March 2020
2nd March 2020 - (Monday, Hétfő)
A mid-afternoon visit to check the site after the large amount of rainfall overnight. Teréz arrived first and found that our German 'fiend' had cut a small channel and also blocked our channel to take water away from the SQ. His work was too little, too late, though, as The Bowl had a very healthy amount of water inside it. Teréz unblocked the blockage, and I followed-up with the trowel to clear the road debris that had entered our channel. A healthy waterfall was in action, but it had obviously been an even bigger one overnight. We heard the underwater 'clucking' sounds of some Common Spadefoot Toad males in Rock Bath 1, so the breeding season is under way! My first photos using the newly-purchased Nikon D3100 camera body. Although it was second-hand, it had only taken 26,000 photos, compared to my 'old body', which had taken 270,500 photos! It will now head for retirement!
Here are Teréz's photos, including some very good shots of the first Agile Frog breeding activity for this year. All of these were taken at Rock Bath 1, as was the shot of the Water Boatman bug. The Raven overflew the site.
4th March 2020 - (Wednesday, Szerda)
Teréz's pictures during a very short, very wet visit !
5th March 2020 - (Thursday, Csütörtök)
I arrived to find that water was still running down the hill and into the SQ. Our top channel had not been interferred with this time. I entered the water near to the HQ steps, but soon had to retreat as the level threatened to go over my wellies! I saw my first butterfly of the year as it passed by. It was a Nymphalid, but I couldn't identify the species due to distance and speed. Today I heard underwater clucking from within the reedbed, but couldn't actually see any amphibians due to cloudy or muddy water. At the moment, it's impossible to walk beside the reedbed due to the depth of the water ... and the waterfall was still working when I departed. A Wren was working its way through the bushes, searching for food.
Teréz's images from the same day, including the first Tree Frog, hiding in the grass near to The Bowl !
7th March 2020 - (Saturday, Szombat)
A short visit to check the water situation. I was pleased to see that there had been no sabotage and that a 'good' amount of water was flowing into the site. Water now covers all of the floor of The Bowl. I heard Common Spadefoot Toads 'clucking' underwater in Rock Bath 1, but didn't actually see them. Upon arrival, the sky clouded over and it only cleared again as I was about to leave !
9th March 2020 - (Monday, Hétfő)
Teréz was able to show me where she'd found the Tree Frog .. and better still .... it was still there !
10th March 2020 - (Tuesday, Kedd)
Not many sightings yet, but we saw a Comma butterfly, a Buzzard, and a small flock of Woodpigeon.
12th March 2020 - (Thursday, Csütörtök)
I heard a Tree Frog calling from the reedbed area nearest to the HQ, but couldn't see it. I photographed the Agile Frog spawn in Rock Bath 1, but didn't see the female Smooth Newt climbing over one clump until the image was on the 'big screen'. Also calling were Fire-bellied toads and Common Spadefoot Toads.
15th March 2020 - (Sunday, Vasárnap)
Although it was another sunny day, no amphibians were seen. We are now in the grip of the Corvid-19 Virus, so not quite sure how long we'll be able to visit the site. Domestic travel restrictions could be imposed soon.
19th March 2020 - (Thursday, Csütörtök)
Very warm for my visit. Upon arrival, I met 3 schoolgirls. Whilst keeping my distance due to the virus situation I explained what was at the SQ site and how we irrigate and care for it. I told them about the many species we have there, but they had already read our information notice ! They seemed very interested, but now is not a good time for attracting people to the site ... or anywhere else ! Amphibian calls: Common Toad, Common Spadefoot Toad, Fire-bellied Toad. Butterflies seen: 2 Peacock, 1 Comma. Birds: 1 male Pheasant outside the site. The water has started to recede, as expected. Someone seems to have set fire to some of the bushes near to the houses .... I wonder who THAT could be?? As I left, I saw a VW van parked up tight to the main gates. I went back to photograph it, in case the gates disappear !
27th March 2020 - (Friday, Péntek)
A short mid-afternoon visit to check the site before the more stringent anti-virus regulations come into force tomorrow. Plenty of sunshine but there was also a cool wind blowing across the site. I saw no amphibians or reptiles, but I heard a few Fire-bellied Toads piping in the reedbed near to the SQHQ. One Peacock butterfly was seen, and possibly, a Comma. As can be seen from my photographs, the water has started to recede.