Five Clouded Drabs (Orthosia incerta) all reflecting their Latin name of incerta : uncertain. This common species can be confusing to identify owing to the varieties of colour and markings - from black to orangey-buff. The orthosia refers to the subterminal line being straight, but the word is also connected to the goddess Artemis. Quite a lot for a moth to carry. The number of Small Quakers is high this year - there were 10 in last night's trap and a Coxcomb Prominent (the darker version) turned up as well. Even though the swifts have returned and Spring is really underway, the nights are still quite chilly.
