May 2020 - part 2
18th May 2020 - (Monday, Héfő)
A fairly short afternoon visit, accompanied by the usual wind that made insect photography difficult. Butterflies recorded: Wall Brown, Eastern Pale Clouded Yellow, Small Heath, Silver-studded Blue (many), Reverdin's Blue, Grizzled Skipper, Common Blue, Lesser Spotted Fritillary (both sexes), and Chequered Blue = 9 species. Sadly, all the water has gone from the Small Quarry. Maybe some aquatic life will survive for a time deep down amongst the soil and rocks, but we need another prolonged spell of rain soon. We miss seeing so many species when we only have a dry site.
20th May 2020 - (Wednesday, Szerda)
The biggest news of the day was that I found a superb male Mazarine Blue at the site, on Bramble between the Rock Wall and the reedbed. This was only the second record of this species at the site, the first being on 9th June 2008. This specimen was in pristine condition. Other butterfly species recorded were: Silver-studded Blue (50 +), Reverdin's Blue (1 male), Sooty Copper (female), Small Heath, Pearly Heath (3), Lesser Spotted Fritillary, Wall Brown, Hungarian Skipper, and Wood White = 10 species. On the downside, it was a bad day for reptiles. Close to the path towards RB1 I found a dead Grass Snake, one of the babies from last year. It was being investigated by a large group of Black Ants. Near the reedbed I found an adult female Green Lizard, but its tail had been broken off. As always, I blame the local cats for both events. Considering her recent trauma, the lizard calmly let me photograph her. Having said that, as always with 'my' creatures, I gave her words of comfort as I worked. Birds heard were Green Woodpecker and Nightingale, and two Black Redstarts were quarreling inside The Bowl.
21st May 2020 - (Thursday, Csütörtök)
A fairly short visit on yet another sunny but windy afternoon. Butterflies recorded: Silver-studded Blue (50+), Reverdin's Blue, Sooty Copper (female), Chestnut Heath, Small Heath, Common Blue, Lesser Spotted Fritillary, Glanville Fritillary, and a Large Skipper = 9 species.
22nd May 2020 - (Friday, Péntek)
The birds took centre stage during today's visit. Near the main gate area I heard a Nightingale singing, and also the distinctive 'flutey' tones of a Golden Oriole. Later, I found a pair of Red-backed Shrike sitting on a Dog Rose bush. The biggest thing though, was finding a Hoopoe on the road outside the Small Quarry. It wasn't too worried about me being quite close as it seemed to be engaged in a desperate search for food. As the accompanying images show, it caught and consumed at least one sizeable caterpillar. After being followed up the road for quite a distance, the bird eventually flew off. Butterflies recorded: Wood White, Wall Brown, Hungarian Skipper, Reverdin's Blue, Silver-studded Blue (50+), Common Blue, Small Heath, Chestnut Heath, Sooty Copper (female), Eastern Pale Clouded Yellow, Glanville Fritillary, Lesser Spotted Fritillary, and a wonderfully fresh Oberthür's Grizzled Skipper = 13 species.