July 2018 - Part 3
21st July 2018 - (Saturday, Szombat)
Even though I delayed my visit until early evening, the temperature was still very warm. As on many of my recent visits, about 20 Dryad butterflies were seen, and in the adjacent meadow area a male Wart-biter bush-cricket was seen. This particular individual was brown coloured. Apart from the mass of Dryads, other butterflies seen were: Wood White, Short-tailed blue, Chestnut Heath, Small Heath (including a mating pair), Meadow Brown, Common Blue, Silver-studded Blue, and Large Skipper = 9 species. A female Red-backed Shrike was feeding her young among the Dog Rose bushes, and a Golden Oriole was heard. A Black Redstart perched on some cables, and a female Long-winged Conehead posed for photos in The Bowl. At the top entrance I spotted a baby Common Toad, the second one to be seen in recent visits.
22nd July 2018 - (Sunday, Vasárnap)
The local area had been subjected to a spell of quite heavy rain, and the main road was still very wet with some large pools of standing water at the road edges. However, as usual, although the SQ had enjoyed some rainfall, there was no torrent going into the site. The butterflies and moths were trying to warm themselves after their shower, taking advantage of the clearing skies. The rumble of thunder accompanied me during my visit, but there was no chance of more rain. A male Red-backed Shrike was keeping watch on his offspring, and the adult Barn Swallows were teaching their fledglings to hunt insects along the rocky sides of the SQ. Several damselflies were seen but they were all Migrant Spreadwing - Lestes barbarus.
23rd July 2018 - (Monday, Hétfő)
A fairly short visit, but a very worthwhile one. Butterflies seen were: Dryad (about 12 seen), Meadow Brown, Short-tailed Blue, Silver-studded Blue, Hungarian Skipper, Small Heath, Eastern Pale Clouded Yellow, Wood White, and the first Chalkhill Blue of the year = 9 species. The Chalkhill was a magnificent male, in perfect condition.
24th July 2018 - (Tuesday, Kedd)
25th July 2018 - (Wednesday, Szerda)
26th July 2018 - (Thursday, Csütörtök)
27th July 2018 - (Friday, Péntek)
Butterflies seen: Dryad (at least 20), False Grayling (at least 15), Scarce Swallowtail (2 seen), Brimstone (female), Silver-washed Fritillary (female), Eastern Pale Clouded Yellow (3 seen), Grizzled Skipper (mating pair), Small White, Large White, Sooty Copper (egg-laying female), Chestnut Heath, Small Heath, Chalkhill Blue (3 males), Short-tailed Blue (both sexes), Silver-studded Blue, Silver-spotted Skipper (single), Wood White, Meadow Brown, and a first for 2018: Meleager's Blue (male) = 19 species.
There were also many Violet Carpenter Bees and two adult Praying Mantis in the Purple Loosestrife zone. At the end of my visit, I spent about 20 minutes filling two carrier bags with discarded plastic bottles, cans, and other rubbish that had been uncovered by the recent roadside mowing work. More remains, but it must wait for a cooler day, and a bigger bag!
There were also many Violet Carpenter Bees and two adult Praying Mantis in the Purple Loosestrife zone. At the end of my visit, I spent about 20 minutes filling two carrier bags with discarded plastic bottles, cans, and other rubbish that had been uncovered by the recent roadside mowing work. More remains, but it must wait for a cooler day, and a bigger bag!
29th July 2018 - (Sunday, Vasárnap)
A short visit (1845-1930) after some of the heat of the day had died down. The first sight to greet me on arrival was a nice little collection of Sunday rubbish: a beer can (empty!), a large crisp bag (also empty!), and a few other little items. These were cleared and bagged using the gripper. Not as many butterflies roosting on plant stems as I'd expected. I had the male Meleager's Blue in my lens but it flew off before I could press the button. Others seen were: Silver-studded Blue, Grizzled Skipper, Eastern Pale Clouded Yellow, False Grayling, Chestnut Heath, Small Heath, and Dryad (several) = 8 species. A juvenile Red-backed Shrike was crying out for food from its mother, whilst quivering with its wings out.