BUTTERFLY AND MOTH EVENTS in

No. 69 Autumn 2011

Compiled by the Dorset Branch of Butterfly Conservation 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 to all events , except the few marked ‘members only’

• Most events are free - if there is a charge it will be mentioned in the listing, unless it is an event put together by another organisation, when we may not have received the relevant information

• 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 10.00 am (ending around 3.30 pm) 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 Sue Rawles on 01305 268471 or [email protected], or visit the website:

www.dorsetbutterflies.com

BUTTERFLY CONSERVATION

Company limited by guarantee

Registered in (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

SATURDAY 1 OCTOBER SATURDAY 15 OCTOBER WOODLAND MANAGEMENT CONSERVATION WORK DAY DAY Fifehead Wood () Duncliffe Hill (North Dorset) Organised by the Woodland Trust, Work parties meet monthly at this conservation tasks are primarily the Woodland Trust site to carry out a continuation of rotational hazel variety of conservation tasks, such as coppicing and general maintenance of coppicing, tree thinning and scrub rides and paths. clearance aimed at creating better and Meet 10.00 am at the lay-by on the more varied habitats for butterflies and road from the A30 (mid-way between the other fauna and flora of the wood. and ) to the Meet 10.00 am in Scotchey Lane, village of , map Stour Provost adjacent to the west reference ST 779217. entrance to the wood, map reference Contact is Tony Copper on ST 816223. 01963 250415. Contact is Ian Hounsell on 01747 841089.

SUNDAY 16 OCTOBER SUNDAY 9 OCTOBER PRACTICAL CONSERVATION CONSERVATION ACTION DAY DAY AT ALNERS GORSE Giant Hill, We continue the woodland and scrub This grassland hillside is a crucial management work. There will be a domain of five species of our bonfire with soup and baked potatoes downland Blues - with a constant for lunch. requirement for the clearance of Do join us if you can between invasive bramble, scrub and trees. 10.00 am and 4.00 pm. We would aim to start around Alners Gorse reserve entrance is on the 10.00 am and finish by 4.00 pm, so road from to Kings bring a packed lunch if staying for Stag beside the Hazelbury Bryan both morning and afternoon. village sign and 30mph sign. Park on Our meeting point is in the picnic area the road verge well away from the car park opposite the village hall, bend, map reference ST 736100. OS Map Ref ST 663015.

For further information please contact Contact is Adam Gale on Nigel Spring on 01963 23559 01935 508842 or 07557 358587. or 07981 776767, or email [email protected] 3

SUNDAY 30 OCTOBER SATURDAY 12 NOVEMBER CONSERVATION WORK DAY CONSERVATION WORK DAY Common (North Dorset) Broadcroft Quarry Butterfly Lydlinch is part of an area crucial to Reserve, Portland the Marsh Fritillary, and conservation Broadcroft is Dorset Butterfly work is vital to ensure that the habitat Conservation's reserve managed is kept suitable for its survival at this specifically for butterflies, notably the site. Silver-studded Blue.

Meet 10.00 am and park in the lay-by To find the reserve, turn off Easton just outside the village on the Road into Grove Road and about 100 Sherborne to Sturminster road, map yards on, turn right onto a track reference ST 736137. (opposite Portland Football Club) which leads to the car park, map Contact is Colin Burningham on reference SY 695723. 01935 873219. Meet 10.00 am.

SATURDAY 5 NOVEMBER Contact is Bernard Franklin on CONSERVATION ACTION DAY 07711 304412 or Nigel Spring on AT ALNERS GORSE 01963 23559. See October 9 for details. SATURDAY 12 NOVEMBER SUNDAY 6 NOVEMBER WOODLAND MANAGEMENT CONSERVATION WORK DAY DAY Cashmoor Down (North Dorset) Duncliffe Hill Today’s task is scrub removal from See October 1 for details banks as well as strimming the cleared areas. SATURDAY 19 NOVEMBER Meet 10.00 am at the top of the NATIONAL ANNUAL GENERAL bridleway that leaves the A354 at the MEETING eastern end of the Cashmoor 50mph This year’s AGM will be held at speed restriction, Cheltenham Racecourse in map reference ST 980139. Cheltenham.

Contact is Arthur Bryant on Full details in national newsletter 01202 892816. ‘Butterfly’ no. 108 and on the BC national website www.butterfly-conservation.org WEDNESDAY 9 NOVEMBER

CONSERVATION ACTION DAY SATURDAY 19 NOVEMBER AT ALNERS GORSE CONSERVATION WORK DAY Joint with BTCV mid-week group 4 See October 9 for details. Fifehead Wood See October 15 for details

SATURDAY 26 NOVEMBER SUNDAY 11 DECEMBER CONSERVATION ACTION DAY BROWN HAIRSTREAK EGG Lankham Bottom Reserve SEARCH Joint with DCV Alners Gorse and Rooksmoor We continue the task of gorse and Common thorn scrub clearance on this Brown Hairstreak eggs are quite easy to important downland reserve. see once you know what to look for and

Meet 10.00 am. The reserve entrance are more easily counted than the elusive is off the minor road from butterflies which spend most of their to the A37 about ½ mile from the lives in the treetops. A37. Park inside the metal gate at Brown Hairstreaks are very rare in map reference ST 606004. Dorset, so this is an important exercise. Training will be given. Contact is Nigel Spring on Wear waterproof footwear, bring a 01963 23559 or 07981 776767 or magnifying glass or botanical lens if email [email protected] you have one, and a packed lunch if attending all day.

SUNDAY 27 NOVEMBER 10.30 am Alners Gorse map reference CONSERVATION WORK DAY ST 737100. Lydlinch Common (North Dorset) 1.30 pm Berry Farm, Rooksmoor off See October 30 for details. the B3143, map reference ST 737115.

Contact is Brian Dicker on WEDNESDAY 30 NOVEMBER 01963 32453, or his mobile CONSERVATION ACTION DAY 07817 301203 on the day. Lankham Bottom Reserve Joint with BTCV mid-week group SATURDAY 17 DECEMBER See November 26 for details CONSERVATION WORK DAY Fifehead Wood SUNDAY 4 DECEMBER See October 15 for details. CONSERVATION ACTION DAY AT ALNERS GORSE SATURDAY 7 JANUARY 2012 See October 9 for details WOODLAND MANAGEMENT DAY SATURDAY 10 DECEMBER Duncliffe Hill WOODLAND MANAGEMENT See October 1 for details. DAY Duncliffe Hill SUNDAY 8 JANUARY 2012 See October 1 for details. CONSERVATION5 ACTION DAY AT ALNERS GORSE See October 9 for details

SATURDAY 14 JANUARY 2012 SATURDAY 21 JANUARY CONSERVATION WORK DAY MEMBERS AFTERNOON

Fifehead Wood This is the annual social event where See October 15 for details. members can share their last year's experiences and photographs, meet SUNDAY 15 JANUARY new members and chat about butterfly CONSERVATION WORK DAY habitats. If you are showing images Lydlinch Common (slide or digital), the limit is 20, i.e. 20 See October 30 for details. minutes. Please notify Brian beforehand.

SUNDAY 15 JANUARY We meet at the Village Hall, The CONSERVATION ACTION DAY Recreation Ground , Morden, near Broadcroft Butterfly Reserve, Wareham, BH20 7DL from 2.00 to Portland 5.00 pm with tea and cakes. Joint with DCV Parking is available at the hall. See November 12 for details Charge of £3 to cover the cost.

Enquiries and offers of assistance to WEDNESDAY 18 JANUARY Brian and Sylvia Dicker on CONSERVATION ACTION DAY 01963 32453. Also please advise of Broadcroft Butterfly Reserve, any dietary requirements (e.g. gluten Portland free ) and if you would like to car- Joint with BTCV mid-week group share or need a lift to the event. See November 12 for details SUNDAY 29 JANUARY CONSERVATION WORK DAY Lydlinch Common See October 30 for details.

SUNDAY 5 FEBRUARY CONSERVATION ACTION DAY Lankham Bottom Reserve See November 26 for details

Duke6 of Burgundy

SATURDAY 11 FEBRUARY Hog Cliff, Kingcombe, Lankham, CONSERVATION WORK DAY Lorton Meadows, , Langford Valley, for the Duke of Portland (Broadcroft, Perryfields and Burgundy Tout), Radipole and Stonebarrow. Meet 10.00 am at the field gate There will also be a review of the beyond Langford Farm Cottages, near special site surveys carried out for the Lower Magiston, map reference ST Regional Action Plan in this part of 639958. Take the minor road the county and other interesting northwards from Stratton to Sydling general and garden records.

St. Nicholas along the Sydling Water. N.B. This meeting has a new venue , At the crossroads turn right into the Village Hall, Langford valley and to the farm. start time 2.00 pm. Contact is Brian Dicker on The map reference is SY562980 and 01963 32453, or his mobile the postcode DT2 0DT. 07817 301203 on the day. * From the A356 , drive down into Toller Porcorum, over a small bridge, SATURDAY 11 FEBRUARY then second right (School Lane), and WOODLAND MANAGEMENT then left into Church Mead to the DAY Village Hall. Duncliffe Hill * From , follow signs to See October 1 for details. Toller Porcorum, then down into the village, over the old railway bridge, SUNDAY 12 FEBRUARY then first left (School Lane) and then CONSERVATION ACTION DAY left into Church Mead to the Village Hall. Broadcroft Butterfly Reserve, Portland Contact is Keith Miller on See November 12 for details 01300 321007.

SATURDAY 18 FEBRUARY SATURDAY 18 FEBRUARY BUTTERFLY TRENDS IN WEST CONSERVATION ACTION DAY DORSET AND PORTLAND AT ALNERS GORSE All are welcome to this presentation See October 9 for details of the results of butterfly recording in West Dorset in 2011. Please come along as well if you might be SATURDAY 18 FEBRUARY interested in taking part in the CONSERVATION WORK DAY monitoring in 2012. Fifehead Wood See October 15 for details. Walks covered are Brackett’s 7 Coppice, Black Hill, Cerne Abbas,

SUNDAY 19 FEBRUARY 2012 THURSDAY 8 MARCH CONSERVATION WORK DAY BUTTERFLY TRENDS IN SOUTH Langford Valley DORSET See Feb 11 for details Full details in Spring programme.

SATURDAY 25 FEBRUARY FRIDAY 16 MARCH THE PURPLE EMPEROR BUTTERFLY TRENDS IN NORTH THROUGH THE SEASONS DORSET Investigations into the Ecology of Full details in Spring programme Britain’s Premier Butterfly

A talk by Matthew Oates who has SATURDAY 24 MARCH studied the Purple Emperor closely for DORSET BRANCH AGM and many years. MEMBERS DAY 2.00 pm at Dorchester Museum, High Full details in Spring programme West Street, Dorchester.

Parking is at a premium in Dorchester so it is recommended to use the Park and Ride at Tesco to the south of the Look at Butterfly Conservation’s town. website There will be a £3 admission charge. www.butterfly-conservation.org

Contact is Nigel Spring on and the Dorset Branch website 01963 23559 or email www.dorsetbutterflies.com [email protected] to find out more about our reserves

SUNDAY 26 FEBRUARY CONSERVATION WORK DAY Lydlinch Common See October 30 for details.

FRIDAY 2 MARCH BUTTERFLY TRENDS IN EAST DORSET

Full details in Spring programme

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