BUTTERFLY CONSERVATION DORSET BRANCH
Butterfly Conservation is an organisation dedicated to saving wild butterflies and moths and their habitats. Dorset has a very active branch of the Society which, as well as carrying out conservation work, organises guided walks and survey days.
Everybody is welcome at all events, except the few marked ‘members only’.
Most events are free - if there is a charge it will be mentioned in the listing, No. 80 unless it is an event put together by another organisation in which case we may not have received the relevant information. Autumn 2015 Butterflies will not fly unless it is fairly warm and sunny, so if the weather makes you dubious you are welcome to phone the contact listed for each walk.
Some of the walks are on private land which is not open to the public at times other than those stated.
Conservation work days start at 10.00am (ending around 3.30pm) and are suitable for all the family except the very young. Children should be accompanied. Please wear stout footwear and protective gloves, and bring a packed lunch. You are advised to ensure your tetanus injections are up to date.
For further information about the society, please contact the branch secretary Adrian Neil on 01305 832937 or [email protected], or visit the website: www.dorsetbutterflies.com
BUTTERFLY CONSERVATION Company limited by guarantee Registered in England (2206468) Registered Office: Manor Yard, East Lulworth, Wareham, Dorset BH20 5QP Charity registered in England & Wales (254937) and in Scotland (SCO39268) Tel: 01929 400209 Fax 01929 400210 Email: [email protected] www.butterfly-conservation.org
2 SATURDAY 10th OCTOBER scrub clearance on this important SATURDAY 31st OCTOBER Hazelbury Bryan to Kings Stag, beside the Hazelbury Bryan and 30 South Wilts Group Event downland reserve. 10.00am to FUND RAISING AFTERNOON 4.00pm. The reserve entrance is Joint with Poole RSPB Group mph signs. Park on the wide Dorset members are welcome to straight road verge, well away from attend a social afternoon in the off the minor road from Cattistock to the A37, about ½ mile from the 2.30pm: “Butterfly Breakthroughs: the dangerous bend, map reference Village Hall, Stapleford at 1.30 50 years of learning to conserve ST 736100. For further information pm. There will be two talks. Mike A37. Park inside the metal gate at map reference ST 606004. Lepidoptera” please contact Nigel Spring on Lockwood will give a presentation A talk by Dr Martin Warren, Chief 01963 23559 or 07981 776767, or titled "Brown Hairstreaks in Contact is Nigel Spring on 01963 23559 or 07981 776767, email Executive of Butterfly Conservation. email [email protected]. Wiltshire". Mike began his work 3.30pm: Tea and cakes for sale [email protected]. on Brown Hairstreaks on whilst showing participants’ butterfly Salisbury Plain, and has taken his and moth slides. Please bring SATURDAY 14th NOVEMBER investigations southwards to th photos, maximum of 20, on a Salisbury. After the interval, Hugo SUNDAY 18 OCTOBER memory stick, and please let Nigel NATIONAL ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Brooke asks the question "Are Spring ([email protected]) CONSERVATION WORK DAY This year’s AGM will be take place there elephants in your garden?" Lydlinch Common (North know if you are planning on submitting any images. at The Hilton Hotel, Cobham, It is an enquiry designed to Dorset) Surrey. Full details in the autumn stimulate an interest in the great 4.15 – 4.45pm: Questions and Lydlinch is part of an area crucial discussion, with a 5.00pm finish. issue 120 of the national magazine diversity of British moths. ‘Butterfly’ and on BC national There is no charge. Stapleford is to the Marsh Fritillary, and conservation work is vital to Venue: Upton Community Centre, website www.butterfly- on the A36, west of Salisbury, Poole Rd, Poole, Dorset BH16 5JA. ensure that the habitat is kept conservation.org. about three miles short of its Entrance fee: £3 adults/£2 under junction with the A303. The turn to suitable for its survival at this site. 16. This is a fundraising event with Meet 10.00am and park in the lay- the village is off of the A36, at a the proceeds from the afternoon SUNDAY 15th NOVEMBER point where the road passes by just outside the village on the shared between the Poole RSPB through a right-angled bend, Sherborne to Sturminster road, group and the Dorset branch of CONSERVATION WORK DAY within sight of the service station. map reference ST 736137. Butterfly Conservation. Seats can Lydlinch Common (North Dorset) See October 18th for details. The village hall is about 70 metres Contact is Lawrie de Whalley on be reserved in advance through along the road to the main part of 01258 880524. Nigel Spring, email [email protected]. the village, and is on the left, set SATURDAY 5th DECEMBER back, behind the BT building. th There is some parking there, and SUNDAY 25 OCTOBER CONSERVATION ACTION DAY SUNDAY 1st NOVEMBER more parking is available in the CONSERVATION WORK DAY Broadcroft Quarry Butterfly village by the church. Cashmoor Down (North Dorset) CONSERVATION ACTION DAY Reserve, Portland We will be working on the regular Contact for further details is Frank Today’s task is scrub removal Alners Gorse tasks of grass and clematis/ Crosier on 01722 790419. from banks as well as strimming We continue the woodland and bramble/scrub cutting and would some of the cleared areas. Meet scrub management work to improve appreciate additional help. Hot 10.00am in the lay-by at the drinks and cake will be provided but th our wildlife habitats. There will be a SUNDAY 11 OCTOBER eastern end of the Cashmoor bonfire with hot drinks and baked please bring your own gloves, mug, and packed lunch. Broadcroft CONSERVATION ACTION DAY 50mph speed restriction, map potatoes for lunch. We will be there reference ST 980139. from 10.00am to 4.00pm, so do join Quarry was the county's first Lankham Bottom Reserve Butterfly Reserve. An impressive Contact is Arthur Bryant on 01202 us if you can. Alners Gorse reserve We continue the task of gorse and entrance is on the road from colony of Silver-studded Blues can 892816. be found in this quarry reserve and
3 4 much of the practical management away from the dangerous bend, SATURDAY 30th JANUARY SUNDAY 14th FEBRUARY work is aimed at improving the map reference ST 736100. CONSERVATION ACTION DAY CONSERVATION WORK DAY habitat for this species. For further information please Broadcroft Quarry Butterfly Langford Valley, for the Duke of From 10.00am to 4.00pm. For contact Nigel Spring on 01963 Reserve, Portland Burgundy Broadcroft Quarry Reserve, turn left 23559 or 07981 776767, or email th See December 5 for details. Meet at 10.00am at the field gate off Easton Road onto Grove Road [email protected]. and about 100 yards on the right is beyond Langford Farm Cottages, near Lower Magiston, map a track which leads to the car park, th map reference SY 695723. th SATURDAY 13 FEBRUARY reference SY 639958. Take the SATURDAY 16 JANUARY minor road northwards from For further information please BRANCH MEMBERS DAY AND Stratton to Sydling St. Nicholas contact Nigel Spring on 01963 CONSERVATION ACTION DAY AGM along the Sydling Water. At the 23559 or 07981 776767, or email Terrace Fields SNCI Sherborne Your annual opportunity to find out crossroads turn right into the [email protected]. the latest news and developments This small area of limestone Langford valley and to the farm. within the Branch. The programme grassland is a haven for a wide Contact is Brian Dicker on 01963 range of moths, butterflies, and will consist of: SUNDAY 13th DECEMBER 32453 or 07817 301203 on the day. wildflowers including orchids. We * AGM and Chairman’s summary BROWN HAIRSTREAK EGG will be cutting back some of the of the year blackthorn and other scrub and SEARCH AND CONSERVATION SATURDAY 20th FEBRUARY ACTION DAY clearing more of the rank grass * ‘The Four Seasons - a personal Alners Gorse growth in preparation for the new journey through Dorset’s ever- BUTTERFLY TRENDS IN WEST As well as the regular scrub season. For the last two summers changing wildlife scene’. DORSET AND PORTLAND management work (10am until we have taken cuts of hay from part Presentation by Hamish Murray, All are welcome to this presentation 4pm) there is the chance to take of the area, which we hope will artist, naturalist, former Senior of the results of butterfly part in the annual Brown Hairstreak benefit the flora in the long term. Ranger at Durlston Country Park recording in West Dorset in 2015. egg search for some or all of the Park in the Terraces car park, map and now Conservation Officer for Please also come along if you day. Brown Hairstreak eggs are reference ST 641156, signposted Dorset Wildlife Trust. might be interested in taking part in off the A352 just south of more easily counted than the * Tea the monitoring in 2016. Walks elusive butterflies, so this is an Sherborne, and follow the footpath covered are Brackett’s Coppice, important exercise. Training will be back towards the town to find us. * Members photo session: a Black Hill, Chard Junction, Cerne given. Wear waterproof footwear For further information please chance to show your photos of Giant, Southfield Hog Cliff, and bring a packed lunch if contact Nigel Spring on 01963 butterflies and moths of all life Kingcombe, Lankham, Lorton attending all day. The afternoon 23559 or 07981 776767, or email stages, as well as Branch events Meadows, Powerstock, Portland egg search will carried out on [email protected]. (maximum of 20 photos please). (Broadcroft, Perryfields and Tout), Let us know in advance if you wish Rooksmoor Common. Lead by Dr Radipole and Stonebarrow, as well to contribute - email Nigel Spring at as the Wider Countryside walks. Martin Warren. th 10.00am Alners Gorse map SUNDAY 17 JANUARY [email protected]. There will also be a review of the reference ST 737100. CONSERVATION WORK DAY 2.00 - 5.30pm at Puddletown special site surveys carried out for 1.00pm Berry Farm, Rooksmoor off Lydlinch Common Village Hall DT2 8RX, map the Regional Action Plan in this part the B3143, map reference ST See October 18th for details. reference SY 757942. There is of the county, along with other 737115. plenty of parking in the village. If casual, website and garden you require any further details or records. Alners Gorse reserve entrance is th on the road from Hazelbury Bryan SUNDAY 24 JANUARY can offer help on the day, please The venue is Toller Porcorum contact Adrian Neil on 01305 Village Hall, and the start time to Kings Stag, beside the Hazelbury CONSERVATION ACTION DAY 832937. 2.00pm.The map reference is SY Bryan and 30 mph signs. Park on Lankham Bottom Reserve the wide straight road verge, well See October 11th for details. 5 6 562980 and the postcode DT2 0DT. Wider Countryside walks. Wareham Walls, Winspit, and the SUNDAY 20th MARCH From the A356 drive down into miniature walks along the Purbeck Toller Porcorum over a small 7.30pm at St. Catherine's Church Chalk Ridge. 7.30pm at the CONSERVATION WORK DAY bridge. Take the second right into Hall on the corner of Leigh Road Methodist Hall, North Street, Lydlinch Common School Lane, and then turn left into and Lewens Lane, Wimborne. Wareham. Contact is Jon Bellamy This visit will incorporate a survey Contact is Bill Shreeves on 01747 of Devil’s-bit Scabious on the site. Church Mead before continuing to on 01929 450182. th the Village Hall. From Bridport 852587. See October 18 for details. follow the sign to Toller Porcorum. Continue down into the SATURDAY 12th MARCH FRIDAY 1st APRIL TUESDAY 8th MARCH village over the old railway bridge NORTH DORSET WALKERS AND FROM PHOTOGRAPHY TO South Wilts Group Event before taking the first left onto REGIONAL SURVEYORS ECOLOGY Dorset members are welcome to School Lane. Contact is Keith Miller MEETING on 01300 321007. How one man’s interest in British attend a social afternoon at the butterflies has evolved. Village Hall, Stapleford at 1.30pm. All are welcome to hear reports on There will be two talks: Sue Clarke 2015 recording, including casual, Joint with DWT Poole Group st will be talking about her work for website, Wider Countryside and SUNDAY 21 FEBRUARY An illustrated talk by Peter Eeles, Wiltshire branch on the Duke of garden records as well as plans for charting a personal history of his CONSERVATION WORK DAY Burgundy and its requirements, and the 2016 campaign. Please also interest in butterflies. Lydlinch CommonSee October John Muggleton will speak on the attend if you may be able to help on th 7.30pm at Carter Community 18 for details. subject of day-flying moths. any of the Regional Action Plan School, Blandford Close, th (RAP) surveys or butterfly counting Hamworthy BH15 5BQ Contact is See event on October 10 for walks, which include Alners Gorse, th Ken Yeates on 01202 674998 or directions. Contact for further SATURDAY 27 FEBRUARY Cashmoor Down, Clubmen's Down, Jan Freeborn on 07985 261097. details is Frank Crosier on 01722 Deadmoor Common, Duncliffe CONSERVATION WORK DAY 790419. Wood, Fifehead Wood, Fontmell Langford Valley th th THURSDAY 10 MARCH Down, Hod Hill, Jerry's Hole, See Feb 14 for details. th SATURDAY 19 MARCH Lydlinch Common, Melbury Down, BUTTERFLY TRENDS IN SOUTH Milldown, Piddles Wood, CONSERVATION ACTION DAY DORSET Rooksmoor and Stubhampton FRIDAY 4th MARCH Perryfields Reserve, Portland All are welcome to attend this Bottom. BUTTERFLY TRENDS IN EAST presentation on trends in butterfly Our annual visit to control scrub DORSET 7.30pm at East Stour Village Hall, populations revealed by the South regrowth and open up new areas All are welcome to this presentation map reference ST 804234. This is Dorset Transect and Regional for butterflies. In spite of its small on the trends in butterfly numbers next to the playing field on the left Action Plan (RAP) surveys, Wider size, Perryfields is a very good site revealed by the east Dorset of the road from East Stour to Countryside project, and casual, for butterflies and moths, and is surveys in 2015, including casual, Gillingham. website and garden records in becoming increasingly important as website, garden and Regional 2015. It is also worth attending if it gets more and more hemmed in Contact is Bill Shreeves on 01747 Action Plans (RAP) records. Walks you might be interested in joining in by housing, quarries and 852587. covered are those at Avon Heath, with the monitoring next year. supermarkets! Badbury Rings, Garston Wood, Includes results from walks at Park in the Museum car park, map Hengistbury Head, Kinson Ballard Down, Bindon Hill, Corfe reference SY 695712. Contact is Common, Moors Valley, Mude West Hill, Corfe Common, Nigel Spring on 01963 23559 or Valley, Pamphill Moor, Sopley Durlstons, Hethfelton, Higher Hyde, 07981 776767, or email Common, Sovell Down, Stanpit, Langton Westwood, Lulworth [email protected]. Stour Valley, Upton Heath and Estate, Studland & Ferry Road Wimborne St. Giles, along with the West, Tadnoll, Townsend,
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