017 - (Wednesday, Szerda)
Today, I am splitting the text and photos into two parts ..... and here is why: When I arrived at the SQ with the water consignment I noticed a small group of young-ish people inside the site, and near to the top entrance. As always, thinking of a negative scenario, I attached the big lens and took some photos from a distance. As I was carrying the water containers to RB1 I suddenly discovered what the visitors were doing as a camera drone suddenly fired-up and started to fly over the site. Again, I took photos and after emptying the water, I walked up the hill to meet the 'camera crew'. They were all very busy, but I asked if any of them spoke English. None of them did, apart from a few words. This was disappointing as I wanted to tell them about the SQ, and that I'd love to have some drone aerial photos of the site. I managed to mutter a few key facts in Hungarian, but no one seemed really interested. They were too busy filming the blonde girl and her friend running across The Bowl and up the rocky slope on the house-side. I wondered if this was about to be a 'dodgy' film, but no ... all clothing remained in place ! Shortly afterwards they departed, and sadly, I'm no nearer getting aerial photos of the site from a drone. Oh well .....
After all the drone excitement, the nature seemed rather bland. Not really! There several interesting things about but the high temperature was, again, very draining. How that girl and boy could keep running backwards and forwards across The Bowl for filming I really don't know. The water in RB1 was again a little down, but I managed to repair the situation with today's addition. The male Chalkhill Blue was again very cooperative, as was a male Sooty Copper. Other butterflies seen were: Meadow Brown, Small Heath, Eastern Pale Clouded Yellow, Silver-studded Blue, Reverdin's Blue, Marbled White, and Brown Argus: 9 species. A new species of Bee-fly was discovered today: Anthrax aethiops. The water in the reedbed channel has started to recede again, so more thunderstorms are needed urgently.
20th July 2017 - (Thursday, Csütörtök)
Today I paid two visits as the temperature was up around 36 degs inside the site again, and more of the 'new' indicator rock was exposed. After the double consignment only the dry top pyramid of the rock could be seen above the water surface. As I arrived the first time, the first Dryad of the year flew past me. As usual, I was carrying two full water containers, and my camera was in its bag around my neck. This is an all-too-familiar story. I hate to think how many species haven't been recorded this year due to the water project. On my brief (heat-restricted) walk, I saw that the male Chalkhill Blue was in its usual place, and I found a mating pair of Short-tailed Blue. After taking photos I back-tracked so as not to disturb them. Other butterflies seen were: Eastern Pale Clouded Yellow, Reverdin's Blue, Silver-studded Blue, Common Blue, Meadow Brown, Small Heath, Sooty Copper (male), Brown Argus, Small White, and Wood White: 13 species.