Thanks to Max Maughan for organising the following programme of field trips for 2011. These field trips are a great way to learn about butterflies and their habitat, help with identification will be available and there will also be photographic opportunities. Walks are open to anyone to attend. Please check weather conditions and come suitably prepared.
Please check back in the coming months for updates and further events.
(Last updated Thursday 3rd March 2011)

Dunstable Downs/Totternhoe Knolls (Bedfordshire)

Meet at 10.00am at the Chilterns Gateway Visitor Centre (National Trust) on Dunstable Downs (grid ref TL 007199; postcode LU6 2GY) Take the B489 west out of Dunstable, and turn left at the roundabout onto the B4541. The visitor centre car park is on the right after about a mile. Meet outside the entrance to the visitor centre. Toilets and refreshments available. Car Park charge £1.50 (National Trust members free).
The site is a steep chalk escarpment forming part of the Chiltern Hills with stunning views across the Vale of Aylesbury. The paths are sloping and uneven, and stout footwear is advised.
Target Species: Grizzled Skipper. Dingy Skipper, Duke of Burgundy, Green Hairstreak, Brown Argus.
We will return to the visitor centre for lunch, before driving to Totternhoe Knolls, a local wildlife trust reserve nearby. This is a good site for Small Blue.
Contact: Max Maughan 01332 511825

Asfordby Hill/Holwell Nature Reserves (Leicestershire)

Meet at car park at Asfordby Hill at 10.30am. SK 725195 (O/S sheet 129). The site is two miles west of Melton Mowbray just off the A6006. At the Asfordby Hill roundabout on A6006 turn north into Welby Road. After about 100 yards take the first turning left (adjacent to a Sports Club) and immediately bear right into St.John's Road at the far end of which the parking area will be found. Access to the site is directly from the car park.
This ex-industrial site was formerly occupied by an Iron Works and Foundry,the latter resulting in the tipping of large quantities of calcareous sand which has resulted in a local habitat having much in common with limestone areas lying further to the east.
The site is rough underfoot and there are some steep slopes
In the afternoon it will be possible to visit the Holwell Nature Reserves (Leicestershire & Rutland WLT). Meet at 2.00pm at the roadside parking area at the entrance to Brown's Hill Quarry which lies at the junction of two minor roads ½ mile east of the village of Holwell which is approximately three miles north of Asfordby Hill off the A606 (SK 741234).
This site has special geological interest. Quarrying for building stone originally began in the early 19th.century but the area was later mined for ironstone which was transported by rail to the iron works at Asfordby along the Holwell Mineral Line, the track of which is now part of the nature reserve. Mining ceased in 1957. A third part of the reserve, North Quarry, is nearby. The site contains old quarry workings, limestone grassland and wooded areas.
Target Species: Spring butterflies including Dingy and Grizzled Skipper and Green Hairstreak.
There are no facilities at either site. Those wishing to attend both visits should either bring a packed lunch or find commercial refreshment outlets in Asfordby Hill or Melton Mowbray.
Contact: Les Purnell 0116 221 4317

Meet outside the quarry at 10.30 am (grid ref SP 446641)
This is a private site and the walk will be led by Mike Slater. Further details to follow.
The Site is an old Cement Quarry.
Please come with suitable footwear etc. There are steep slopes.
We will stop in a lay by for Southam Bypass North to show the work done for Small Blue and maybe Dingy Skipper, both recent colonizers – will then move onto Bishops Hill for all four spring species.
Target species: Small Blue, Grizzled Skipper, Dingy Skipper and maybe Green Hairstreak (Rare)

O/S Maps: 196 (Sat) and 195 (Sun)
On Saturday 25th, meet at 10:00 a.m. in the car park at Beaulieu Road Station on the west side of the railway line at SU 348 064. From the A35, on the west side of Lyndhurst, take the B3056 eastwards. The target species are Silver-studded Blue and Grayling.
In the afternoon, meet at Crockford Bridge car park at SZ 353 992. From the above locality, follow the B3056 south east to the village of Beaulieu and continue on the B3054 westbound and then south towards Lymington. Once past Hatchett Pond, the car park is adjacent to the first clump of mature pines on the east (left) side of the road.
Target species at this locality include Beautiful Demoiselle, Small-red and Southern Damselflies. There is the opportunity to see some of our rarest plant species at these localities and New Forest cicada may be encountered.
On the Sunday, meet at 10:30 a.m. at the car park at Wooton Coppice Enclosure, SZ 250 998. From the A35 north of Christchurch, take the B3058 eastbound (Holmsley Road) and pass Wattons Farm and Valesmoor Farm. Where the road bends sharply to the right, take the left hand turn (Tiptoe Road) and immediately left again opposite the Rising Sun Inn. Follow the minor road northwards and the car park is on the north edge of the wood on the left.
Target species: Silver-washed Fritillary; at this locality there is a good chance of seeing the Valezina variety as well as other woodland species.
Although all of the sites are relatively flat, stout shoes or walking boots and long trousers are recommended: the high numbers of deer and ponies in these habitats has ensured a large population of deer ticks which can potentially carry Lyme disease. Further information on Lyme disease can be found at www.lymediseaseaction.org.uk. and click on Lyme Disease FAQ. It must be pointed out that the chances of contracting the disease are extremely low.
Contact: Richard Penson

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 9.30 am at SP964859 (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 should be present at the ponds.
Contact: Max Maughan 01332 511825

Joint meeting with Derby Natural History Society.
Meet in Stockley Trail car park (near Bolsover) at 10.30 am. SK459701 Carry lunch.
Target species: common butterflies and dragonflies
Contact: Max Maughan 01332 511825

Meet at 10am at the gate next to the sports field on the A623 between Calver and Stoney Middleton (SK 239750) – this is the entrance to the dale.
The best place to park is on the small side road near the traffic lights in Calver between the A623 and the A625 (GR 239749)
Target species: Dark Green Fritillary
In the afternoon there may be a possibility of visiting Longstone Edge.
Contact: Paul Townsend 01246 455069

Meet in the Lay-by at 10.30am. Grid Ref SK 417214. Please do not park on the busy road or obstruct gateways.
The reserve lies about 1.5 km south-east of Breedon Village alongside the road between Tonge and Griffydam and 1 km south of the A42 junction 14.
Cloud Wood is an ancient woodland extends to over 33 ha and is owned by the Leicestershire & Rutland Wildlife Trust. A coppice cycle has been re-introduced to the wood. The sunny, flower rich glades and rides create an important butterfly habitat.
The rides are fairly wide and sunny and easy to walk on as limestone hardcore was put down many years ago, however stout shoes are recommended. Care should be taken crossing the busy road.
Target Species: White-Letter Hairstreak , Purple Hairstreak.
Contact: Elliot Taylor 01162 871677

Meet at 11am at the northern car park SE 759 145 - PLEASE NOTE AMMENDED GRID REF.
Crowle Moor is reached from an unclassified road running northwest from Crowle village. At end of this road, turn right for the northern car park a short distance on the left. We shall be following the waymarked routes, as the reserve is large and complex. There is a particular danger of fire and therefore visitors are requested not to smoke while on the reserve.
Target Species: Large Heath
After lunch we shall make the half-hour drive to: -

Meet at 2.30pm at SE 929 143
A bridleway runs south half way between the villages of High Risby and Low Risby, which are on the road running due west from Appleby. Limited parking. Good numbers of Grayling seen in 2009 and 2010.
Target Species: Grayling et al
Please bring your own lunch. Stout shoes advisable.
Contact: Bill Bacon 01949 8385855

Meet at the Natural England car park SU 731966 on the north side of the M40 motorway at 9.30 am. Access is signposted from the A40 which can be joined from either Junction 5 or 6 of the M40.
Target species: Silver-spotted Skipper, Chalkhill Blue and Brown Argus. Plants include Chiltern Gentian.
Bring a packed lunch, and stout shoes are recommended as there are several steep slopes.
In the afternoon, if time permits, we may visit the nearby reserve of Whitecross Green Wood for Brown Hairstreak.
Contact: Max Maughan 01332 511825