Butterfly Conservation Hampshire and
Saving butterflies, moths and our environment Isle of Wight Branch
EVENTS Become a member

Directions to Reserves

  • Yew Hill - Meet at at end of Old Kennels Lane (SU451 269) near junction Port Lane/ Millers lane or join us on the Reserve.(SU 455 264).
  • Bentley Station Meadow - Meet in Car Park at Bentley Station(SU792 432). 
  • Magdalen Hill Down - Meet in the gravel car park opposite Magdalen Hill Cemetery on the B3404 ( approximately ½ mile west of Percy Hobbs Roundabout. Grid reference SU 511 295). Magdalen Hill Down is a splendid example of chalk down land. The original reserve is ancient downland and is quite steep but has a path along the top and a diagonal path from top to bottom and a rougher path along the eastern side of the bottom. The extension to the reserve situated to the east (behind Magdalen Hill cemetery) is not as steep and affords easy walking conditions. It was an ex-arable field sown with native grasses and wild flowers in 1997. To the north of the reserve is North Down an imaginative project undertaken by Hampshire County Council and partly leased and managed by BC.

For any enquiries regarding reserve events, please call Lynn Fomison on 01962 772251.

Events

If the weather looks doubtful please check with the leader in advance. For walks that start in the morning it is advisable to bring lunch. For your safety and comfort wear strong shoes & appropriate clothing, use sunscreen, carry a drink, heed all safety advice given and inform leader if you wish to leave early.

Field Trips

FIELD TRIPS ARE FOR EVERYONE.  You most emphatically do NOT have to be an expert to come on a field trip.  Field trips can be enjoyed by anyone with any level of knowledge (or none).  Photographers, children (with adult supervision), first-time field-trippers, you are ALL welcome.   

If the weather looks doubtful please check with the leader in advance.  For walks that start in the morning it is advisable to bring lunch.  For your safety and comfort wear strong shoes and appropriate clothing, use sunscreen, carry a drink, heed all safety advice, watch out for hazards such as rabbit holes and check for ticks after the walk.  Also remember to inform the leader if you wish to leave early. For beginners interested in moths a good way to learn is to go along to one of the moth evenings organised by members.  Some are listed below, whilst others, which may be arranged at short notice, will be posted on the Yahoo email newsgroup at http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/hantsmoths.  Additional daytime field meetings may also be arranged and will be advertised on the website. We look forward to welcoming everyone, whatever your level of knowledge, on our field trips.  We cannot guarantee seeing the wildlife but the Hampshire countryside is lovely and there will be time to enjoy it (weather permitting!).

Date Type of Event Location
     
Thursday 22 April Field Trip  Ventnor, Isle of Wight
Saturday 24 April Event Photography Workshop, Longstock
Sunday 2 May Event  Keyhaven, nr Lymington
Wednesday 5 May Reserve visit Magdalen Hill Down
Friday 7 May Field Trip Compton and Brook Downs, Isle of Wight
Tuesday 11 May Field Trip  Itchen Stoke Mill
Saturday 15 May Field Trip Pitt Down/Crab Wood, nr Winchester
Saturday 15 May Event National Moth Night
Saturday 15 May Event National Moth Night - Ventnor Botanic Garden
Sunday 23 May Field Trip Butser Hill National Nature Reserve
Monday 24 May Field Trip Parkhurst Forest, Isle of Wight
Wednesday 26 May Event Shippard’s Chine NT car park, Isle of Wight
Saturday 29 May Field Trip Bentley Wood
Wednesday 2 June Reserve visit Magdalen Hill Down
Sunday 6 June Event Milland, near Liphook Country Fair
Tuesday 8 June  Field Trip Ningwood Common, Isle of Wight
Monday 14 June Field Trip Swanwick Lakes Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust Reserve
Wednesday 16 June Reserve visit Bentley Station Meadow
Sunday 20 June Field Trip Bramshott Common Joint with Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust
Wednesday 30 June       Field Trip Firestone Copse I o W
Saturday  3 July Field Trip Hazeley Heath
Sunday 4 July Field Trip  Identifying Butterflies at Mottisfont Abbey
Wednesday 7 July Reserve visit Magdalen Hill Down
Friday 9 July Event Whippingham IoW
Wednesday 14 July Field Trip Wootton Coppice, New Forest
Wednesday 21 July Field Trip Northwood Cemetery, Cowes, IoW
Thursday 22 July Reserve visit Magdalen Hill Down
Saturday/Sunday 24/25 July Event Longstock Nursery Buddleja Collection open day
Tuesday  27 July Reserve visit Bentley Station Meadow
Wednesday 28 July Reserve visit Magdalen Hill Down
Thursday 29 July Reserve visit Yew Hill
Saturday 31 July Field Trip Eelmoor, MOD Farnborough
Wednesday 4 August Reserve visit Magdalen Hill Down
Saturday 7 August  Reserve visit Magdalen Hill Down
Saturday 7 August       Field Trip  Noar Hill
Tues/Wed.  10/11 August. Event Sir Harold Hillier Gardens Activities for Children
Saturday 14 August       Field Trip Martin Down
Wednesday 18 August Field Trip Old Winchester Hill
Monday 23 August  Field Trip Clamerkin Farm, IoW
Wednesday 1 September Reserve visit Magdalen Hill Down
Saturday 4 Sept. Event Eastleigh Wood Fair
Saturday 11 Sept. Event Romsey Show
Sunday 10 October Event Blackmoor Apple Day

 

Thursday 22 April   Ventnor, Isle of Wight Leader:  Rob Wilson Tel: 07766 906718 (do not leave message if unavailable – try later) The first trip of our Branch’s Isle of Wight Group’s summer programme.  Meet: 12 noon, St.Catherine’s Churchyard, Ventnor.  Map ref: SZ 562 775.  Bus routes 3, 6, 16. Nearest ferry terminal Portsmouth/Ryde then Bus no. 3 towards Ventnor or train to Shanklin and Rail Link bus No 16 to Ventnor. Target Holly Blue  

Saturday 24 April   Photography Workshop.  From 10.00am to 5.00pm Longstock, near Stockbridge, Hampshire  Cost: £10.00 per head
2010 sees the return of the UK Butterflies photography workshop, in association with the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Branch of Butterfly Conservation.  The purpose of the workshop is to gather together enthusiasts to share their photographic experiences, with an emphasis on Lepidoptera.    The £10 charge, payable on the day, is to cover the cost of the hall and any other expenses incurred in running the event.  All profits will be donated directly to the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Branch.   Please bring your own lunch (coffee and tea will be available in the hall).  Detailed directions and instructions will be provided in due course.
Agenda  The workshop content is still under discussion, but it will be a day of presentations, mixed in with some practical work.  In terms of content, we anticipate covering the following at a minimum:
     
Photography basics (parameters such as shutter speed, aperture and depth of field) ·       
Trade-offs (film v digital, tripod v handheld, flash v natural light etc.) ·       
Macro photography (challenges specific to macro photography and the different types of equipment to use) ·       
Digital photography (the assumption is that most people will be using digital; this section includes a discussion of the different types of digital camera, setting up the camera, and RAW v JPEG) ·       
The "digital darkroom" (post-processing, including image manipulation) ·       
Composition

Registering for the event  If you would like to attend, please contact Pete Eeles by e-mail at pete AT ukbutterflies.co.uk or by phone on 07796 331061. You will receive confirmation by reply.  We look forward to seeing you!

Sunday 2 May   Keyhaven, nr Lymington Open Day.  Please come and help if you can.  Contact: Linda Barker Tel 023 8027 0042.

Wednesday 5 May  Magdalen Hill Down Leader: Lynn Fomison Tel. 01962 772251. Wednesday Wander first Wednesday of each month up to and including 1 September.  Come along and enjoy seasonal wildlife and a leisurely walk with friendly company. Meet: 10.30am in gravel car park opposite the cemetery on Alresford Road, Winchester B3404.  Map Ref: SU 512 295, sat nav SO21 1HE  

Friday 7 May   Compton and Brook Downs, Isle of Wight Leader:  Caroline Dudley Tel: 01983  754935  I.oW. Group summer programme. A four-mile walk over the downs with some steep slopes.    Meet: 12.15pm in National Trust Afton Down car park. Map ref SZ 367 855. Bus no. 7. Ferry Lymington/Yarmouth. Target species: Grizzled Skipper, Green Hairstreak, possibly Duke of Burgundy.

Tuesday 11 May   Itchen Stoke Mill Organiser:  Alison Harper Tel 01962 882261 A chance to explore the ancient water meadows by the River Itchen owned and managed for their conservation value by Roger and Victoria Harrison, and to learn more about the nature related things going on at the Mill. Meet: 10.00am, for coffee and brief talk. The mill is situated a few hundred yards east of The Bush public house at Ovington, map ref SU 563 317. Target species spring  butterflies.

Saturday 15 May am and/or pm  Pitt Down/Crab Wood, nr Winchester Leader: Brian Fletcher Tel: 010962 882746 Meet: 10.30am, in the spindle Tree car park at the edge of Pitt Down on the north-west side of the minor road from Winchester to Farley Mount for visit to Pitt Down, and/or Meet: in the same place at 2.00pm for afternoon walk to Crab Wood.  Bring lunch. Map ref SU422 292. Target species Dingy and Grizzled Skippers, Green Hairstreak, woodland butterflies.  

Saturday 15 May  National Moth Night Theme for 2010 “Moths and Bats” – See the April Branch newsletter.  

Saturday 15 May   National Moth Night - Ventnor Botanic Garden Leader: Rob Wilson, as 22 April Part of IoW Group’s summer programme. Meet: 9.00pm outside the Visitor Centre. Map ref SZ 547 769 Ferry Portsmouth/Ryde, daytime bus No 3 (towards Ventnor) or train to Shanklin then Rail Link bus No 16 to Ventnor. However, there is no evening public transport from Ventnor to the Botanic Garden.  

Sunday 23 May  Butser Hill   National Nature Reserve Leader: Ashley Whitlock Tel 02392 731266 Meet:  10.30am. Leave A3M at Clanfield Junction; at Clanfield crossroads take north lane and follow signs to Butser Hill car park map ref SU 711 199. There is car park charge. Not suitable for the faint-hearted as there are very steep slopes. Wear walking boots. Bring lunch and a drink. Target species Duke of Burgundy, Small Heath, Dingy and Grizzled Skipper.

Monday 24 May  Parkhurst Forest Leader: Rob Wilson, as 22 April Part of IoW Group’s summer programme. Meet: 10.30am in the main car park off Forest Road. Map ref SZ 479 900. Close to No 7 bus route, for Yarmouth/Lymington ferry. Target species: Pearl-bordered Fritillary.  

Wednesday 26 May  Branch visit to find Glanville Fritillaries on the Isle of Wight Leader: Caroline Dudley 01983 754935. Contact :Alison Harper 01962 882261 Meet: either initially 08.15 am at the Lymington Ferry terminal or at 10.15am at Shippard’s Chine NT car park. A pleasant walk enjoying the wildlife before catching the bus back to Yarmouth about 4.00pm.  Please contact Alison by 19 May to join the group at Lymington, and for more details. Bring lunch.

Saturday 29 May   Bentley Wood Leader:  Ashley Whitlock Tel 02392 731266 Meet: 10.30am.  From West Dean take minor road north towards West Tytherley.  After one mile fork left. Shortly, turn into small gravel track on left leading to car park. Map ref SU 258 292.  Visit eastern clearing in the  morning, with possibility of a visit to another part of the wood in the afternoon. Bring lunch just in case! Fritillaries.

Wednesday 2 June Magdalen Hill Down Meet: as 5 May

Sunday 6 June Milland, near Liphook Country Fair. Contact: Janet Jones Tel 01252 842174  

Tuesday 8 June  Ningwood Common I oW Leader: Rob Wilson, as 22 April Part of IoW Group’s summer programme. Meet: 10.30am in the recycling car park (on the north side of main road) east of the Horse and Groom. Map ref: SZ 401 892. Bus No 7. Ferry Lymington/Yarmouth for No 7 bus. Target species: Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary.  

Wednesday 9 June  Yew Hill Leader: Colin Matthews Tel: 01794 388272 Meet: 7.15pm at end of Old Kennels Lane at  junction with Port Lane and Millers Lane, Oliver’s Battery Map ref: SU 451 269, sat nav SO22 4JT. A good time of year to see orchids and the butterfly habitat.  

Monday 14 June 11.00am – 12.30 pm  Swanwick Lakes Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust Reserve Leader: Jess Miller, Education Officer Tel 01489 570240 Meet:  11.00am in the Reserve Study Centre car park, Sopwith Way, Swanwick nr Fareham. Map ref SU 507 099.  

Wednesday 16 June Bentley Station Meadow Leader: Lynn Fomison Tel: 01962 772251 Meet: 7.00pm in NE corner of car park at Bentley Station.  Map ref SU 792 432. An evening walk to enjoy the orchids, other flowers in the meadow and the butterfly habitat.  

Sunday 20 June 11.00am – 1.00pm  Bramshott Common Joint with Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust Leader: Arthur Greenwood Tel: 01428 604730 (mobile on the day: 07920 803900) Meet: 11.00am and park in the main car park (north of the A3), off Rectory Lane Map ref SU 855 335. Booking is essential so to book your place please contact Laura Fairs on 01256 381190 or LauraF@hwt.org.uk. Under 16 year olds must be accompanied by an adult. This event may be subject to cancellation in the event of MOD training.  Please ring the day before to confirm.  Target species Silver-studded Blue in profusion.  

Wednesday 30 June   Firestone Copse I o W Leader: Rob Wilson, as 22 April Part of IoW Group’s summer programme. Meet: 1.00pm in the main car park. Map ref SZ 558 910. Nearest bus route No.29/33 (Havenstreet).  Portsmouth/Ryde ferry.  Fishbourne is closer but more walking is involved. Target species: White Admiral, Silver-washed Fritillary.  

Saturday  3 July 11am-1.00pm   Hazeley Heath Leader: Leigh Neville or Adam Green, Hart Countryside Service. Contact: Alison Harper 01962 882261 Meet: 11.00am 0.5 mile north of Hartley Wintney on B3011 in lay-by opposite Arrow Lane Map ref SU 756 578. The site is part of the Thames Basin Special Protection Area.  Target species Silver-studded Blue.  

Sunday 4 July 10.00am to 1.00pm   Identifying Butterflies at Mottisfont Abbey Joint with the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust and the National Trust Leader/Contact: Dan Hoare Tel 023 9259 7612 or (dhoare@butterfly-conservation.org) Meet: at Spearywell Wood car park, map ref SU 315 277, for a guided walk through the woods to find out about the butterflies and their ecology and management with experts from Butterfly Conservation’s Tytherley Woods Project. Numbers are limited, booking is essential – to book your place contact Dan Hoare.

Wednesday 7 July Magdalen Hill Down Meet: as 5 May. 

Friday 9 July   Whippingham IoW Leader: Rob Wilson, as 22 April Part of IoW Group’s summer programme. Meet: 12.15pm in the lay-by on the west side of Whippingham Road (opposite Campfield Road). Map ref  SZ 516 936. Bus Nos 4,5. Ferry Southampton/East Cowes. Target species: White-letter Hairstreak.  

Wednesday 14 July am and optional pm  Wootton Coppice, New Forest Leader: Paul Brock. Contact Alison Harper Tel 01962 882261 Meet: 10.00am in Wootton Coppice car park (SZ 250 997). Target species woodland butterflies. Bring lunch if staying all day. If weather good  explore surrounding area, eg Broadley Inclosure in the afternoon, or look for the rare Large Marsh grasshoppers.  

Wednesday 21 July   Northwood Cemetery, Cowes, IoW Leader: Rob Wilson, as 22 April Part of IoW Group’s summer programme. Meet: 12 noon at the entrance to Northwood Cemetery, Newport Road, Cowes. Map ref SZ 494 949.Bus No 1. Ferry Southampton/Cowes. Target species Purple Hairstreak.  

Thursday 22 July   Magdalen Hill Down Leaders:  Lynn Fomison Tel: 01962 772251, and Mervyn Grist. Meet:  as 5 May. A special walk in celebration of St Mary Magdalene Day. We will be combining a walk around the reserve with a special exercise examining the butterflies and other insects visiting different flower species. An ideal walk for those wishing to get to know these species a bit better.  

Saturday/ Sunday  24 and 25 July    Longstock Nursery Buddleja Collection open day.  (See flyer and Branch newsletter)

Tuesday  27 July   Bentley Station Meadow Leader: Lynn Fomison Tel: 01962 772251 Meet:  10.30am  in the Forestry Commission car park off Gravel Hill Road. Map ref SU 802 433. Leave the A31 East of Bentley signposted Alice Holt Research Station. Proceed along Gravel Hill Road, over a railway bridge. The car park is about 500 yards after the bridge on the right. If you get to a JCB depot on the left or AHRS on the right you have gone too far! It is not hard to find so do come for a walk on a public footpath through the woods to the reserve.

Wednesday 28 July   Magdalen Hill Down Leader: Lynn Fomison Tel: 01962 772251 Meet: as 5 May.  A special walk to celebrate Save our Butterflies week at one of the best times of the year to see Chalkhill Blues.  

Thursday 29 July  Yew Hill Leader: Ivan Arnold Tel: 01962 866706 Meet: 10.30am at end of Old Kennels Lane at junction with Port Lane and Millers Lane, Oliver’s Battery  Map ref: SU 451 269 sat nav SO22 4JT. A good time of year to see Chalkhill Blues, many other butterflies and lovely wild flowers  

Saturday 31 July    Eelmoor, MOD Farnborough Leader: Chris Hall with MOD Warden. Contact: Alison Harper Meet: Cody Gate car park, Cody Technology Park, Ively Road GU14 0LX  (sat nav). Map ref SU 843 542. Numbers are restricted and YOU MUST BOOK IN ADVANCE WITH ALISON HARPER Tel: 01962 882261 BY 14 JULY for submission of a list of attendees’ names and nationalities to MOD.Target species: Grayling, other butterflies and willife.  

Wednesday 4 August  Magdalen Hill Down Meet: as 5 May.

Saturday 7 August  Magdalen Hill Down Leaders: Jenny Mallett Tel: 01329 832177 and Penny Jeffries. Meet: 10.30am in gravel car park opposite the cemetery on Alresford Road B340. Two hours.  A joint walk with Hampshire Ornithological Society at one of the best times of year to see Chalkhill Blues.  

Saturday 7 August 10am-3pm  Noar Hill Joint meeting with the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust on their reserve near Selborne. Leader: Brian Fletcher Tel 01962 882746 Meet: in the lane north of Charity Farm Map ref SU 737 322. Explore the wildlife of the old chalk pits. Bring lunch. Numbers are limited so booking is essential.  For further information and to book a place, please phone Mary on Tel 01962 864440.

Tues/Wed 10 and 11 August   Sir Harold Hillier Gardens Activities for children. Contact: Linda Barker 023 8027 0042

Saturday 14 August  Martin Down Leader:  Brian Fletcher 01962 882746 Meet: 10.30am in the car park off the A354 Salisbury to Blandford Road. Map ref SU 037 201 for walks in downland area in the morning, and, after lunch, the woodland area starting about 2.00pm in the afternoon for those who wish to stay. Bring lunch and water. Target species Adonis Blue.  

Wednesday 18 August 10.30am, optional pm  Old Winchester Hill Leader:  Brian Fletcher 01962 882261 Meet: 10.30am in the Old Winchester Hill main car park Map ref SU 645 214. The walk is along the higher route to and around the hill fort in the morning, followed by lunch on flat ground near car park and an optional walk at about 2.00pm on the steeper part of the reserve. Bring lunch and water. Target species Adonis blue and other late downland butterflies.  

Monday 23 August  Clamerkin Farm, IoW Leader: Caroline Dudley Tel 01983 754935 Part of IoW Group’s summer programme. Meet: 11.00am at Clamerkin Farm (north of Shalfleet to Porchfield Road). Map ref SZ 437 903. close to No 7 bus route for  Lymington/Yarmouth ferry. Target species Brown Hairstreak.

Wednesday 1 September  Magdalen Hill Down Meet: as 5 May. If you have been promising yourself a visit to one of our Wednesday Wanders this is your last chance in 2010.

Saturday 4 Sept   Eastleigh Wood Fair Please come and help if you can. Contact: Linda Barker Tel 023 8027 0042

Saturday 11 Sept  Romsey Show Please come and help if you can. Contact: Jenny Mallett Tel 01329 832177

Sunday 10 October Blackmoor Apple Day Please come and help if you can. Contact Janet Jones Tel 01252 842174.

Work Parties
All enquiries to Lynn Fomison (01962) 772251 Helpers are welcome for all or any part of the day.  Contact Lynn if you want to go on our email list for more information on work parties.  Do phone Lynn if you have not been before and would like more information about what is involved.

  

 

 
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