First part of August

Well one night of trapping in early August actually prior to decamping to Florida for three and a bit weeks, but carrying on where July finished, there were remarkably two more New For Garden species to add to the list as well as a quality migrant

 Rosy Minor - new for garden, 1st August 2013

Brown-line Bright-Eye - new for garden 1st August 2013
An expected addition but not actually found in the garden, rather in the curtains upstairs just as I was closing the windows prior to getting in the car to drive to Heathrow.

Also trapped over the last week before holidays and of interest were:

A female Gem 1st August - previously recorded in the garden (also a female) on 8th November 2011

Garden Dart - third record after two in July 2011

and two thorns, noting the positions in which the wings are held at rest

 Early Thorn - wings closed like a butterfly

Purple Thorn - wings open and raised


and finally, I always like these for a bit of colour

Just one in the trap - but a Gem

I had left the trap in the shed for the nights of 6th and 7th due to continuous drizzle for about 48 hours but decided to get it out at 11pm last night (8th) as conditions had improved and Matt B had mentioned migrants over a pint earlier in the evening. My reward was a garden first and I think 11th or 12th for the county, and an otherwise empty trap - not complaining though !

The Gem (female) - garden first 8th Nov