Sunday 8th May, 10:00 am: Vincents Wood (Chippenham)

This trip is planned as a simple explore of a local Wiltshire Wildlife Trust Reserve.
Location: Meet at ST 898 734 by the bollards in the directions below (Map 173).
Directions: (from WWT web page) From Chippenham town centre head out on the Bristol Road. Turn into Hungerdown Lane and at mini-roundabouts (near petrol station) turn into Frogwell. Take third left turn into Moss Mead. Bear right and follow road to dead end. There is limited parking on road. Walk between bollards, across stream and grass strip. The reserve entrance is through the kissing gates.
Web: http://www.wiltshirewildlife.org
Leader: Andrew Daw (07778 146 297)
 

Sunday 22nd May, 11:00 am: Chase Woods (Cranbourne Chase)

This is a joint trip with the Dorset Branch to explore and do some recording too. If possible, bring a clipboard and Ordnance Survey map Explorer 118 covering the area.
Location: Meet at ST 957 195 (Map 184) Cuttice Lodge, Rushmore Park.
Directions: The roads leading to the area are very narrow in places and the best approach from the A30 is via the minor road running south-east from Ludwell. After joining the Ox Drove follow the No Through Road sign to Rushmore.
Leader: Tom Smith (01985 846260, 07717 437250)

Wednesday 25th May, 10:30 am: Upton Cow Down (nr Warminster)

This is Geoff’s transect walk and is a good place to see the Wall Brown. There should be a variety of blues and other downland species on the wing too.
Note, there are steep banks and it is possible there will be stock on site, so no dogs. If we have time we could then go on to Cotley Hill for Marsh Fritillaries etc. in the afternoon, so bring a packed lunch. This is a joint trip with the Suffolk Branch.
Location: Meet at ST 871 484 (Map 183)
Directions: From north on A 350 turn LEFT signposted to Upton Scudamore, from South turn RIGHT signposted to Upton Scudamore after traffic lights. DO NOT take left turn before lights, take next left and follow track up hill to bank on left.
Leader: Geoff Hobson (01373 823820)

Saturday 28th May, 09:30 – 09:45 am: Sidbury Hill

This chalk grassland site has spectacular views over Salisbury plain and a rich assortment of butterflies and other wildlife.
Location: Meet at SU 204 525 (Map 184)
Directions: Meet at the Tank crossing 0.75 Mile south of Everleigh (SU 204 525). We will then drive in convoy to the start location (SU 213 508).
Leader: Wayne Clinch (07977 256788)

Target Species: Green Hairstreak, Blues,

Sunday 29th May, 11:00 am, Hazlebury Common (nr Box, Bath)

This small common has a good variety of butterflies. This is a joint trip with the Somerset and Bristol Branch the Bath Natural History Society.
Location: Meet in Box Car Park at ST 824 686 (Map 173).
Information: Parking is very limited on the common itself (ST 838 676).
Leader: Richard Pooley (01225 811536)

Wednesday 1st June, 11:00 am: Ham Hill

This trip is planned to explore this Wiltshire Wildlife Trust Reserve near the Hampshire border finishing about 1.30 pm. Bring your own picnics. There will be more exploring in the afternoon if interest and weather permits.
Location: Meet at SU 334 616 (Map 174).
Directions: (from WWT web page) From the A338 Burbage to Hungerford road, turn towards Shalbourne and Ham. Pass through Ham heading south. The reserve is on the left hand side of the road approximately three quarters of a mile outside of the village. There is no designated parking area however there is room for 2 cars on the edge of the road beside the kissing gate at the northern end of the reserve. There is also space to park at the southern end of the Reserve by the woodland; continue along the road up the hill and take the next left turn, park here on the verge of the road to Buttermere.
Web: www.wiltshirewildlife.org
Leader: Hugo Brooke (01380 859 218, 07967 323 949)

Sunday 19th June, 10:00 am: Ranscombe Bottom and Calstone Down

The National Trust has a good selection of wildlife walks on their web page and I’d like to try one out in the programme to explore the landscape between Cherhill Down and Morgan’s Hill. Bring a packed lunch.
Location: Meet at SU 019 671 (Map 173) 09:45 – 10:00 am prompt.
Directions: As parking is limited we shall meet in the Smallgrain Plantation Picnic site and car share to the start. The Smallgrain Plantation picnic car park is on the left about 1.5 miles along the side road from Calne to Bishops Cannings.
Web: http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/walks
Leader: Andrew Daw (07778 146 297)

Saturday 25th June, 10:00 am: Crockford Bridge (New Forest)

Join me on a day out in the New Forest looking at dragonflies and butterflies of the heathland. We will be starting at Crockford Bridge in the morning and then moving on to other location(s) to taste as the day wears on. The early start is to avoid traffic congestion through the New Forest.
Location: Meet at SZ 349 989 (Map 196).
Directions: Meet in the car park next to the small clump of trees just past the bridge over the Crockford Stream at SZ 349 989 (B3054 from Beaulieu to Lymington). Bring a packed lunch, and Wellington Boots, or waterproof shoes as some areas are wet.
Leader: Andrew Daw (07778 146 297)

Sunday 10th July, 11:00 am: Dank’s Down near Ford

Please join me on a short walk that includes as its objective a steep South West facing section of limestone Downland. Although this is the quiet mid Summer lull period for many species our objective will be to see a White Letter Hairstreak.
Location: Meet at ST 841 748 (Map 173 and Explorer 156)
Directions: Meet at the tables in front of the White Hart at Ford where I will have coffee at the ready. Ford is approx 4/5 miles out of Chippenham on the A420, turn off to the left if you are approaching from Chippenham, the pub is well signposted.. Bring a packed lunch if you wish to continue wandering in the afternoon, we will cross a stream so walking boots or wellies will be a good idea.
Leader: Maurice Avent (01249 713 218)

Sunday 17th July, 11:00 am: Chase Woods

This is a joint trip with the Dorset Branch to explore and do some recording too. If possible, bring a clipboard and Ordnance Survey map Explorer 118 covering the area.
Location: Meet at ST 957 195 (Map 184) Cuttice Lodge, Rushmore Park.
Directions: The roads leading to the area are very narrow in places and the best approach from the A30 is via the minor road running south-east from Ludwell. After joining the Ox Drove follow the No Through Road sign to Rushmore.
Leader: Tom Smith (01985 846260, 07717 437250)

Sunday 7th August, 10:00 am: Heaven’s Gate (Longleat)

The woodland’s around the Longleat estate are quite extensive. We shall be walking down to Shearwater and back (approx. 3 miles), so bring a packed lunch. Maybe muddy if there has been recent rain.
Location: Car park ST 829 424 (Map 183).
Directions: Meet in Heaven’s Gate car park, NE of Horningsham.
Leader: Andrew Daw (07778 146 297)

Sunday 14th August, 10:00 am: Tyneham Village

This part of the coast is good for Lulworth Skippers and in a good year attracts various migrants. The early start is to avoid traffic congestion.
Location: Meet in car park SY 882 801 (Map 194 & 195).
Information: Although this is a military training area, it is usually open at weekends during the holiday season. The afternoon will decamp to Wareham Forest looking for Grayling.
Leader: Andrew Daw (07778 146 297)