October 2020
2nd October 2020 - (Friday, Péntek)
There was a real Autumnal feel about the SQ when I visited today. Many leaves have changed colour and are starting to drop. There are still about 12 plant species in flower, but not for much longer. One dragonfly was hunting frantically over the reedbed, but couldn't be identified. Three butterfly species were recorded: Small Heath, Common Blue (male), and an Eastern Pale Clouded Yellow. I noticed a Hummingbird Hawkmoth exploring the rock wall, and luckily for me, it settled for photographs. There appeared to be little or no water in Rock Bath 1 or the reedbed area, and yet there was a small amount in RB2. The (introduced) Yellow Flag Iris seems to be alive in the centre of RB1. Although no substantial rain has fallen recently, the reed stems were beaten down when we had some extreme cloudbursts, and haven't straightened-up yet. When I arrived I needed the sun hat, but by the time I left the site, it was 'woolly hat weather', with a cool wind taking the place of the sunshine.
9th October 2020 - (Friday, Péntek)
Around 20 degrees, sunshine, and not a drop of water inside the site, it seemed. So, what did I record? A Green Tree Frog calling at 1400 from the area near the houses, and a male Migrant Hawker dragonfly ... a new species for the site ! Nature is very strange at times ! I only found the rather battered Hawker because its wings rustled amongst the dry grass stems as I approached. Two butterfly species were recorded: Eastern Pale Clouded Yellow, and a Wall Brown. A group of deer (or Wild Boar) had been sleeping in The Bowl, judging by their 'un-made' beds ! There are still a few plant species in flower. A later foray 'up the hill' to the airfield added Common Blue and Small Heath butterflies, and a Praying Mantis landed on my sun hat - as I was wearing it !
16th October 2020 - (Friday, Péntek)
I popped to the SQ to check the situation after the non-stop rainfall of Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. I was delighted to see the The Bowl covered with water, although it is always a mixed feeling as we never seem to get the water at the most crucial time. When I went to view the scene, 5 Mallard flew up from the water. No 'real' food for them there, apart from a few insects that may have been disturbed by the rising water. No sounds of Tree Frogs today ! The first time I've had to wear Wellies for a long time !
27th October 2020 - (Tuesday, Kedd)
There had been some rain on several of the days since my last visit, so I visited the SQ for about 30 minutes to see the situation there. Well, the water coverage in The Bowl had diminished, but there was still plenty in the reedbed area and Rock Baths 1 and 2. On arrival, I disturbed 2 female Pheasants. They transferred to the reedbed, but eventually went 'over the top' as I made my way round. There were several Red Deer footprints on the path near the top entrance. The only ' moving life forms' seen were a few Great Tit. Our Yellow Flag Iris seems to be surviving in RB1 ... in fact, it is the main 'green thing' in there !