BENHS Field Meetings Programme 2011
Meetings are generally held on Saturdays unless stated otherwise. Please contact the Leader direct for any last minute information before travelling, and to let the Leader know you are coming. For general information about the conduct of field meetings and the reporting of the results, see the paragraphs at the end of this programme.
Full and complete details are in the BENHS Field Meetings Programme. This is sent to all members along with the journal distributed after the Programme has been produced. This means that details of the programme are likely to appear here before the Programme is distributed. Refer to the hard copy of the Programme for further details of event leaders.
(Meetings marked in blue have taken place but are included here for information.)
Saturday April 2nd - Sluggan, Carrbridge, HIGHLAND
Moth trapping trip to target the Rannoch Sprawler moth Brachionycha nubeculosa near Sluggan
Leader : Mike Taylor, Tel: 01479 831060, Mobile: 07757 607287, Email: mst.taylor|btinternet.com
Meet : 8:00 pm at the gate across the track to Sluggan off Station Road, Carrbridge
Grid Ref : NH878216
If you wish, bring moth traps, generators etc. though there should be enough. Will go on till midnight or for as long as people are prepared to stay. Further information from the leader
Thursday April 14th - Torphins Woods, ABERDEENSHIRE
Leader: South Marr Ranger. Tel: 013398 80868
Meet : 10.00am in the church car park, Torphins
Grid Ref : NJ625020
Moth trapping in Torphins Woods, from 10 am until noon to check what has been caught in the moth traps overnight. Event organised by Aberdeenshire Council Ranger Service.
Friday April 15th – Cullaloe Nature Reserve, Aberdour, FIFE.
Leader: Tim Brain, Tel: 01577 840317
Meet : 8.00 pm, at reserve car park on B9157, 1.5 miles north of Aberdour
Grid Ref : NT186872
Moth trapping at Cullaloe Nature Reserve.
Friday April 29th - Mill Lade, Hangingshaw, nr Yarrowford, SELKIRKSHIRE
Meet : 7.00pm for moth-trapping session (from 7.00 till 9.30pm) at Mill Lade, Hangingshaw, nr Yarrowford
Grid Ref : NT399299
Organised by the SWT Central Borders Members Centre.
Friday April 29th to Sunday 29th May - COUNTY CLARE
“Burren in bloom” festival - see www.burreninbloom.com web site
There are a series of events during this period to which the organisers have extended an open invitation to all members of the BENHS. The Burren is an area of huge botanical, geological, and archaeological significance, most well-known for its “limestone pavement” and highly localised species in various taxa. All entomological recording is welcomed. Members are asked to make all the arrangements for their attendance and any necessary collection and removal of specimens directly with the organisers. This is an excellent opportunity to explore the Burren and we are sure members will appreciate this notification.
Friday May 6th - Aden Country Park, near Mintlaw, ABERDEENSHIRE.
Leader : Senior Ranger (North Aberdeenshire) on 01771 620132
Meet : 8.30pm at Aden Country Park Natural History Cabin (in overflow car park), near Mintlaw
Grid Ref: NJ983478
Moth and bat session. Event organised by Aberdeenshire Council Ranger Service.
Sunday May 8th - Borrowdale woods, Keswick CUMBRIA.
Leader : Stephen Hewitt. Tel: 01228 618736, email: SteveH|carlisle.gov.uk
Meet : 10.30am at the N.T. Bowder Stone car park in Borrowdale
Grid Ref : NY253168
This is a joint meeting with Carlisle Natural History Society. The aim will be to explore some of the semi-natural Atlantic oak woodlands of Borrowdale and interspersed wetlands.
Thursday 12th May – Sunday 15th May 2011, Dipterists Forum Spring Field Meeting to ABERGAVENNY area, S Wales.
Organiser : Roger Morris, Address: 7 Vine Street, Stamford, Lincolnshire, email: roger.morris|dsl.pipex.com
Contact Roger to book.
Friday 20th May – Bankhead Moss, AYRSHIRE
Leader: Tim Brain, Tel: 01577 840317 for full details.
Meet : 9.00pm for moth trapping at Bankhead Moss.
Saturday 21st May - Duns, BERWICKSHIRE
Leaders : Murray Henderson, Tel: 01361 883216 and Barry Prater Tel: 018907 52037, Email: barry|prater.myzen.co.uk
Meet : 9.30 pm at the top of Castle Street, Duns
Grid Ref : NT783542
Moth-trapping and identification evening at Duns Castle SWT reserve. (with barbecue).
Saturday 21st May - Plora Wood, Innerleithen, SCOTTISH BORDERS
Leader : Reuben Singleton, Tel: 01721 723858 Email: reuben|dukehaugh.free-online.co.uk
Meet : 9.30 pm in the layby at the entrance to Plora Wood on the back road between Walkerburn and Innerleithen
Grid Ref : NT355367
Moth-trapping evening at Plora Wood.
Saturday 28th May - Kenley Common, LONDON.
Leader : Roger Hawkins, Tel: 01293 783397
Meet : 10.30am at Whyteleafe railway station
Grid Ref : TQ338585
A joint meeting with the London Natural History Society, following a similar very successful meeting in 2010. The morning will be spent on Kenley Common, the afternoon on nearby Riddlesdown Common where the robber fly Leptarthrus vitripennis was discovered new to Britain in 1996. It is hoped that this fly will be seen during this event. Both commons are owned by the City of London and include some chalk downland.
Saturday 4th June - Bogbuie Wood, Black Isle, ROSS AND CROMARTY
Narrow-bordered Bee Hawk-moth survey in conjunction with Forestry Commission Scotland.
Leaders : Margaret Currie and Andy Scott, Tel: 01349 877223
Meet : 10.30am at the FC car park at the east end of Culbokie
Grid Ref : NH611597
We will then share cars up to the wood as there is limited parking. Duration 4 hours plus. 14 Bee Hawk-moths were seen in the wood last year and Dingy Skipper is also present and will be on the wing.
If suitable breeding habitat is found during the survey then a return trip in July will be organised to look for larvae, please check web site or contact Margaret Currie and Andy Scott for details.
Thursday 9th June - Orton Pit and environs, Peterborough, CAMBRIDGESHIRE.
Leader : fieldmtgsec|benhs.org.uk
Evening meeting in search of the Concolorous moth Chortodes extrema (RDB and UK BAP priority species). Contact Leader at least one week in advance to register interest and for full details. Joint meeting with the Peterborough Biological Recording Group.
Saturday 11th June - Blackdowns Hills, SOMERSET
Leader : Martin Drake, Tel: 01460 220650
Meet : 10.30am at Quants, about 1km NE of Forches Corner
Grid Ref : ST189176
Day meeting at several small reserves will be visited, including Somerset Wildlife Trust’s Yarty, Ringdown, Quants and Ruggin reserves, and the nearby FC Buckland Wood managed by Butterfly Conservation. The habitats include acid valley mire and meadows, wet woodland and ancient woodland.
Saturday 11th June - Browndown (North) and the Alver Valley, Rowner, nr Gosport, HAMPSHIRE
By permission of the Ministry of Defence and Gosport Borough Council.
Leader : Stephen R Miles, Tel: 01420 478845
Meet : 10.00am at Grange Farm, Rowner, the offices of The Countryside Section of Gosport Borough Council
Grid Ref : SU583003
Day-time meeting only - from 10am to 5pm. Parking and toilets available. A combined meeting for BENHS members and members of Alton Natural History Society (ANHS), Butterfly Conservation and the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust. No dogs please. The old oak groves, heathland, fen and grassland areas of The Browndown (North) will be the subject of the morning walk until approximately 1.00 pm. This part of the meeting may be subject to short notice cancellation in the event of military training. (In this event we will cover the Alver Valley area for the whole day). In the afternoon we will walk the Alver Valley areas including the recovering grasslands, the scrubland, woodland and fen areas. This whole site has recent records for the Broad-bordered Bee Hawk-moth and Red-tipped Clearwing as well as for many microlepidoptera species. More, modern and up-to-date records are needed, especially of the micro-moths.
Saturday 18th June - Bernwood Forest including Waterperry Wood, OXFORDSHIRE/BUCKINGHAMSHIRE border.
Leader : fieldmtgsec|benhs.org.uk
Meet : 9.00pm at Oakley Wood gate by car park, grid reference SP611118.
Note : Members should come planning to trap the whole night if possible.
Broad-leaved and coniferous woodlands and plantations, with open areas and ancient meadow, well-known for Lepidoptera. See reports of previous BENHS field meetings in past decades. The main site for leader’s PhD research on moths of woodland habitats in relation to forest management. Meeting may alternatively take place in late July-August. Contact Leader at least one week in advance to register interest and for full details.
Saturday 25th June - Borough Fen Duck Decoy, near Peterborough, CAMBRIDGESHIRE, but vice-county Northamptonshire.
DATE TO BE CONFIRMED
Leader : fieldmtgsec|benhs.org.uk
The site is a small remnant of the once extensive Borough Fen. The decoy has been in operation for many centuries. Habitats include lake margins, reedbeds, carr and mature woodland. Contact Leader at least a week in advance to register interest and for full details. Joint meeting with the Peterborough Biological Recording Group.
Friday 24th and Saturday 25th June - Kiltarlity/Black Isle, ROSS AND CROMARTY
Pine-tree Lappet survey
Leader : Tom Prescott: Tel: 01540 661469, Mobile: 07979 785665, Email: tprescott|butterfly-conservation.org
Meet : 8.30pm at the Brockies Lodge Hotel, Kiltarlity
Grid Ref : NH514418
Further survey work is required to help determine the current status of Pine-tree Lappet in pine plantations in the area. The focus will primarily be on looking for new sites rather than confirming its presence at currently known sites. Depending on the number of people/traps/generators etc, we will split into groups and set traps in the locality. Please bring along any traps you have. To help us coordinate the survey effectively please can you let us know if you plan to come along. If you are unable to attend but keen to help look for this moth during its flight period (latter half of June into early July) then please also get in touch to arrange access permissions etc to trapping sites.
Saturday 25th June - Knettishall Heath, SUFFOLK. MV.
Leader : Tony Prichard, Tel: 01473 270047, Email: tony|suffolkmoths.org.uk
Meet : 20:00 hours in the 'middle' car park of Knettishall Heath Country Park.
Grid Ref : TL951806
This Breckland country park covering 400 acres contains large areas of heather heath, acid and calcareous grassland and some secondary woodland and riverine habitats near to the Little Ouse River. Joint meeting with the Suffolk Moth Group.
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Early July - Westwood, BEDFORDSHIRE.
Leader: Richard Revels.
Silver-washed Fritillary flight season. Details to be confirmed.
Saturday 2nd – Saturday 9th July 2011 - Dipterists Forum Summer Field Meeting to EXETER area, DEVON.
Based in the University.
Organiser : Roger Morris, Address: 7, Vine Street, Stamford, Lincolnshire, Email: roger.morris|dsl.pipex.com
Visiting probably 3-4 sites per day to collect flies, venues decided on the day depending on weather. Collectors of other Orders than Diptera are welcome to join us! Attendance for part of the week only is also possible – contact Roger. Please let Roger know as soon as possible if you would like to come along. See Dipterists Forum website for information updates: Booking deposit of £40, full payment by 1st May 2011.
Saturday 9th July - Sutton Heath, NORTHAMPTONSHIRE.
Leaders: (fieldmtgsec|benhs.org.uk) and Mick Beeson (01780 740012)
Will include evening/night session recording moths. Contact Leader at least one week in advance to register interest and for full details. Joint meeting with the Peterborough Biological Recording Group.
Saturday 9th July - Abbotstone Down, north-west of Old Alresford, HAMPSHIRE.
By permission of Hampshire County Council (HCC).
Leader : Stephen R Miles (01420 478845).
Meet : 8.00pm in the public car park off of the B3046
Grid Ref :SU585361
Evening and night meeting only, for moth trapping for BENHS members and members of the Alton Natural History Society (ANHS) and Butterfly Conservation. No dogs please.The objective is to obtain further site information before grazing is introduced. Permission has been obtained from HCC for the use of generators and moth light traps, until 6am if required on Sunday 10th July. Note: no generators or other equipment are to be left unattended on this site, the leader will be setting his trap up near the car park. This site was trapped extensively by Eddie Sadler, Edward Pelham-Clinton, Denzil Ffennell and Russel Bretherton in the period 1951 to 1980 but only 10 species are recorded from here post 1981. (Ref. The Butterflies & Moths of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, 1974) and Moths of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, 2001).
Sunday 10th July - Lorenden Park, Faversham, KENT.
Leaders : John Badmin & Michael Barnett. Tel: 01227 752291
Meet : 10.30am by the west side of the Alma Pub, Painter’s Forstal
Grid Ref : TQ993589
A joint meeting with the Kent Field Club. This former parkland which has never been properly surveyed for invertebrates before, straddles a former nailbourne, which once flowed into Faversham Creek, 2km to the north. The land has dried considerably over the last century (there are photographs of a 2m wide river flowing under the A2) and the Nailbourne has attempted to flow only twice in my time in Kent. There is an opportunity to run light-traps in the evening.
Saturday 23rd July - Hogmoor Inclosure, Bordon, HAMPSHIRE.
By permission of the Ministry of Defence (MOD).
Leader: Stephen R Miles (01420 478845)
Meet : 7.30 to 8pm on the verge along Hogmoor Road near the footpath into the Inclosure opposite the entrance to St Andrew's Road
Grid Ref : SU786346
Evening and night meeting only, for moth trapping. Joint meeting with members of the BENHS, Alton Natural History Society (ANHS) and the Whitehill and Bordon Ecological Conservation Group (ECG). This meeting may be subject to short notice cancellation in the event of military training. No dogs please. The objective is to obtain further site information at a different time of the year to previous meetings for the Local Biodiversity Action Plan and for the MOD Conservation Group. Permission has been obtained from the MOD for the use of generators and moth light traps, until 6am if required on Sunday 24th July, though all of the previous meetings have finished by 1am.
Saturday 23rd July - Richmond Park, SURREY.
Leader: Nigel Reeve, Head of Ecology, The Royal Parks
Meet : 10.00am at Pembroke Lodge Car Park
Grid Ref : TQ187729
Day meeting only – no moth trapping session. Meeting to sample the under-recorded grassland invertebrates in Richmond Park. While the insect fauna of the veteran trees that Richmond Park is justly renowned for has been well studied, less is known about that of the acid grassland areas included in the SSSI citation. Building up a better understanding of the invertebrate communities in the grassland will help to inform current and future management of the site.
Wednesday 27th July - Muir of Dinnet National Nature Reserve, ABERDEENSHIRE.
Leader : Catriona Reid (SNH), Tel:013398 81667
Meet : 10.00am at Burn o’ Vat Visitor Centre, near Dinnet
Grid Ref : NO429997
Meeting from 10.00am to 12 noon. Moths caught in the live traps set up overnight on the Muir of Dinnet National Nature Reserve. Event organised by Aberdeenshire Council Ranger Service & Scottish Natural Heritage.
Thursday 28th July - Flag Fen, CAMBRIDGESHIRE.
TO BE CONFIRMED
Leader: fieldmtgsec|benhs.org.uk
Strong chance date will change. Contact Leader at least one week in advance to register interest and for full details.
Friday 29th July – Kincorth Hill Local Nature, ABERDEENSHIRE.
Leaders: Aberdeen City Rangers, Tel: 01224 897400
Meet : 8.30pm at Kincorth Hill Local Nature Reserve car park, off Abbotswells Crescent, Aberdeen
Grid Ref : NJ944030
Meeting from 8.30pm to midnight. Catching moths by sugar & light traps. Event organised by Aberdeenshire Council & Aberdeen City Council Ranger Services.
Friday 29th July - Wytham Wood, BERKSHIRE.
Leaders : fieldmtgsec|benhs.org.uk and Martin Harvey, Email: kitenetter|googlemail.com
Contact Leaders at least one week in advance to register interest and for full details.
Saturday 30th July - Bentley Wood, WILTSHIRE.
Leader : fieldmtgsec|benhs.org.uk
Contact Leader at least one week in advance to register interest and for full details.
Saturday 8th to Sunday 16th October 2011 - Dipterists Forum Autumn field Meeting to CASTLE BARNARD/MORECAMBE BAY area, LANCASHIRE.
Organiser : Roger Morris Email: roger.morris|dsl.pipex.com.
Please check Dipterists Forum website www.dipteristsforum.org.uk where details will be posted as soon as known.
Sunday 16th October - Wytham Woods, BERKSHIRE.
Leader : Ian Sims, Email: ian.sims|syngenta.com
Meet : 11.00am at visitor car park, part of the way up the hill into the wood, just before the locked barrier.
Day only meeting, with main aim to search for the leafmining moths listed in Brian Baker’s county list but not seen in the area for many years (oak & vetch-dependent phylloricters etc). Joint meeting with Berks. Moth Group.
Health and safety notice for moth-trapping at night.
Moth trapping events take place in the dark and there are a few things that you will need to bring so that you have a safe and comfortable evening.
- a torch (don’t forget to check the batteries are not running low)
- warm clothing (even if it is a hot day, it can get chilly after dark)
- suitable footwear (please ask if you are unsure what is suitable for a particular event)
- something to drink and perhaps a snack to eat
- insect repellent (may be useful as mosquitoes can be a pest sometimes)
- dark glasses (you may wish to bring these as the light from the moth traps is very bright and includes ultra violet light)
Please try to arrive at the advertised time, take care of your own personal safety and listen to the short introductory briefing by the event organiser, about any hazards in the area such as electric cables, slippery paths etc. Children are most welcome but must be accompanied by a parent or guardian if under 16. Normally it will be possible to sleep overnight on site in your car. Sometimes indoor arrangements are available – this is usually stated in the notice for that field meeting. If you have any queries before the event, please contact the leader.
Note to Leaders of Field Meetings:
A briefing to the assembled group before the meeting is always helpful. Please take the time to ensure everyone is introduced. Make sure you exchange names and addresses so those attending can send you records and you can chase them if they do not! If you can, please say a few words about the ownership, management and history of the site and its biological interest. Please consider individual risks at meetings and inform attendees accordingly, if the site is likely to present any unusual safety risks which can reasonably be foreseen e.g. precipitous cliffs! Everyone attending does so of their own volition and at their own risk. All under-16 year olds must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Members are expected to ensure that their equipment is in good order and operated according to accepted safety standards. In all field-work it is advisable to carry a basic first aid kit, or at least have one in a nearby vehicle. A functioning mobile phone within the group is recommended. Please write a brief report of the meeting for publication in the Society’s Journal as soon after the meeting as possible and at least by the end of the winter following the meeting. It does not have to include every awaited identification. Inclusion of an on-site photograph is welcomed and can be most valuable, especially in years to come. Off-prints of the report can be supplied for sending to the land-owner and other interested parties. See Br.J.Ent.Nat.Hist. 9: 21-43 for further information on the organisation and reporting of field meetings. Please send reports direct to the Editor of the Journal, not to the Field Meetings Secretary, and preferably by e-mail or on disc. Current Editor's email is: e-mail editor.
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. 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 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 and poor in remote sites.
I would like to thank all leaders of this year's field meetings and all who supported the 2009 programme. Members are also advised to consult the BENHS web-site, where details of field meetings have been posted in advance of publication of this paper version and where details of extra meetings may be added later in the year. If you have suggestions for 2011, especially of threatened or poorly recorded sites, please could you send details to me. By e-mail is strongly preferred, or to the postal address below. The Society would like to continue to extend the geographical spread of its meetings and to hold joint meetings with locally based groups. Wishing everyone good luck and exciting discoveries in 2010. Field Meetings Secretary (e-mail fieldmtgsec).
NOTICE: LIGHT-WEIGHT PORTABLE GENERATOR & MOTH TRAP AVAILABLE TO BENHS MEMBERS FOR USE IN THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS. COLLECTION FROM RSPB INSH MARSHES.
To help encourage the recording of moths in the Scottish Highlands, the BENHS has grant-aided purchase by the RSPB of a light-weight generator and Robinson MV trap for use by BENHS members on the Insh Marshes and in the Cairngorm area generally. This can be booked for use by contacting the RSPB Insh Marshes (01540 661518). It is housed at the RSPB Ivy Cottage in the small village of Insh, from where it can be collected. Contact RSPB for further details and conditions of use, two of which are that land-owners permission must always be obtained before the trap is operated and a copy of all records be submitted to RSPB.