Dates For Your Diary - Summer 2009

•  Meetings will start at the time indicated in the individual event description. Some events may continue into the afternoon and if so a packed lunch will be advised.

•  If the weather is uncertain, please contact the leader on the phone number given, preferably the evening before (especially if I'm leading – Andy Daw), but no later than 9am on the day.

•  All map numbers and grid references refer to the 1:50,000 Ordnance Survey Landranger ® series.

•  DEER TICKS are becoming increasingly common. As they can carry Lyme disease, it is advisable to wear coverings over the legs.

•  Dogs should not be brought to meetings.

•  At the moth nights, people should bring a torch each and wear UV protective glasses if they have them. They should also wrap up warmly; it can be surprisingly cold even on a quiet summer's night, and consider bringing a seat.

•  Butterfly Conservation does not accept liability for damage or personal injury incurred at field meetings.

Moth Events – Wiltshire Moth Group:

The moth events for 2010 will be arranged close to the time each one will take place to ensure optimum weather conditions. If you want to be informed of upcoming events please get in touch with Marc Taylor, either by email ( m@rcstaylor.co.uk ) to get on the mailing list, or by phone (01793 490 487) to become part of the phone notification ‘tree'.

Dynamic Butterfly Field Trips & E-mail Field Trip Reminder Service:

Some of the field trips for 2010 will be arranged at short notice a couple of days in advance of the coming weekend, details of which I will e-mail to all subscribers. If you have not already subscribed please get in touch with me by using the following email address ( butterflies@andrewdaw.co.uk ).

Please use my normal email address shown at the back of the newsletter for all other communications.

Any Field Trips prior to 16 th May will be arranged as "Dynamic Field Trips"

Sunday 16 th May, 10:00 am: Kennet & Avon Canal (nr Devizes)

2010 is the 200 th anniversary of the Kennet & Avon Canal. To celebrate I thought we could open the programme with a visit to Caen Locks on the outskirts of Devizes to see some springtime butterflies and dragonflies.

Location : Meet at ST 984 616 (Map 173).

Directions : Turn off the A361 in the middle of the dual carriageway that is on the approach to Devizes. Take the B3101 towards Rowde and take a right after about half a mile. The Car Park is signposted. Parking fees apply (£1 for 4 hours, £4 all day)

Leader : Andrew Daw (07778 146 297)

Saturday 22 nd May, 1:00 pm: Clearbury Down (Longford Estate)

Following the wash out last year in our attempt to pay a spring visit to Clearbury Down, there will be a second attempt this year to see what interesting butterflies we can find.

Location : Meet at SU 166 239 (Map 184).

Directions : Take the lane west off the A338 opposite the turning to Charlton All Saints and meet in the side-turning on left opposite Charlton Manor Farm.

Leader : Arthur Bryant (01202 892816 / 07711 404 190)

Wednesday 26 th May, 10:30 am: Upton Cow Down (nr Warminster)

This is Geoff's transect walk and is a good place to see the Wall Brown. There should be a variety of blues and other downland species on the wing too.

Note, there are steep banks and it is possible there will be stock on site, so no dogs. If we have time we could then go on to Cotley Hill for Marsh Fritillaries etc. in the afternoon, so bring a packed lunch.

Location : Meet at ST 871 484 (Map 183)

Directions : From north on A 350 turn LEFT signposted to Upton Scudamore, from South turn RIGHT signposted to Upton Scudamore after traffic lights. DO NOT take left turn before lights, take next left and follow track up hill to bank on left.

Leader : Geoff Hobson (01373 823820)

Sunday 30 th May, 10:00 am, Win Green (Ashcombe Bottom)

Having had a good time exploring this area in June last year, I am intending to see what butterflies can be found in May. Bring a packed lunch and be prepared for a long yet leisurely walk.

Location : Meet in the reserve car park at ST 923 204 (Map 184) off the B3081.

Directions : Take the road left towards Ludwell off the B3081 road from Shaftsbury to Tollard Royal. The car park turning is just down the road on the right.

Leader : Andrew Daw (07778 146 297)

Saturday 12 th June, 10:30 am: Cherhill Down

Although he knows the site well, Keith is relatively new to butterflies, so is looking forward to learning what is on his reserve. Although we've visited the nearby Morgan's Hill several times, Cherhill is new to the programme. There are steep slopes and uneven ground in places so bring sturdy footwear and also bring a packed lunch that you can carry.

This will be a joint trip with the Bath Natural History Society.

Location : Meet at SU 041 701 (Map 173).

Directions : Congregate just off the A4 east of Cherhill village at the foot of the bridleway. Park in the laybys off the A4 or in Cherhill village

Leader : Keith Stegall ( 07789 481048 )

Friday 18 th June, 11:00 am: Oaklands Wood & Webbs Wood

The day will start with a walk round Lysana's Oaklands Wood and then go through into Webbs Wood after lunch. The clay soils in the north Wiltshire woodlands can still be damp and muddy even in the height of summer so bring sturdy shoes, boots or Wellingtons to change into. Bring a drink and a packed lunch.

Location : Meet at SU 039 862 (Map 173). Meet and park at Oaklands .

Directions : Take the B4042 from Wootton Basset and turn right to the north where you meet the turning to the south for Callow Hill. Oaklands is about a mile along the road.

Leader : Lysana Robinson

Saturday 3 rd July, 11:00 am: Redlynch/Landford

This is a butterfly recording day with the Dorset branch.

To help with planning, please let Arthur know in advance if you are thinking of attending, and if possible please bring a clipboard and the Ordnance Survey Landranger ® Map number 184 (Salisbury & The Plain) and/or Ordnance Survey Outdoor Leisure Map OL 22 (New Forest). Bring lunch.

Location : Meet at SU 228 166 (Map 184) Telegraph Hill car park.

Directions : From Salisbury direction, look for car park on the right of B3078, 100 yards after the junction with the B3080.

Leader : Arthur Bryant (01202 892816 / 07711 404190)

Saturday 10 th July, 1:00 pm: Ryewater

This is a joint field trip with the Dorset branch to see Clive Farrell's place.

The Car park will be open from 12.00 for those with picnic lunch. Bring a packed lunch.

Location : Meet in field car park at ST 663 108 (Map xxx).

Directions : About a mile and a half south of Longburton on the A352 from Sherbourne to Dorchester, take a left towards Boys Hill and left again after about half a mile. The turning for Ryewater is about quarter of a mile on your left.

Leader : Brian Dicker (01963 32453)

Sunday 11 th July, 11:00 am: Martin Down & Vernditch Chase

Once again we have a joint visit with the Dorset Branch to this popular location.

The day starts with a walk across Martin Down to see Dark Green Fritillary and downland species. After returning to the car park for lunch we will cross the A354 into Vernditch Chase woods at 1.30 pm to look for woodland species including White Admiral and Silver-washed Fritillary.

Location : Meet at ST 037 201 (Map 184) in the car park off the A354 Salisbury to Blandford road.

Leader : Tom Smith ( 01985 846260 )

Sunday 25 th July, 11:00am : Bishopston Down & Throope Down

Some interesting findings have cropped up in the area over the last two years. Now the branch has an opportunity to go in and investigate for ourselves.

Bring sturdy Shoes and a Packed Lunch you can carry. If anyone can bring a 4x4 it will help.

Location : Meet at Throope Manor Farm at SU 088 264 (Map 184).

Leader : Lord Head (01722 718 318)

Saturday 14 th August, 10:00 am: Aston Rowant (Oxfordshire)

Aston Rowant is a popular place to see downland butterflies. Depending on the size of the party the afternoon meeting will visit another location to look for Brown Hairstreak.

Location : Meet in reserve car park SU 732 965 (Map 165).

Directions : Turn off the M40 from Oxford towards London at Junction 6, turn left and then 2 nd right onto A40 (1 st right is back onto the M40). Turn right at the top of the hill and take the next right, just past the radio mast. The car park is at the end of this road. Bring lunch.

Leader : Andrew Daw (07778 146 297)

Thursday 19 th August, 1:00 pm: Upton Cow Down (nr Warminster)

This will be our second visit to Upton Cow Down this year to see Wall Brown.

Note, there are steep banks, and it is possible there will be stock on site, so no dogs.

Location : Meet at ST 871 484 (Map 173)

Directions : From north on A 350 turn LEFT signposted to Upton Scudamore, from South turn RIGHT signposted to Upton Scudamore after traffic lights. DO NOT take left turn before lights, take next left and follow track up hill to bank on left.

Leader : Geoff Hobson (01373 823820)

Sunday 29 th August, 10:00 am: Morgans Hill

This end of peak season trip will hopefully round up the year with good selection of late summer grassland species. Bring a packed lunch.

Location : Meet at SU 019 671 (Map 173) Smallgrain Plantation Picnic Site

Directions : The car park on the left about 1.5 miles along the side road from Calne to Bishops Canning.

Leader : Andrew Daw (07778 146 297)

Any Field Trips after 29 th August will be arranged as “Dynamic Field Trips”.