UTB Events Programme - Summer 2009
Non-members are welcome to attend
our events. If you do so, please make yourself known to the event
organiser/leader at the start of the event.
For all outdoor meetings please check with the Leader before turning out as some may
be cancelled in adverse weather conditions.
► Field Meetings - June
► Field Meetings - July
► Field Meetings - August
► Field Meetings - September / National Moth Night
► Training Course - June
► Berks Moth Group
► Safety Code
FIELD MEETINGS
Saturday 6th June: 10.30am
GREENHAM COMMON, NEWBURY, Berks
Target: Small Blue with our species champion.
Meet: In the control tower car park (SU 501652)
off Bury's Bank Road which runs along the north side of Greenham Common.
Map: Landranger 174
(Newbury).
Leader and contact: Jim Asher (01865 391727).
Saturday 13th June: 10.30am - 12.30pm
WINCHMORE HILL, Bucks
Target: Tracking down our missing butterflies. They do live in and around this pleasant
Bucks village but they just haven't been recorded yet! We hope to fill in the gaps in the map
(see newsletter). Winchmore Hill is about a mile south of the A404 Amersham-High Wycombe road.
Meet: Park on the roads by the common and meet by the benches at the top end opposite
The Furrow pub (SU 933949). Stroll round the village or walk along the five public footpaths
which radiate from it, noting down the species you see. Hearty types may like to hike the five
miles along the Chiltern Way from Chalfont St Giles, covering four unrecorded tetrads, and meet
us outside the pub at 12.15pm when we shall do a final tally.
Map: Landrangers 165 (Aylesbury) & 175 (Reading).
Leader and contact: Wendy Wilson (01753 883465).
Wednesday 17th June, 11.00am
FINEMERE WOOD near QUAINTON, Bucks. Joint with Hampshire and Surrey branches.
Target: The Black Hairstreak at one of its strongholds, with our species champion. The flight period
for the species is often less than three weeks and is much affected by spring weather and the
weather on the day - sunshine is essential. The actual date will be decided much nearer the time.
Meet: At the entrance to the track leading to the BBOWT reserve (SP 721209) off the Edgcott to
Quainton road.
Map: Landranger 165 (Aylesbury).
Leader and contact: Stuart Hodges (01296 730217)
Sunday 21st June: 11.00am
PRESTWOOD LOCAL NATURE RESERVE, Bucks.
Joint with the Wycombe Wildlife Group.
Meet: at the reserve entrance in Hampden Road (SU 866991).
Map: Landranger 165 (Aylesbury)
Leader and contact: Paul Bowyer (01628 526225).
Sunday 21st June: 2.00pm
THE RIDGEWAY, SINCOMBE HILL, near SPARSHOLT, Oxon.
Joint with the Vale & Downland Museum, Wantage.
Meet: On The Ridgeway at the top of Sincombe Hill on the road from Childrey to Lambourn (SU 344851).
Map: Landranger 174 (Newbury).
Leader and contact: Gillian Taylor (01235 751646).
Saturday 27th June: 11.00am
ASHAM MEADS near MURCOTT, Bucks/Oxon border
Target: Possible Hairstreaks and day flying moths.
Meet: At the BBOWT reserve entrance (SP 590143), accessed via the track through
Whitecross Green & Manor Farms off the Boarstall to Murcott road.
Map: Landranger 164 (Oxford).
Leader and contact: Paul Bowyer (01628 526225).
Sunday 28th June: 11.00am
IVINGHOE BEACON, Bucks
Target: Dark Green Fritillary. Warning: steep slopes and rabbit holes!
Meet: At the main car park for the beacon (SP 963160).
Map: Landranger 165 (Aylesbury).
Leader and contact: Paul Bowyer (01628 526225).
Saturday 4th July: 2.00pm & 9.15pm
DANCERSEND near ASTON CLINTON, Bucks.
Joint with the Bucks Invertebrate Group and BBOWT.
Daytime meeting, 2.00pm:
Target: A chance to look for Duke of Burgundy larvae and other invertebrates at this BBOWT
reserve in the Chilterns.
Meet: At the reserve entrance (SP 903096), on a sharp bend opposite
a pond just north of Spencersgreen.
Map: Landranger 165 (Aylesbury).
Please confirm attendance in advance with leader and contact, reserve manager Mick Jones (01908 695746 or 07818 624092).
Evening meeting, 9.15pm:
MOTH TRAPPING at Dancersend from 9.15pm, location as for daytime.
The species tally for the reserve now stands at about 530 and we hope to add a few more! Please
bring a torch and suitable clothing for cool and possibly damp conditions.
Please confirm attendance in advance with leader and contact Peter Hall (01494 837518).
Saturday 4th July and Sunday 5th July: 10.30am
BERNWOOD FOREST, Bucks
Target: Purple Emperor and other woodland species.
Meet: in the main Oakley Wood car park (SP 611117) off the road between
Horton-cum-Studley and Oakley.
Map: Landranger 165 (Oxford).
Leader and contact: Dennis Dell (01296 397039).
Friday 10th July: 9.00pm onwards
HOLTSPUR BOTTOM RESERVE, Bucks. MOTH TRAPPING
Bring a moth trap if you like, the generator will run two. Bring torch, hot drinks and
adequate warm clothing.
Meet: At the reserve entrance in Riding Lane, Holtspur (SU 918906).
Map: Landranger 175 (Reading).
Leader and contact: Paul Bowyer (01628 526225).
Saturday 11th July: 11.00am - 4.00pm
HOLTSPUR VALLEY RESERVES, Bucks. OPEN DAY
Target: Downland species. Guided butterfly and moth walks on both nature reserves, making
this an ideal opportunity to see the results of work carried out over the winter on the
reserves. Moths trapped the previous evening with also be on view.
Meet: As for Friday 10th above.
Leader and contact: Frank Banyard (01494 672310).
- - - followed by - - -
Saturday 11th July: 4.30pm onwards
UPPER THAMES BRANCH BBQ AND SOCIAL
This follows the Holtspur Reserves Open Day.
Venue: Frank and Eileen Banyard's home at 57, Tilsworth Road, Beaconsfield, HP9 1TP (SU 934901)
which is about a mile from the reserves. Turn north off the A40 at the Garden Centre,
then 2nd left. All members welcome. There will be no charge for the BBQ but a minimum
donation of £3 towards reserve funds will be requested. If coming to the BBQ please let
Frank or Eileen know by the morning of 6th July (01494 672310).
Sunday 12th July: 11.00am
PENLEY WOOD, IBSTONE, Bucks
Target: Summer species. Warning: a steep walk and there are often plenty of horse flies so
bring some cover!
Meet: Ibstone Common (SU 753937).
Map: Landranger 175 (Reading).
Leader and contact: Paul Bowyer (01628 526225).
Friday 17th July: 8.30pm onwards
HOMEFIELD WOOD, MARLOW, Bucks. MOTH TRAPPING
Bring a moth trap if you like, the generator will run two. Bring torch, hot drinks and
adequate warm clothing.
Meet: At the BBOWT reserve entrance (SU 814866) on the road between Bockmer End and Lower Woodend.
Map: Landranger 175 (Reading).
Leader and contact: Paul Bowyer (01628 526225).
Saturday 18th July: 11.00am
HOMEFIELD WOOD, MARLOW, Bucks
Target: Silver-washed Fritillary. A Summer walk in this BBOWT reserve.
Meet: At the reserve entrance (SU 814866, see above).
Leader and contact: Paul Bowyer (01628 526225).
Sunday 26th July (Note - this date is different to the one published in the May newsletter)
27 BUTTERFLY SPECIES IN A DAY?
We shall be celebrating the end of "Save our Butterflies Week" and the Branch's 27th year of
existence by (very!) ambitiously trying to see 27 species in a day. Bring a packed lunch if
you are brave enough to stay all day!
Part 1 Morning: GREENHAM COMMON, NEWBURY, Berks. 10.00am
Meet: In the control tower car park (SU 501652) off Bury's Bank Road which runs
along the north side of Greenham Common. Map: Landranger 174 (Newbury).
Part 2 Midday: BAYNES WOOD, NEWBURY, Berks. 12.00 noon
Meet: After maximising our count at Greenham Common we will travel just over half a
mile up Bury's Bank Road to the BBOWT Reserve car park (SU 511652) where we will be met by
Roger Dobbs, Voluntary Warden, at 12.00 noon for a walk around the wood. Hopefully this will
move our species count into the lower 20s. Afterwards we will have a short rest in the car
park for lunch and recuperation.
Part 3 Afternoon: LARDON CHASE, STREATLEY, Berks. 3.00pm
Meet: A twelve mile drive mainly along the B4009 will take us to this wonderful
National Trust site overlooking the River Thames, where we will re-gather for the final time
at 3.00pm in the reserve car park (SU 583807), on the left before the road drops down into
Streatley. Map: Landranger 174 (Newbury). More detailed instructions for travel
between the sites will be available on the day.
Leader and contact: David Redhead (01865 772520)
Saturday 8th August: 10.30am
ASTON ROWANT NATIONAL NATURE RESERVE (BEACON HILL), Oxon
Target: A morning walk with our Silver-spotted Skipper species champion at the butterfly's
most abundant site in our area. Chalkhill Blue and other mid-summer species are also likely
to be around. Warning: very steep grass slopes.
Meet: at the main National Nature Reserve car park (SU 731967) on the north side of the M40,
signposted off the Stokenchurch to Christmas Common road.
Map: Landranger 165 (Aylesbury).
Leader and contact: Richard Soulsby (01491 835226)
Sunday 9th August: 10.30am - 12.30pm
WINCHMORE HILL, Bucks
Target: Tracking down more of our missing butterflies; a second meeting to help fill in
some gaps on the atlas.
Meet: Winchmore Hill is about a mile south of the A404 Amersham-High Wycombe road; park on the
roads by the common and meet by the benches at the top end opposite The Furrow pub, SU 933949.
Stroll round the village or walk along the five public footpaths which radiate from it,
noting down the species you see. Hearty types may like to hike the five miles along the
Chiltern Way from Chalfont St Giles, covering four unrecorded tetrads, and meet us outside the
pub at 12.15pm when we shall do a final tally.
Map: Landrangers 165 (Aylesbury) & 175 (Reading).
Leader and contact: Wendy Wilson (01753 883465).
Sunday 16th August: 9.30am
WHITECROSS GREEN WOOD near MURCOTT, Bucks/Oxon border.
Target: Brown Hairstreak, with our species champion. Note the earlier than normal start time, which
should improve our chances of seeing activity from this elusive species.
Meet: In the BBOWT reserve car park (SP 600150) off the Murcott to Boarstall road.
Map: Landranger 164 (Oxford).
Leader and contact: David Redhead (01865 772520).
Saturday 22nd August: 10.30am
LARDON CHASE NATIONAL TRUST RESERVE, STREATLEY, Berks.
Target: Adonis Blue, with our species champion. Warning: very steep grass slopes.
Meet: In the NT car park (SU583807) off the B4009 at the top of the hill out of Streatley.
Map: Landranger 174 (Newbury).
Leader and contact: Maureen Cross (01491 871239).
Sunday 23rd August: 11.00am
BERNWOOD FOREST, Bucks
Target: Late summer butterflies.
Meet: In main Oakley Wood car park (SP 611117) off the Horton-cum-Studley to Oakley road.
Map: Landranger 165 (Oxford).
Leader and contact: Paul Bowyer (01628 526225).
Saturday 29th August: 8.00pm onwards
PRESTWOOD LOCAL NATURE RESERVE, Bucks.
MOTH TRAPPING, joint with Prestwood Nature Group.
Meet: At the reserve entrance in Hampden Road (SU 866991).
Map: Landranger 165 (Aylesbury).
Leader and contact: Paul Bowyer (01628 526225).
Friday 18th September: 8.30pm onwards (Note - this date is different to the one published in the newsletter.)
HOLTSPUR BOTTOM RESERVE, Bucks.
MOTH TRAPPING for National Moth Nights, joint with Wycombe Wildlife Group.
Meet: At the reserve entrance in Riding Lane (SU 918906). Bring a moth trap if you like,
the generator will run two. Bring torch, hot drinks and adequate warm clothing.
Map: Landranger 175 (Reading).
Leader and contact: Paul Bowyer (01628 526225).
Friday 18th September: 8.30pm onwards (Note - this date is different to the one published in the newsletter.)
NUNEHAM COURTENEY ARBORETUM, Oxon.
MOTH TRAPPING for National Moth Nights.
Meet: At the Arboretum off the A4074 just south of the village (SU 556986).
Map: Landranger 164 (Oxford).
Leader and contact: David Redhead (01865 772520).
Friday 18th September: 7pm onwards (Note - this date is different to the one published in the newsletter.)
SHEEPDROVE ORGANIC FARM, LAMBOURN, Berks. MOTH TRAPPING for National Moth Nights. A
Berkshire Moth Group event.
Meet: Sheepdrove Eco Conference Centre, Sheepdrove Road, Lambourn RG17 7UU. [Satnav users beware!
Enter road name and NOT postcode] Directions also available at www.sheepdrove.com.
Map: Landranger 174 (Newbury).
Leader and contact: John Lerpiniere (0118 375 1756 or 07757 001159).
JOINT BBOWT & BUTTERFLY CONSERVATION TRAINING COURSE: AN INTRODUCTION TO THE MOTHS OF WINDSOR GREAT PARK
Date: Saturday 27th June (afternoon
and evening). Location: BBOWT Office, Woolley Firs, near Maidenhead, Berks and then
Windsor Great Park. Trainer: Martin Harvey (County Moth Recorder for Berkshire).
Booking: Places must be booked in advance by contacting BBOWT (tel 01865 788309 or
e-mail cathiehasler@bbowt.org.uk). This workshop is free of charge and will provide an
introduction to finding, identifying and recording moths as well as an opportunity to explore
an exciting habitat - the internationally important Windsor Great Park. The day is suitable for
people with no experience or those who already have some knowledge of the subject but would like
to learn more. The afternoon session will be indoors, where you will learn about the natural
history of moths, how to identify them (using live examples) and how to make use of moth traps
and other techniques. Later we'll move on to Windsor Great Park, to find out why parkland is so
important for conserving moths. From dusk we'll be running moth traps. Stay as late as you wish
to put your skills into practice!
BERKSHIRE MOTH
GROUP
The Berkshire Moth Group meets every second Thursday in the month at 19:30
at Maiden Erleigh Local Nature Reserve Interpretation Centre, Instow Road,
Earley, near Reading, SU 749 709 (OS175).
Contact : Grahame Hawker 01189 700144.
SAFETY CODE
As with any other activity, there are hazards in the
countryside and everyone taking part in a Field Meeting, Work Party or other
event has a responsibility (duty of care), for their own safety and that of
others. We try hard to ensure that our events present no hazards but please note
and act on the following:
1. Wear appropriate
clothing and footwear. If there are unusual requirements, these are noted in
the individual event details. Stout shoes are a minimum requirement.
2. During the main
summer season you may be exposed to strong sunshine for much or all of the
walk. Take a hat, use sun cream or protection for exposed skin. Make sure that
you have adequate food and liquid to drink with you. Equally, sunshine can
easily turn to cold and rain during the day. Be prepared.
3. Winter events may
result in exposure to very cold conditions although events are cancelled in
extreme conditions. Warm and waterproof clothing and footwear should always be
worn. It is sensible to bring a warm drink.
4.
The leader will provide a briefing on the event before starting, with
details of any known particular hazards, and will also give advice on what to
do in an emergency. Please listen
carefully.
5.
At the briefing, please let the leader know
if you have a mobile telephone and are willing to take it with you and/or you
have First Aid qualifications.
6. Joining the event
is an indication of your interest in butterflies. By their nature butterflies
do not remain conveniently by the main path and will offer many opportunities
(temptations) for you to wander away.
Take particular care to look out for hazards – rabbit holes, fallen or
hanging branches, barbed wire, boggy areas, etc. Beware of wet grass,
particularly on sloping ground. Children are welcome at our events, but if
under 16 must be accompanied by at least one adult for two children. It is the
responsibility of the accompanying adult(s) to ensure that the event is within
the children's ability.
7. Dogs are normally welcome on walks but not at work parties. They must be
kept under control. Any exceptions are shown in the individual event details.
8. If you are uncertain about any details of the event, ring the
leader/contact in advance. There is always a telephone number given with the
event details.
9. If you decide to leave the event early, tell the Leader.
10. Take care at all times, but ENJOY YOURSELF.
