September 2016 - part 2
11th September 2016 - (Sunday, Vasárnap)
I arrived at about 1515 and was greeted by a very dramatic skyscape. In fact, I wondered if we might get a thunderstorm ... but, no ! A few butterflies were so active that I couldn't photograph (or identify) them ! In this category were: Wood White, Clouded Yellow (of sorts), a Fritillary (medium size), and a 'possible' Red Admiral. Some of those that I DID photograph also caused some identification headaches. Here is my list: Common Blue, Brown Argus, False Grayling, Sooty Copper, Meadow Brown, Wall Brown, Small Heath, Oberthur's Grizzled Skipper, Silver-studded Blue, Reverdin's Blue, and Adonis Blue. It was also Praying Mantis day, with one actually landing on my hat as I walked through The Bowl !
12th September 2016 - (Monday. Hétfő)
Another hot day. Three Praying Mantis were seen, including one feeding on a freshly-caught grasshopper. Plenty of butterflies in evidence, although many were looking the worse for wear. Those photographed were: Common Blue, Reverdin's Blue, Silver-studded Blue, Short-tailed Blue, Small White, Small Heath, Grayling, Small Copper, Sooty Copper, and a mating/courting pair of Clouded Yellow (most probably Eastern Pale Clouded Yellow). Species that were too lively to capture were: Grizzled Skipper (it flew a split-second before I pressed the button!), and False Grayling (even though it was old and worn). I was surprised to see a fine specimen of the Flat-headed Root-borer - Capnodis tenebrionis - Fekete díszbogár .... a large and impressive beetle, which is usually seen earlier in the year.
13th September 2016 - (Tuesday, Kedd)
My mid-afternoon visit was slightly cooler than recently. Earlier, we had strong winds, accompanied by dark clouds and thunder, but no rain dropped in this area. There were plenty of butterflies, mainly blues, at the SQ, but many were in poor condition, which makes identification rather difficult. Others were new and pristine, even this late in the season .... obviously 3rd broods. Although worn, one blue male was dazzling as it caught my eye: a late Adonis Blue, with its aquamarine iridescence. Other species were: Common Blue, Reverdin's Blue, Silver-studded Blue, Eastern Pale Clouded Yellow, Brown Argus, Sooty Copper, Small Heath, Wall Brown, False Grayling (the worn specimen, still soldiering on!), and Meadow Brown. With the Small White that I couldn't 'catch', my total of observed species was 12. No Praying Mantis seen today, but I was being 'attacked' by a few small Forest-flies, which landed on my neck and started to climb into my hair. They probably thought I was a Roe Deer with my short hair !
14th September 2016 - (Wednesday, Szerda)
Today, I was on-site from about 1215 until 1415. Our new species, the Grayling butterfly was again at the SQ, with 2 females being seen. But the most exciting thing was that the one on the mid-deck was actually egg-laying amongst the andesite rocks and scree. The other female, seen on the top rim, may also have been egg-laying, but I couldn't get clear views of her. So, all being well, the SQ Grayling population should be healthy next year ! As I entered the site, I saw 2 butterflies having a spiral territorial battle, but it wasn't until one settled that I was able to identify them as Sooty Copper. Apart from those 2 species, I also saw: Reverdin's Blue, Common Blue, Eastern Pale Clouded Yellow, Small White, Meadow Brown, False Grayling (the poor old specimen, again !), Small Heath, Silver-studded Blue, Brown Argus, Small Copper, and Lesser Fiery Copper. 13 species, plus a mystery Fritillary that refused to stop and be identified !
15th September 2016 - (Thursday, Csütörtök)
Not many photos of wildlife today, as the day was mainly taken up by the mowing of the invasive Yellow Blue-stem Grass. As our vegetation heap had started to drop in height, I firstly dragged some garden tree branches (which had been dumped 50 metres higher up the airfield road) down the hill and added them to the heap. We like to keep this heap full as it's the only thing blocking the side entrance as the fencing was stolen a few years ago. Most of the photos show 'before' and 'after' at the various mowing sites. Teréz brought Magdi and Robika for just a short visit, but that didn't stop Robika getting in on the raking action ! I saw several different butterfly species, but I couldn't photograph most of them as I was either busy mowing or raking. Very frustrating ! I'd intended having a study walk after the work, but this plan was cancelled as I felt totally shattered ! I wonder why I did this on such a hot day ?? The only butterflies photographed were Grayling and Small Heath, plus one Praying Mantis. I also noticed a red dragonfly, most probably a Ruddy Darter. Other butterflies seen were: Eastern Pale Clouded Yellow, Small Copper, Common Blue, and Small White.
A few pix from Teréz from the same day (15th September):
16th September 2016 - (Friday, Péntek)
After the heat ordeal of yesterday, I decided to visit the SQ earlier today, and arrived at 0952, but I only stayed until 1105 as the heat built up quickly again. Several butterfly species were on show, and I photographed the following: Brown Argus, Reverdin's Blue, Short-tailed Blue, Common Blue, Small White, Small Heath, Green-veined White, Wall Brown, Eastern Pale Clouded Yellow, Small Copper, and Lesser Fiery Copper = 11 species. I think a Small Tortoiseshell flew over my head .... but it didn't land. As I was leaving, I saw a pair of birds hopping about in the trees. Looking at the photos, I think they are Willow Warblers, which would be a first for the site. As I was photographing a female Wasp Spider in her web, a Ladybird (probably 7-spot) stumbled (or flew) onto said web, and the spider burst into action, quickly wrapping her prey in a silky covering. The Ladybird was obviously releasing its yellow defensive fluid, but it was too little, too late.
Teréz's photos from the same day (16th September 2016):
19th September 2016 - (Monday, Hétfő)
Pictures from Teréz's solo visit:
20th September 2016 - (Tuesday, Kedd)
A mainly overcast afternoon for our visit, with the sun breaking through occasionally. At first, I got the feeling that there was not much happening at the site, but, looking at the photos .. it was not too bad ! Butterfly species photographed: Common Blue, Wall Brown, Small Heath, Sooty Copper (2 females, egg-laying), Eastern Pale Clouded Yellow, Brown Argus (about 3 seen), Small Copper, and a Reverdin's Blue female. A Small White escaped the cameras, making it 9 species recorded. On the Orthopteran side, a female Short-winged Conehead was sighted, and male and female Italian Tree Crickets were photographed side-by-side. An adult female Green Lizard was basking in the intermittent sunshine on low Bramble branches. Rock Bath 1 is now just a small pond, with most of its water gone.
Pictures from Teréz's camera, for the same day (20th September 2016):