May 2019 - part 2
20th May 2019 - (Monday, Hétfő )
23rd May 2019 - (Thursday, Csütörtök)
The first day of using the new Lumix bridge camera. Generally, things went well, although a few 'wrong buttons pressed' increased stress levels somewhat. The camera only arrived 2 days before, and with the almost continuous rainfall since then, I'd had little chance to familiarize myself with its controls. Overall, I think the camera performed rather well, and was especially useful in identifying birds due to its very long zoom facility. Time will tell whether it produces images of similar quality to my Nikon. Today was mainly overcast, so it had an unfair battle from the outset.
28th May 2019 - (Tuesday, Kedd)
At the moment, it's very hard to time a visit to the SQ when it is dry weather. This afternoon was a prime example. It was sunny, but things soon changed shortly after arrival with the blackest of clouds rolling up. Sure enough, shortly afterwards, the rain started to fall. It was moderate to start with, followed by almost monsoon conditions. This was not good for the butterflies that were seen basking in the earlier sunshine. On the other hand, the downpour fuelled a fine waterfall to replenish the water level in The Bowl. Fire-bellied Toads were calling, and some Common Spadefoot Toads were clucking underwater. A Cuckoo was heard calling in the distance, and a Grey-headed Woodpecker swooped over my head. No time to react with the camera. Butterfly species seen were: Silver-studded Blue, Adonis Blue (male), Common Blue, and Wood White. In the end, we had to run for cover as the rain became heavier.
31st May 2019 - (Friday, Péntek)
Another mixture of weather: mostly cloudy with some sunny periods .... very hot sun, that is ! Butterflies seen: Black Hairstreak, Eastern Pale Clouded Yellow, Reverdin's Blue, Knapweed Fritillary, Chequered Blue, Small Heath, Large Skipper (male), Pearly Heath (several), Grizzled Skipper, Adonis Blue (male), Glanville Fritillary, Common Blue, Silver-studded Blue (several), Chestnut Heath, Hungarian Skipper, and Wood White = 16 species. A flock of Long-tailed Tit gave the new camera a workout. I'm still learning to control the new machine ! Bee-eaters were again heard flying high over the SQ. Several Fire-bellied Toads were calling, and 2 Edible Frogs were seen. One adult male Green Lizard and 3 or 4 juveniles were noted. Several Azure Damselflies were seen, plus one Common Winter Damselfly, and a male Broad-bodied Chaser. After yesterday's massive downpour, water now covers almost all of The Bowl area, and even near the False Acacia hill the water level was very close to entering my wellies ! Tadpoles have invaded these 'shallows', which means that many will be trapped when the water eventually receeds. Sadly, rescue is not possible. Maybe I don't need to sell my waders after all !