Asfordby Hill SK 725195 (O/S sheet 129) Meet at 10.00 a.m. In parking area.
The site is two miles west of Melton Mowbray just off A6006. At the Asfordby Hill roundabout on A6006 turn north into Welby Road. After approximately 100 yards take the first turning on the left (adjacent to a Sports Club) and immediately bear right into St. John’s Road. The parking area is then entered after a short distance with the entrance at the far end.
This site consists largely of calcareous sand and other waste from a long-abandoned iron works which has produced a local habitat having much in common with the limestone areas lying further to the east.
The terrain is uneven with steep slops in places so strong footwear is advisable.

In the afternoon a visit will be made to Brown’s Hill Quarry (SK 742234) which is accessed from the junction of two minor roads ½ mile east of the village of Holwell which lies 4 miles north of Asfordby Hill. Meet at 2.00p.m. Park in the grass area where the two roads meet.
This is a Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust Reserve and of special geological interest, being quarried initially for building stone and later for limestone. Quarrying ended in 1957. The site contains old excavations and an area of woodland. Two other WLT Reserves (North Quarry and Holwell Mineral Line) are close by.
There are no facilities at either site. Bring your own lunch and refreshments.
Target Species: Dingy and Grizzled Skipper, Green Hairstreak, Common Blue and Brown Argus.
Contact: Les Purnell 0116 221 4317

Meet at the car park at 10.00am. SK 498643 (O/S sheet 269 Chesterfield/Alfreton).
From the M1Junction 29 follow the signs for Mansfield A617. After leaving Glapwell the landscaped pit-tip is visible on the right, continue to a large roundabout (about 3 miles from the M1). Take the 4th exit into Pleasley village. After 120yards take a right turn into Pit Lane. Drive up the hill into the car park.
There is no specific target species, but we hope to see Dingy Skippers in the newly planted Birds Foot Trefoil. The habitat is very varied with wetlands, plantation and open water. There is also a bird hide overlooking the large pond which will be worth a visit. 18 species of dragonfly have been recorded on the site along with various orchids. There are also recently planted Wych Elm trees (2 years ago) to replace older elms to encourage White Letter Hairstreaks.
The walk starts from the car park close to Pleasley Pit Engine House. The pit closed in 1983 and the pit headstocks and engine house are being preserved by committed volunteers. Subject to the volunteers being available we will begin our walk with a quick look at the work presently being carried out. The site is now a Scheduled Ancient Monument and is in the process of being developed into a mining heritage site. (The volunteers only work in the morning).
The Pleasley and Rowthorne Trails follow the trackbeds of disused railway lines. The Trails run through attractive countryside, sometimes in sheltered cuttings and at other times on high embankments. They act as important corridors for wildlife. Part of the Pleasley Trail runs through magnesium limestone and is a SSSI.
Although the walk is being organised by Jane Broomhead it is also being run by the Friends of Pleasley Pit, some of whom are members of Butterfly Conservation.
There is no café so please bring a packed lunch if you intend to stay on the trail and pit-top until the afternoon. Most of the paths are in good condition, but can be muddy if wet.
Contact Jane Broomhead (01623) 824688

Meet 1.00pm at Top Hagg Lane, Fritchley. The post code is DE56 2HJ, SK354528.
It’s a residential area but there should be plenty of space to park on the main road and walk up to the site.
Dingy Skipper were present last year, though in small numbers and Wall was also seen along with the more common species to be found in the area. This site is part of the 'Wild about Nature' project, a joint project between Groundwork and Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, funded by SITA to restore species rich grasslands in the area. Scrub removal and surveying & monitoring has been going on over the last two years to improve conditions and get a better picture of the ecology of the site.
Target Species: Dingy Skipper
Contact: Tim Brooks 01773 841566/567

On the Saturday, meet at 10:00 a.m. in the RSPB Car Park at Strumpshaw Fen TG 341068 (O/S sheet 134). From the A47 Norwich outer ring road, take the turning for Brundall and carry on through the village, taking the right fork once under the railway bridge (i.e. not towards Strumpshaw village).
The target species is the spectacular swallowtail which can be found in the Fen Meadow along with more common butterfly species and both Norfolk hawker and hairy dragonfly along the ditches. The flora is exceptional and includes various orchids, marsh pea and marsh fern.
We will also visit other areas of wildlife interest in Broadland on the Saturday including Martham Broad and in the Norfolk Breckland on the Sunday. This is an excellent chance to see some of our most spectacular flora including purple broomrape, proliferous pink, Spanish catchfly and various aquatic species. We will also visit Thompson Common for scarce emerald damselfly.
Stout walking boots or other sturdy waterproof footwear is recommended and insect repellent should be brought as a matter of course.
Contact: Richard Penson

(O/S sheets 141 and 152)
Meet at 10:00 a.m. at the entrance to Glapthorn Cow Pastures (TL 006903). From the A43, take the turning for Deenethorpe and then turn left at the T junction towards Glapthorn. All cars must be parked on the rough track leading south from the minor road opposite the wood. The lane on the north side is private and in regular use by agricultural vehicles. On no account should any cars be parked on the lane on the north side.
The target species at Glapthorn is the elusive black hairstreak, which should be present in good numbers given good weather. Ringlets and large skippers should also be seen and nightingales are often heard singing.
In the afternoon, meet at the entrance to Wicken Wood at 14:30 (SP 730414). From the A43 south of Northampton, take the A143 turning south and go through Whittlebury. Take the first left and continue onwards until you get to a turn almost back on yourself towards Lillingstone Lovell. The entrance to the wood is within 200 yards on the left and has a moderately sized car parking area.
This is now the most reliable place for wood white in the Midlands and these are found mainly along the rides. The verges have a diverse flora including orchids and ragged robin.
Stout footwear is recommended, especially in Wicken Wood, which is very popular with dog walkers!
There is also the chance to see some of our rare arable margin plants at College Lakes BBONT reserve, including pheasant’s eye and field cow-wheat.

Meet at 10am at the Tythby Road entrance, SK 700393. Parking is easy along Mill Hill Road, which is 100 metres to the north of the crossroads half way along A52 Bingham bypass. Meet at the top of the steps to The Park at the northern edge of the spinney.
Bingham Linear Park comprises about 2 miles of disused railway and includes stretches of both deep cutting and high embankment. We will be able to see the results of work that has continued this year to try to improve conditions for Creeping Cinquefoil, the local foodplant for the Grizzled Skipper.
This event is part of the programme of monthly visits with members of ‘The Friends of Bingham Linear Park’ and Notts. Wildlife Trust. We will see locally rare flora as well as a variety of summer butterflies, and possibly the results of moth trapping from the previous evening
Walking is flat and easy at both sites, but stout footwear is advised. Please bring your own refreshments
Contact Bill Bacon 01949 838585

Fermyn Woods is part of the ancient Rockingham Forest. It is an attractive site with grassland and ponds as well as the extensive woodland.
Target species: Purple Emperor, White Admiral, Purple and White-letter Hairstreak, and a range of other woodland and grassland species.
Location: Meet at 9.30am at SP 964859 (opposite the airstrip) on the minor road from Brigstock to Oundle, off the A6116 Corby to Thrapston road. (Roadside parking only at the entrance to the bridlepath through the woods.)
Move cars for lunch at Fermyn Woods Country Park visitor centre (SP 953849) – café, toilets and picnic benches. Car parking charge of £2. Continue after lunch to explore other areas of the park. Good number of dragonfly species present at ponds.
Contact: Max Maughan

Meet in the car park, grid ref: SK 732342 at 11.30am
Naturescape wild flower farm is situated in the heart of the vale of Belvoir, close to the Leicestershire Nottinghamshire border.
Access by car is via the A52 and A46. Large brown signs are positioned on the A52 & A46, and in the village of Langar to guide you to the visitor centre.
There is a Tea Room, Plant Centre and shop on site.
Target species: Small Copper, Brown Argus and a good variety of common summer species.

Meet at 10.00am Teal Close, SK 629411 (O/S sheet 129). From A162 Colwick Loop Road turn into Victoria Retail Park, Straight on at first roundabout and left at the second. Park on the road near the CEM Warehouse, past the Car Auctions.
The site is approached on foot following the Ouse Dyke, this linear habitat has plenty of nettles, hawthorn, willow, ivy and hops providing good conditions for red admiral, comma, speckled wood, holly blue and various whites.
The site itself had a variety of post industrial habitats including deep slurry lagoons from coal washing, ponds, wet grassland, scrub and steep banks.
Please ensure you wear stout shoes, as there are steep banks and parts of the site is sometimes muddy.
Target species: Common Blue, Small Heath, Small Tortoiseshell.

Contact: Simon Jenkins 0115 950 6993

This will be a joint field trip with the Lincolnshire branch, who have kindly offered to lead the event.
We shall meet at the Education Centre, Map Ref. TF 147739, (O/S sheet 121), at 10am. The target species will be the Brown Hairstreak, which has apparently increased in range within the wood in recent years
Contact Toby Ludlow, Telephone 01526 343910