Cornwall Butterfly Conservation field trips - 2019

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Welcome to Cornwall Butterfly Conservation’s programme of field trips for 2019. As before, we have also organised a few trips in partnership with other local conservation organisations. Our field trips are fun, friendly and open to all whatever level of experience you have and whether or not you’re a member of Cornwall Butterfly Conservation. We would prefer dogs not to be brought because we are in wildlife sensitive areas.

Wednesday 15th May: DE LANK QUARRY
Near St. Breward 11am-3pm
This is a beautiful walk down to the De Lank River where there is the opportunity to see the rare Pearl-bordered Fritillary and other spring butterflies such as the Brimstone. Much conservation work has been undertaken by volunteers on this site and this will be an opportunity to see the impact of this valuable work. Please bring a packed lunch and tough walking shoes. Long trousers and long-sleeved shirts are also advised. Meet at the small car park, (SX 099753) PL30 4NQ, on the right before the entrance to the Quarry which should not be entered. Parking is limited so car share is preferable.
Leader and contact: Jo Poland (01872 540371)

Thursday 23rd May: WILD FLOWERS AND BUTTERFLIES OF PENHALE
Nr.Cubert 10am
This is a joint Cornwall Wildlife Trust/ Cornwall Butterfly Conservation walk. In addition to seeing a variety of spring wild flowers, we should find Brown Argus, Dingy Skipper and the Grizzled Skipper which is now only located on this site in Cornwall. Please meet by the M.O.D. South Gate near Treworthen Farm, Cubert, (SW783567). The postcode for Treworthen Farm is TR8 5PZ. Please bring a packed lunch. Places are limited so booking is essential.
Leaders: Cerin Poland, Ian Bennallick (CBG) and Jon Cripps (CWT)
Contact for booking: Cerin Poland (01872 540371 or 07814 790250)

Wednesday 29th and Thursday 30th May: COMMUNITY MOTH EVENT
Bodmin Wednesday (evening set up) and Thursday (morning).The exact times to be announced.
We will be working with the University of Exeter to provide a two day moth event in Bodmin. Our friends at the ‘One for All Community Garden’ will enable us to give the local community an insight into the amazing wildlife that can be found at night-time! This will be half-term week and we are aiming to attract as many families with children as possible, as it will be fun, awe-inspiring and educational. We are hoping that any of our volunteers/members/supporters who want to develop their moth knowledge will also come and enjoy this too.This event is suitable for all ages and abilities, with plenty of knowledgeable enthusiasts there to help everyone develop a fascination with moths. There will be refreshments and a children’s photo competition.
One for All Community Garden’. The Community Hub, 111 Kinsman Estate, Bodmin PL31 1PQ. (SX062663)
Leader and contact: Jo Poland (01872 540371 or 07800 548832)

Sunday 2nd June: PREDANNACK, THE LIZARD
Near Mullion 11am
We have organised this trip in partnership with the Natural England team on the Lizard and we will be looking for newly-emerged Marsh Fritillaries. Meet at the NT car park at Higher Predannack Wollas Farm, (SW669162) TR12 7EZ. Please bring a packed lunch.
Leaders: Duncan Lyne (Lizard NE team) and Sarah Board
Contact: Dick Goodere (01736 753077)

Monday 3rd June: CHAPEL PORTH
Near St Agnes 12 Noon
Join us in partnership with National Trust’s Lead Ranger for this section of the north coast looking for Green Hairstreak butterflies along this beautiful cliff walk. The terrain can be steep and rough in places but the views are spectacular. Meet at Wheal Coates National Trust car park, (SW702500) TR5 0NT. Please note new meeting place. Parking charges apply for non-NT members. Please bring a packed lunch.
Leaders Steve Sudworth (National Trust Ranger) and Kathy Wood (01872 864344)

Saturday 8th June: GREENSCOMBE WOODS
Near Luckett 12 Noon
Come and join us on a field trip to Cornwall’s only site for the nationally rare Heath Fritillary butterfly which is now established here after a successful reintroduction in 2006. This walk has several steep inclines. Local expert on the species, Richard Vulliamy, will be leading the trip. Meet in Luckett Village car park, (SX389737) PL17 8NJ. Please bring a packed lunch.
Leader: Richard Vulliamy
Contact: Tristram Besterman (01579 349146)

Saturday 15th June: CUBERT COMMON
Nr.Crantock 11am to 3pm
Cubert Common is one of the few enclosed commons in England. It is an undulating area of sandy grassland owned by the National Trust and designated as an SSSI. We will be looking out for a wide variety of butterflies (including Brown Argus, Dark Green Fritillary, Silver-studded Blue and Small Heath); moths; other invertebrates and also rare plants. Meeting point is the National Trust Car Park near Polly Joke beach, (SW776599) TR8 5QS. This is a relatively small car park so car sharing is advised. Directions: Drive through Crantock village and shortly after Crantock turn left onto the road to Treago farm. Drive through the farm and follow the track and park in the National Trust car park (note that at Treago Farm there is a gate crossing the track which you will need to open & close). Please bring a packed lunch.
Leaders and contact: Jo & Shaun Poland (01872 540371)

Saturday 29th June: POLDICE
Nr St Day 11am
The landscape in this valley bears witness to the concentrated mining activities that took place in this World Heritage Site. The area, at first, looks to be the last place to search for butterflies but even in this barren, polluted landscape plants have become established and butterflies have found a niche. These include Silver Studded Blue, Small Heath and, later in the season, Grayling. This large site has many ruined mine buildings and uneven/steep tracks which are shared by cyclists. Meet by the lay-by opposite Truro Auction Centre, (SW737430) TR16 5PZ. There is more parking a little further along the road towards Crofthandy on the left, (SW737428). Please bring a packed lunch.
Leaders and contacts: Roger Hooper (01209 820610) and Sue Allen (01872 240246)

Tuesday 2nd July: UPTON TOWANS
Near Hayle 11am
Join us on a walk through this extensive sand dune complex situated between Gwithian and Hayle: a Cornwall Wildlife Trust reserve and an SSSI. The main target species will be Dark Green Fritillaries and Silver-studded Blues but there will be many other lepidoptera and other wildlife to see. Meet by the gate in front of the large chimney at the entrance to the CWT reserve, (SW 579396) TR27 5BJ. Please bring a packed lunch.
Leader and contact: Dick Goodere (01736 753077)

Saturday 6th July: CORNWALL BUTTERFLY CONSERVATION OPEN DAY
Near Looe 10.30am
Philip (Chairman of CBC) and Faith Hambly invite you to their farm at Lethytep, with its wonderful wildlife area with walks and lakes. There should be many mid-summer butterflies flying and much more besides! Food, including pasties, is provided and there will be a tombola and raffle. We ask for a £5 donation to help cover food costs. To get to Lethytep, (SX175588) PL13 2PG, turn south off the A390 Liskeard to Lostwithiel road at East Taphouse, taking the B3359 to Looe and Polperro. After 3.3 miles, take the road to right signposted Penadlake: the event will be signposted from here. Park in field next to house (space for 100+ cars).
Leader: Kathy Wood 01872 864344
Contact: Philip Hambly (01503 220385)

Saturday 13th July: PENLEE RESERVE AND PENLEE POINT
Near Rame Head 11am
We will be led by moth expert and Cornwall Moth Recorder, Leon Truscott, looking for Small Heath, Marbled White and Dark Green Fritillary butterflies. Six-belted Clearwing and Thrift Clearwing moths can also be found here with the help of pheromone lures. Please bring a packed lunch. Meet at Penlee Battery car park, (SX436491) PL10 1LG.
Leader: Leon Truscott
Contact: Tristram Besterman (01579 349146)

Thursday 18th July: CABILLA WOODS
Glynn Valley 3 miles east of Bodmin 12 Noon
Join us for this walk through the Cornwall Wildlife Trust reserve described as ‘one of the largest and possibly finest ancient woodland in Cornwall’. Our target species is the Silver-washed Fritillary with a chance of seeing the f.valezina. There should also be many other butterflies including Commas, Ringlets and Gatekeepers. Please bring a packed lunch. Directions: Proceed along the A38 from the A30 heading towards Liskeard. About a mile past the Bodmin Parkway junction, turn left down Le Ball Hill. Cross over a small bridge and immediately turn right. There are places for parking, (SX128653) PL30 4BE.
Leader: Roger Hooper (CBC)
Contact: Kelly Uren (07429 354011)

Thursday 25th July: CARNON VALLEY
Near Devoran 11am
Join us for a walk along the Carnon Valley in a landscape still dominated by the mining industry. The area has been visited regularly for our Mining for Butterflies project. This gentle return walk uses the Coast to Coast cycle/walking track from Carnon Valley Car Park to Bissoe Cycle Hire (toilets available here). We hope to see plenty of common butterflies and dragonflies near the pools along the way: maybe even the Scarce blue-tail damselfly. We will explore the Cornwall Wildlife Trust Bissoe Valley Nature Reserve and the Arsenic Works where Silver-studded Blues have been recorded. Care needs to be taken with children near the fast flowing river. Please bring a packed lunch. Directions: From the A39 at the Devoran roundabout take the road heading towards Bissoe. Go straight over the first cross roads, under the viaduct then take the next left and the car park is on your right, (SW783409) TR37LN.
Leaders and contact: Sue Allen (01872 240246) and Kathy Wood
This event takes place during the Big Butterfly Count: 19 July - 11 August.

Sunday 28th July: GODOLPHIN WOODS
Near Godolphin 1.30pm
Join us for this interesting walk through Godolphin Woods. There will be a wide variety of Lepidoptera but the target species will be the Purple Hairstreak. Directions: Coming from Leedstown, turn left at Townshend, then follow the road over Godolphin Bridge where the road then swings to the left. Some distance along this section there is a parking area, on the left, where a track runs down to the river. It is possible to park here but it is better to drive down the short track and park in the larger car park at the bottom (on the right) at (SW60023243) TR13 9RE.
Leaders and contact: Perry Smale and Judi Swift (01736 448304 or 07412 262184)
This event takes place during the Big Butterfly Count: 19 July - 11 August.

Sunday 4th August: LUNDY BAY
Nr. Polzeath 1.30pm
This is a beautiful walk along one of our National Trust transects. We hope to see a selection of butterfly species including Silver Washed Fritillary, Brown Argus, Common Blue and Clouded Yellow. Meet in the NT Car Park, (SW958798) PL27. An overflow car park is available.
Leaders and contact Kelly Uren (07429 354011) and Jim Barker
This event takes place during the Big Butterfly Count: 19 July - 11 August.

This has been cancelled due to adverse weather : Tuesday 6th August: GWENNAP HEAD AND PORTHGWARRA
Near Land’s End 10.30am
This beautiful location boasts an abundance of butterflies, including Graylings, Small Pearl-bordered Fritillaries, Clouded Yellows, Small Heaths and many more. Meet in the Porthgwarra car park, (SW370217): charges apply TR19 6JR (café). Please bring a packed lunch.
Leaders and contact: Jerry Dennis (07956 041263) and Jim Cooper (01872 560710)
This event takes place during the Big Butterfly Count: 19 July - 11 August.

Tuesday 13th August: COVERACK TO BEAGLES HOLE
Lizard Peninsula 11am
Please join us for this new circular walk along the coastal footpath from Coverack village heading south to Chynalls and then to Beagles Hole returning via Trewillis back to the village. We should see many different species of butterflies including the Dark Green Fritillary, Small Pearl-bordered fritillary and even Grayling all of which have been recorded here in the past. Be prepared for a longish but enjoyable walk with great views. Please bring a packed lunch. Meet at the car parks which are on your right as you enter the village, (SW781187) TR12 6TQ.
Leaders: Duncan Lyne (Lizard Natural England Team) and Sarah Board
Contact Sue Allen (01872 240246)
This event takes place during the Big Butterfly Count: 19 July - 11 August.