Mottled Grey

The text books indicate that the Mottled Grey is straight forward to identify but I generally have to take a fairly close look to separate it from the Early Tooth-striped, which is the only likely confusion species with a similar flight period. 
Mottled Grey tends to turn up a week or two before the Early Tooth-striped and males, as in the photo below, have feathered antenna whereas both male and female Early Tooth-striped have simple thread like antenna. There is a photo of both species together here
I would describe the Mottled Grey as scarce in the Peak District but it is probably under recorded due to the early flight period. This one was caught last night along with the first Brindled Pug of the year and I have added several Twin-spotted Quaker.

Mottled Grey

Mottled Grey

A small moth landed by my foot as I crossed the moor this morning, it turned out to be quite a nice specimen of the Mottled Grey. It was very small and I presume it is a female. A fairly regular visitor to my garden trap in the early Spring but only in small numbers and I suspect I only catch males which is interesting. It feeds on Lady's and Heath Bedstraw.

Mottled Grey

Mottled Grey

Mottled Grey

Mottled Grey

Mottled Grey

Two locally scarce moths - Mottled Grey

A better night last night, mist developed overnight raising the temperature to about 5 Centigrade.

14/03 Oak Beauty 3, March Moth 1, Mottled Grey 1 f.nubilata, Common Quaker 4, Twin-spotted Quaker 2, Clouded Drab 1, Hebrew Character 2, Grey Shoulder-knot 1

I have only recorded Grey-shoulder-knot in the last 3 or 4 years as it has spread northwards and I do not record Mottled Grey every year although it's probably reasonably common bordering the moors. It has a rather shiny wing surface when fresh making photography a bit difficult.

13/03Oak Beauty 2, Hebrew Character 1.

Mottled Grey f. nubilata

This shot is taken in daylight