Butterfly and Moth Field Meetings 2008
Saturday 3rd May – 11:00 am – Minadew Brakes, Kingsand, Nr Rame Head.
An energetic walk amongst some unusual habitat within sight of the south coast to try and locate a colony of Pearl-bordered Fritillary that has been noted here at odd times over the last 6 years by reliable recorders. There are sizeable colonies of Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary also to be found here so the use of nets will probably have to be used should both species be on the wing to distinguish between the species. Should we confirm the Pearl-bordered Fritillary exists at this locality it would be a find of national importance! Bring a packed lunch and good walking boots.
Leader – Phil Harris.
Meet at small car park/pull off up narrow unfenced road 1 mile N/E of Kingsand at map ref. SX438514.
For details and directions ring Phil Harris on 07845 984426.
Thursday 8th May – 11:00 am St. Breward Quarry (Disused), Bodmin Moor.
We will seek out existing colonies of Pearl-bordered Fritillary and look carefully if these have spread or for new ones, which is a distinct possibility as large amounts of habitat management work has been carried out over the last few years in this area of Bodmin Moor by various organisations and local landowners hoping to benefit this species. Other spring species should be seen also. Bring a packed lunch and good walking boots.
Leader – Sally Foster.
Meet at St Breward Quarry (Disused) at map ref. SX095765.
For details and directions phone Sally Foster on 01736 753259.
Saturday 10th May – 11:00am – Vallency Valley, Boscastle.
This valley was ravaged by the devastating flood that hit Boscastle in August 2004. Early indications show that just upstream, in the Valency Valley, both the Pearl-bordered and Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary butterfly have benefited from the more open habitat created by the flood waters. We would hope to see both species today during a guided walk by Phil Harris who has surveyed this species for many years. Other spring species should be seen also.
Leader Phil Harris.
Meet in the car park in Boscastle at o/s map ref. SX100913.
For details and directions phone Phil Harris on 07845 984426.
Sunday 11th May – 11:00am – West Goss Moor, Nr. Indian Queens.
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. We may also try a nearby area of Goss Moor to see if there maybe another population extant of this species where there is a recent reliable record. Dingy skippers should also be seen!
Leader – Paul Browning.
Meet at map ref. SW931599 on lay-by along the OLD A30.
For details and directions phone Paul Browning on 01736 763677.
Saturday 17th 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 and Orange Tip. 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 7th June – 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 usually 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 map ref. SX053610, Breney Common car park.
For details and directions phone Phil Boggis on 01726 66124.
Sunday 1st June - 11a.m – 5p.m - Penhalt Barn House, Poundstock
Garden Open Day
Tim & Sandy Dingle will open their garden & valley walk on behalf of the Cornwall Butterfly Conservation. A colourful garden on the coast and a woodland walk. Magnificent views. Located on the Millook Rd from Widemouth Bay. Entrance £2.50 Cream teas available.
Saturday 7th June – 9:15pm – Kit Hill Top Car Park, Nr. Callington.
Moth Spectacular on National Moth Night.
A Cornwall Moth Group and The Countryside Team event. We will be recording all moths that are seen and come to light from dusk onwards as part of National Moth Night. There is a small charge of £2.00 per adult or £1.50 for concessions or £6.00 for a family which will include a cup of soup. Please note that there will NOT be a charge for Cornwall Moth Group members except for refreshments. Booking essential for non CMG members by ringing from The Countryside Team on 01872 323468. Event starts at 9:15pm and finishes at 11:30pm but you may stay much later if you wish as the moth light will continue until at least 2:00am given suitable weather. You should bring a torch & wrap up warm for this and any other moth event.
Leader – Phil Boggis.
Meet at map ref. SX375714 at Kit Hill top car park at 9:15pm.
For details and directions phone Phil Boggis on 01726 66124.
Saturday 14th June – 1:00pm – Deer Park Wood then Greenscoombe Woods, Luckett.
One of Britain’s rarest and most threatened butterflies, the Heath Fritillary, still exists in Cornwall at Deer Park Wood in it’s managed habitat, but is now again to be found in it’s original main Cornish colony at Greenscoombe Woods, Luckett after it became extinct there after 2002. After it’s reintroduction to parts of the woodlands in the summer of 2006 it has become re-established and recolonised 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 both sites showing us the best areas to observe this butterfly 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 afield to visit these woods to marvel at the many Heath Fritillary butterflies that would be seen throughout June every year. Due to limited parking at both localities, it is suggested that parking takes place at Luckett village car park at o/s map ref – SX389737.
Leader – Richard Vulliamy.
For details and directions phone Richard on 01579 370411.
Saturday 14th June – 9:00pm – Ponts Mill, Nr. St. Blazey.
Mid-summer Moths At Ponts Mill.
A moth evening of recording together with Cornwall Moth Group, The Friends Of Luxulyan Valley and The Fox Club. This event will begin at dusk and you should bring a torch and wrap up well. Plenty of easy parking in the main Ponts Mill car park. Past mothing 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 map ref. 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 20th June – 9:30pm – Kilminorth Woods, Seaton Valley, Looe.
Midsummer Mothing For The Scarce Merveille du Jour Moth.
We have high hopes of seeing this RDB3 moth here again near the Oak trees that it breeds on. The sedentary Scarce Merveille du Jour moth has almost certainly continuously bred in the Seaton Valley since shortly after the last Ice Age! This meeting is organised by Cornwall Moth Group in conjunction with The Fox Club in celebration of National Insect Week. Booking for non Cornwall Moth Group members by ringing Kirsty on 01872 273939 xtn. 203. The moth light will be on from dusk until late but meet at 9:30pm. Please bring a torch and a flask of coffee etc. and wrap up well.
Leader – Phil Boggis.
Meet at map ref. SX248538. 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 21st 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. Please bring a drink,sun hat, sun protection and good walking boots.
Leaders Lee Slaughter and Phil Boggis.
Meet at map ref. 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.
Sunday 6th July –11.00am Pendeen Watch Lighthouse, North of Cape Cornwall.
A superb and energetic walk along the most South-Westerly coastline of England which, given good weather, should yield excellent numbers of Graylings, Meadow Browns, Silver-studded Blues, Dark Green Fritillaries and possible migratory Clouded Yellows, Painted Ladies, Humming-bird Hawk-moths and other migratory species. Please bring a packed lunch, drink, sun cream and good walking boots.
Leader – Phil Harris.
Meet at map ref. SW378358 in the car park at Pendeen Watch Lighthouse.
For full details and directions phone Phil Harris on 07845 984426.
Saturday 19th July – 11:00 am Upton Towans, Nr. Hayle.
A lovely walk through the extensive coastal dunes by Gwithian at Upton Towans. We hope to see many Dark Green Fritillary butterflies and would like to count/estimate numbers seen and also any behavioural features in either the males or females of this spectacular species. The 2nd brood of Small Heaths should now be appearing and it would be good to look closely at each adult seen with particular attention to some of the females which we have noticed appear to be larger than other females and much deeper in colour. Other Summer flying species will also be seen including Silver-studded Blues, Common Blues and maybe Brown Argus too! Please bring a packed lunch, drink, sun cream, and good walking boots.
Leader – Paul Browning.
Meet at map ref. SW579398 at entrance by gate to the Cornwall Wildlife Trust area.
For full details and directions phone Paul Browning on 01736 763677.
Saturday 9th 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 map ref. SW688132 in main Kynance Cove Car Park.
For full details and directions phone Phil Boggis on 01726 66124.
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