These field trips are a great way to learn about butterflies and their habitat, help with identification will be available and there will also be photographic opportunities. Walks are open to anyone to attend. Please check the weather conditions and come suitably prepared.
If the weather looks bad enough for the trip to be cancelled we would ask you to ring the leader before setting off to check whether the trip is on.
Download the Branch Leaflet here
Fermyn Woods
(Northamptonshire)
Sunday 7 July
Location: meet at 9.30 am at grid ref SP 964859 (opposite the airstrip) on the minor road from Brigstock to Oundle, off the A6116 Corby to Thrapston road. (Roadside parking only at the entrance to the bridlepath through the woods.) No facilities here.
Fermyn Woods is part of the ancient Rockingham Forest. It is an attractive site with grassland and ponds as well as the extensive woodland.
Target species: Purple Emperor, White Admiral, Purple and White-letter Hairstreak, and a range of other woodland and grassland species.
Move cars for lunch at Fermyn Woods Country Park Visitor Centre (grid ref SP 953849) – café, toilets and picnic benches. Car parking charge applies. Continue after lunch to explore other areas of the park.
Target species: Marbled White and other summer butterflies.
Contact: Max Maughan 01332 511825, 07484 881502.
Cloud Wood (LRWT) Nature Reserve
(Leicestershire)
Tuesday 16 July
Meet: 14.00pm in the lay-by opposite the reserve.
Location: SK417214 Cloud Wood lies in the N.W. of Leicestershire, 1.5km S.E. of Breedon-on-the-Hill on the road between Tonge and Griffydam. It is part of the site of an ancient woodland that was originally coppiced in the traditional way. Parts of the wood are still coppiced by the Wildlife Trust in rotation, and other areas are left to grow naturally. There is a diverse range of flora and fauna present. Nearest toilets and facilities (lovely cafe) are in Breedon village at the antique and craft centre.
Target Species: Silver-washed Fritillary andWhite-letter Hairstreak.
Contact: Richard Jeffery 07803 599247
Hoe Grange Quarry
(Longcliffe, Derbyshire – SK222560)
Sunday 21 July
The 3rd Open Day for Derbyshire’s first Butterfly Reserve
From 11am to 4pm.
Members of Butterfly Conservation East Midlands, including Ray Walker (Hon Warden), Derek Brownlee (Hon Assistant Warden) together with Pat and Ken Orpe will be able to show visitors around this abandoned limestone quarry where already 26 species of butterflies have been recorded including Dark Green Fritillary and the Peak District version of the Brown Argus. It will also be possible to see the work that many volunteers have done to enhance the habitat so as to increase the biodiversity at the site.
Directions. Proceed to the crossroads in the centre of Longcliffe village and park in the adjacent office car park of Longcliffe Quarries - transport will then be available to take visitors to and from the reserve.
Contact: Ken Orpe [email protected]
Coombs Dale
(Derbyshire)
Tuesday 23 July
Meet at 10am at the bottom of the Dale by the playing field where there is a parking area SK 236751. It is on the A623 towards Stoney Middleton. There is also parking around Calver Crossroads.
Target species: Dark-Green Fritillary, Brown Argus and other summer butterflies
Morning walk finishes around 12.30pm. Facilities are available in a nearby pub and cafe.
Contact: John and Al Roberts 01142 306487, 07752 675363
Aston Rowant
(Oxfordshire)
Saturday 10 August
Meet at the Natural England car park (grid ref SU 731966) on the north side of the M40 motorway at 10.00am. Access is signposted from the A40 which can be joined from either Junction 5 or 6 of the M40.
Target species are Silver-spotted Skipper, Chalkhill Blue and Brown Argus. Plants include Chiltern Gentian.
Bring a packed lunch, and stout shoes are recommended as there are several steep slopes.
In the afternoon, if time permits, we will visit the nearby reserve of Whitecross Green Wood for
Brown Hairstreak.
There are no facilities at either of the sites visited today.
Contact: Max Maughan 01332 511825, 07484 881502.
Williamthorpe Nature Reserve
(Derbyshire)
Sunday 11 August.
Meet at 11:15am for 11:30am start.
Postcode: S42 5UT, Grid Reference:SK43176 66306.
Directions: From the roundabout at Junction 29 M1, take the A6175 signposted to Clay Cross & Holmewood, at the first roundabout take the third turning onto Park Lane, after roughly 300 yards, opposite Rick Beswick on the right-hand side is a track that runs down to the Reserve. Park on Park Lane, there should be plenty of room.
Target species: Purple Hairstreak.
Contact: Willy Lane 07790 000770, Email: [email protected]