October 2017 - part 1
1st October 2017 - (Sunday, Vasárnap)
As there wasn't too much insect activity at the SQ today, I made a small photographic survey of the plantlife that was still in flower. The main movement came from the birds: I recorded Blackbird (male), Great Tit, Jay, Yellowhammer, and Chiffchaff.
2nd October 2017 - (Monday, Hétfő)
A fairly short visit in the late afternoon was again dominated by the birdlife: Great Spotted Woodpecker (male), Black Redstart, Great Tit, Jay, and Sedge Warbler. Although the water in Rock Bath 2 has disappeared, the water in RB1 seems hardly any lower. It is now several days since we had the last downpour, and although the temperatures have been lower, it seems that Teréz's theory (about the large plants in RB1 - Great Reedmace, Lesser Reedmace - drinking the water) was probably correct.
3rd October 2017 - (Tuesday, Kedd)
A brief visit by Teréz:
4th October 2017 - (Wednesday, Szerda)
A fairly short visit today. It was a sunny day, but with a strong cool wind. I found three 'regular size' Praying Mantis, which I assume were female, plus another smaller green example that flew several metres before settling down to be photographed. My mantis day was completed when I found, for the first time, a mating pair. The male was a light brown colour. The female wasted no time in clambering deeper into the vegetation as I took the photographs. Eventually, it was impossible to find them. I wonder if the male realised that he was on the menu tonight? Butterflies seen were: Small White, Small Heath, and Common Blue (male and female). As for the birdlife, as well as Great Tit, Tree Sparrow, Black Redstart, and Chiffchaff, I also saw three Ravens, two of which gave an impressive flying display. I also took one out-of-focus photo of a bird, but had no real idea of what it was ! Consulting the books, it seems that it is a 'first Winter' male Redstart. The mystery bird of prey was circling the site again.
5th October 2017 - (Thursday, Csütörtök)
A brief visit by Teréz and Robika.
9th October 2017 - (Monday, Hétfő)
Although it was sunny for my late-afternoon visit, there was a strong and cold wind blowing across the site. It was almost 'woolly hat weather'. As I entered the site I found a Praying Mantis at my feet. On the path beside The Bowl I found a woolly caterpillar. Not identified yet, but it could certainly move quickly! The water level in Rock Bath 1 has dropped a little, but much less than I'd expected. It seems that the lower temperatures, coupled with the cutting of some of the larger water plants, has helped things to stabilise. No butterflies seen at the site today, but a few bird species were recorded: Black Redstart, Great Tit, Marsh Tit, and a small flock of Long-tailed Tit. A walk outside the boundary fence gave me several flowering clumps of Danubian Pink - Dianthus collinus - Dunai szegfű. At one point I disturbed a large mammal, sending it crashing off through the undergrowth. It was on the other side of some tall bushes, and therefore hidden. No positive identification as I didn't see it at all, but I think it was either a Roe Deer or a Red Deer.
10th October 2017 - (Tuesday, Kedd)
A short, solo visit by Teréz:
12th October 2017 - (Thursday, Csütörtök)
Bright sunshine for our afternoon visit, although a cool breeze was also in evidence when the Sun went behind a cloud. Teréz photographed about 6 butterfly species, but I only saw one, and it flew away at great speed. However, I 'cornered the market' when it came to Praying Mantis, photographing 3 individuals. One 'full of eggs' female was sunning herself among rocks that hosted Green Lizards during the Summer. A brown example was basking on the front wall of the HQ, and a third (green) was hunting beside a pathway. A flock of about 15 Long-tailed Tit kept me busy as they moved from bush to bush. A male Great-spotted Woodpecker gave some good views as it tapped on an electricity pole.
Teréz's photos from the same day (12th October):
15th October 2017 - (Sunday, Vasárnap)
A nice sunny morning visit. Three butterfly species were seen: Small Heath, Small Copper, and Common Blue. A few bird species were also seen: Blue Tit, Great Tit, Jay, Black Redstart, a small flock of Starling, and a few Tree Sparrow. Four Mantis were seen, including the brown one on the wall of the SQHQ (again), and one green example resting on the Wood Ant nest !