March 2021
1st March 2021 (Monday, Hétfő)
A short visit on a sunny day to check the water situation, and the amphibian situation. The water in The Bowl has receded from what it was last week, but the level still looks good. As I listened near the reedbed I heard some clucking sounds from underwater Common Spadefoot Toads. As the water was still rather muddy and full of sediment, it was impossible to see these creatures. So ... here we go again, with the race to breed successfully before the water disappears.
8th March 2021 - (Monday, Hétfő)
Not much sign of life today, although a couple of amphibian sounds were heard from the reedbed area. Sometimes sunny, sometimes cloudy, and an icy wind was not too friendly. It was very nice to see that 'our' Yellow Flag Iris had survived the winter in Rock Bath 1. Its green shoots were a welcome sight among the dull colours. I just hope that the deer don't have them for breakfast !
11th March 2021 - (Thursday, Csütörtök)
My main job this afternoon was to clear the accumulated rubbish from the airfield car park and approach road. This included the chicken or pheasant feather rubbish, plus its original cardboard box and bin bag. I explained what I'd been doing to a member of the Flying Club. He thanked me warmly, and said I could place the two bags of rubbish in the bins near the hangar. There was a strong icy wind at the airfield and I was pleased to transfer to the shelter of the SQ. There is more rubbish in or around the SQ, but this will probably wait until next week. No amphibians heard, but the Flag Iris shoots have not been eaten yet !
16th March 2021 - (Tuesday, Kedd)
Apart from checking the site, my main project today was to introduce a new species - Hazel - in the form of 6 Hazel nuts ! They were planted as follows: 1) in front of the black side fence, 2) in front of the red side fence, 3) + 4) under Dog Rose bushes beside the path junction, and 5) + 6) on the right side of the main gate entrance path. We'll see if they are successful. The water in The Bowl is starting to clear, and the Deer still haven't noticed the fleshy green leaves of the flag Iris in Rock Bath 1. No signs of amphibians today, but it was rather cold and windy during my afternoon visit.
22nd March 2021 - (Monday, Hétfő)
A sunny afternoon for my visit, but a very cold westerly wind was blowing across the area ..... enough to make my eyes water ! No amphibians seen or heard, but at least we still have quite a lot of water inside the site. In addition, the new Yellow Flag Iris shoots still remain uneaten in Rock Bath 1. As I was exploring the site, 2 or 3 birds, about the size of Wagtails, were flying around the SQHQ area, but I couldn't see them clearly enough to identify them. One of them appeared yellowish-green. In addition, two birds overflew me, and their white tail feathers confirmed that they were Hawfinches.
31st March 2021 - (Wednesday, Szerda)
+ Peacock butterfly, a calling Fire Bellied toad (plus one underwater in Coffee Pool), several Common Spadefoot Toads calling in the Coffee Pool and central areas.