NORTH DOWNS & BEYOND

This is a species that has increased greatly here in Banstead. The first for the year came to the MV early on Saturday evening, but a thunderstorm overnight tripped the electricity, so I came down to an emptyish trap (and attendant cold bulb) on Sunday morning...

Least Black Arches - a total of five, this being the strongest marked. This species has taken off locally over the last three years - it used to be quite notable for the garden. Pale Prominent - just the one Waved Umber - a single trapped

Least Black Arches - not so uncommon in Banstead Greenbottle - common but better than a Bee-eater close up! Mid-afternoon and I've been doing what all good men with 2.4 children, a job and a dog do on a sunny weekend - gardening, minor chores, being sensible. When I was in my late teens I swore I would never get sucked into domesticity, but hey.... The MV produced a Least Black Arches, a species that has become commoner over the last few years. I couldn't resist going for a picture of the Greenbottle. They really are stunning up close and underated as one of the wonders of the garden. There's still time for a flyover Red Kite before I pack away my Alan Titchmarsh gardening gloves.