BENHS Field Meetings

At present we are unable to publish the full field meetings programme for 2008. Below you will find full details of the meetings we know about in May and June, and brief details of some meetings later in the season. We apologise for the delay and hope that the full programme will be available by the end of May when it will be mailed to members together with part 1 of the Journal for 2008. If you know of any other BENHS field meetings, that have been arranged, please send details to the Hon. Secretary via the link on this website.

GENERAL NOTES ON BENHS FIELD MEETINGS:
Meetings labelled MV include light-trapping. It is advisable to contact the leader before the meeting to confirm details and helpful to register your interest. It may also be possible to arrange collection of members arriving by public transport. Bring packed lunches. Hot meals can normally be obtained in local pubs before the evening sessions and it is often possible to catch some sleep on site in one's car during light-trapping sessions if you face a long return journey, but check this and other accommodation possibilities with the leader in advance.

Field meetings are a good way of learning skills from other members. The information gathered by members during BENHS field meetings is increasingly valued by other organisations and can help to defend sites from damage or inappropriate management. Once again this year we have a very full and varied programme of field meetings. Please make every effort to attend at least one meeting and to forward your results to the leader for inclusion in the report of the meeting in the BENHS Journal.

Members are expected to behave competently in the field, observing basic countryside codes, such as shutting gates, and are responsible for operating their equipment according to accepted safety standards. It is sensible for both leaders and members to carry first aid kits in their cars and for one or more to be taken into the field if working any distance from the cars. Mobile phones are also an advantage for keeping in touch or use in emergencies. Check they are working before relying on them and remember that reception is often impaired in woodland.

Full and complete details are in the BENHS Field Meetings Programme sent to all members.

(Meetings marked in blue have taken place but are included here for information.)

Sunday 18th May - Hogmoor Inclosure, Whitehill, Bordon. HAMPSHIRE

Afternoon - 15.00 - 18.00hrs. Leader: Stephen Miles (01420 478845). Park along the north side of Drift Road, Whitehill. Meet at the entrance to the Inclosure at SU788342 at 15.00hrs for the walk around this heathland site.

Evening (MV). Leader: Stephen Miles (01420 478845). Park and meet at 20.00hrs on the west side of Hogmoor Road, Bordon, south of St Andrew’s Road at SU786346.

Heathland with deciduous and coniferous woodland and scrub, this site is a SINC. It is an Army tracked vehicle training site threatened by both mineral extraction and building development, (a so-called Eco-Town!). General natural history recording walk to obtain more site information for the Local Biodiversity Action Plan. Not suitable for those with walking disabilities as some walking on churned-up sand may be necessary.

Permission has been obtained from the MOD for the use of generators and moth light traps. The MV light trap site is 300m east of the meeting point, within an area of open heather. The objective is to obtain more site information for the Local Biodiversity Action Plan. Joint meetings with members of Alton Natural History Society.

Saturday 24th May - Ashclyst Forest, Devon (National Trust)

MV Leader: Roy McCormick. Telephone, 01626 779543.
Meet at ‘Forest Gate’ car park at 21.30, a large area on the left as you travel through the wood at SS/SX 000000/999999 (Explorer 115 and Landranger 192); this is the car park where the four 100 metre squares of SS, ST, SX and SY meet. Mixed woodland with a good holding of ancient oak along with a plantation of conifers nearby. Coming from the north on the M5, take the B3181 signposted ‘Killerton’ travel along this road for 2 to 3 miles and turn left at Budlake Farm at the cross roads, then after you pass a turning to your left, the car park is on your right. From the south turn off the M5 at junction 29 taking the first junction left (the old A30) travel around 1½ miles and take the turning left to Broadclyst; you have to do a left and then right to get onto the B3181. After you have gone through Broadclyst (about ½ mile the other side) watch out for a turning to your right (it looks like a farm track) straight over cross roads x 2, and wind your way into the wood passing the first car park and watching for the second larger one on your left. Target species is False Mocha, Cyclophora porata. This is a joint meeting with Devon Wildlife Trust, Butterfly Conservation (Devon Branch), Devonshire Association (Entomology Section), Peninsula Invertebrate Forum and Devon Moth Group.

Saturday 7th June - National Moth Night - Holbeton Orchard, Devon

Afternoon and Evening Leader, Roy McCormick, telephone 01626 779543
Travelling on the A379 from Modbury to Yealmpton. From the east, after the junction with the A3121 take the first turning left signposted Holbeton (if you are coming from the west on the A379, this turning will be the second on the right after Yealmpton) travel for around 2 miles then take the left turn to Holbeton which takes you past the church on your right onto an offset cross roads with the Post Office/village store on your left after you cross this. Take the first turning left signposted ‘village hall’ and you will find this hall on your right; there is a car park here, the site is further down this road on your left after you have passed a childs play area, look for a track going up hill on your left with the nameboard ‘Kingsgate Community Orchard’. Map ref: SX616502, (Explorer OL20 and Landranger 202). We will be meeting at the car park for the afternoon session at around 15.00, and will be looking mainly for microlepidoptera in the afternoon; leaf miners etc. with a bit of beating for larvae. It is envisioned that those who wish can go to the local hostelry for an evening meal before the light trapping event. Meeting for the evening event at 20.00 so that the public who will be attending can see the whole process of setting up the traps; it is expected that these people will not stay too long which is another reason for starting early. Equipment for the evening event can be off-loaded at the bottom of the track, but cars will have to be returned to the car park afterwards; or alternatively barrow the stuff to the site, it is not far. The organiser at Holbeton who looks after the orchard will be charging the public so make sure you announce yourself as belonging to Devon Moth Group or one of the other Entomological organisations for free entry. This is a joint meeting with Devon Wildlife Trust, Butterfly Conservation (Devon Branch), Devonshire Association (Entomology Section), Peninsula Invertebrate Forum and Devon Moth Group.

Friday 20th June - Rackenford Moor, Devon (Devon Wildlife Trust reserve).

MV Leader Barry Henwood 01626 364080.
Meet at 21.45. Approach the reserve from the A361 (North Devon Link Road). Turn off towards Rose Ash, then turn immediately left, carry on up the hill, turning left at Hares Down Cross (SS844206), carry on until you pass over the A361. Park on the right near the gateway just beyond this (SS852211). If the weather looks unfavourable please ring leader by 7 pm. This is a joint meeting with Devon Wildlife Trust, Butterfly Conservation (Devon Branch), Devonshire Association (Entomology Section), Peninsula Invertebrate Forum and Devon Moth Group.

Friday 27th June - Dinton Pastures Country Park, Hurst, Berkshire

National Insect Week mothing evening. Leader Norman Hall tel. 01189 751499. Grid ref. SU 784718.
Meet at 20.30hrs. Largely wetland area on the site of flooded gravel pits, hedgerows with some ancient oaks. A joint meeting with the Berkshire Moth Group.

Sunday 29th June - National Insect Week daytime meeting, Windmill & BellCreeks, Isle of Sheppey, Kent

Leader John Badmin tel. 01227 752291.
Meet at 10.30am in the parking area at the southern end of Brabazon/Church road, Eastchurch (TQ981689), next to HM Elmley Prison. A joint meeting with the Kent Field Club and London Natural History Society. The aim will be to explore the marshes, dykes and saltmarshes of Bell and Windmill Creeks, the latter the last known UK locality for the geometrid moth Thetidia smaragdaria the Essex Emerald. Site photographs will be taken so that Paul Waring can compare them with the state of the habitat during the late 1980s and early 1990s when he monitored the moth breeding there.

Saturday, 5th July - evening mothing meeting Dawlish Warren, Devon.

MV Leader Roy McCormick. tel. 01626 779543.

Meet at Map Ref: SX 980787 (Explorer 110 and Landranger 192) at 21.30hrs at the far end of the car park to the left after going under the bridge. Go through the gate which is always unlocked and wait there. The group will go on from this point with vehicles with equipment only, these will be taking passengers on to the Visitor Centre. To get to this venue, follow the A379 through Dawlish going toward Exeter and after you pass a petrol station on the right, immediately after is the road to the Warren. Follow this road until it goes down hill and on a sharp left bend at the bottom, be prepared to turn right which goes over a roundabout and under the railway bridge; the car park is immediately to your left after the Golf Course Road. The area is sand dune system with established ponds and sallows/willows together with other broad-leaved trees, bramble and a host of sand loving plants. No target species, general recording of all invertebrates. This is a joint meeting with Devon Wildlife Trust, Butterfly Conservation (Devon Branch), Devonshire Association (Entomology Section), Peninsula Invertebrate Forum and the Devon Moth Group.

Saturday 12th July, evening mothing meeting Braunton Burrows, Devon

MV. Leaders Richard Fox (rfox@butterfly-conservation.org) with John Breeds.
This is a Moths Count event that is specifically aimed at beginners/those with relatively little moth experience, but the event is open to anyone who would like to participate. Members of the Devon Moth Group will be concentrating on Reddish Light Arches, Apamea sublustris which was discovered by Ivan Lakin a couple of years ago, and subsequently trapped again in 2007, so we will be trying to find it again. Time: 21.15 – c.00.00. Place: Sandy Lane car park, Braunton Burrows. Grid ref: SS463350. This is a joint meeting with Devon Wildlife Trust, Butterfly Conservation (Devon Branch), Devonshire Association (Entomology Section), Peninsula Invertebrate Forum, British Entomological & Natural History Society and Devon Moth Group.

Saturday July 19th, mothing evening The Slab, Bordon. Hampshire

MV. Leader: Stephen Miles tel. 01420 478845.
Meet at the entrance barrier at SU783360 at 20.00hrs. Wet and dry heathland with coniferous woodland, streams and ponds. An Army tracked vehicle recovery training site. Parking will be inside of the entrance barrier. Permission has been obtained from the MOD for the use of generators and moth light traps. The objective is to obtain more site information for the Local Biodiversity Action Plan. Joint meeting with members of Alton Natural History Society.

Saturday 26th July, Ashridge Farm, near Sandford, Devon

MV. Leaders Roy McCormick tel. 01626 779543 and Rob Wolton.
The site is in a disused quarry or along a river bank with deciduous trees and understory. Meet in the quarry at map ref: SS 819062 (map Explorer 114 or Landranger 191) at 21.30. There is a track to the left, after you have taken the track marked ‘Ashridge Farm’, with an open space for around four cars just up the hill, and we run off from there. Richard Burston can provide quad bike transport for equipment. How to get there. At Crediton, going north, take the road to Sandford (watch for the signs). After you pass through Sandford, keeping on the main road, travel for just under 2½ miles passing Burridge Farm on your left with Ashridge Farm around ½ mile further on on your right. If you get to the small village of Bremley you have gone too far. Coming from the north will involve you looking for a route across Exmoor. No target species, just general recording. This is a joint meeting with Butterfly Conservation (Devon Branch), Devonshire Association (Entomology Section), Peninsula Invertebrate Forum and the Devon Moth Group.

Saturday 2nd August , Broxhead Common and Bordon Inclosure, Bordon. Hampshire

Daytime. Leader: Stephen Miles tel. 01420 478845.
10.00 to 17.00hrs. Daytime only event. Meet and park on the south side of Oxney Lane beyond the barrier at SU797372 at 10.00. Dry heathland, deciduous woodland, including Hornbeam and Alder trees and conifer plantation. One part of these sites is an SSSI and part of the Wealden Heaths II SPA. We will move the cars later for a Pub lunch and parking at the Woodlands Inn at SU802364. Those not taking a pub lunch will need to park elsewhere; advice will be given on the day. General natural history recording walk to obtain more site information for the Local Biodiversity Action Plan. Joint meeting with Alton Natural History Society and Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust members.

Saturday, 9th August, Watersmeet, Devon

Leader Roy McCormick. tel. 01626 779543.
The site is deciduous woodland with bilberry under-storey. Meet at Map.Ref: SS 740478 in the N.T. car park near the wardens house at around 20.30. We will be going on from there onto the Two Moors Way and Hilsford Bridge area to look for the Barred Chestnut moth Diarsia dahlii, which was found on Two Moors Way in 2006 & 2007 and Hillsford Bridge in 2007. To get there follow the A39 from Barnstaple and soon after Barbrook and Windypost Cross, you will come to a sharp hairpin double bend, the car park through big double gates is on the right on the second of these bends. Alternatively come across Exmoor from Simonsbath on the B3223 which comes out on this bend, with the car park through big double gates on your left. This is a joint meeting with Devon Wildlife Trust, Butterfly Conservation (Devon Branch), Devonshire Association (Entomology Section), Peninsula Invertebrate Forum and the Devon Moth Group.

Sunday 10th August, Shellness NNR, Isle of Sheppey, Kent

Leader John Badmin tel. 0127 752291.
Meet at 11.00hrs in the Reserve carpark (TR052682) at the Hamlet on the south-eastern tip of Sheppey. A joint meeting with the Kent Field Club. The aim will be to explore the shingle and extensive saltmarsh vegetation for which the Nature Reserve is famous.

Sunday 10th August, Sixty-acre and Jubilee Woods, London.

Daytime. Leader Roger Hawkins.
Meet at 10.30hrs at Chessington South railway station (TQ 179 632) (35 minutes from London Waterloo). A joint meeting with the LNHS for general recording, by day only.

Saturday 13th September, Roots & Shoots, Walnut Tree Walk, Kennington, Borough of Lambeth, London.

MV. Paul Waring (e-mail: paul_waring@btinternet.com), Toyin Solanke and David Perkins (Tel. 0207 5871131).
Lambeth North on the Bakerloo line is a convenient tube station, from which Walnut Tree Walk, is a short walk down Kennington Road to the Ship Pub which is just opposite. Roots & Shoots is set back a little from the road-side and signed. There is limited parking. You do not need to bring light-trapping gear as this will be provided. See the Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists’ Society 67: 33-34 (Feb. 2008) for more about moth-trapping at Roots & Shoots (which also has its own web-site). In brief Roots & Shoots is a horticultural centre with conference facilities and a wildlife garden serving the local community which is ethnically diverse. Arrive 18.00hrs on the Saturday evening to examine moths captured on site the previous night and for setting traps in the wildlife garden. A programme of other moth-related activities is being developed for the evening and the following morning, including rap songs with Toyin Solanke (a geologist rapper!), a discussion of the cultural significance of moths and butterflies, and some food. For this meeting it is essential that members advise Paul Waring by e-mail, or David Perkins (Manager of the wildlife garden) by phone, if they would like to attend, so that we can liaise and also plan catering.

Saturday 27th September, Otmoor, near Beckley, Oxon.

MV. Paul Waring (e-mail: paul_waring@btinternet.com)
Meet at 14.30 & 18.30hrs at SP570 126 at the RSPB car park accessed via the small village of Beckley. The Abingdon Arms public house in Beckley serves good meals at lunch and dinner if you require them. The meeting point is reached by proceeding down the road through the village and down the hill which leads onto Otmoor. The car park is at the end on the left. The “moor” will be explored during the afternoon and light-trapping sites will be selected for the night session. Habitats include an extensive system of dykes with well vegetated banks, much open, rough pasture, some of which floods, with old and mature hedgerows and thickets, the River Ray, associated marginal vegetation and developing reed-beds. The RSPB have restored part of the site to wetland and one of our aims is to monitor the responses of the invertebrate fauna. Recording of all Orders is welcomed. Please bring equipment to sample aquatic invertebrates if you have same. We would also encourage you to watch out for any signs of Water Shrew, Water Vole, Mink and Otter. We are hoping for a large attendance so that light-traps can be operated on many parts of this big site, maintaining contact by mobile phone. We shall be dividing up to access the moor by various routes in the evening so please arrive in good time. Please bring wellingtons, and mobile phones if you have them. You will be able to sleep in your car or tent near your light-traps overnight on some parts of Otmoor and this is encouraged for this meeting, so that we get the maximum results for our light-trapping efforts. Otmoor can be amazingly beautiful at dawn! Members will be advised about avoiding at night any sensitive areas. A joint meeting with the Moths of Oxfordshire Recorders (MORSE) and Butterfly Conservation Upper Thames Branch. If you would like to read up about Otmoor, which has a long and fascinating history, see Otmoor 2000AD available from Bruce Tremayne, The Old Rectory, Charlton-on-Otmoor, Oxon., OX5 2UQ (e-mail: bruce.tremayne@trek.demon.co.uk)