CONSERVATION WORK PARTIES, 2012-13

Much of our winter effort is at our own Holtspur Bottom reserve near Beaconsfield. You might combine a walk around the site with a brief session of work. Nobody has to work for the entire session but obviously you may if you wish.

Holtspur Bottom work parties start at 10am and unless otherwise stated they usually finish about 1pm. There are a variety of tasks and no great strength is required. Tools and full instructions are provided. Please bring a drink and a snack.

Aston Upthorpe work parties involve scrub clearance, start at 10am and probably finish around 1 to 1.30pm. We will have some spare tools if you do not have your own. Please bring a drink and snack.
Directions: take the narrow road south of the A417 opposite the turning for Aston Upthorpe and meet at the grain dryer at SU550844.
Please contact Jim Asher (01865 391727) if you plan to come and to confirm that the work party is still on in case of bad weather or in case any change of date is needed. We would greatly welcome your help!

PLEASE, ALWAYS CONTACT THE TASK LEADER IN ADVANCE as details frequently change according to weather, no. of volunteers available etc.

BROWN HAIRSTREAK WINTER EGG HUNTS 2012-13

Because the adult Brown Hairstreak is quite an elusive beast, looking for eggs on blackthorn during the winter months is the best way to map the distribution of the species. A limited number of sites, spread across our local population, are also visited annually by a group of us as "egg transects" and searched thoroughly, the results enabling the Branch to monitor the health of the butterfly from year to year.

Anyone is very welcome to join us - no previous experience required! It would be useful if you could bring a hand lens (x10) or small magnifying glass. Please wear warm clothing and waterproof footwear. It is also a good idea to bring a warm drink to revive you after a couple of hours in the field!

In the past the weather has occasionally caused a search to be cancelled so if you do intend to join us please let Dave Wilton know (preferably by e-mail to wilton@burnhamlodge.plus.com, otherwise tel 01296 658701 or on the day tel/text 07751 472004). Where changes are known about in sufficient time, information will also be posted on this website.

This winter's programme of searches is as follows:

Sunday 18th November 2012 - Slade Camp, Shotover, Oxford (10.30am until 1pm)

Meet in the retail car park at grid reference SP555050 on the west side of the A4142 Oxford Eastern By-pass (turn off the A4142 at the Horspath Driftway traffic lights then take the first left into the retail park). The area to be searched is immediately opposite on the east side of the by-pass.

Friday 23rd November 2012 - Shotover Plain, Oxford (10.30am until 1pm)

Meet in the Shotover Country Park main car park at grid reference SP 565061, which is at the eastern end of Old Road.

Sunday 16th December 2012 - Rushbeds Wood BBOWT Reserve (10.30am until 1pm)

Meet in the BBOWT car park at grid reference SP672154. This is accessed from Kingswood Road via a track across the railway, the entrance to which is about 100 metres north of the junction with the Wotton to Brill road.

Tuesday 1st January 2013 - Otmoor RSPB Reserve (10.30am until 1pm)

Meet in the RSPB Reserve car park at grid reference SP570127, accessed from Otmoor Lane leading north out of Beckley.

Friday 25th January 2013 - Bullingdon Prison (10.30am until 1pm)    ** CANCELLED **

Meet at the entrance to the prison Works Department (grid reference SP624173), parking wherever there is space available in the adjacent main car park. The prison is signposted off the B4011 about half a mile north of Piddington Wood.

Saturday 16th February 2013 - Bernwood Meadows BBOWT Reserve (10am until 1pm) ** NOTE CHANGE OF DATE **

Meet in the main Oakley Wood car park for Bernwood Forest (grid reference SP611116), accessed from the Horton-cum-Studley to Oakley road.

Sunday 10th March 2013 - Marston Meadows, Oxford (10.30am until 1pm)

Meet in the Wolfson College car park (grid reference SP514083) at the eastern end of Linton Road, Summertown, Oxford.

FIELD MEETINGS - EARLY SPRING 2013

Sunday 5th May, 11am

Homefield Wood, Bucks
Our start-of-season walk for early Spring butterflies.
Meet at the reserve entrance near Bockmer End (grid reference SU814866, Ordnance Survey Landranger Map 175).
Leader and Contact: Paul Bowyer, tel 01628 526225

Saturday 11th May, 11am

Ivinghoe Beacon, Bucks
This should be a good opportunity to see the Duke of Burgundy and other butterflies. Note: steep slopes.
Meet in the main car park on Beacon Road (grid reference SP963159, Ordnance Survey Landranger Map 165).
Leader and Contact: Robin Carr, tel 01296 625734

Sunday 12th May, 11am

Aston Upthorpe Downs, Oxon
A walk for Spring butterflies, including skippers and the Green Hairstreak. Note: steep slopes.
From the A417 a mile east of Blewbury, turn south along the lane opposite the turning to Aston Upthorpe village. Meet at the grain dryer half a mile along the lane (grid reference SU550844, Ordnance Survey Landranger Map 174).
Leader and Contact: Gerry Kendall, tel 01865 245029

Sunday 19th May, 11am

Calvert Jubilee BBOWT Reserve, Bucks
A variety of spring butterflies, birds and flowers.
Meet at the BBOWT Reserve entrance (grid reference SP681251, Ordnance Survey Landranger Map 164).
Leader and Contact: Paul Bowyer, tel 01628 526225

Wednesday 22nd May, 10.30am

Aston Rowant National Nature Reserve, Bucks/Oxon border.
Another walk for Spring butterflies. Note: steep slopes.
Meet in the main NNR car-park off the Christmas Common to Stokenchurch road (grid reference SU731966, Ordnance Survey Landranger Map 165).
Leader and Contact: Paul Huckle, tel 01491 414035

Saturday 25th May, 10.30am

Lardon Chase NT Reserve, Berks
Target species is Adonis Blue. Note: very steep slopes.
Meet in the National Trust car-park off the A4009 at the top of the hill out of Streatley (grid reference SU582806, Ordnance Survey Landranger Map 174).
Leader and Contact: Maureen Cross, tel 01491 871239

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.