Cornwall Butterfly Conservation field trips 2016

[Blackfish]

All are welcome.

Sunday 15 May DE LANK QUARRY 11.00am - 3pm Near St Breward
This is a beautiful walk down to the De Lank river where there is the opportunity to see the rare Pearl-bordered Fritillary, other spring butterflies such as the Brimstone and view the recent conservation work undertaken by volunteers. 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 or PL30 4NQ) on the right before the entrance to the Quarry gates (the gates will be closed and are not to be entered). Please park sensibly on both sides of the track and also on the sides of the track that leads to the footpath (this track leads to a private property, please do not obstruct their access). Parking is extremely limited so travel with friends and car share where possible. Leader Sally Foster (01736 753259)

Wednesday 18 May WILD FLOWERS AND BUTTERFLIES OF PENHALE 10.00am Nr Cubert
This is a joint MOD Conservation Group/ Cornwall Butterfly Conservation walk. In addition to seeing a variety of spring wild flowers, we should find, amongst other butterflies, the Grizzled Skipper which is now only located on this site in Cornwall. Please meet by the South Gate near Treworthen Farm, Cubert (SW783567). Bring a packed lunch. Places are limited so booking is essential. Leaders: Ian Bennallick (CBG) and Jon Cripps(CWT). Contact for booking Dick Goodere (CBC) 01736 753077 or gooderes@talktalk.net.

Thursday 26 May POLDICE 11.00 am- 3pm
A walk through disused mining sites in the Poldice Valley area to search for a small, well camouflaged butterfly that loves bare ground: the Dingy Skipper. This butterfly is a conservation priority species that is becoming increasingly rare in Cornwall. The field trip will support the work we are currently carrying out with our 'Mining for Butterflies' project that started in 2015. Meet at Grid reference: SW737430, the layby opposite Triplet Business Park, Poldice Valley, Nr St Day, Redruth, TR16 5PZ. Leaders: Jo & Shaun Poland Contact details: 01872 540371/07800548832 jogreenp@gmail.com

Sunday 29 May: PREDANNACK, THE LIZARD Near Mullion 11.00am
We have organised this trip in partnership with the Natural England team on the Lizard, and we’ll be looking for newly emerged Marsh Fritillaries, as well as hearing about the habitat management work NE have been undertaking for this protected butterfly. Meet at Predannack National Trust car park (free) (SW668162). Leaders: Steve Townsend, Lizard NE team and Dick Goodere CBC Contact: Dick Goodere (01736 753077).

Saturday 4 June: CHAPEL PORTH Near St Agnes 1.00pm
Join us in 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 Chapel Porth National Trust beach car park (parking charge for non-NT members, and car park fills up quickly, so car sharing is advised) (SW697495). Leader and contact: Amanda Scott (01209) 862792 or 07747 864184.

Saturday 11 June: GREENSCOMBE WOODS Near Luckett 1.00pm View site info
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. Local expert on the species, Richard Vulliamy, will be leading the trip. Meet in Luckett Village car park (SX389737). Leader and contact: Richard Vulliamy (01579) 370411.

Saturday 18 June: CORNWALL BUTTERFLY CONSERVATION OPEN DAY Near Looe 2.00pm
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 are provided, plus tombola and raffle. We ask for a £5 donation to help cover food costs. To get to Lethytep (SX175588), turn south off the A390 Liskeard to Lostwithiel road at East Taphouse, taking the B3359 to Looe and Polperro. After 3.3 miles take road to right signposted Penadlake: the event will be signposted from here. Park in field next to house (space for 100+ cars). Leader and contact: Philip Hambly (01503) 220385.

Saturday 25 June WHEAL BUSY Near Chacewater 9pm
Moth specialist Adrian Spalding will be leading this moth night and setting moth traps. Please bring hot drinks and warm clothes if the weather is chilly! Meet at Wheal Busy (SW740446) Contact Adrian Spalding 01872 272711

Tuesday 5 July: UPTON TOWANS Near Hayle 11.00am View site info
Join us on a walk through this extensive sand dune complex situated between Gwithian and Hayle, a Cornwall Wildlife Trust reserve and SSSI. Target species will be Dark Green Fritillaries and Silver-studded Blues. Meet by the gate, in front of the large chimney at the entrance to the CWT reserve (SW 579396). Please bring a packed lunch. Leader and contact: Dick Goodere (01736) 753077.

Saturday 9 July: PENLEE RESERVE AND PENLEE POINT Near Rame Head 11.00am
We will be led by moth expert and Cornwall Moth Recorder Leon Truscott in looking for Marbled White butterflies, as well as Small Heaths and Dark Green Fritillaries. Six-belted Clearwing and Thrift Clearwing moths can also be found here with the help of pheromone lures. Meet in Penlee Battery car park (SX436491). Leader and contact: Leon Truscott (01752) 812023.

Sunday 10 July LUXULYAN VALLEY 11.00am -3.00pm
Joint picnic & walk with the Friends of Luxulyan Valley & Friends of Fowey Estuary.
Walk in the Valley and picnic in the paddocks. Hoping to see wild flowers and butterflies in the recently cleared paddocks, including the largest and most spectacular Fritillary butterfly that occurs in Cornwall - the Silver-washed Fritillary. Bring some food to share. Meet 11am at Black Hill car park near the viaduct. Grid reference: SX 059 573 Leaders: Jo & Shaun Poland Contact details: 01872 540371/07800548832 jogreenp@gmail.com

Saturday 23 July: WILD FLOWERS AND BUTTERFLIES OF PENHALE Near Cubert 10.30am
Join us for a closer look at the wild flowers, butterflies and moths to be found on Penhale Sands Army Training Camp, not normally open to the public. We should find orchids and many species of Lepidoptera on this unique marsh and dune area. Jointly organised with the Cornwall Botanical Group, the trip will be led by botanist Ian Bennallick, accompanied by Dave Thomas. Please bring a packed lunch. Meet by the South Gate near Treworthen Farm, Cubert (SW783567). Booking is essential. Leaders: Ian Bennallick and Dave Thomas. Contact: Dave Thomas (01726) 861093 or davecarp86@hotmail.com.

Sunday 24 July: NEWLYN DOWNS Near St Newlyn East 1.00pm
Join us in exploring this SSSI and Special Area of Conservation. We’ll be searching for Grayling butterflies, Bog Bush-crickets and Scarce Blue-tailed Damselflies, and much more. Meet in the layby opposite the entrance at SW8368355209. Leader and contact: Carly Hoskin (01637) 498462.

Sunday 31 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, you turn left at Townshend, then at Godolphin Bridge the road 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. Leader and contact: Carly Hoskin (01637) 498462.

Sunday 7 August: KYNANCE COVE Near Lizard 11.00am
Join us on this wonderfully scenic coastal walk on the Lizard as we look for Clouded Yellow, Grayling, Common Blue and Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary butterflies, and many more species. Meet in the National Trust Kynance Cove car park (SW688132). Parking free to National Trust members. Leader and contact: Jim Barker (01736) 794134.

Sunday 14 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. You might also spot a Chough! Meet in the Porthgwarra car park (SW372218): charges apply. Café. Leader and contact: Jim Barker (01736) 794134.