Sunday 29th April – 1:00pm – Kit Hill Country Park nr. Callington. (Moth Day). A spring moth event kindly hosted by moth enthusiast, Russ Hemmings. Russ will be using pheromone lures to attract the extraordinary Emperor Moths that inhabit this country park. Enjoy the panoramic views from one of the highest peaks in Cornwall. We intend to have refreshments afterwards in the nearby ‘Louis Tearooms’ which is also on Kit Hill. Leader – Russ Hemmings. Park at SX375713 , PL17 8HR, free parking in the uppermost summit car park. Meet at 1:00pm. This event is weather dependant & if unsure then phone Russ to check if on. For details and directions phone Russ on 07782 310777.
Sunday 6th May – 1:00pm – Kit Hill Country Park nr. Callington. (Moth Day). A spring moth event kindly hosted by moth enthusiast, Russ Hemmings. Russ will be using pheromone lures to attract the extraordinary Emperor Moths that inhabit this country park. Enjoy the panoramic views from one of the highest peaks in Cornwall. We intend to have refreshments afterwards in the nearby ‘Louis Tearooms’ which is also on Kit Hill. Leader – Russ Hemmings. Park at SX375713 , PL17 8HR, free parking in the uppermost summit car park. Meet at 1:00pm. This event is weather dependant & if unsure then phone Russ to check if on. For details and directions phone Russ on 07782 310777.
Friday 11th May – 9:00pm – Goonhilly Downs Nature Reserve, Lizard Peninsula, (Moth Night). A spring moth evening kindly hosted by one of Cornwall’s foremost moth experts, Frank Johns. Please bring a torch, a drink, wrap up well & something to sit or kneel on. There should be plenty of spring moths to record with a particular reference to Emperor Moths! Leader – Frank Johns. Meet at map ref SW728212, TR12 6EA, Goonhilly Downs car park (free). For details and directions, phone Frank Johns on 01326 240357.
Sunday 13th May – 11:00am – Perransands/Penhale Sands, nr. Perranporth. Perransands/Penhale Sands now hold’s Cornwall’s last remaining colonies of Grizzled Skippers which although highly localised will hopefully be found in suitable looking habitat amongst this vast dune complex. We hope to find the special aberration called ‘taras’ which is usually found at this locality amongst some of the Grizzled Skipper colonies. Other species found here include Brown Argus, Wall, Dingy Skipper, Common Blue, Small Copper and Orange Tip. Bring a packed lunch. Leader – Paul Browning. Meet at map ref – SW774553, TR4 9PN, in lay-by on edge of road opposite the turning to Rose village by entrance to footpath onto sand dunes. For details & directions phone Paul Browning on 01736 763677.
Saturday 19th May – 11:00am – De-Lank/Pendrift Downs, St. Breward. Pearl-Bordered Fritillaries were discovered at De-Lank/Pendrift Downs in May, 1998 by 3 enthusiasts and almost 20 years later the butterfly can still be found here during bright & sunny weather every May. Dave Conway, who lives locally & has been exploring this area since the early 1970’s will lead us around different parts of the sites in the hope of seeing the freshly emerged adult butterflies of this rare & beautiful fritillary. Orange Tips, Brimstones, Speckled Woods & Green Hairstreaks will also be on the wing now. Walking boots, a packed lunch and drink are required. Leader – Dave Conway. Parking is very limited here: Meet at SX099753, PL30 4NQ, in small parking spaces on right hand side before the De-Lank Quarry entrance near the end of the long track signposted to De-Lank Quarry. Further parking can be found 200 yards or so further back on the side (where space permits) along the track. For details and directions phone Dave Conway on 01208 77686.
Sunday 20th May – 11:00am – Fellover Brake, Tuckingmill, St. Breward. This site still holds one of Cornwall’s few remaining colonies of the nationally threatened Pearl-Bordered Fritillary butterfly which can be seen over a wide area of well managed bracken covered hillside. Walking boots are essential as the site slopes quite steeply and can be quite uneven in places. Orange Tip & Brimstone should also still be on the wing. Bring packed lunch & drink. Leader – Robbie Robinson. Meet at SX089779, PL30 4PQ, in small lay-by at Gam Bridge. For details and directions phone Robbie Robinson on 01579 321586.
Saturday 2nd June – 11:00am – Predannack Cliffs, nr. Mullion, The Lizard. Predannack Cliffs, a protected nature reserve, are famous for their spectacular scenery, and also for their flora, including orchids, in the spring and early summer, but this is also a beautiful spot for seeing butterflies. On this field trip we will be looking for Marsh Fritillaries in particular, but others that may be seeking out the rich source of nectar on the cliff tops include Small Pearl-Bordered Fritillary, Small Heaths, Common Blues, Orange-Tips, Small Coppers, and, depending on the weather conditions, the first Clouded Yellows arriving. Doubtless there will also be moths, other invertebrates, birds, and definitely flowers, so bring a camera, packed lunch & drink as there is plenty to see. Leader – John Foster. Meet at SW668162, TR12 7EZ, National Trust car park (free) at Predannack Wollas car park. For details and directions, phone John Foster on 01326 280735.
Saturday 2nd June – 9:00pm Moth Night – Trussell Farm, St Keyne, Liskeard. A delightful summer evening moth trapping at the home of Andy Adams. He discovered the very rare Scarce Merville Du Jour moth in his grounds in 2015. He has very kindly allowed Cornwall Butterfly & Moth Society to host this moth evening in his grounds to hopefully show Cornwall’s moth enthusiasts this new locality for it. There will also be plenty of Summer flying moths to record. There will be pheromone lures to attract Goat Moths too! Please bring your moth traps if you have one! Leader – Russ Hemmings. Meet at SX244617 next to Trussel Farm, St Keyne, Liskeard, PL14 4QL. Andy’s home is next door to Trussel Barn, a B’n’B.; although the road doesn’t have a name, there is a bridge close by called Trussel Bridge and a wood of the same name. Road is the B3254 and continue out of the village on the way to Liskeard but before the bridge on a tight bend there is a big sign for ‘Trussel Farm’. For details and exact directions, phone Russ Hemmings on 07782 310777.
Sunday 3rd June – 1:00pm – Breney Common, nr. Lanlivery. It is always a delight to visit one of Cornwall’s largest Marsh Fritillary colonies here at famous Breney Common. Good numbers of this species should be seen together with Small Pearl-Bordered Fritillary, Small Heath, Orange Tip, Green Hairstreak and hopefully Emperor Moths and other moths too! Photography is easy here so bring your camera. Leaders – Rowena & Rob Nicholls. Meet at SX053611, PL30 5DU, in small roadside car park where free parking is available near Gunwen Chapel. For details and directions phone Rowena & Rob Nicholls on 01726 884600 or 07596 159940.
Saturday 9th June – 10:30am – Garrow Tor area of Bodmin Moor. An excellent discovery by Dave Conway some years ago of a healthy colony of Marsh Fritillaries in a traditional moorland habitat was confirmed to still exist in 2015 by Rob Nicholls. A guided tour of this virtually unknown & isolated locality should prove rewarding & challenging. Target species Marsh fritillary. Stout walking boots/footwear and clothing appropriate to the moors advised, plus water as we will be away from facilities for some time. The Parking is outside of the De Lank Waterworks, just pull off the tarmac track to enjoy free parking. We then walk in a northerly, then easterly direction for about 1.5 miles over easy moorland grassland; no climbs, just gentle slopes. 3 mile round trip - no alternative routes. Free parking. Leader – Rob Nicholls. Meet at map ref SX 13148 76701, PL30 4NN – For details and directions phone Rob Nicholls on 01726 884600 or 07596 159940.
Sunday 10th June – 11:00am – Greenscoombe Woods, Luckett. One of Britain’s rarest butterflies, the Heath Fritillary, solely exists in Cornwall in the specially managed habitat, at its original main Cornish colony at Greenscoombe Woods, Luckett after it became extinct there after 2002. After it’s re-introduction to parts of the woodlands in the summer of 2006 it has become re-established and re-colonised it’s former habitat which has been much improved by clearance and regular habitat management work. The butterfly is breeding well in a number of different areas at Greenscoombe Woods and it is always a joy for enthusiasts to visit these woods to marvel at the many Heath Fritillary butterflies that are to be seen throughout June every year. Bring a drink, packed lunch and your camera. Leader – Robbie Robinson. Meet at SX389737, PL17 8NJ, in Luckett Village free car park. For details and directions phone Robbie Robinson on 01579 321586.
Saturday 16th June – 1:00pm Perransands and Penhale Sands, nr. Perranporth. A Mid-summer ramble over Britain’s highest sand dunes complex to see large numbers of freshly emerged Silver-Studded Blues. We would also hope to see Large Skippers, Small Skippers, Meadow Browns, Common Blues, Dark Green Fritillary, Scarlet Tiger Moth and Humming Bird Hawk-Moth & other scarce moths & plenty of wild flowers. This event always turns up unexpected surprises in moths or butterflies. Please bring plenty to drink, sun protection and walking boots. Leaders – Lee Slaughter and Alan May. Meet at SW774553, TR4 9PN, in lay-by on edge of road opposite the turning to Rose where there is a limited amount of free parking available. For details phone Lee Slaughter on 01726 817505 or Alan May on 01209 821936 or 07787 121043.
Tuesday 19th June – 9:30pm Tremenheere Sculpture Garden, Penzance (Moth Night). A high summer moth evening kindly hosted by two of Cornwall Butterfly & Moth Society’s moth experts, Frank Johns & Tony James. Please bring a torch, a drink, wrap up well & something to sit or kneel on. Please feel free to bring your own moth traps if you wish to. There should be plenty of summer moths to record and also some migrants too! Leader – Frank Johns. Meet at Tremenheere Sculpture Garden (postcode TR20 8YL). For details and directions, phone Frank Johns on 01326 240357.
Friday 22nd June – 9:30pm start: Par Beach; “Friends of Par Beach Moth Night”. A Mid-summer moth evening kindly hosted by local moth enthusiast, Russ Hemmings and assisted by ‘Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award’ volunteers Robert Slaughter & Tom Rawle. Please bring a torch, a drink, wrap up well & something to sit or kneel on. There is the prospect of recording many different species of moths, including Hawk-moths, here over a few hours and it is hoped that there will be some good migrant moths arrive at the moth lights. Please bring your own moth trap if you have one! Leader – Russ Hemmings. Meet at SX087532, (postcode PL24 2AR), in Par Beach main car park at the end by the picnic area where free parking is available during the evening only. For details and directions phone Russ Hemmings on 07782 310777.
Saturday 30th June – 11:00am Aish Tor, nr Poundsgate, Followed by Drakeford Bridge, Bovey Valley Woodlands, nr Yarner Wood, Dartmoor, Devon. Target species High Brown Fritillary and Dark Green Fritillary. Don’t miss this excellent chance to see Britain’s rarest resident butterfly, the High Brown Fritillary at Aish Tor, one of the best localities in Britain to see numbers of this critically endangered butterfly. We will then proceed on to Pullabrook car park, Bovey Valley Woodlands, Drakeford Bridge, near Yarner Wood nature reserve to look for White Admiral butterflies which are found in this location. There are Elm trees here where White-Letter Hairstreaks are recorded and we’ll search for these. Please bring binoculars or telescopes to look for the hairstreaks. Leader – Dave Conway. Meet at 11.00 am in the parking area at (SX707714). Nearest postcode - TQ13 7NT. Off the B3357 at the top of Newbridge Hill turn west onto the minor road and the parking area is immediately on your right at side of road. We will then later move on to Drakeford Bridge and park/meet at Pullabrook car park for Bovey Valley Woodlands; map ref SX789801 (postcode TQ13 9SR). For details and directions phone Dave Conway on 01208 77686.
Sunday 1st July – 11:00am – Poldice, St Day. We will be searching heathland on old mining landscape at St Day for newly emerged Silver-Studded Blues of the ‘heathland’ type. These are special for Cornwall as most counties have lost their colonies of this species. Grayling & other summer species such as Small Heath, Large Skipper & Ringlet should be seen. Drink & sun cream essential. Leader – Keith Wilson. Meet at SW737431, TR16 5PZ, in rough lay-by/verge opposite Truro Auctions at Poldice where parking is Free. For details and directions phone Keith Wilson on 01209 860298 or 07972 376982.
Friday 6th July – 9:30pm – Kilminorth Woods, West Looe Valley, Looe. Mid-summer mothing for the Scarce Merveille Du Jour Moth. Joint event organised by ‘The Friends of Kilminorth Woods’. We have high hopes of seeing this RDB3 moth here again near the oak trees that it breeds on. The sedentary Scarce Merveille Du Jour moth has continuously bred in the West Looe Valley since shortly after the last Ice Age! We also hope to find Orange Moths, Waved Carpet, Northern Spinach & a host of other mid-summer moths here. The moth lights will be on from dusk until late. John Nicholls will make the arrangements in connection to this event for Friends of Kilminorth Woods. Please bring a torch and wrap up well. Leader – For CBMS; Tony James, Meet at map ref. SX248538, PL13 2HR, at entrance to Lower Kilminorth Woods, Entering Looe on the A387 down the hill towards the bridge, take the third left turning just before the bottom of the hill where there is a "Car Park" sign. At the car park entrance roundabout turn left around the side of the main car park to a small separate parking area at the Woods entrance overlooking the river, onwards just past a business entrance gate on the left. For details and directions phone Tony James on 01736 763705.
Saturday 7th July – 11:00am Upton Towans, nr. Hayle. A delightful walk through the extensive Gwithian to Hayle sand dune complex at Upton Towans. This area, which is managed by C.W.T. was previously the site for the manufacture of dynamite. We usually see significant numbers of newly emerged Dark Green Fritillaries and 100’s of Silver-Studded Blues as well as a wide variety of other butterflies and moths. Bring a packed lunch, drink, sun cream, and walking boots or rainwear if weather is unsettled. Leader – Alan May. Meet at SW579396, TR27 5BJ, by the gate, in front of the large chimney at the entrance to the Cornwall Wildlife Trust area. For full details and directions phone Alan May on 01209 821936 or 07787 121043.
Sunday 8th July – 11:00am Penlee Battery CWT Reserve & Penlee Point. This reserve usually has excellent numbers of Marbled Whites which are absent from Mid & West Cornwall with over 300 being seen here during last year’s fieldtrip! Small Heath & Dark Green Fritillary as well as Gatekeepers, Large & Small Skippers are always present. Six Belted Clearwing and Thrift Clearwing Moths will be searched for with pheromone lures so please bring your own pheromone lures if you have some. Leaders – Debi Phillips and Russ Hemmings. Meet at SX436491, PL10 1LB, in Penlee Battery car park. For details and directions phone Debi Phillips on 07967 315239 or Russ on 07782 310777.
Saturday 14th July – 1:00pm Dunmere Woods, Bodmin. We hope to see Silver-Washed Fritillary, Purple Hairstreaks, Commas and other summer butterflies. We intend to search the open rides of these woodlands to see what other species of butterflies & moths may inhabit this woodland complex. There used to be Elms in these woods during the 1970’s & if we can locate any Elms, it may be worth checking in the hope of locating White-letter Hairstreak which were recorded here during the 1960’s & 1970’s. Leader – Russ Hemmings. Park at pull in by gate near bus stop just before r/hand turn to B3266 at Mount Charles. Map ref SX041689, postcode: PL30 3AA, limited free roadside parking. For details and directions phone Russ on 07782 310777. Sunday 15th July – 1:00pm Seaton Valley and Seaton Seafront, Nr. Looe. We hope to see Silver-Washed Fritillary butterflies, Marbled Whites and other woodland butterflies as well as lots of Dragonflies too! There are various day flying moths to be seen & Six Belted Clearwing Moths will be searched for with pheromone lures so please bring your own pheromone lures if you have some. This is also an excellent site for orthoptera, with Speckled and Great Green Bush-crickets, as well as Long-winged Cone-heads. The strictly coastal Grey Bush-cricket is also present in good numbers on the coastal slope among the Clearwing moths and this location currently holds Britain’s only known year round resident colony of Clouded Yellow butterflies, with the white form ‘helice’ being frequently seen. Leaders – Russ Hemmings and Malcolm Lee. Park at SX303545, PL11 3JT, (Seaton pay & display car park) (there is a parking charge) or limited free roadside parking if there are any spaces. Meet at park entrance near public toilets at 1:00pm. For details and directions phone Russ on 07782 310777.
Friday 20th July – 9:00pm – Little White Alice, Carnmenellis, Nr. Stithians (Moth Night). A summer moth evening kindly hosted by one of Cornwall Butterfly & Moth Society’s trustees, Rosie Hadden together with moth expert, Frank Johns. Please bring a torch, a drink, wrap up well & something to sit on. Please bring your own moth traps if you wish. There should be plenty of summer moths to record and also some migrants too! Leader – Rosie Hadden & Frank Johns. Meet at SW697350 at ‘Little White Alice’ (postcode TR16 6PL). For details and directions, phone Rosie Hadden on 01209 861000 or 07584 632889 or Frank Johns on 01326 240357. For info on ‘Little White Alice’ here is link - www.littlewhitealice.co.uk
Saturday 21st July – 1:00pm Treslea Downs near Cardinham/St. Neot, Bodmin. In recent times the exciting discovery of an inland colony of Graylings on Treslea Downs by a member of our group “Cornwall Butterfly & Moth Society” has bucked the national trend of mass extinction of inland populations of this species that has now exists very much as a coastal only species in Britain. There may also be Dark Green Fritillaries flying over these downs also. Please wear good walking boots and bring plenty to drink. Afterwards we may drive to Cabilla Woods afterwards for another look at the Silver-Washed Fritillaries. Leader – Robbie Robinson. Meet at SX135683 (postcode PL30 4DL) near the crossroads at the top of Treslea Downs where there is enough free parking for a number of cars. For details and directions phone Robbie Robinson on 01579 321586.
Sunday 22nd July – 11:00am Cabilla Wood, Glyn Valley, nr. Bodmin (C.W.T.Reserve). We look forward to seeing many beautiful Silver-Washed Fritillary butterflies in this well managed woodland and following the exciting discovery in these woods in 2013 of a ‘valezina’ form of the female of this species, we will be eagerly looking out for this rarity again this year! The bright summer form ‘hutchinsoni’ of the Comma butterfly will be on the wing together with plenty of Ringlets, Gatekeepers, new brood Brimstones, Purple Hairstreaks and Summer brood Holly Blues. There are various day flying moths to be seen here so there may be new discoveries awaiting us. Leader – Dave Conway. Meet at SX128653, PL30 4BE, by sawmill where parking is free. For details and directions phone Dave Conway on 01208 77686.
Saturday 28th July – 11:00am –Perransands/Penhale Sands, nr. Perranporth. Perransands/Penhale Sands plays host to Cornwall’s largest colonies of Brown Argus butterflies which are to be found in suitable looking habitat amongst this vast dune complex. The 2nd brood of this species should be flying now and can be seen at close quarters together with other species including Dark Green Fritillary, Wall Brown, Common Blue, Small Copper, Small Skipper, Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown & hopefully some migrants such as Painted Lady & Clouded Yellow. Bring a packed lunch. Leader – Leon Abbott. Meet at map ref – SW774553, TR4 9PN, in lay-by on edge of road opposite the turning to Rose village by entrance to footpath onto sand dunes. For details & directions phone Leon Abbott on 01726 76796.
Saturday 4th August – 9:00pm Trelusback Farm, Penhalvean, Redruth – (Moth Night). A high summer moth evening kindly led by CBMS trustee, Rosie Hadden & moth expert, Tony James at the home of Keith Wilson. Please bring a torch, a drink, wrap up well & something to sit on. Please bring your own moth traps if you wish. There should be plenty of summer moths to record and hopefully some migrants too! Leaders – Rosie Hadden, Tony James & Keith Wilson. Meet at 9:00pm at Trelusback Farm (shown on the OS map as ‘Trelusback’ at map reference SW712384), which is about half a mile ‘from the western end of Stithian’s lake and about halfway between Stithians and Redruth. Those with satnav will be able to use the postcode (TR16 6TQ) to get to a red ‘phone box at the end of the driveway to Keith’s house. Proceed down this lane and the barn we are using is about 200 yards past the sandschool and bungalow. For more detailed directions please phone Keith on 01209 860298 or 07972 376982.
Sunday 5th August – 11:00am Trelusback Farm, Penhalvean, Redruth, TR16 6TQ. We are pleased to invite you to a BBQ and optional Butterfly Walks day at Trelusback. Trelusback contains wildflower meadows, woodland, wetland and a lake. If the weather is kind visitors can expect to see a wide variety of butterflies, moths, birds, plants and dragonflies & an opportunity to enjoy a walk with your family and friends in lovely surroundings. A BBQ, tea, coffee, toilets etc. will be provided. In the event of rain we can chat to other conservation minded people in a large barn and/or the house. The previous evening moth traps will be run after dark and in the morning the moths will be identified, recorded and released unharmed. Meet at 11-00am at Trelusback Farm (shown on the OS map as Trelusback at grid reference SW712384) which is about half a mile from the western end of Stithians Lake and about halfway between Stithians and Redruth. Those with a satnav will be able to use the postcode TR16 6TQ to get to a red telephone box at the end of the driveway to Trelusback. Proceed down this driveway and the barn we are using is about 200 yards past the sandschool and bungalow. For detailed directions please phone Keith on 01209 860298 or 07972 376982.
Friday 10th August – 9:00pm – Trevergy Farm, Cury, The Lizard (Moth Night). A high summer moth evening kindly hosted at his own home/farm by one of Cornwall’s foremost moth experts, Frank Johns. Please bring a torch, a drink, wrap up well & something to sit or kneel on. There should be plenty of summer moths to record. Frank has recorded over 660 species of moths here over the years so who knows what may turn up?! Please bring your own moth trap if you have one! Leader – Frank Johns. Meet at SW 672221, TR12 7QY, Trevergy Farm (Frank’s home) (free). For details and directions, phone Frank Johns on 01326 240357. Saturday 11th August – 10:30am - Kynance Cove, nr. The Lizard. Be prepared for a beautiful walk at this famous locality for Lepidoptera. We hope to see most of the following species: Grayling, Dark Green Fritillary, Clouded Yellow (including ‘Helice’), Small Heath, 2nd brood Small Pearl-Bordered Fritillary, Common Blue, Wall Brown, Painted Lady and Red Admiral. Please bring a packed lunch, drink, sun cream and good walking boots. Park in main Kynance Cove car park (car park fee payable to N.T. unless we can negotiate free parking beforehand with the N.Trust which we have done for the past few years) and meet near the toilet block at the Southern end of the car park. Leader – Paul Browning. Meet at SW688132, TR12 7PJ, in main Kynance Cove car park. For details & directions phone Paul Browning on 01736 763677.
Friday 31st August – 9:00pm – St. Clement Wood, Idless, Truro (Moth Night). A high summer moth evening kindly hosted by one of Cornwall’s foremost moth experts, Tony James. Please bring a torch, a drink, wrap up well & something to sit or kneel on. Target species; Canary Shouldered Thorn moth.There should also be plenty of summer moths to record as well. Please bring your own moth trap if you have one! Leader – Tony James. Meet at SW824478, TR4 9AA, St. Clement Wood car park (free). For details and directions, phone Tony James on 01736 763705.