Butterfly Conservation Dorset Branch

Butterfly Conservation has recently received a Chalk and Cheese grant to run a series of events on two of its nature reserves in north and mid Dorset during 2007 to try to encourage local involvement. The project is called ‘Reconnecting: people and countryside’ and the two areas are Alners Gorse Reserve on the edge of Hazelbury Bryan, and Lankham Bottom Reserve in the valley leading up to the A37 above Maiden Newton and Cattistock. The two places are very different from each other but both are very rich not only in butterflies but in wildlife in general. Everyone is welcome!

* indicates that advance booking is preferable

Friday April 13th 7.15pm Moth trapping evening at Alners Gorse Reserve.

Saturday April 14th and Saturday April 28th 10 am – 4pm * Yurt Building workshops at Alners Gorse Reserve. At these two workshops, we plan to construct a 12 ft Yurt to use at our events through the year, and we are looking for people to join in with the construction.

Sunday April 29th 6am start.** Dawn Chorus walk at Lankham Bottom Reserve, followed by breakfast.

Monday May 7th (Bank Holiday) 4am (!) ** Dawn Chorus walk at Alners Gorse Reserve.

Saturday June 2nd 8pm * Moth trapping evening and barbecue at Alners Gorse.

Sunday June 3rd 9am Alners Gorse Reserve: Analysis of the Moths trapped last night.
11am Family Bughunt and picnic (bring your own lunch, drinks provided)
2pm Open Afternoon. There will be guided walks followed by tea and cakes.

Saturday July 7th 7.30pm Moth trapping and evening walk on Lankham Bottom Reserve. If you
are unable to stay late to see the moth catch, join us at 9am on the following morning.

Sunday July 8th 9am Lankham Bottom Reserve analysis of the moths trapped last night
11am Family Bug-Hunt and picnic (bring your own lunch, drinks provided)
2pm Wildflower walk led by a local botanist, followed by tea.

Thursday July 12th 2pm Wildflower walk on Alners Gorse Reserve, led by a local botanist, followed by tea.

Saturday July 20th 8 – 10.30am Moths Count! Milborne St Andrew and Milton Abbas. We shall meet in Milborne St Andrew Village Hall (Map ref: SY 803975) to examine the moths caught in the village and at Milton Abbas the previous night. Breakfast on offer for early birds 8-9am!

Tuesday July 24th 2pm Summer wildlife at Alners Gorse Reserve – guided walk followed by tea.
This should be one of the peak weeks for some of our best butterflies including the White
Admiral, Silverwashed Fritillary and three species of hairstreaks.

Friday July 27th 8pm * Moth trapping evening and barbecue at Lankham Bottom Reserve. Anyone who would like to camp would be welcome to stay overnight. No charge but donations towards the cost of the food will be welcome. Advance booking would help us with planning.

Saturday July 28th Lankham Bottom Open Day and Kite Festival. If you were unable to stay the night,
join us at 9am to look at the moths caught in the light traps.
10am Kite making and Kite flying festival. Learn how to build and decorate a giant
Butterfly kite. Light refreshments will be provided but bring lunch.
2pm Guided walks to see the summer butterflies and other wildlife, followed by
tea and cakes.

Saturday August 4th 8 – 10.30 am Moths Count! Cerne Abbas. We shall meet at Barton Meadows Farm (map reference ST 663006) to examine the moths caught at the farm and elsewhere in the village the previous night. Breakfast on offer for early birds 8-9am!

Saturday August 4th 8pm Moth trapping evening at Alners Gorse. Anyone who would like to camp would be welcome to stay overnight. There will be a BBQ – please bring contributions of food and drink to share

Sunday August 5th 9am Analysis of the Moths trapped last night. If you were unable to stay the night, join us at 9am to look at the moths caught in the light traps. Refreshments will be provided.
11am Family Bug Hunt and picnic (bring your own lunch, drinks provided)
2pm Open Afternoon at Alners Gorse Reserve. There will be guided walks
followed by tea and cakes.

Friday September 21st 7.30pm Moth trapping at Lankham Bottom Reserve, followed by analysis of
the moths caught at 9am on the Saturday morning. Refreshments available.

Saturday September 22nd 10 am – 4pm Conservation Action Day at Lankham Bottom Reserve. An
opportunity to join in with the practical management work on this important downland reserve, including
at 2pm Family Wildlife Walk

Thursday September 27th 2pm * Fungus Foray at Alners Gorse Reserve with local fungus expert John
Wright. Tea and cakes will be provided afterwards and there should be an opportunity to cook and taste
some of the fungi we find, so advance booking would help us with the planning.

Saturday September 29th 10am * Log cabin building workshop at Alners Gorse Reserve. Alners Gorse
has a plantation of pine and spruce which we would like to clear to improve the wildlife habitat, so we
are going to use the timber to construct a field shelter for the grazing animals there. We are looking for
people to join us and learn the basic principles of log cabin construction. Please book in advance.
There will be soup, baked potatoes and hot drinks cooked on a bonfire.

Saturday October 6th 10am – 4pm * Conservation Action Day and Charcoal making workshop at
Alners Gorse Reserve. Jim Bettle of the Dorset Charcoal Company will be giving a demonstration of
small-scale charcoal making. Refreshments will be provided. The day will also include
at 2pm Family Wildlife Walk

Sunday October 7th 10.30 am – 4pm Vegetable Dyeing Workshop at Alners Gorse Reserve. Dorset
textile artist Penny Cole will show how local plant extracts can be used to produce a wide range of
wonderful colours. There will be demonstrations and plenty of opportunity for hands-on involvement!
Tea and cakes will be laid on at 4pm but bring your own lunch.

Wednesday October 10th 2pm* Fungus Foray at Lankham Bottom Reserve with local fungus expert
John Wright. Tea and cakes will be provided afterwards and there should be an opportunity to cook and
taste some of the fungi we find, so advance booking would help us with the planning.

Access to the reserves

Alners Gorse The reserve entrance is on the road from Hazelbury Bryan to Kings Stag beside the Hazelbury Bryan village sign and 30mph sign. Park on the road verge well away from the bend or in the small carpark just inside the entrance. Map reference: ST 736100.
Lankham Bottom The reserve entrance is off the minor road from Cattistock to the A37 about ½ mile from the A37. Park inside the metal gate and walk down the track to explore.
Map Reference ST 606004.

For further information and to book places on the events, please contact Nigel Spring on 01963.23559 or 07981.776767, or email nigelspring@yahoo.co.uk . Look at the Dorset Branch of Butterfly Conservation website www.dorsetbutterflies.com to find out more about these reserves.

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