BUTTERFLY AND MOTH EVENTS IN DORSET
FRIDAY 5 MARCH
BUTTERFLY TRENDS IN EAST DORSET
All are welcome to this presentation by Bill Shreeves on the trends in butterfly numbers revealed by the monitoring in east Dorset surveys in 2009. Walks and Regional Action Plans (RAP) surveys covered are those at Avon Heath, Badbury Rings, Garston Wood, Iford Meadows, Moors Valley, Pamphill Moor, Sopley Common, Sovell Down, Stour Valley, Upton Heath, West Moors and Wimborne St. Giles.
7.30 pm at St. Catherine's Church Hall on the corner of Leigh Road and Lewens Lane, Wimborne.
Contact is Bill Shreeves on 01747 852587.
TUESDAY 9 MARCH
DORSET’S HIDDEN TREASURES
A look at the moths on your doorstep. A talk by Dorset branch chairman Paul Butter.
Joint with Dorset Wildlife Trust Poole Group
7.30 pm at Oakdale South Road Middle School, School Lane off Palmer Road, Oakdale, Poole.
Contact is Ken Yeates on 01202 674998.
THURSDAY 11 MARCH
BUTTERFLY TRENDS IN SOUTH DORSET
All are welcome to attend this presentation of the results of the south Dorset Transect and Regional Action Plan (RAP) surveys in 2009 and the resulting trends in butterfly numbers. Please come along if you might also interested in joining in any of the butterfly counting walks at Ballard Down, Corfe Castle, Durlston, Hethfelton, Higher Hyde, Lulworth, Oakers Wood, Studland, Tadnoll, and Townsend.
7.30 pm at the Methodist Hall, North Street, Wareham.
Contact is Colin Nunn on 01929 439211.
SATURDAY 13 MARCH
CONSERVATION WORK DAY
Fifehead Wood
Organised by the Woodland Trust, conservation tasks are primarily the continuation of rotational hazel and general maintenance of rides and paths. Meet 10.00 am at the lay-by on the road from the A30 (mid-way between Sherborne and Shaftesbury) to the village of Fifehead Magdalen, map reference ST 779217.
Contact is Tony Copper on 01963 250415.
SUNDAY 14 MARCH
CONSERVATION WORK DAY
Broadcroft Quarry Butterfly Reserve, Portland
Joint with Dorset Conservation Volunteers
Broadcroft is Dorset Butterfly Conservation's reserve managed specifically for butterflies, notably the Silver-studded Blue. To find the reserve, turn off Easton Road into Grove Road and about 100 yards on, turn right onto a track (opposite Portland Football Club) which leads to the car park, map reference SY 695723. Meet 10.00 am.
Contact is Bernard Franklin on 07711 304412.
FRIDAY 19 MARCH
NORTH DORSET WALKERS AND REGIONAL SURVEYORS MEETING
All are welcome to hear reports on 2009 recording and plans for the 2010 campaign and a report on recent moth recording in the area. Please come along if you are interested or wish to help on any of the Regional Action Plan (RAP) surveys or butterfly counting walks, which are Alners Gorse, Cashmoor Down, Clubmen's Down, Deadmoor Common, Duncliffe Wood, Fifehead Wood, Fontmell Down, Girdler's Coppice, Hambledon Hill, Hod Hill, Jerry's Hole, Lydlinch Common, Melbury Down, Milldown, Piddles Wood and Stubhampton Bottom.
7.30 pm at East Stour Village Hall, map reference ST 804234. This is next to the playing field on the left of the road from East Stour to Gillingham.
Contact is Bill Shreeves on 01747 852587.
SUNDAY 28 MARCH
CONSERVATION WORK DAY
Lydlinch Common
Lydlinch is part of an area crucial to the Marsh Fritillary and conservation work is vital to ensure that the habitat is kept suitable for its survival at this site. Meet 10.00 am and park in the lay-by just outside the village on the Sherborne to Sturminster road, map reference ST 736137.
Contact is Colin Burningham on 01935 873219.
SATURDAY 17 APRIL
WORKSHOPS ON IDENTIFYING, SURVEYING & RECORDING BUTTERFLIES AND DAY-FLYING MOTHS
The regular recording of butterflies is now playing an important part in
measuring progress in maintaining the biodiversity of our species and in
assessing the speed of global warming. As a result Dorset Butterfly
Conservation needs more recorders. There are a variety of important recording
schemes to participate in, ranging from simple garden recording to the more
demanding skill of butterfly walking. Together with the Portland Coast & Countryside Project, we are offering a free workshop for beginners and those who still lack the full confidence to take part in recording. The workshop will be divided into two parts. After this indoor session in which the theoretical techniques of identification will be shown
with the aid of slides, specimens & photos & also the different types of recording explained, a
field visit to Portland butterfly sites will be made on Saturday 5th June in order to put
the theoretical skills into practice. The numbers will be limited so if you
are interested you must book your place in advance by contacting Mrs Robin George [DBC Membership Secretary], Clarence House, Cemetery Road, Gillingham, SP8 4BA. 01747 824215. [e-mail:rab.george@which.net]
The indoor session will take place from 10.15am to 3.15pm at St. George’s Hall, Portland. Full details of this meeting & the outdoor one in June will be sent to you when you make your booking.
SATURDAY 24 / SUNDAY 25 APRIL
SPRING AT ALNERS GORSE
Saturday 7pm Barbecue and Moth Trapping. Camping facilities are available for anyone wishing to stay overnight – bring tent, sleeping bag, eating utensils etc and food and drink to share.
Sunday 4am for 4.30. The Nightingale Experience. Dawn Chorus Walk on Alners Gorse reserve to hear the nightingales and other spring songbirds. Followed by breakfast. Booking essential nigelspring@yahoo.co.uk or tel: 01963 23559.
9am Moths Inspection of last night’s moth catch followed by refreshments at 10.30am.
11am – 1pm Guided Walk to see the butterflies and other wildlife.
Park on the verge well to the west of the 30 mph and Hazelbury Bryan village signs and meet at the reserve entrance at map reference ST 737100.
SATURDAY 15 MAY
NATIONAL MOTH NIGHT
See branch and national websites for more details
SUNDAY 16 MAY
MILLENNIUM ATLAS SUPPLEMENT RECORDING
Tarrant Monkton - East Dorset
To kick-start the new 5 year recording project we return to this area which has some very attractive walks. Please bring a packed lunch if you would like to continue the surveys in the afternoon. If possible, bring a clipboard and an Ordnance Survey map covering the area, Explorer 118 or Landranger 195.
Meet 10.30 am at the Langton Arms public house in Tarrant Monkton, east of Blandford, map reference ST 943088.
Contact is Arthur Bryant on 01202 892816.
WEDNESDAY 19 MAY
CASHMOOR DOWN
A guided walk for spring species including Dingy Skipper, Small Blue and Green Hairstreak.
Meet 1.00 pm in the lay-by at the eastern end of Cashmoor 50 mph speed restriction, map reference ST 980139.
Contact is Arthur Bryant on 01202 892816.
SUNDAY 23 MAY
GUIDED WALK – COMPTON DOWN
This site has populations of Marsh Fritillary, Small Blue, Dingy and Grizzled Skipper as well as Adonis Blue and all should be on view.
Park at the National Trust car park at the top of Spread Eagle Hill or on the north side of the triangle near the airfield and meet at 1.00 pm in the National Trust car park, map reference ST 888185.
Contact is Lawrie de Whalley on 01258 880524.
SATURDAY 29 MAY
CERNE GIANT HILL
Guided walk over a transect route
A splendid downland habitat with 35 butterfly species recorded over 16 years.
Typically anticipated at this time are Dingy Skipper, Brown Argus, Common Blue, Marsh Fritillary and Small Heath.
Some parts of the walk are quite steep. The walk will last until about 1 pm.
Meet at 10.30 am at the old Abbey entrance, OS Map Ref ST665013.
Contact is Malcolm Wemyss on 01935 872047.
SUNDAY 30 MAY
A FLOWER AND BUTTERFLY WALK - BALLARD DOWN (SWANAGE)
Joint with Dorset Wildlife Trust
A walk along the lower slopes of Ballard Down to enjoy this chalk downland site with its stunning views and the spring flowers. The lovely Adonis Blue will by now be on the wing. Meet 11.00 am at Ulwell lay-by on the Swanage to Studland road, map reference SZ 022808.
Contact is Colin Nunn on 01929 439211.
MONDAY 31 MAY
GUIDED WALK - LYDLINCH COMMON
This is a key site for the Marsh Fritillary and our winter work programme here is designed to maintain the habitat for this species.
Meet 2.00 pm at Lydlinch Village Hall map reference ST 743136.
Contact is Colin Burningham on 01935 873219.
SUNDAY 6 JUNE
MARSH FRITILLARY SATURATION COUNT
ROOKSMOOR
Meet 10.30 at Berry Farm, Rooksmoor off the B3143, map reference ST 737115.
Bring packed lunch.
Rooksmoor is a private site and is the conservation part of Berry Farm. It is important because it is the epicentre of the Blackmore Vale metapopulation of Marsh Fritillaries and Brown Hairstreaks, and prolific breeding area for Silver-washed Fritillary and White Admiral as well as other species. We hope to be visiting at the time of the Marsh Fritillary peak emergence. We are visiting at the kind invitation of Bob Green.
Contact is Brian Dicker on 01963 32453 or mobile 07817 301203 on the day.
WEDNESDAY 9 JUNE
LARGE BLUE - COLLARD HILL
Joint with Somerset and Bristol Branch
2009 marks the 25th anniversary of the first re-introduction of this species. Collard Hill was one of the sites chosen for the re-introduction and it continues to thrive there.
Meet 11.00 am at the car park (opposite Youth Hostel) on the Ashcott road just off the A 3151 south of Street, map reference ST 482345.
Contact is Mike Ridge on 01278 450793.
SATURDAY 19 / SUNDAY 20 JUNE
ALNERS GORSE BUTTERFLY AND MOTH WEEKEND
Saturday 19 June 7 pm - Moth Trapping and Barbecue
Camping facilities available for anyone who like to stay overnight. Bring your own tent and food to share.
Sunday 20 June 9 am Moths. Analysis of last night’s catch in moth traps with refreshments at 10.30 am.
11 am Guided walks to see the wildflowers, butterflies and other wildlife
1 pm Bring your own picnic if you would like to have lunch on the reserve
Park on the verge well to the west of the 30 mph and Hazelbury Bryan village signs and meet at the reserve entrance at map reference ST 737100.
Contact is Nigel Spring on 01963 23559 or 07981 776767, email nigelspring@yahoo.co.uk
FRIDAY 25 JUNE
MIDSUMMER MOTHS ON PORTLAND QUARRY RESERVE
Joint with Dorset Moth Group
Barbecue and Moth Trapping. This is a coastal limestone habitat which could have additional species by way of migrants if conditions are favourable. Meet from 8.00 pm in Broadcroft reserve car park (see details below). Camping facilities are available for anyone who would like to stay overnight.
Contact is Nigel Spring on 01963 23559 or 07981 776767, email nigelspring@yahoo.co.uk
SATURDAY 26 JUNE
GUIDED WALKS ON PORTLAND QUARRIES
From 9.00 am ANALYSIS OF LAST NIGHTS CATCH IN MOTH TRAPS at Broadcroft Reserve with refreshments at 10.30 am.
11.00 am GUIDED WALK - BROADCROFT QUARRY RESERVE
Broadcroft Quarry was the county's first Butterfly Reserve. An impressive colony of Silver-studded Blues can be found in this quarry reserve.
To find the reserve, turn left off Easton Road onto Grove Road and about 100 yards on the right is a track (opposite Portland Football Club) which leads to the car park, map reference SY 695723.
2.00 pm GUIDED WALK – PERRYFIELDS RESERVE and CHURCH OPE COVE
Meet at the Museum car park, map reference SY 695712. Please note that the Cove can only be accessed by a flight of steep steps.