'CORNWALL BUTTERFLY & MOTH SOCIETY' FIELDTRIPS 2015

[lee3764]

Hi all,

Please see below a full list of all of our recently formed group's fieldtrips for 2015. Everyone is welcome to attend free of charge.
Please note that our group is not connected to Butterfly Conservation in any way.
Cheers,
Lee Slaughter (Fieldtrip organiser for 'Cornwall Butterfly & Moth Society').

“Cornwall Butterfly & Moth Society”
Butterfly & Moth Field Meetings 2015.

Compiled by Lee Slaughter (Cornwall’s Butterfly & Moth Field Trip Organiser).
Celebrating 23 glorious SUMMERS of arranging Butterfly & Moth
meetings across Cornwall and beyond - 1993 - 2015.

Sunday 10th May – 11:00am –Perransands/Penhale Sands, nr. Perranporth.

Perransands/Penhale Sands now seem to hold Cornwall’s last remaining colonies of Grizzled Skippers which although highly localised will hopefully be found in suitable looking habitat amongst this vast dune complex. We hope to possibly find the special aberration called ‘taras’ which is sometimes found at this locality amongst some of the Grizzled Skipper colonies. Other species which should be found include Brown Argus, Wall Brown, Dingy Skipper, Common Blue, Small Copper and Orange Tip. Bring a packed lunch.
Leader – Paul Browning. Meet at map ref – SW774553 in lay-by on edge of road opposite the turning to Rose village by entrance to footpath onto sand dunes where there is a limited amount of Free parking available.
For details and directions phone Paul Browning on 01736 763677.

Saturday 16th May – 2:00pm – Bunny’s Hill, nr. Cardinham, Bodmin Moor.

Bunny’s Hill is an easily accessible site and is one of the best places in Cornwall to see the Pearl-Bordered Fritillary butterfly at close quarters. Much habitat conservation work has being carried out at this site to ensure the continued existence here of both Small Pearl-Bordered Fritillary and the rarer Pearl-Bordered Fritillary. There have been many of the rare Pearl-Bordered Fritillaries and at times in excess of 100 Small Pearl-Bordered Fritillary butterflies seen on the wing here in May during our fieldtrips to see these species in past years so there is much expectation for this year’s fieldtrip! Please do bring your camera as photography is comparatively easy at this locality. Brimstones are usually seen together with Small Heath, Holly Blue and Orange Tip. There is plenty of Free parking available.
Leader – Lee Slaughter. Meet at map ref – SX117675 at fork in road, with plenty of parking 50 yards up track on the grass on the left.
For details and directions phone Lee Slaughter on 01726 817505.

Sunday 17th May – 11:00am – Fellover Brake, Tuckingmill, St. Breward.

This site still holds one of Cornwall’s finest colonies of the nationally threatened Pearl-Bordered Fritillary butterfly which can be seen over a wide area of well managed bracken covered hillside. Walking boots are essential as the site slopes quite steeply and can be quite uneven in places. Orange Tip & Brimstone should also still be on the wing.
Leaders – Paul Browning and Dave Spencer. Meet at SX089779, in small lay-by at Gam Bridge where a limited amount of Free parking is available.
For details and directions phone Paul Browning on 01736 763677 or Dave Spencer on 01326 314533.
Friday 22nd May – 9:00pm – Poltesco, The Lizard (Poltesco Moth Night).

An early summer moth evening kindly hosted by one of Cornwall’s foremost moth experts, Frank Johns. Please bring a torch, a drink, wrap up well & something to sit or kneel on. There should be plenty of Spring/Summer moths to record.
Leader – Frank Johns. Meet at SW726158, Poltesco car park (free). For details and directions, phone Frank Johns on 01326 240357.

Saturday 23rd May – 11:00am – Predannack Cliffs, nr. Mullion, The Lizard.

Predannack Cliffs, a protected nature reserve, are famous for their spectacular scenery, and also for their flora, including orchids, in the spring and early summer, but this is also a beautiful spot for seeing butterflies. On this field trip we will be looking for Marsh Fritillaries in particular, but others that may be seeking out the rich source of nectar on the clifftops include Small Heaths, Common Blues, Orange-Tips, Small Coppers, and, depending on the weather conditions, the first Clouded Yellows arriving. Doubtless there will also be moths, other invertebrates, birds, and definitely flowers, so bring a camera and a packed lunch as there is plenty to see.
Leader – John Foster. Meet at SW668162, National Trust car park (free) at Predannack Wollas car park. For details and directions, phone John Foster on 01326 280735.

Sunday 31st May – 2:00pm – Breney Common, nr. Lanlivery.

It is always a delight to visit one of Cornwall’s largest Marsh Fritillary colonies here at famous Breney Common. Good numbers of this species should be seen together with Small Pearl-Bordered Fritillary, Small Heath, Brimstone, Green Hairstreak and always a few interesting moths too! Photography is almost always easy here so do bring your camera and walking boots.
Leaders – Rowena & Rob Nicholls. Meet at SX053611, small roadside car park where Free parking is available near Gunwen Chapel.
For details and directions phone Rowena & Rob Nicholls on 01726 883227 or 07869 417012.

Saturday 6th June – 1:00pm – Greenscoombe Woods, Luckett.

One of Britain’s rarest butterflies, the Heath Fritillary, solely exists in Cornwall in the specially managed habitat, at its original main Cornish colony at Greenscoombe Woods, Luckett after it became extinct there after 2002. After it’s re-introduction to parts of the woodlands in the summer of 2006 it has become re-established and re-colonised it’s former habitat which has been much improved by clearance and regular habitat management work. The butterfly is breeding well in a number of different areas at Greenscoombe Woods and it is always a joy for enthusiasts from Cornwall, Devon and often much further afield to visit these woods to marvel at the many Heath Fritillary butterflies that are to be seen throughout June every year. Bring a drink and your camera.
Leader – Lee Slaughter. Meet at SX389737 in Luckett Village free car park.
For details and directions phone Lee Slaughter on 01726 817505.

Sunday 7th June – 1:00pm Tregonetha Downs, Goss Moor, Mid-Cornwall.
This is a 'new' site awaiting discoveries. The site is owned and managed by CWT with cattle grazing each Summer, comprising of central Cornwall moorland habitat situated north of A30 and somewhat drier than the main area of Goss Moor to the south. We would hope to see Small Pearl-bordered Fritillaries, Common Blues, Small Heath & maybe Marsh Fritillary.
Leader – Dave Conway. Meet at SW962630. Free parking along roadside.
For details and directions phone Dave Conway on 01208 77686.

Saturday 20th June – 2:00pm Perransands and Penhale Sands, nr. Perranporth.

A Mid-summer ramble over Britain’s highest sand dunes complex to see large numbers of freshly emerged Silver-Studded Blues. We would also hope to see Large Skippers, Small Skippers, Meadow Browns, Common Blues, Dark Green Fritillary, Scarlet Tiger Moth and Humming Bird Hawk-Moth & other scarce moths & plenty of wild flowers. This event always turns up unexpected surprises in moths or butterflies. Please bring plenty to drink, a sun hat, sun protection and good walking boots.
Leaders – Paul Browning and Dave Spencer. Meet at SW774553 in lay-by on edge of road opposite the turning to Rose where there is a limited amount of Free parking available.
For details phone Paul Browning on 01736 763677 or Dave Spencer on 01326 314533.

Saturday 20th June – 8:30pm for 9:00pm start: Pontsmill, nr Par; “Pontsmill Moth Night”.

A Mid-summer moth evening kindly hosted by local moth expert, Rob Davey. Please bring a torch, a drink, wrap up well & something to sit or kneel on. There is the prospect of recording in excess of 100 different species of moth here over a few hours and it is the season for the well loved Hawk-moths.
Leader – Rob Davey. Meet at SW073562 in Pontsmill car park where Free parking is available.
For details and directions phone Rob Davey on 07530 706859.

Saturday 27th June – 11:00am – Poldice, St Day.

Today we will be searching Heathland on old mining landscape at St Day for newly emerged Silver-Studded Blues of the ‘heathland’ type. These are special for Cornwall as most counties have lost their colonies of this species. Grayling & other summer species such as Small Heath, Large Skipper & Ringlet should be seen too. Walking boots, drink & sun cream essential.
Leader – Keith Wilson. Meet at SW737426, in lay-by at Poldice where parking is Free.
For details and directions phone Keith Wilson on 01209 860298 or 07972 376982.


Saturday July 4th – 11:00am – Wheal Jane, West Cornwall.

Wheal Jane Group have kindly allowed us to survey their dam area on Saturday July 4th. The dam is a very large series of terraced embankments which provide a variety of sheltered habitats together with bare ground, nectar and larval food plants.
This area was surveyed briefly in 2014 and good numbers of Grayling were seen together with Silver-studded Blue. Also seen were Roe deer, Kestrels, Lapwings, Green Woodpeckers, Sparrowhawks, Stoats and a wealth of plants.
We will also survey the area which is being managed by CB & MS on behalf of Wheal Jane where there may be Fritillaries, Small Heath, Silver-studded Blue and Holly Blue. Strong walking shoes/boots are recommended because this is a working industrial site.
Leader – Keith Wilson. Meet in the parking area at 11-00am. Access to the site is via the main gate at Grid ref. SW77803 04221 and the parking area is just after the weighbridge.
Please contact Keith Wilson on 01209 860298 or 07972 376982 or trelusback_farm@hotmail.co.uk if you need further directions.

Wednesday 8th July – 2:00pm Delabole Quarry, Delabole, Nr. Camelford.

This is an excellent site for our fieldtrips and we are grateful to Malcolm Lee for leading this for our group. Previous visits made here by several Cornwall branch members have produced many sightings of Marbled Whites and Graylings which are not often seen on our field meetings. Graylings are not often found inland in Cornwall and the discovery of good numbers at this location is good news for the species in our county where it is now mainly restricted to parts of the coast. Good walking boots essential.
Leader – Malcolm Lee. Meet at SX074836 in Delabole Quarry Car Park by visitor centre.
For details and directions phone Malcolm Lee on 01208 880106.

Saturday 11th July – 11:00am Upton Towans, nr. Hayle.

A delightful walk through the extensive Gwithian to Hayle sand dune complex at Upton Towans. This area, which is managed by C.W.T. was previously the site for the manufacture of dynamite. We usually see significant numbers of newly emerged Dark Green Fritillaries and 100’s of Silver-Studded Blues as well as a wide variety of other butterflies and moths. Bring a packed lunch, drink, sun cream, and walking boots or rainwear if weather is unsettled.
Leader – Alan May. Meet at SW579396 by the gate, in front of the large chimney at the entrance to the Cornwall Wildlife Trust area.
For full details and directions phone Alan May on 01209 821936 or 07787 121043.

Saturday 18th July – 1:00pm Cabilla Wood, Glyn Valley, nr. Bodmin (C.W.T.Reserve).

We look forward to seeing many beautiful Silver-Washed Fritillary butterflies in this well managed woodland and following the exciting discovery in these woods in 2013 of a ‘valezina’ form of the female of this species, we will be eagerly looking out for this rarity again this year! The bright summer form ‘hutchinsoni’ of the Comma butterfly will be on the wing together with plenty of Ringlets, Gatekeepers, new brood Brimstones, Purple Hairstreaks and Summer brood Holly Blues. There are various day flying moths to be seen here so there may be new discoveries awaiting us. Please bring plenty to drink.
Leader – Dave Conway. Meet at SX128653 by sawmill where parking is Free.
For details and directions phone Dave Conway on 01208 77686.

Saturday 18th July – 8:30pm for 9:00pm start: Par Beach, Par; “Par Beach Moth Night”.

A moth evening kindly hosted by local moth expert, Rob Davey. Please bring a torch, a drink, wrap up well & something to sit or kneel on. There is the prospect of recording many different species of moth here over a few hours and it is hoped that there will be some good migrant moths arrive at the moth lights.
Leader – Rob Davey. Meet at SW087532 in Par Beach main car park at the end by the picnic area where Free parking is available during the evening only.
For details and directions phone Rob Davey on 07530 706859.

Saturday 1st August – 11:00am Trelusback Farm, Penhalvean, Redruth, TR16 6TQ.

We are pleased to invite you to a BBQ and optional Butterfly Walks day at Trelusback. (directions available)
Trelusback contains wildflower meadows, woodland, wetland and a lake. If the weather is kind visitors can expect to see a wide variety of butterflies, moths, birds, plants and dragonflies. This is an opportunity to enjoy a walk with your family and friends in lovely surroundings.
A BBQ, tea, coffee, toilets etc. will be provided. In the event of rain we can chat to other conservation minded people in a large barn and/or the house. The previous evening moth traps will be run after dark and during the morning the moths will be identified, recorded and released unharmed.
Meet at 11-00am at Trelusback Farm (shown on the OS map as Trelusback at grid reference SW712384) which is about half a mile from the western end of Stithians Lake and about halfway between Stithians and Redruth. Those with satnav will be able to use the postcode TR16 6TQ to get to a red telephone box at the end of the driveway to Trelusback. Proceed down this driveway and the barn we are using is about 200 yards past the sandschool and bungalow.
For more detailed directions or if you get lost please ‘phone Keith on 01209-860298 or 07972-376982.

Saturday 8th August – 11:00am Kynance Cove, nr. The Lizard.

Be prepared for a beautiful walk at this famous locality for Lepidoptera. We hope to see most of the following species: Grayling, Dark Green Fritillary, Clouded Yellow (including ‘Helice’), Small Heath, 2nd brood Small Pearl-Bordered Fritillary, Common Blue, Wall Brown, Painted Lady and Red Admiral. Please bring a packed lunch, drink, sun cream and good walking boots. Park in main Kynance Cove car park (car park fee payable to N.T. unless we can negotiate Free Parking beforehand with the N.Trust) and meet near the toilet block at the Southern end of the car park.
Leaders – Paul Browning and Dave Spencer. Meet at SW688132 in main Kynance Cove car park.
For details and directions phone Paul Browning on 01736 763677 or Dave Spencer on 01326 314533.