May 2017 - part 2
13th May 2017 - (Saturday, Szombat)
I was on-site from 1130 until 1245 and saw that the waterfall had stopped, apart from a little seepage. It was a mixture of hot sunshine and cooler, cloudy conditions. This meant that butterflies were sitting on plants, and sometimes opening their wings when the sun appeared. Species seen were: Wood White, Small Heath, Silver-studded Blue (males), Grizzled Skipper, Weaver's Fritillary, Brown Argus (female), Comma, Common Blue (male), Lesser Spotted Fritillary (male), and Hungarian Skipper. Black thunder clouds had been in evidence all the time I was there, but about an hour after I departed, more massive storms came in, with torrential rain and showers of hail (ice balls) up to 2 cms in diameter. These storms have lasted all afternoon, and I believe that the waterfall 'may' be in action again !
The pix from Teréz's morning visit will appear here soon:
After the massive storm, Teréz couldn't resist going to check the situation at the SQ !
14th May 2017 - (Sunday, Vasárnap)
A morning visit to check the water situation at the SQ. After yesterday's torrents, water was still running into the site quite vigorously, and this morning, almost the complete Bowl floor was covered. Several Fire-bellied Toads were calling, as was one Green Toad. The star amphibian though, was an adult Green Tree Frog. The species hadn't been recorded at the site for about 3 years, as we'd had no water at the crucual time. I found the GTF by accident, as I was chasing a Latticed Heath moth at the time. Then, out of the corner of my eye, I spotted something green on a Dog Rose branch ... but a dead branch, completely devoid of leaves! Not good camouflage! Butterflies recorded were: Scarce Swallowtail, Wood White, Sooty Copper (male), Small Copper, Common Blue (male), Silver-studded Blue (male), Grizzled Skipper, Small Heath, Eastern Pale Clouded Yellow, and Orange Tip (female). Two juvenile Green Lizards were seen, but no adults. A Common Winter Damselfly was photographed, but another 'blue' damsel could not be identified. A Cuckoo flew quickly across The Bowl, and the pair of Mallard paid a short, dabbling visit.
15th May 2017 - (Monday, Hétfő)
Species NOT photographed: Scarce Swallowtail, Green Hairstreak, Eastern Pale Clouded Yellow, Wall Brown, and Orange Tip (male). BBC + 2 sp. of Blue-tailed Damselflies.
16th May 2017 - (Tuesday, Kedd)
I arrived at the SQ at about 1520, but even so, the heat of the Sun was quite fierce. Again, the butterflies were very lively, including a Scarce Swallowtail. Even though it was investigating Blackthorn bushes for egg-laying sites, it refused to keep still for my camera. I managed to capture a good selection of other species, though: Weaver's Fritillary, Sooty Copper (male), Silver-studded Blue (both sexes), Common Blue (male), and Lesser Fiery Copper (male). Three moth species were also photographed. Several Fire-bellied Toads were piping, and a 60-cm-long Grass Snake was swimming on the surface of The Bowl water, near to the Birthwort area. Halfway through my study visit, dark clouds gathered, and a sudden thunderstorm arrived. At first, I sheltered under the Walnut tree, but this soon proved inadequate, so I made a dash (uphill and down dale) to seek shelter inside the SQHQ. This was my first visit to the interior of the HQ for several months, and I discovered that Bats had been roosting there again, as evidenced by their droppings. As I gazed out of the windows, the rain was torrential, and soon the waterfall was surging again. I let the flow continue for about 20 minutes, and then made two small barriers of my own. Why? Well, we now have enough water inside The Bowl. Any more, and we'll start drowning the flowering plants around the edges. So, as I departed, our waterfall had stopped, and the strong flow of water was exiting our top channel via two of Achim's 'unofficial' cuttings, and flowing down the airfield road. He'll be very surprised, and maybe a little confused, if he comes up to check the situation!
17th May 2017 - (Wednesday, Szerda)
I spent about 3 hours on-site this afternoon, and was joined for the last half hour by Teréz and Robika. It was very sunny, but also very windy, neither condition being very good for nature photography. The butterflies and moths were very active and difficult to capture. I finally managed to photograph a male Broad-bodied Chaser - there were 2 males and 1 female there today, and also, at least one unidentified blue-tailed damsel
was seen. As I gazed into the water beside the reedbed, a male Great Crested Newt came up for air. Too quick for the camera, though. Butterflies recorded were: Silver-studded Blue (incl. mating pair), Reverdin's Blue (incl. mating pair), Wood White, Eastern Pale Clouded Yellow, Lesser Fiery Copper, Glanville Fritillary, Knapweed Fritillary, Small Heath, Wood White, Common Blue, and the first Large Skipper of 2017 (female). A male Green Lizard carefully picked its way through the vegetation and rocks near the reedbed area. Several Fire-bellied Toads were calling.
was seen. As I gazed into the water beside the reedbed, a male Great Crested Newt came up for air. Too quick for the camera, though. Butterflies recorded were: Silver-studded Blue (incl. mating pair), Reverdin's Blue (incl. mating pair), Wood White, Eastern Pale Clouded Yellow, Lesser Fiery Copper, Glanville Fritillary, Knapweed Fritillary, Small Heath, Wood White, Common Blue, and the first Large Skipper of 2017 (female). A male Green Lizard carefully picked its way through the vegetation and rocks near the reedbed area. Several Fire-bellied Toads were calling.
18th May 2017 - (Thursday, Csütörtök)
Three new butterfly species for this year, today: Black Hairstreak, Chestnut Heath, and Pearly Heath. We actually had all three 'heathies' on the site as the Small Heath was there too. Also photographed were: Silver-studded Blue, Reverdin's Blue, Common Blue, Lesser Fiery Copper, Glanville Fritillary, Wall Brown, Sooty Copper, Small Copper, and Large Skipper (male). I missed the Eastern Pale Clouded Yellow and Wood White. The white female Thomisus crab spider provided more interest today, as she appeared to be feeding on a smaller yellow specimen of the same species. It was not mating as the male looks totally different. At the end of the day, I repaired the pothole again !
19th May 2017 - (Friday, Péntek)
Another nice butterfly selection today, headed by a slightly battered Green Hairstreak. Others recorded were: Reverdin's Blue, Silver-studded Blue, Grizzled Skipper, Orange Tip (female), Sooty Copper ♂♀, and Hungarian Skipper.
20th May 2017 - (Saturday, Szombat)
Missed: Oberthur's Grizzled Skipper, Wall Brown, Sooty Copper (male).