Events

You can brush up your identification skills, help on a conservation task, see a rare species or just enjoy a beautiful site.

To find an event near you just select your branch area (see In Your Area to find the closest branch to you) and then click the Filter button. You can also refine your selection using the Categories on the left-hand panel.

An Evening With The Nightingales

Tuesday 14 May, 7.00-9.30pm
Dorset: Alners Gorse Butterfly Reserve

Guided walk to enjoy the Nightingales and to see bats, moths and other wildlife. Followed by a barbecue.

SOBW

Save Our Butterflies Week Field Trip

Saturday 18 May 2013 - 10am
Leicestershire - Hicks Lodge

Join us to find the Grizzled Skipper & Dingy Skipper. Training will be given to help find and identify two of the East Midlands most endangered butterflies during Save our Butterflies Week.

Wiltshire Field Trip

Saturday 18th May 2013 11am
Martinsell Hill

This steep hill has a good selection of down-land butterflies

SOBW

West Midlands Spring Meeting and New Members Day

Saturday 18th May 2013 - 11:00am
Haugh Wood, Herefordshire

An opportunity for new members to have a guided tour of one of our best butterfly sites during Save Our Butterflies Week with a chance to see Wood Whites and Pearl-bordered Fritillaries.

SOBW

Butterfly Field Trip

Saturday 18th May 2013: 11:00 am
Wiltshire - Martinsell Hill

Field trip in search of spring butterflies to celebrate Save Our Butterflies Week

SOBW

Looking For The Pearl-bordered Fritillary

Saturday 18th May 2013 - 1.30pm
Aish Tor, near Poundsgate, Dartmoor, TQ13 7NY

To celebrate Save Our Butterflies week we are exploring the landscape to find the rare Pearl-bordered Fritillary.

SOBW

Search For The Pearl-Bordered Fritillary

Saturday 18th May 2013 - 2pm
Fellover Brake, Tuckingmill, St. Breward.

Get your walking boots on and join us to find this rare beauty in the Save Our Butterflies Week.

SOBW

Moths and Butterflies Recording Day

Saturday 18th May 2013 -10.30am – 4.30pm
East Scotland - Burn o’ Vat Visitor Centre, near Dinnet

Learn about the special moths and butterflies of the Cairngorms and how you can get involved in recording them to aid their conservation. Celebrating Save Our Butterflies Week.

SOBW

Spring Butterfly Walk

Saturday 18th may 2013 - 10.30am
Hertfordshire - Aldbury Nowers Reserve

Butterfly Walk for spring butterflies including Grizzled Skipper, Dingy Skipper and Green Hairstreak to celebrate Save Our Butterflies Week

SOBW

Display and Q&A

18th - 19th May 2013 - 10am till 4pm
Monkton Elm Garden Centre, Taunton

Join us celebrating Save Our Butterflies Week with a Display and Q&A.

SOBW

Open Day and New Members Walk

Saturday 18th May 2013 - 11am
Warwickshire - Ryton Wood Meadows

Open Day / New Members Walk at Ryton Wood Meadows Butterfly Conservation Reserve to see Grizzled & Dingy Skipper, Green Hairstreak during Save Our Butterflies Week.

SOBW

Green Hairstreak in Bowland

Saturday 18 May 2013: 11am
Lancashire - Parlick Fell, Trough of Bowland

An uphill walk with the Green Hairstreak as the target species during Save Our Butterflies Week.

SOBW

Witherslack Walk

Sunday 19th May 2013 - 11am
Cumbria - Witherslack

A walk through some of the sites where the Branch has been working during the winter months, with the prospect of seeing Pearl-bordered Fritillary for Save Our Butterflies Week.

SOBW

Looking For The Pearl-bordered Fritillary

Sunday 19th May 2013 - 2pm - 5pm
Ardvonie Public Car Park, Kingussie

Join us to learn about the Pearl-bordered Fritillary butterfly, its identification and haunts during Save Our Butterflies Week.

SOBW

Township Plantation Visit

Wednesday 22nd May 2013 - 11am
Cumbria - The Howe Village

A visit to this very special place hopefully to see Duke of Burgundy, Pearl-bordered Fritillary and maybe Anania funebris in celebration of Save Our Butterflies Week.

SOBW

Spring Butterflies Walk

Wednesday 22nd May 2013 - 10.30am
Upper Thames, Aston Rowant NNR, Bucks/Oxon border

Join us for a spring butterfly walk during Save Our Butterflies Week.

Dorset: Guided walk on Cashmoor Down

Thursday 23 May
Cashmoor Down, North-east of Blandford

A guided walk on a chalk downland site, looking for spring species including Dingy Skipper, Small Blue and Green Hairstreak.

SOBW

Look For The Chequered Skipper

Friday 24th May 2013: 11am – 4pm
Scotland - Claggan Road, Fort William, PH33 6PH

This event will provide an introduction to Chequered Skipper, the area’s most iconic species and celebrate Save Out Butterflies Week.

SOBW

Butterfly Walk

Saturday 25th May 2013 - 11am
Warwickshire - Bishops Itchington

Guided Butterfly Walk at the Yellowland at Bishops Itchington followed by a walk at Harbury Spoilbank to see Small Blue, Grizzled & Dingy Skippers, Green Hairstreak.

SOBW

Ardery Moths And Butterflies

Saturday 25th May 2013
Scotland - Forestry Commission car-park at Ardery, 5 miles west of Strontian on the Ardnamurchan peninsula.

This event is being run as part of Sunart Wildlife Festival and also celebrates Save Our Butterflies Week.

SOBW

Search For The Marsh Fritillary

Saturday 25th May 2013 – 1:00pm
Breney Common, nr. Lanlivery

Our annual visit to probably Cornwall’s largest Marsh Fritillary colony. Join us in celebration of Save Our Butterflies Week.

SOBW

Adonis Blue Butterfly Walk

Saturday 25th May 2013 - 10.30am
Upper Thames, Lardon Chase National Trust Reserve,

Join us at this wonderful reserve to search for the rare and beautiful Adonis Blue butterfly.

SOBW

Finglandrigg Visit

Saturday 25th May 2013 - 11:00am
Cumbria

Another chance to see the Marsh Fritillary, hopefully thriving again, at this wonderful site during Save Our Butterflies Week.

Dorset Guided Walk

Saturday 25 May
Compton Down, North Dorset

Walk to see Marsh Fritillary, Small and Adonis Blues, Dingy and Grizzled Skippers.

Wiltshire Field Trip

Saturday 25th May 2013, 11am
Sidbury Hill

A superb site on Salisbury Plain, Green Hairstreak, Grizzled Skipper are common here. Last year 19 species were seen including Duke of Burgundy. If weather permits we will run moth traps overnight and show the highlight of the catch to attendees.

SOBW

Dukes at Heyshott Escarpment

Saturday 18th May 2013 - 10.30am
Sussex - Heyshott Escarpment

Join us during Save Our Butterflies to find Duke of Burgundy, Dingy Skipper, Grizzled Skipper, Green Hairstreak, Brown Argus, Common Blue, Small Heath, and orchids.

Dorset Guided Walk

Sunday 26 May
Ballard Down, Swanage

Walk on chalk downland site with Adonis Blues.

Dorset Guided Walk

Sunday 26 May
Cerne Giant Hill near Cerne Abbas

This is a chalk downland site with lots of butterfly species.

Coastal Butterflies

Covehithe area

Walk around the Covehithe/ Benacre/ Kessingland area looking for butterflies and enjoying the other wildlife in this coastal belt. Long walk possible but reasonably easy terrain and gradients.

SOBW

Visit To Workington Wind Farm

Sunday 26th May 2013 - 11:00am
Cumbria - Workington

Small Blue and lots more at this super site. We should also see Wall Brown. Afterwards we can look at other sites in the area as well as some of the most interesting and diverse flora there during Save Our Butterflies Week.

SOBW

Lancashire “Save our Butterflies Week” Event

Sunday 26 May 2013: 11am
Myers Allotment, Silverdale

An opportunity to see the fantastic work carried out, during the winter months by our wonderful bunch of volunteers, to help save a raft of rare butterfly and moth species during Save Our Butterflies Week.

Wiltshire Field Trip

Saturday 1st June 2013 11am
Martin Down (Hampshire)

This is a joint trip with the Dorset Branch. Martin Down National Nature Reserve is worth a visit at any time during the butterfly season. This year we shall look for the spring species of Dingy Skipper, Grizzled Skipper, Small Blue and possible Adonis Blue.

East Scotland: Fife - Kellie Castle Bioblitz

Friday 7th June 2013, 8.30pm - 11pm and Saturday 8th June 2013, 10am - 2pm
Kellie Castle, Fife

Moth trapping on Friday night with examination of the catch at 10am on Saturday. Many other activities throughout the day, courtesy of NTS.

Moth Night

Purdis Heath Ipswich

Meet: Bucklesham Road Lay-by, Map Ref: TM212423, Time: 9.30 pm Leader: Tony Prichard, Tel: 01473 270047 or 07871 478631

BUTTERFLY WALK AT MALPASS, RUGBY

Meet in Lea Crescent off Parkfield Road, Newbold by the bus turning circle/Scout hut. SP488764

Guided butterfly walk at Malpass, Rugby.

Highland Calgary Bay, Mull for Burnet Moths

Grid ref: NM 373514 (OS sheet 47 Tobermory)

Last year we ran a very enjoyable trip to Mull to look for Slender Scotch Burnet and Transparent Burnet, both day flying moths. Although we found lots of the former we did not find any of the latter. So we are trying again in 2013 but this time at a different site

Highlands Fannich Glen

Lay-by at church NH316626 one mile west of Lochluichart. On A835 Garve – Achnasheen road

Lochluichart Estate have kindly given us permission to drive up the road to Loch Fannich where in the past few years several species of butterfly have been recorded.

MOTH NIGHT AT SUTTON PARK

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SP113964. Meet at PARK HOUSE INN car park (this is within Sutton Park). Enter through main town gate, then RIGHT, then LEFT into car park. SP113964.

Moth night at Sutton Park.

Lancashire Opening of Moth Trap

Sunday 23 June 2013: 10am
Leighton Moss

Moths trapped overnight on the reserve and nearby will be on show, no pre-booking required.

Silver-studded Blue Survey

RSPB Minsmere

Venue: RSPB Minsmere, Map Ref: TM470671, Time: 10:00am Details: Meet at warden's lodge just before RSPB car park. Please register in advance. Contact: Rob Parker 01284 705476

MOTH NIGHT AT GAYDON LANDFILL / KINGSTON GRANGE FARM

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Meet at track to Kingston Grange off B4100 opposite Lighthorne Heath. SP353562 - 1 mile NW of Gaydon off B4100 Warwick to Banbury road.

Moth night at Gaydon Landfill / Kingston Grange Farm.

Lancashire Butterfly Walk

Sunday 14 July 2013: 10.30am-1.30pm
Chadkirk County Park

Butterfly walk with target species White-letter Hairstreak and Purple Hairstreak

Highland Loch Fleet, Near Golspie

Grid ref: NH806957. OS Sheet 21 (Dornoch and Alness).

A walk through the dunes and grass looking for Six-spot Burnet and other day flying moths as well as a variety of butterflies such as Dark Green and Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary, Meadow Brown, Small Heath and Grayling.

East Scotland: Aberdeenshire - Moths in the Morning

Thursday 18th July 10.00am – 12.00noon
Muir of Dinnet National Nature Reserve

Discover the variety of moths caught in the live traps set up overnight on the Muir of Dinnet National Nature Reserve, followed by a search for day-flying moths and butterflies as time allows.

East Scotland: Aberdeenshire - A Wild Night at Grandholm

Saturday 20th July 8.30pm - midnight
Grandholm Bridge, Gordons Mills Road, Aberdeen

Enter the mysterious world of night creatures! This will include setting up sugar and light traps to attract moths – which we will release unharmed after identification - and using detectors to pick up ultrasound of hunting bats

Lancashire Opening of Moth Trap

Saturday 20 July 2013: 10am
Leighton Moss

Moths trapped overnight on the reserve and nearby will be on show, no pre-booking required.

BUTTERFLY WALK AT WOLFORD & WHICHFORD WOOD

Meet at woodland track on lane from great Wolford to the A44. SP242332. 5 Miles south of Shipston on Stour.

Guided Butterfly walk at Wolford and Whichford Wood.

East Scotland: Aberdeen - Butterfly Bonanza

Thursday 25th July 2.00 – 4.00pm
Glen Muick, Ballater

Discover the colourful world of butterflies and moths in Glen Muick. Come along and take part in the Big Butterfly Count as well as storytelling and games.

BUTTERFLY WALK AT STANTON, GLOUCESTERSHIRE

Meet and park at the village car park, 100 yds on right as you enter village from the B4632. SP067343. 3.5 miles south of Broadway.

Butterfly Walk at Stanton, Gloucestershire

Highlands Historical Hallaig and Big Butterfly Counts, Raasay

Grid ref NG 545363 (OS Sheet 32 South Skye & Cuillin Hills)

A slow paced walk along part of Raasay's beautiful coastline. We'll be finding, identifying and recording butterflies along the way before reaching the clearance village of Hallaig

East Scotland: Borders - Moth trapping event at Kailzie Wildlife Festival.

Friday 2nd August 2013 and Saturday 3rd August 2013
Kailzie Gardens Car Park (NT281386)

Moth trapping event at Kailzie Wildlife Festival. Moth traps will be set in the parkland on Friday evening along with wine ropes and sugar to attract those moths with a sweet tooth! Moth traps will be opened on Saturday morning.

Highlands Rogart, East Sutherland

Grid Ref NC742012 OS map 16 (Lairg & Loch Shin)

A quarry site in East Sutherland where both Annulet and Scotch Annulet were found in 2012 together with a number of other interesting species.

East Scotland: Borders - Bats and moths at Harestanes

Wednesday 7th August 2013
Harestanes, Jedburgh

Bats and moths at Harestanes. Discover the secret and surprising world of these animals! See what comes to the moth trap with a local expert and enjoy a short twilight walk to view and hear bats.

East Scotland: Aberdeen - Night Hunters and their Prey

Friday 9th August 8.00pm – late
Ballater

Get up close and personal with bats and moths. Come and dispel all your fears of these intriguing animals. We will also be among lots of people all over the British Isles recording the moths we find to contribute to this year’s national ‘Moth Night’ survey.

Highlands Moth Night 2013, Broadford, Skye

Grid ref NG 637237 (OS Sheet 32 South Skye & Cuillin Hills)

Moths are Marvellous. Learn about these fascinating and beautiful night fliers on National Moth Night 2013 and at the launch of the Skye and Lochalsh Moth Group.

Highlands Moth Morning, Broadford, Skye

Grid ref NG 637237 (OS sheet 32 South Skye & Cuillin Hills)

Moths are Marvellous. Today we'll be checking the light traps that were set the night before. Discover the moths that have been flying around while you've been sleeping.

MOTH NIGHT AT WHICHFORD WOOD (NATIONAL MOTH NIGHT)

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Travelling S from Shipston-on-Stour on A3400 take LEFT turn to Whichford after 4 miles. The wood is on the right a mile short of the village. Meet at gate to track entrance. SP296343.

Moth Night at Whichford Wood, part of National Moth Night.

Lancashire Butterfly Walk

Saturday 10 August 2013: 2pm
Ainsdale National Nature Reserve

Join the Lancashire Branch for a butterfly walk.

BUTTERFLY WALK AT ASTON ROWANT NR, OXFORDSHIRE

Meet in Reserve car park. SU730966. Junction 6 of M40. Turn left on B4009 then right onto A40 and then right towards Christmas Common. Reserve entrance is signed on right before bridge over M40.

Guided Butterfly Walk at Aston Rowant, Oxfordshire

BUTTERFLY WALK AT ASTON ROWANT NR, OXFORDSHIRE

Meet in Reserve car park. SU730966. Junction 6 of M40. Turn left on B4009 then right onto A40 and then right towards Christmas Common. Reserve entrance is signed on right before bridge over M40.

Butterfly Walk at Aston Rowant, Oxfordshire

Highlands Moth Night 2013 at Loch Fleet NNR

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Grid Ref NH806955, OS Sheet 21 (Dornoch, Alness & Invergordon area)

Loch Fleet NNR is host to a good variety of coastal moth species as well as many of the more widespread ones.

Lancashire Opening of Moth Trap

Sunday 18 August 2013: 10am
Leighton Moss

Moths trapped overnight on the reserve and nearby will be on show, no pre-booking required.

MOTH NIGHT AT BRANDON MARSH SSSI

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Entrance off Brandon Lane 3 miles SE of Coventry. Meet in car park by visitor centre. SP386761.

Moth Night at Brandon Marsh SSSI.

East Scotland: Aberdeen - Bats, Moths & Stars in the Bin

Friday 6th September 7.00pm - late
Bin Forest, Huntly

Discover the nocturnal inhabitants of the Bin Forest, including finding out how to use smelly mixtures and bright lights to attract moths plus bat detectors to locate and identify bats. A local astronomer will also be on hand with a telescope to view the wonders of the night sky (or demonstrate what would otherwise be visible if it is cloudy)!

Highlands Polmaily Work Party, Near Drumnadrochit

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Grid ref: NH484304. OS sheet 26 (Inverness & Loch Ness)

Another session of trackside scrub clearance to improve the habitat for Pearl-bordered Fritillary and Dingy Skipper.

Members' Day, Scotland

Saturday 28th September 2013: 10.30am-4.30pm
Battleby, Perth

Our annual Members' Day, an informal chance to meet like-minded butterfly and moth enthusiasts and chat about the wonderfully warm and sunny season we have just had (!). More details will be posted later in the year.