October 2018 - Part 1
4th October 2018 - (Thursday, Csütörtök)
This afternoon I spent over an hour adding more wire, and barbed wire, to the existing chain-link fencing. It was tough work, and very hard on the fingers as I couldn't work with gloves on. During my task, I made a new acquaintance, József, a 'fairly new' owner of the house next to the old man's house (János). I told him why I was doing what I was doing, and he said that János had died, which is why the family had cleared out lots of 'wreckage' from with the ramshackle dwelling. After my work, I explored the area for a while, but only found a few Common Blue butterflies, and a Common Winter Damselfly. It was quite a warm afternoon, but a cool wind blew through from time to time.
8th October 2018 - (Monday, Hétfő)
Despite the day being quite sunny and warm (about 18 degs) I saw no butterflies at all. Luckily the birds took over the display tasks, with two new species being recorded: Lesser Grey Shrike and Grey-headed Woodpecker (two seen). The woodpeckers put on quite a display as the Grey-headed seemed to upset a 'local resident' Great-spotted Woodpeckers. The latter didn't attack the 'greys', but they did keep getting very close to them on the old electricity poles. In addition, I saw Great Tit, Black Redstart, and two male Blackbirds. Several grasshoppers took avoiding action as I walked around, but they 'vanish' now that much of the vegetation has changed colour. The only one identified was a Blue-winged Grasshopper. Two interesting spiders were found on the Yellow Blue-stem Grass near the top section: The first was Orb Web Spider - Agalenata redii (variant 1) - Széles keresztespók, and the second has been identified as yet another variant of the same species. There were also lots of flying ants, and I managed to photograph a mating pair on that same patch of grass.
9th October 2018 - (Tuesday, Kedd)
It was around 22 degs this afternoon at the site, and I saw a few butterflies: Eastern Pale Clouded Yellow, Small Heath, Red Admiral, and Peacock. The latter two species were not photographed. For the second day in succession I saw two species of woodpecker, but a different combination: Grey-headed Woodpecker, and Green Woodpecker. Also seen: Common Buzzard, Jay, and Tree Sparrow. There were still plenty of grasshoppers in evidence, but were quite difficult to photograph. One I missed was the Blue-winged.
10th October 2018 - (Wednesday, Szerda)
Again very warm for the time of year. Two butterfly species identified: Eastern Pale Clouded Yellow and Small Heath. There was also an unconfirmed sighting, but I think it was a Peacock. A Green Woodpecker was seen from a distance.
12th October 2018 - (Friday, Péntek)
A short visit in the afternoon. I was 'greeted' by the remnants of an overnight 'party' at my parking place, but these were soon cleared with my trusty litter-picker. I saw one Peacock butterfly and several Eastern Pale Clouded Yellow. A Common Buzzard put on a fine aerial display for my camera. As there's an open day being staged at the Pipis-hegy airfield tomorrow, I dragged some of the road company's cuttings up the hill to block-off the top entrance to the SQ. I don't wish any cars to park inside the site.
15th October 2018 - (Monday, Hétfő)
Two butterfly species were recorded: Common Blue (female), and Eastern Pale Clouded Yellow (a few seen). A Green Woodpecker appeared on a pole near to me, but I only managed one shot before it flew off. I hid near to the pole in case it returned, but it didn't ! It appeared later on a different pole, but I couldn't get near to it. There were several Common Green Shieldbugs, including one that landed on my shirt, but no photo was possible! I photographed several of the 'woodpecker poles' - these are very important for observing the various species.