At 5pm this evening there was plenty of cloud overhead so I thought it was worth packing the traps in the boot and trying one of my sites for the first time this year. But this all changed by the time I had set up. The clouds rolled away leaving a bright moon and falling temperatures (this seems to happen time and again in the spring months).
So, not much activity from the moths with just a trickle coming in. A few March Moth, Dotted Border and a single T alternella with Oak Beauty and Grey Shoulder-knot the only new ones for the year. Still not seen a single orthosia.
By the time I reeled up the cables around 9pm, there was ice on the one laid out across the grass at the bottom of the site! Maybe try again later in the week and hope the forecast is correct.
Brian
Whilst I have caught the regular Orthosias there have not been many yet Brian. Mostly March Moth at present with small numbers of other routine species.