June 2017 - part 2
11th June 2017 - (Sunday, Vasárnap)
Most of the time during my visit was devoted to the 'saving of amphibian souls', as I firstly delivered another 100 litres of water to RB1, and then turned to the task of netting as many young amphs as possible from the rapidly disappearing Coffee Pool. On arrival I was quite shocked to see that the area to the left of the indicator rock pile was now dry ... and this only since yesterday. The area to the right of the rock pile still had some water, but it was not very deep, meaning that I could only use the dessert spoon as a catching device. A little later I discovered a small open patch between the rushes, with lots of 'air gasping' going on. So, I reverted to the white net and started catching numerous Common Spadefoot Toad tadpoles, young Smooth Newts, young Great Crested Newts, and varied Odonata larvae. After working for over 1.5 hours in the hot sun I could do no more. It pained me to walk away from other gasping tadpoles, but the rescue mission could go on all night. As I tipped the first of two loads of tads into the reedbed channel, I was surprised to see a 45 cm Grass Snake slide past my right foot and into the water! It must have been curled up on the rocks next to me, but I hadn't seen it. The White Wagtail, which had been on the 'shore' of the Coffee Pool, transferred its operation to the reedbed channel. Obviously, it finds toad tadpoles tasty! Butterflies seen during the work were: Marbled White, Small Heath, Pearly Heath, Common Blue (male), and Marbled Fritillary, whilst those photographed after the work were: Essex Skipper, Sloe Hairstreak, and a superbly bright Adonis Blue (male) : 8 species. As I walked around the top rim, a male Pheasant 'made me jump' as it flew, calling, out of the Sessile Oak on the edge, and across the site. I didn't notice any of the usual blue damsels today, but I found a Lestes sp later. A Corn Bunting was calling from the bushes just outside the fence, near the Hog's Fennel area.
12th June 2017 - (Monday, Hétfő)
This afternoon I delivered another 100 litres of water to Rock Bath 1, and was almost frightened to check the Coffee Pool as it had been another very hot day. Eventually, I made my way there, and, as I expected, the CP was dry. The small open area amongst the rushes no longer had water, and flies were busily laying their eggs on amphibian corpses. I felt bad that I couldn't rescue more of them yesterday, but it really was 'mission impossible' due to the shallow water and dense vegetation. I can also add to that, my fatigue after working so long in the hot sun. All looked well at RB1, with at least 5 Fire-bellied Toads floating on the surface of the deepest part. I also saw one of the young Great Crested Newts that I had recently rescued. The White Wagtail has now transferred its operation from the (now dead) CP, to the reedbed channel. I told him/her that I didn't save all those tadpoles for her/him to come along and eat them! The only damselfly seen was a Lestes sp., and the butterflies were: Common Blue (male), Adonis Blue (male), Small Heath, Pearly Heath, Essex Skipper, Silver-studded Blue (female), Reverdin's Blue (a fresh female), Meadow Brown, and a rather battered female Short-tailed Blue. This made it 9 species, but a dark Fritillary refused to stop and be identified ... I think it was a Heath Fritillary.
13th June 2017 - (Tuesday, Kedd)
As the Coffee Pool was now completely dry I no longer had the task of amphibian rescue to worry about, so I could concentrate on keeping Rock Bath 1 irrigated. My efforts seem to be appreciated by the amph community, as the 'regular' Fire-bellied toads were joined by two adult male Smooth Newts. I didn't notice any newt young, but it's possible that the adults are picking them off as food. Butterflies seen were: Peacock, Essex Skipper, Chestnut Heath, Small Skipper, Marbled White, Small Heath, and a female Adonis Blue (7 species). I also found some Horned Treehoppers on the Dwarf Elder. Some of the plants are feeling the effects of the intense heat and lack of rainfall.
14th June 2017 - (Wednesday, Szerda)
Another day, another 100 litres. A Hummingbird Hawkmoth was investigating the plants, but there was nothing to hold its interest, hence no photos could be taken. Butterflies seen were: Adonis Blue (2 males), Marbled White, Small Skipper, Twin-spot Fritillary, Meadow Brown, Silver-studded Blue (female), Small Heath, and Sloe Hairstreak (4 seen) : 8 species. One Azure Damselfly was seen, but there would be so many more species here if we'd still got a full Bowl of water. A Xysticus Crab Spider had caught a Diving Beetle .... surely one of the largest prey items I'd seen captured by a crab spider.
15th June 2017 - (Thursday, Csütörtök)
I waiited until 1600 before departing for the SQ, as it had been such a hot day. Even so, the temperature hadn't dropped that much. As I started to pour the first 10 litres of my 100-litre consignment into RB1 I noticed a nicely marked Edible Frog sitting in the shallows. It let me photograph it, and then turned to provide another angle. After that, it sat and watched me empty the rest of the water, and I thought I heard a thankyou come from it! I didn't stay long, due to the heat, but during a short walk through The Bowl, I was surprised to see a large male Green Lizard sunning itself in a clearing. Its tail seemed incredibly long, as can be seen in the photos. Butterflies: Meadow Brown, Large White, Essex Skipper, Pearly Heath, Small Heath, Peacock, Marbled White, Adonis Blue (male), Reverdin's Blue (male), Silver-studded Blue (female), and a mating pair of Blue-spot Hairstreak that landed in a tall Dog Rose bush, in a most awkward position for the camera. When I tried to move the branch gently, off they went, to where, I know not. Therefore, I have Blue spots ... but without .. the blue spots!
16th June 2017 - (Friday, Péntek)
There were two completely different aspects to my late afternoon visit, as for most of the time it was hot and rather overcast. Then, as I was about to leave the site, a sudden thunderstorm approached from the west. As rain started to fall, I decided to extend my visit, and I was glad that I did! Quite quickly, quite heavy rain started to fall, and I sought shelter inside the SQHQ. Curiosity got the better of me, and I peeked around the corner. To my delight, the waterfall had burst into life. I braved the rain and climbed up to the top to check the efficiency of the top irrigation channel. It was mostly working well, but, by hand, I shored-up the 'unofficial' cuttings, and cleared debris from the 'official' channel to ensure that as much water as possible went into the SQ. After about 50 minutes, the heavy rain stopped, and I left the site at 1845, with the waterfall still in action, albeit at a slower pace. Prior to this welcome downpour, I had seen a female Green Lizard, some more Horned Treehoppers, and a juvenile Red-backed Shrike. Only four butterfly species were seen: Pearly Heath, Meadow Brown, Common Blue (male), and Essex Skipper.
17th June 2017 - (Saturday, Szombat)
I was intrigued to see how much 'good' yesterday's rain had done for the SQ, although I wasn't too optimistic, so I carried another 100 litres of water. I found that Rock Bath 1 had seen a slight rise in water level, and that the water surface had spread into a few other areas. I added my contribution, and hoped more would soon follow from above. The water surge had probably helped the reedbed area a little, but when there are several days of drought, the first rainfall tends to soak into the ground first, meaning that the SQ doesn't get the full benefit. Om my later walk, I saw a female Common Darter, and butterflies included: Meadow Brown, Common Blue (male), Adonis Blue (male), Small Skipper, Pearly Heath, Small Heath, Marbled White, and a superbly fresh Blue-spot Hairstreak. The almost gale-force wind didn't help my camerawork, but I did my best! An adult Green Lizard was basking on the path to the car (near the houses), when I returned with the empty containers.
18th June 2017 - (Sunday, Vasárnap)
A late afternoon visit to deliver the 100 litres. I didn't go this morning, as originally planned, as it was overcast and very windy. Conditions improved later, but by then, the sun was getting down a bit. There didn't seem to be much life at the site, but I still managed to photograph a reasonable selection. The Shrike was obliging, but I had a plant stem that kept blowing in front of the bird, making focusing quite an ordeal. The water in RB1 is 'holding its own' at the moment. Butterflies seen were: Marbled White, Essex Skipper, Meadow Brown, and Chestnut Heath.
19th June 2017 - (Monday, Hétfő)
Before commencing my water-carrying activities today, I decided to cut back the Dog Rose bushes and Bramble stems that were encroaching on several of the pathways. In some areas, such long stems were being accidentally moved during walking activities, meaning that butterflies or other insects were alerted to the presence of a naturalist before any photograph could be taken. Of more concern was the large Dog Rose, with its Traveller's Joy companion, that grows on the steep slope near the houses. This is my main route in with the water, and I was having to twist my body to get past these bushes, which is not good when carrying 20 litres of water. My work immediately improved the situation. Whilst in the middle of my water-carrying operation, I suspended the work to photograph a female Ruddy Darter dragonfly. An Azure male was also seen. Butterflies: Pearly Heath, Meadow Brown, Large White (mating pair), Marbled White (a few seen), Essex Skipper, and Red Admiral : 6 species. The day was very hot, but the water in RB1 is 'holding its own', helped by my daily donation. The water in The Bowl is another story, and I'm hoping that a prolonged downpour will happen soon to give the amphibian young a chance to complete their development.
20th June 2017 - (Tuesday, Kedd)
A mid-afternoon visit to deliver another 100 litres of water. My efforts are helping Rock Bath 1 to remain stable, water level-wise. The temperature was 30 degrees, and after delivering the water I felt really drained due to the heat. I walked around the site for a while to record species, but I really couldn't stay long. Butterflies seen were: Reverdin's Blue (male), Common Blue (male), Adonis Blue (male), Marbled White, Large White, Eastern Pale Clouded Yellow, Meadow Brown (several), and Small Heath: 7 species, plus a fast, small Fritillary ... probably a Heath Fritillary. The water in The Bowl continues to shrink ... where is the monsoon season ? Before coming to the SQ, I bought 2 strong bags to replace the large plastic bag that I've been carrying the empty water containers in. The original bag now has many holes after coming into contact with the rose bushes, many times!