Cornwall Butterfly Conservation Butterfly and Moth events 2010
BTCV Conservation Days 2010 For all those who can make it and are reasonably fit and well, outlined below are BTCV’s (British Trust for Conservation Volunteers) Conservation Days for February and March. We would be glad of some help with particular emphasis on the days at De Lank/De Lank Quarry and at Goss Moor – two important butterfly conservation sites. |
CBC Conservation Days
West Goss Moor
16th February 2010. 10.30 - 3pm
and Saturday 20th February 2010. 10.30 - 3pm.
Meet at map ref. SW931599, on the lay-by along the old A30.
Bring gloves, cutting and raking tools.
Leader: Paul Browning. Contact 01736 763677 for details.
Seaton Valley Country Park
Butterfly and Bug Conservation Days
Saturday 6th February and Saturday 27th February 2010
Help is needed to save rare wildlife habitats
All welcome for practical scrub cutting fun!
Seaton Valley Local Nature Reserve has some rare and declining butterflies, bees and flowers. We plan to re-open up some areas in the valley that are becoming encroached upon by the rapid growth of scrub. The species we hope to benefit are Dingy skipper butterfly, Marbled white butterfly and possibly a rare bee Andrena proxima. Management is needed to protect the last hot open grassland areas in the reserve.
Meet: Seaton Valley Country Park Car Park SX 304 544
Cost: Free
Bring: Lunch and a drink, wear strong boots or wellies and old clothes for working outdoors in the Cornish weather.
Time: 10am – 3pm but stay as long as you like.
Booking : Not required, just turn up, it would be great to see you !
For further information call 01579 341463 or email acollings@cornwall.gov.uk
CBC Butterfly and Moth Field Meetings 2010
Saturday 24th April – 8:00pm until 10:00pm – Cotehele, St Dominick, nr. Saltash.
Moth trapping for the Full Bloom Festival at Cotehele House, National Trust,
Please bring a torch, something to kneel/sit on and warm clothing. Leader – Phil Boggis, Meet at map ref. SX 423685 in the pubic car park at Cotehele House.
For full details and directions phone Phil Boggis on 01726 66124.
Sunday 25th April – 10:30am – Murrayton Monkey Sanctuary, Millendreath, nr. Looe.
This is a special early visit to the Millendreath to Seaton coastal footpath to search for Britain’s earliest flying Pearl-bordered Fritillary butterflies which will take in some brilliant scenery looking out to sea on this excellent habitat for this rare species. Yes! You can see the Pearl-bordered Fritillary in April in Cornwall given reasonable weather. This unique habitat, some of which is an ancient landslip, provides the ideal microclimate needed for this species to be on the wing up to 3 weeks earlier than elsewhere in Cornwall! This is only the second field meeting to be especially arranged here so don’t miss this opportunity to see this for yourself. Walking boots are a must due to steep terrain and bring food and drink too. Access is through strictly private land at Murrayton Monkey Sanctuary which will be closed so all attending should be ready to be guided through to the cliff path by the leader at 10:30am from the Monkey Sanctuary car park. If the weather on this date is unsuitable, then the walk will be rearranged for the following day (Sunday, 25th April) also at 10:30am and you should phone Paddy Saunders to confirm you will attend the following day. If the meeting has to be held on Sunday, 25th April then we may have to start at Seaton in the car park at O/S Map Ref: SX304545 and then go along the cliff path to Millendreath. This will be confirmed by phoning Paddy Saunders the previous evening if the meeting is cancelled on Saturday, 24th April due to inclement weather. Pearl-bordered Fritillary, Speckled Wood, Green-veined White, Small Copper, Common Blue, Orange-tip and possible Dingy Skipper will hopefully be seen today.
Leader - Paddy Saunders, Meet at map ref - SX285546 in Murrayton Monkey Sanctuary Car Park or if held on Sunday 25th April then meet in car park in Seaton at map ref – SX304545.
For full details and directions phone Paddy Saunders on 01503 262567.
Sunday 25th April – 11:00am to 4:00pm – Cotehele, St. Dominick, nr. Saltash.
Full Bloom Festival, Cotehele House: Admission charges: Adults: £5.20, Children: £2.60, Families: £13 (free for National Trust members).
A celebration of springtime orchards and all they have to offer. Come and visit the beautiful orchards at Cotehele; enjoy a picnic beneath the trees, join a bug hunt, examine moths caught at the moth trap the evening before, make a bee house, write a poem or just relax and enjoy the sights sounds and smells of an orchard in bloom!
For full details please contact Kate Merry (National Trust) Tel: 01458 253752, Mobile: 07776 463 022 or e-mail: kate.merry@nationaltrust.org.uk or phone Phil Boggis on Tel. 01726 66124.
Sunday 9th May – 11:00am to 1:00pm – West Goss Moor, Nr. Indian Queens; then for 1:30pm moving on to Perransands/Penhale Sands, nr. Perranporth.
The course of this old railway line harbours one of only two surviving colonies in Cornwall. We will be looking for egg laying female Grizzled Skippers with a note to recording their egg laying sites. Dingy Skippers should also be seen! At 1:00pm we conclude this visit to drive to Rose village at the edge of Perransands/Penhale Sands to walk down to the sand dunes to look for Cornwall’s other populations of Grizzled Skippers which although highly localised will hopefully be found in suitable looking habitat amongst this vast dune complex. We hope to possibly find the special aberration called ‘taras’ which is sometimes found at this locality amongst some of the Grizzled Skipper colonies. Other species which should be found include Brown Argus, Wall Brown, Dingy Skipper, Common Blue, Small Copper and Orange- tip.
Leader – Paul Browning.
Meet at 11:00am at map ref – SW931599 on lay-by along the OLD A30. At 1:30pm meet at SW774553 in lay-by on edge of road opposite the turning to Rose village by entrance to footpath onto sand dunes.
For details and directions phone Paul Browning on 01736 763677.
Wednesday 12 May – 8:30pm – Bat & Moth Night - Tehidy Country Park (South Drive)
Organised by Cornwall Council (Environment & Heritage).
Attendance: Adults and Children Free (NB: hot drinks may be purchased at Tehidy Country Park Café, so bring some change) but no dogs allowed.
Public event starts at 8:30pm so any CMG members bringing a moth-trap should get there at least ½ hour before to set up.
There should be a number of Cornwall Moth Group member's traps operating just inside the Woods to the west of the car park from dusk to midnight (or just after). Please bring a torch, stout footwear and warm clothes for walking between the trap sites and a portable seat if you need one. Moths will be collected throughout the evening as they come in to the lights, and be available in keep-nets or specimen pots for viewing and photography.
Leader - Alison Clough (Countryside Officer [West], Cornwall Council)
Booking is Essential: Please phone Cornwall Council on 0300 1234202 or email aclough@cornwall.gov.uk
Meet at map ref SW650433, South Drive Car Park, Tehidy Country Park.
For further details phone Tony James (Cornwall Moth Group) on 01736 763705 or e-mail: records@cornwallmothgroup.org.uk
Saturday 15th May – 2:00pm – Bunny’s Hill, nr. Cardinham, Bodmin Moor.
Bunny’s Hill is an easily accessible site and is one of the best places in Cornwall to see the Pearl-bordered Fritillary butterfly at close quarters. Please do bring your camera as photography is comparatively easy at this locality. Brimstones are usually seen together with Small Heath, Holly Blue, Orange-tip and possible Dingy Skipper. There is plenty of easy parking available.
Leader – Lee Slaughter.
Meet at map ref – SX117675 at fork in road.
For details and directions phone Lee Slaughter on 01726 817505.
Saturday, 15th May 2010 – 8:30pm – National Trust Trelissick Gardens, Feock, nr.Truro.
Organised by Cornwall Moth Group & National Trust.
National Moth (and Bat) Night. Attendance is free to all ages with wheelchair access along paths by the moth lights. Any CMG members bringing a moth-trap should get there at least ½ hour before to set up. Follow the Moth Group signs into the gardens, and there should be a number of Cornwall Moth Group member's traps operating on the lawns adjacent to the paths in amongst the Woodland areas from dusk to Midnight (or just after). Please bring a torch for walking between traps and a portable seat if you need one. Moths will be collected throughout the evening and be available in keep-nets or specimen pots for viewing and photography. This site has a range of interesting species. If you have a bat detector, please bring it along and we hope someone who is an expert will be able to identify the sounds emitted from the bats. Booking is essential: Visitors please phone Hannah Dorking (Events Secretary) on 01872 861032. CMG and Cornwall Butterfly Conservation Members intending to come along, please contact Tony James 01736 763705.
Leader – Tony James.
Meet at Trelissick Gardens car park SW838396 - go right through to the walled area at the bottom of the car park and follow the Moth Group signs.
Saturday 22rd May – 1:00pm – Fellover Brake, Tuckingmill, St. Breward.
This site still holds one of Cornwall’s finest colonies of the nationally threatened Pearl-bordered Fritillary butterfly which can be seen over a wide area of well managed bracken covered hillside. Walking boots are essential as the site slopes quite steeply and can be quite uneven in places. Orange-tip and Brimstone should also still be on the wing.
Leader – Phil Harris.
Meet at SX089779, in small lay-by at Gam Bridge.
For details and directions phone Phil Harris on 07845 984426.
Saturday 29th May – 1:00pm – Breney Common, nr. Lanlivery.
Our annual visit to probably Cornwall’s largest Marsh Fritillary colony. Good numbers of this species should be seen together with Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary, Small Heath, Brimstone, Green Hairstreak and always a few interesting moths too! Photography is almost always easy here so do bring your camera and good walking boots.
Leader – Phil Boggis.
Meet at SX053610, Breney Common car park.
For details and directions phone Phil Boggis on 01726 66124.
Saturday 5th June – 1:00pm – Carkeet (River Vale Farm), Bodmin Moor.
A new locality, which during 2008 has turned up one of Cornwall’s largest Marsh Fritillary colonies! Good numbers of this species should be seen together with Small Pearl-Bordered Fritillary. Photography is usually easy with Marsh Fritillaries, so do bring your camera and Wellington Boots as this privately owned site is usually quite wet underfoot!
Leader – Phil Harris.
Meet at SX215728, at edge of road by track running North East signposted Carkeet Farm.
For details and directions phone Phil Harris on 07845 984426.
Saturday 12th June – 1:00pm – Greenscoombe Woods, Luckett.
One of Britain’s rarest and most threatened butterflies, the Heath Fritillary, still exists in Cornwall in the specially managed habitat, at its original main Cornish colony at Greenscoombe Woods, Luckett after it became extinct there after 2002. After it’s re-introduction to parts of the woodlands in the summer of 2006 it has become re-established and re-colonised it’s former habitat which has been much improved by clearance and management work. We are very grateful to local recorder and expert on this species, Richard Vulliamy who will lead us around showing us the best areas to observe them and advise what past and current management work is being carried out for the benefit of this threatened species. The butterfly is breeding well now at Greenscoombe Woods and it is always a joy for enthusiasts from Cornwall, Devon and often much further a-field to visit these woods to marvel at the many Heath Fritillary butterflies that would be seen throughout June every year. Bring a drink and your camera.
Leader – Richard Vulliamy.
Meet at SX389737 in Luckett Village car park.
For details and directions phone Richard Vulliamy on 01579 370411.
Saturday 19th June – 2:00pm Perran Sands and Penhale Sands, nr. Perranporth.
A Midsummer ramble over Britain’s highest sand dunes complex to see large numbers of freshly emerged Silver-Studded Blues. We would also hope to see Large Skippers, Small Skippers, Meadow Browns, Common Blues, Dark Green Fritillary, Scarlet Tiger Moth and Humming Bird Hawk-Moth. This event always turns up unexpected surprises in moths or butterflies. Please bring a drink, a sun hat, sun protection and good walking boots. Leaders - Lee Slaughter and Phil Boggis. Meet at SW774553 in lay-by on edge of road opposite the turning to Rose. For details and directions phone Lee Slaughter on 01726 817505 or Phil Boggis on 01726 66124.
Friday 25th June – 9:00pm – Pont’s Mill, nr. St. Blazey, Par.
Mid-summer Moths at Pont’s Mill.
A moth evening of recording together with Cornwall Moth Group and The Friends of Luxulyan Valley. This event will begin at dusk and you should bring a torch and wrap up well. Plenty of easy parking is available in the main Pont’s Mill car park. Past moth-ing events here have bought in a list exceeding 125 different species of moth for one evening’s recording at a single locality!
Leader - Phil Boggis.
Meet at SX073562 in the free car park at the end of the single track road.
For details and directions phone Phil Boggis on 01726 66124.
Friday 2nd July – 9.30pm – Kilminorth Woods, Seaton Valley, Looe, Cornwall
Mid-summer Moth-ing for the Scarce Merveille du Jour
We have high hopes of seeing this RDB3 moth here again this year near the oak trees that it breeds on. The sedentary Scarce Merveille du Jour moth has almost certainly continuously bred in the West Looe Valley since shortly after the last Ice Age! This meeting is organised by Cornwall Moth Group. The moth light will be on from dusk until late but meet at 9:30pm. Please bring a torch, something to sit/kneel on and wrap up well.
Leader - Phil Boggis.
Meet at map ref. SX248538 at the entrance to Lower Kilminorth Woods, sharp left 250 yards before Looe Bridge coming from a westerly direction on the main road.
For full details and directions phone Phil Boggis on 01726 66124.
Saturday 3rd July – 11:00am Upton Towans, nr. Hayle.
A delightful walk through the extensive coastal dunes between Gwithian and Hayle at Upton Towans. Previously the site for the manufacture of dynamite, this is a fascinating area for those who have an interest in industrial archaeology. We expect to see an abundance of newly emerged Dark Green Fritillaries and the last of the season’s Silver-Studded Blues as well as the more common summer flying species of butterflies and moths. The 2nd brood of Small Heaths should now be in evidence and we would like everyone to look out for the Brown Argus and Grayling which recently have all but disappeared from this area. Please bring a packed lunch, drink, sun cream, and good walking boots or rainwear if weather is unsettled.
Leaders - Dick & Maggie Goodere.
Meet at SW579398 at entrance by gate to the CWT area.
For full details and directions phone Dick or Maggie Goodere on 01736 753077.
Saturday 10th July – 10:30am Penlee Battery CWT Reserve & Penlee Point (Possibly Moving on to Seaton during the afternoon).
This event is held in conjunction with Caradon Field and Natural History Club (CFNHC).
This reserve usually has excellent numbers of Marbled Whites which are absent from mid and West Cornwall but often more than 100 can be seen here without much trouble. Small Heath, Gatekeepers, Large and Small Skippers and possible Dark Green Fritillary should also be seen. Six-belted Clearwing and Thrift Clearwing Moths will be searched for with pheromone lures here. We may move on to Seaton during the afternoon to search for Clouded Yellows at a location where they have been observed over-wintering as well as further searches for Six-belted Clearwing Moths again followed by a walk up the Seaton Valley to see Silver-washed Fritillary and possible Purple Hairstreak.
Leader - Leon Truscott,
Meet at SX436491 in Penlee Battery car park.
For full details and directions phone Paddy Saunders on 01503 262567.
Saturday 17th July – 1:00pm Bunny’s Hill, nr. Cardinham, Bodmin Moor – Also Treslea Downs.
We will be searching for Dark Green Fritillaries and keeping an eye out for the remote possibility of High Brown Fritillaries too! Silver-washed Fritillaries will also be on the wing as well as Grayling butterflies at Treslea Downs, just 2 miles distant from Bunny’s Hill. There must be new discoveries to be made at both these two valuable sites as they are only normally visited in May for the Pearl-bordered Fritillary.
Leader - Phil Harris,
Meet at map ref – SX117675 Bunny’s Hill at fork in road.
For details and directions phone Phil Harris on 07845 984426.
Sunday 18th July – 1:00pm Cabilla Wood, Glyn Valley, nr. Bodmin (C.W.T.Reserve).
We look forward to seeing many beautiful Silver-washed Fritillary butterflies in this well managed woodland together with the bright summer form ‘hutchinsoni’ of the Comma butterfly with plenty of Ringlets, Gatekeepers, new brood Brimstones and Summer brood Holly Blues. There is always various day flying moths to be seen in this wood so there may be new discoveries awaiting.
Leader – Dave Conway,
Meet at map ref – SX128653 by sawmill.
For details and directions phone Dave Conway on 01208 77686.
Saturday 31st July 2010 – An event to mark the importance of 'Save our Butterflies week' .
To be held at : Trelusback Farm, Penhalvean, Redruth, TR16 6TQ
A new locality which contains wildflower meadows, woodland, wetland and a lake. If the weather permits, visitors can expect to see a wide variety of butterflies, moths, birds and dragonflies. Keith, our host also keeps rare breed poultry at the farm. This is an opportunity to meet and socialise with other members. If you can, bring a guest or two and introduce them to the delights and wonders of butterfly and wildlife conservation! A barn will be available for chatting, eating, coffee etc. Please bring a packed lunch plus a cake or something sweet to share with other members and our guests. New members will be made very welcome – please introduce yourself to Keith Wilson, Jo Poland or one of the other committee members. Meet at 11-00am at Trelusback Farm (shown on the OS map as ‘Trelusback’ at map reference SW 712384 which is about half a mile from the western end of Stithian’s lake and about halfway between Stithians and Redruth. Those with satnav will be able to use the postcode to get to a red ‘phone box at the end of the driveway to Keith’s house. Proceed down this lane and the barn we are using is about 200 yards past the sandschool and bungalow. For more detailed directions or if you get lost please ‘phone Keith on 01209-860298 or if no reply 07972-376982
Saturday 7th August – 11:00am Kynance Cove, nr. The Lizard.
Be prepared for a beautiful walk at this famous locality for lepidoptera. We would certainly hope to see most of the following species: Grayling, Dark Green Fritillary, Clouded Yellow (including ‘Helice’), Small Heath, 2nd brood Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary, Common Blue, Wall Brown, Gatekeeper, Painted Lady and Red Admiral. Please bring a packed lunch, drink, sun-cream and good walking boots. Park in main Kynance Cove car park and meet near the toilet block at the southern end of the car park.
Leader - Phil Boggis,
Meet at SW688132 in main Kynance Cove car park.
For full details and directions phone Phil Boggis on 01726 66124.
Sunday 8th August – 11:00am Gwennap Head and Porthgwarra.
This locality is situated within 4 miles of Lands End, the most South-Westerly point on the English mainland and should produce an abundance of butterflies. We should see Grayling, Dark Green Fritillary, Clouded Yellow (including Helice), Small Heath, 2nd brood Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary, Common Blue, Wall Brown, Gatekeeper, Painted Lady and Red Admiral. This is a new transect for 2010 and the land is being partly managed by the RSPB for the Chough. Please bring a packed lunch, drink, sun cream and good walking boots. Park in Porthgwarra car park where there is a cafe and toilets.
Leader – Jim Barker,
Meet at SW372218 in main Porthgwarra car park.
For full details and directions phone Jim Barker on 01736 794134.
Sunday 15th August – 11:00am Gwithian Green, & then onto Gwithian Towans, nr. Hayle.
A high summer visit to this local nature reserve which is managed and monitored carefully by a number of enthusiasts locally. Later on we will venture further onto Gwithian Towans. Across the two sites with different habitats we should see Common Blues, Meadow Browns, Gatekeepers, Small Skippers, Small Heaths, Wall Brown, maybe 2nd brood Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary and late flying Dark Green Fritillary as well as other summer flying and hopefully migrant species. We will explore the dunes during the afternoon searching for the Brown Argus and Grayling, both of which have become very scarce here and do not seem to have been noted for a couple of seasons in this vicinity. Good walking boots, packed lunch and sun cream are all essential.
Leader - Sally Foster
Meet at SW586412 close to the track entrance. Heading from Portreath towards Hayle on the B3301 coast road, past Godrevy and take the track to your left just before Gwithian and meet in the small car park on Green Lane.
For further details ring Sally Foster on 01736 753259.
Thursday 9th September – 7:30pm – Bat & Moth Night – Tehidy Country Park (South Drive)
Organised by Cornwall Council (Environment & Heritage).
Attendance: Adults and children free (NB: hot drinks may be purchased at Tehidy Country Park Café, so bring some change) but no dogs allowed.
Public event starts at 7:30pm so any CMG members bringing a moth-trap should get there at least ½ hour before to set up.
There should be a number of Cornwall Moth Group member's traps operating just inside the woods to the west of the car park from dusk to midnight (or just after). Please bring a torch, stout footwear and warm clothes for walking between the trap sites and a portable seat if you need one. Moths will be collected throughout the evening as they come in to the lights, and be available in keep-nets or specimen pots for viewing and photography.
Leader - Alison Clough (Countryside Officer [West], Cornwall Council)
Booking is Essential: Please phone Cornwall Council on 0300 1234202 or email aclough@cornwall.gov.uk
Meet at map ref SW650433, South Drive Car Park, Tehidy Country Park.
For further details phone Tony James (Cornwall Moth Group) on 01736 763705 or e-mail: records@cornwallmothgroup.org.uk
~ Lee Slaughter – Field Trip Organiser, February 2010
Other websites which may be of interest:
- Butterfly Conservation organises hundreds of events around the UK every year. You can brush up your identification skills, help on a conservation task, see a rare species or just enjoy a beautiful site.
- Cornwall Moth Group events page
- Cornwall Wildlife Trust events page
- BTCV Conservation days