UTB Events Summer 2010

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. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult (see Safety Code point 6 below).

For all outdoor meetings please check with the Leader before turning out as some may be cancelled in adverse weather conditions.

► Branch Committee Meetings * NEW *

► Field Meetings & Events, Summer 2010

► Other Dates for your Diary this year

► Berks Moth Group

► Safety Code

BRANCH COMMITTEE MEETINGS, 2010

Branch members are very welcome to attend our committee meetings but are requested to give prior notice to the Hon. Secretary.

Committee meetings will take place on the following dates:

Monday 28th June at the Millstream Day Centre, Millstream, High Street, Benson, Oxon OX10 6RL starting at 7.30pm
Monday 18th October (venue to be confirmed)

FIELD MEETINGS & EVENTS, SUMMER 2010

Friday 4th June 2010, 9pm onwards.

Moth Trapping at the University of Oxford's Harcourt Arboretum, Oxon.
This is a joint event with Friends of the Arboretum. Please bring a torch and wear warm clothing. The entrance to the Arboretum is on the west side of the A4074 immediately south of the village of Nuneham Courtenay (SU 555988).
Contact: David Redhead 01865 772520

Saturday 5th June 2010, 11am

Hackpen Hill, also known as Crowhole Bottom or the Devil's Punchbowl, Oxon.
Wood Tiger lives in this area and there is also a very large Green Hairstreak colony. It is a steep, dry chalk grassland valley, occasionally grazed by cattle, and has open access status. Meet at the Ridgeway car park at Sparsholt Firs on the B4001 (SU 343851). Map reference for the actual site is SU 355846.
Leaders and Contacts: Mike and Gillian Taylor 01235 751646

Saturday 12th June 2010, 11am

Greenham Common, Berks.
A search for the Small Blue. Meet at the car park by the control tower, off Bury's Bank Road (SU 501652).
Leader and Contact: Mike Wilkins 01235 831300

Sunday 13th June 2010, 11am

Holtspur Bottom Reserve, Bucks.
A visit for Spring species, possibly including the Small Blue. Meet at the reserve entrance (SU 918906). Suggested parking near the scout hut in Cherry Tree Road (SU 923916) and walk down the footpath opposite the end of that road, through Holtspur Bank. Turn left when Riding Lane is reached.
Leader and Contact: Paul Bowyer 01628 526225

Saturday 19th June 2010, 2pm

Finemere Wood, Bucks.
A search for the Black Hairstreak with our species champion. Meet at the start of the track off the Edgcott to Quainton road which leads to the reserve entrance (SP 721209).
Leader and Contact: Stuart Hodges 01296 730217

Sunday 20th June 2010, 11am

Asham Meads near Murcott, Oxon.
A search for hairstreaks and day-flying moths. Meet at the BBOWT reserve entrance (SP 590143) at the end of the track off the Murcott to Boarstall road which passes through Whitecross Green and Manor Farms.
Leader and Contact: Paul Bowyer 01628 526225

Saturday 26th June 2010, 10.15am

Black Park, Bucks.
A good site for White Admiral and other woodland species, including possibly Silver-washed Fritillary. Meet at the far end of the main car park (TQ 006832) in Black Park Road, off the A412 Slough to Uxbridge road. Car parking costs £2 (pay and display).
Leader and Contact: Wendy Wilson 01753 883465

Saturday 3rd July 2010, 11am

Paices Wood (Aldermaston) and Bowdown Wood (Greenham Common), Berks.
A visit to two Berkshire woodlands with our White Admiral species champion. Bring a packed lunch if you wish to visit both woods. Meet at the Paices Wood car park: drive into "Young's Industrial Estate" off the A340 south of Aldermaston and the car park will be found at the rear (SU 592639).
Leader and Contact: Richard Noble 07754 784684

Sunday 4th July 2010, 11am

Homefield Wood near Marlow, Bucks.
A walk in search of Silver-washed Fritillary and White-letter Hairstreak (we had splendid results here last year). Meet at the BBOWT reserve entrance (SU 814866).
Leader and Contact: Paul Bowyer 01628 526225

Saturday 10th July 2010, 2pm to 4.30pm

Holtspur Valley Reserves, Bucks.
An opportunity to see the butterflies, moths and flowers of the Reserve and all the recent conservation works which have been taking place. Park in Riding Lane at SU 919906 or SU 918905. Meet at the latter point for the walks.
Leaders: Nick Bowles 01442 382276 and Frank Banyard 01494 672310

Saturday 10th July and Sunday 11th July 2010, 10.30am

Bernwood Forest, Bucks.
A search for Purple Emperors with our species champion. Meet in the main Oakley Wood car park (SP 611117).
Leader and Contact: Dennis Dell 01296 397039

Saturday 17th July 2010, 11am

Moorend Common, Bucks.
A joint walk with the Wycombe Wildlife Group to see Summer butterflies, possibly including the Purple Emperor which was recorded there last year. Meet in the lay-by near the Prince Albert pub (SU 798906).
Contact: Paul Bowyer 01628 526225

Sunday 18th July 2010, 11am

Ivinghoe Beacon, Bucks.
A walk to try and find Dark Green Fritillary in one of its last local strongholds. Very steep slopes and lots of rabbit holes! Meet at the Beacon car park (SP 963160).
Leader and Contact: Paul Bowyer 01628 526225

Saturday 24th July 2010, 11am

Greenham Common, Berks.
Target species are the Grayling and many more. Meet at the car park by the control tower off Bury's Bank Road (SU 501652).
Leader and Contact: Paul Bowyer 01628 526225

Saturday 31st July 2010, 11am

Watlington Hill on the Bucks/Oxon border.
Our Silver-spotted Skipper species champion leads this walk to see the start of the species' flight season. Steep slopes and rabbit holes. Meet at the National Trust car park at the top of Watlington Hill Road (SU 709937).
Leader and Contact: Richard Soulsby 01491 835226

Saturday 31st July 11.00am * NEW*

Stoke Poges Memorial Gardens, Bucks
An open meeting for the public identifying some common summer butterflies.
Meet at the entrance to the gardens. SU 976826 Park in public car park across the road.
No dogs allowed.
Leader and Contact Paul Bowyer 01628 526225

Sunday 1st August 2010, 10.30am * NEW*

Bernwood Forest, Bucks.
This event has been organised to celebrate the end of "Save Our Butterflies Week" and is aimed at beginners. It has been advertised to the general public in an article in the Weekend Section of the Oxford Times and all are welcome. We hope to see a range of common summer butterflies and help people to tell their Gatekeepers from their Meadow Browns. At the same time we hope to see some rarer butterflies such as the Silver-washed Fritillary and even, if we are lucky, one of the first Brown Hairstreaks of the year. Binoculars will help with spotting the tree canopy species and suitable protection should be taken against the sun we hope will welcome you all.
Meet at 10.30am in the main Oakley Wood car park (SP611117) off the Horton-cum-Studley to Oakley road.
Leader David Redhead 01865 772520.

Friday 6th August 2010, 9pm onwards. * NEW*

Sunday 8th August 2010, 10am

Langley Park, Bucks.
Organised by Amanda Outen of the Bucks Country Parks Team, this event is aimed at absolute beginners and will hopefully see a range of summer butterflies. Meet in the main car park (TQ 016821) in Billets Lane off the southern carriageway of the A412 Uxbridge to Slough road. Car-parking is £2 (pay & display) but the event itself is free.
No dogs, please.
Contact the Organiser, Amanda Outen 01753 511060, or Leader, Wendy Wilson 01753 883465.

Thursday 12th August 2010, 9am until 12pm

Whitecross Green Wood, Bucks.
Our annual Brown Hairstreak field meeting. We will be examining the ash and oak trees for males and the possibility of a rare sighting of a mating pair. We will also search the blackthorn for egg-laying females. Meet in the reserve car park just off the Murcott to Boarstall road (SP 600150).
Leader and Contact: David Redhead 01865 772520

Saturday 21st August 2010, 10.30am

Lardon Chase, Oxon.
Target species is second brood Adonis Blue with our species champion. Very steep grass slopes. Meet in the National Trust car park (SU 583807) off the A4009 at the top of the hill out of Streatley.
Leader and Contact: Maureen Cross 01491 871239

Sunday 29th August 2010, 11.00am

Bernwood Forest, Bucks.
An Autumn round-up of "battered butterflies", possibly including Brown Hairstreak. Meet in the main Oakley Wood car park (SP 611117).
Leader and Contact: Paul Bowyer 01628 526225

Other Dates for your Diary this year

Saturday 30th October 2010

Upper Thames Branch Members' Day and AGM, to be held at the Parish Hall in Benson, Oxon.

Saturday 20th November 2010

Butterfly Conservation National AGM and Members' Day.

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.