Field Trips
Dynamic Butterfly Field Trips:
Some of the field trips for 2008 will be arranged at short notice a couple of days in advance of the coming weekend. I will take into account how the season is going, the projected forecast for the weekend, and any suggestions from the membership. I will then email out to all subscribers the details for the weekend and you can then choose to join me, or otherwise. This is to allow for changes in the season and weather to make the most of what is around at the time. If you want to be informed and participate in selecting these events please get in touch with me by using the following email address ( butterflies@andrewdaw.co.uk ) that I have set up explicitly for this. Please send all communications on other matters to my normal email address shown at the back of the newsletter.
All Field Trips before 18 th May will be "Dynamic Field Trips" (see above).
Sunday 18 th May, 11:00 am: Hailey Wood and Cirencester Park
This is a joint trip with the Gloucester Branch to see Pearl Bordered Fritillaries. A moth trap will be set up the night before, so we will start the trip with a look at what was caught.
Target Species : Pearl-bordered Fritillary and Moths
Location : Meet at SO 965 005 (Map 163) Turn off the A419 from Stroud to Cirencester on the road to Coates, passing the Sawmill on your right carry straight n to the village of Coates. Just after the sharp left hand bend there is a turning to Tarlton. Turn right here, go under the railway bridge and the sign for the Tunnel House pub is on the next bend. Follow the track to the pub and meet in the car park.
Leader : Chris Tracey (01453 752051)
Sunday 25 th May, 11:00 am: West Yatton Down
There is a strong colony of Dingy Skipper at this reserve and hopefully I have timed it right to see a good number of them. We should also keep an eye out for Grizzled Skipper, which has been recorded briefly in the past.
Target Species : Dingy Skipper
Location : Parking is available at the Long Dean Y fork on the side of the minor road from West Yatton to Castle Combe SU 851 759 (Map 173 ). Bring a picnic lunch.
Leader : Maurice Avent (01249 713218)
Saturday 7 th June, 11:00 am: Bulford Ranges (Salisbury Plain)
A walk to look at the interesting butterflies and flowers in the Nine Mile River and Silk Hill areas of Bulford Ranges. We hope to see how well Marsh Fritillaries are faring in this part of SPTA and will also keep a lookout for Duke of Burgundy. This is a joint event with Butterfly Conservation and Bulford Conservation Group.
Bring lunch. Access depends on military activity on the day - we may have to divert to an alternative site.
Target Species : Marsh Fritillary
Location : Meet at SU 213 462 (Map 184) directions. Meet just off the Bulford to Tidworth road, where the tarmac military road to F range widens to a car park (intention is then to drive further into range).
Leader : John Moon (01264 710 123)
Thursday 12 th June, 11:00 am: Whitecross green Wood (Buckinghamshire).
A repeat of last years' mid-week jaunt to see some butterflies not found in Wiltshire. Please keep to the paths when on the trip as the flowering grass verges are easily trampled.
Target Species : Black Hairstreak and Wood White
Location : Meet in the car park through the double farm gates at SP 604 148 (Map 164)
Leader : Andrew Daw (07778 146 297)
Friday 13 th June - Monday 16 th June, Norfolk Broads Weekend
If you'd like to join me on a long weekend with two full days in the Norfolk Broads looking as Butterflies, Dragonflies, Birds and Flowers then contact me for more details.
Target Species : Swallowtail Butterfly and Norfolk Hawker Dragonfly
Details : Email butterflies@andrewdaw.co.uk.
Leader : Andrew Daw (07778 146 297)
Saturday 5 th July, 11:00 am: Perham Ranges (Salisbury Plain)
A walk on the former Perham Ranges which are usually colourful at this time of year. If the weather is good we should see plenty of Dark Green Fritillary and other butterflies. Walk of about 5 miles into the centre of the ranges where Dark Green Fritillaries are most abundant. A lunch break will be included and we should finish at about 3pm.
Target Species : Dark Green Fritillary
Location : Meet at SU 259 484 (Map 184). Turn into Benin Road, beside the Londis shop in Perham Down, on Weyhill to Tidworth road, then after 400m turn left again beside a brick hut. Park near shed at northern end of old ranges.
Leader : John Moon (01264 710 123)
Wednesday 9 th July, 10:30 am: Boscombe Down Railway Line
This year we have a mid-season visit to Boscombe Down. Hopefully the Chalkhill Blues will just be out and in good condition.
Target Species : Chalkhill Blue
Location : Meet in the car park at SU 192 407 (Map 184). Bring a packed lunch.
Leader : Jon Millo (01980 862 368)
Saturday 26 th July, 11:00 am: Longford Estate ( Provisional )
Trailer information
Target Species : butterfly species
Location : Meet at SO 744 784 (Map 184) directions .
Leader : Arthur Bryant ( 0xxxx xxx xxx )
Saturday 2 rd August, 11:00 am : Ringstead Bay near Weymouth
Dorset branch are holding a field trip to see Lulworth Skipper and you are invited to join them.
Target Species : Lulworth Skipper
Location : Meet at ?? xxx yyy (Map 194) directions .
Leader : ?? (??)
Sunday 3 rd August, 2:00 pm : Alners Gorse
Dorset Branch is holding another field trip to Alners Gorse, one of Butterfly Conservation's newest reserves, and you are invited to join them.
Target Species : White-letter, Brown and Purple Hairstreak
Location : Park on the verge well to the west of the 30 mph and Hazelbury Bryan village sign, map reference ST 737 100 (Map 194)
Leader : Nigel Spring (01963 23559)
Saturday 9 th August, 11:00 am: Draycott Sleights
Draycott Sleights is a Somerset Wildlife Trust reserve situated opposite side of the road to Stoke Camp ButCon reserve. It is a rich site for grassland species, and with a small wooded area Speckled Wood and Holly Blues have been recorded here too. This is a joint trip with the Bath Natural History Society.
Target Species : Chalkhill Blue with possible Grayling
Location : Meet at ST 484 514 (Map 183) From the B3135 road that goes into Cheddar down Cheddar Gorge, turn left onto the minor road towards the Gliding Club and the village of Draycott. Just over a mile down the road the entrance gateway is on the right. Park alongside the road verges where space is available. Parking is limited, so car share where possible. There are some steep slopes to walk up and down so wear stout shoes. The afternoon will be spent on the other side of the road at the Stoke Camp Butterfly Conservation reserve.
Leader : Andrew Daw (07778 146 297)
Saturday 10 th August, 11:00 am: Martin Down (South)
This year we are holding a later visit to Martin Down to see Silver-Spotted Skipper and Chalkhill Blues. Other grassland butterflies should be in abundance too. This is a joint trip with Hamphsire and Dorset and will start with opening the catch from the Moth Trap held the night before by the Hampshire Branch.
Target Species : Silver-Spotted Skipper and Chalkhill Blue
Location : Meet at SU 058 192 (Map 184) Take a left turn off of the A354 dual carriageway section (Salisbury to Blandford Forum road) into the village of Martin. Take the second right turning in the village. This will take you to the South car park.
Leader : Andrew Daw (07778 146 297)
Tuesday 12 th August, 11:00 am: Blakehill Farm
A mid-week trip to see one of Wiltshire's success stories, the Brown Hairstreak. This butterfly has done well in the North of the County over the last few years. Binoculars are essential to see them sitting in the trees so bring a pair if you can. This is a joint trip with the Bath Natural History Society.
Target Species : Brown Hairstreak
Location : Meet at SU 072 920 (Map 173). The entrance to the reserve is clearly signposted on the B4040 Malmesbury to Cricklade road at SU 074 923 . About 150m into the reserve, turn right and follow the track to the car park which is at SU 072 920 .
Leader : Robin Griffiths and Michael Sammes (01249 654 608)
All Field Trips after 12 th August will be "Dynamic Field Trips" (see above).
