Cornwall Butterfly Conservation field trips - 2018

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Welcome to Cornwall Butterfly Conservation’s programme of field trips for 2018; an exciting mix of new sites and old favourites. As before, we have also organised a few trips in partnership with other local conservation organisations. Increasingly, the importance of recording is recognised so we will be encouraging everyone to note what they find on these field trips so that we can continue to build a better picture of Lepidoptera distribution across Cornwall.

Sunday 13th 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.
Leaders and contacts: Shaun and Jo Poland (01872 540371)

Thursday 17th May: WILD FLOWERS AND BUTTERFLIES OF PENHALE
Near Cubert 10am. Booking essential
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). Postcode for Treworthan Farm TR8 5PZ. Please bring a packed lunch. Places are limited so booking is essential.
Leaders: Ian Bennallick (Cornwall Botany Group) and Jon Cripps (Cornwall WildlifeTrust).
Contact for booking: Dick Goodere (01736 753077)

Sunday 27th May: 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: Steve Townsend (Lizard NE team) and Dick Goodere (CBC). Contact: Dick Goodere (01736 753077)

Saturday 2nd June: CHAPEL PORTH
Near St Agnes 1pm
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 parking charge for non-NT members) (SW697495) TR5 0NS.The car park fills up quickly, so car sharing is advised.
Leader and contact: Kathy Wood (01872 864344)

Saturday 9th June: GREENSCOMBE WOODS
Near Luckett 1.00pm
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) PL17 8NJ.
Leader: Richard Vulliamy. Contact: Tristram Besterman (01579 349146)

Saturday 16th June: CUBERT COMMON
Near 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 30th June: CORNWALL BUTTERFLY CONSERVATION OPEN DAY
Near Looe 11am
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, plus 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 and contact: Philip Hambly (01503 220385)

Tuesday 3rd 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 7th 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. Please bring a packed lunch. Meet in Penlee Battery car park (SX436491) PL10 1LG.
Leader: Leon Truscott. Contact: Tristram Besterman (01579 349146)

Saturday 14th July: CABILLA WOODS
Glyn Valley 3 miles east of Bodmin 1pm
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. 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 (01209 715288)

Saturday 21/22 July: MOTH EVENT AT LANILEY HOUSE, TRURO
Near St. Erme. 6pm on the 21st July and 9am on 22nd July
We are grateful to David and Sue Stone (CBC) for providing this exciting opportunity to set moth traps in their beautiful grounds. The great variety of flora that they have planted promises to attract many different moths. Come and join us on the evening of 21st for the launch of this event which will include a talk by moth enthusiast Shaun Poland (CBC) amongst other activities for all ages and fundraising activities - further details to follow. You can watch the traps being set up then stay to see the first moth arrivals and/or come to see the traps being opened on Sunday morning.
Coming from Truro: Take the right turning off the A39 (signposted Trehane) about 1.5 miles after the Crematorium. There is a white bungalow on the corner of this lane. Go down the lane for 400 yards to the driveway entrance on the left which is after an extreme left hand bend (SW842484). TR4 9AU Please note that the post code will not take you to the house.
Leader and contact: Jo Poland (01872 540371)

Thursday 26th 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. TR8 5LQ (East Wheal Rose Farm)
Leader and contact: Carly Riley (01637 498462).

Sunday 29th 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 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) TR13 9RE.
Leaders and contact: Perry Smale and Judi Swift (01736) 448304 or 07412262184

Sunday 5th August: LUNDY BAY
Near Polzeath 1.30pm
Join us for a beautiful walk along one of our National Trust transects. There will be a selection of butterfly species and the Ranger, Sarah Stevens, will be leading the walk. Meet in the NT Car park. PL27 6QZ (SW952795)
Leader and contact Sarah on: 01208 863821

Sunday 12th 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 (SW688131) TR12 7PJ .Parking free to National Trust members. A stick is recommended as there are areas of very steep and uneven ground. Please bring a packed lunch.
Leaders and contacts: Kelly Uren (01209 715288) and Sue Allen (01872 240246)

Sunday 19th 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.
Leader and contact: Jim Barker (01736 794134).