All events are FREE. Everyone is welcome to attend. Booking not needed. If weather forecast is not good, phone the leader before 9:00am to check if the fieldtrip is still on for the day/evening.
Saturday 7th May – 11:00am – Wheal Maid, Poldice Valley, near St. Day Today we will be searching the heathland & the surrounding habitat on the old mining landscape here at Wheal Maid for caterpillars/larvae of the Silver-studded blue butterfly. These are special for Cornwall as most counties have lost their inland colonies of this species. Marcus is studying this species as part of his PhD. and found a number of larvae of this species in 2021 & studied their close association & behaviour with ants. Wall Brown & other spring species such as Small Copper, Green Hairstreak, Common Blue & Orange Tip species should hopefully be seen too. Walking boots, drink & sun cream essential. Leader – Marcus Rhodes. Meet at SW75014169 (postcode: TR16 5HU), in the car park at Poldice shown at ‘Poldice Mtb. Valley’ on Google Maps. For details and directions phone Marcus Rhodes on 07790 344131.
Sunday 8th 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 more than 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 & the first newly emerged Small Pearl-bordered fritillaries as well as Emperor Moths will also be on the wing here now. We hope to have an Emperor Moth pheromone lure with us to attract Emperor Moths during the visit. Walking boots, a packed lunch and drink are required. Leader – Dave Conway. Parking is very limited here: Meet at SX099753 (postcode: PL30 4LH), 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.
Friday 13th May – 8:30pm – 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. Target species: Emperor Moth, Ruddy Highflyer moth & there will be plenty of other spring & early summers moths as well as possible early migrants too. Leader – Frank Johns. Meet at SW728212 (postcode:TR12 6NT ), Goonhilly Downs car park (free) just off the B3293. For details and directions, phone Frank Johns on 01326 240357.
Saturday 14th 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 (postcode: PL30 4PQ), in lay-by at Gam Bridge. For details and directions phone Robbie Robinson on 01579 321586.
Sunday 15th 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 – Phil Harris. 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 Phil Harris on 07754583101.
Saturday 21st May – 12:00noon – Pedn Vounder Beach, Penberth Cove & surrounding coast, Treen, nr. Penzance A new locality for our CBMS fieldtrips! We will be searching for newly emerged Small Pearl-bordered Fritillaries at this location as well as other spring species. Walking boots, packed lunch, drink & sun cream essential. Leader – Phil Harris. Meet at SW394229 (postcode: TR19 6LF), at Treen car park. For details and directions phone Phil Harris on 07754583101.
Sunday 29th May – 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 to see together with Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary, Small Heath, Orange-tip, Green Hairstreak, Emperor Moths, Silver Hook Moth, Chimney Sweeper Moth and much more! Photography is easy here so bring your camera. Leaders – Rowena & Rob Nicholls. Meet at SX052612 (postcode: PL30 5DU), in small roadside car park where free parking is available near Gunwen Chapel. For details and directions phone Rowena & Rob Nicholls on 07711105485 or 01726 884600 or [email protected]
Saturday 4th June – 11:00am – Greenscoombe Woods, Luckett One of Britain’s rarest butterflies, the Heath Fritillary, now solely exists in Cornwall in the specially managed habitat, at its original main Cornish location at Greenscoombe Woods, Luckett after it originally 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 (postcode: PL17 8NJ), in Luckett village free car park. For details and directions phone Robbie Robinson on 01579 321586.
Saturday 18th June – 11:00am – Penrose, near Loe Bar, Porthleven A new locality for our CBMS fieldtrips! We will be searching for newly emerged Silver-studded Blues at this location. These are special for Cornwall as most counties have lost their populations of this blue butterfly and we are sure that there are colonies of this species still awaiting discovery within our county. Meadow Brown & other summer species such as Small Heath & Ringlet should be seen too. Walking boots, packed lunch, drink & sun cream essential. Leader – Marcus Rhodes. Meet at SW63602490 (postcode: TR13 9ES), in the First Downs car park. For details and directions phone Marcus Rhodes on 07790 344131.
CANCELLED - Lee Slaughter and Alan May have decided to cancel the fieldtrip on Sunday, 19th June, 1:00pm at Perransands and Penhale Sands due to the poor weather forecast. Sunday 19th 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 Hummingbird 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 (postcode: 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.
Saturday 25th June – 12:00 noon - Pentire Head, Newquay A return to this new location for our society to explore with expert butterfly guide, Philip Harris who rediscovered the Silver-studded Blue butterfly here in good numbers during the hot summer of 2018. There may be other discoveries to be made at this beautiful location with stunning views! There is a car park which does charge according to amount of time you spend here. Leader – Phil Harris. Meet at SW787614 (postcode: TR7 1PJ) in Pentire Headland car park which is at the end of Pentire Avenue. For details and directions phone Phil Harris on 07845 984426.
Sunday 26th June – 1:00pm – Trevose Head, Near Padstow A new locality for our CBMS fieldtrips! The area around Trevose Head and Constantine Bay is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) both for geological and biological reasons. Wild Asparagus grows on the cliffs of Dinas Head and Shore Docks at the base of the cliffs. The cliffs are also important breeding grounds for Fulmar, Razorbill and Guillimot. Target species - Silver-studded Blue, Meadow Brown, Large Skipper and other mid-summer species. Address: Trevose Head, near Padstow, Cornwall, PL28 8SL. Directions: 4 miles west of Padstow. Follow minor roads from the B3276 at St Merryn or in the direction of Harlyn. Leaders – Rob & Rowena Nicholls. Meet at National Trust carpark at the top near to the Trevose Headland and Trevose Lighthouse. www.google.com/maps/dir/50.3161117,-4.931341/National+Trust+-+Trevose+Headland,+Trevose+Head,+Padstow+PL28+8SL/@50.4300316,-5.0746484,10.74z/data=!4m10!4m9!1m1!4e1!1m5!1m1!1s0x486b0a5b480fbbbd:0xc670948d94f4ac93!2m2!1d-5.0277892!2d50.5461202!3e0 For details and directions phone Rowena & Rob Nicholls on 07711105485 or 01726 884600 or [email protected]
CANCELLED - Dave Gibbon have decided to cancel the fieldtrip on Saturday, 2nd July, 11:00am at Pullabrook Woods/Drakeford Bridge, Bovey Valley Woodlands, Dartmoor, Devon followed by Aish Tor, nr. Ashburtondue to unstable weather. Dave is willing to go tomorrow if anyone says they will definitely attend. Saturday 2nd July – 11:00am - Pullabrook Woods/Drakeford Bridge, Bovey Valley Woodlands, Dartmoor, Devon followed by Aish Tor, nr. Ashburton The nearest White Admiral breeding colony to us in Cornwall and the easiest place to see them in Devon. Join us on an out of county adventure to see Britain’s most graceful flying butterfly. Bring a packed lunch and then we will move to Aish Tor in the afternoon for High Brown Fritillary, Dark Green & Silver-washed Fritillaries. Leader – Dave Gibbon. Meet at 11:00am at Drakeford Bridge Car Park; SX789801 (postcode: TQ13 9SR). Parking at Aish Tor for afternoon excursion is: - parking area at SX707714 (nearest postcode: TQ13 7PX). 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. For details and directions phone Dave Gibbon on 01752 666231 or 07904 129309.
Saturday 9th 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 but often more than 100 can be seen here without much trouble. 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. Leader – Russ Hemmings. Meet at SX436491 (postcode: PL10 1LG), in Penlee Battery car park. For details and directions phone Russ Hemmings on 07782 310777.
Sunday 10th July – 10:00am - Cabilla & Redrice Woods CWT Reserve, Glyn Valley, nr. Bodmin 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 (postcode: PL30 4BE); free parking by sawmill. For details and directions phone Dave Conway on 01208 77686.
Saturday 16th July – 11:00am – Wheal Maid, Poldice Valley, near St. Day Today we will be searching heathland & the surrounding habitat on the old mining landscape here at Wheal Maid for Grayling and Silver-studded Blue butterflies. These are special for Cornwall as most counties have lost their inland colonies of this species. Wall Brown & other summer species such as Small Skipper, Common Blue & other species should be seen too. Walking boots, drink & sun cream essential. Leader – Marcus Rhodes. Meet at SW75014169 (postcode: TR16 5HU), in the car park at Poldice shown at ‘Poldice Mtb. Valley’ on Google Maps. For details and directions phone Marcus Rhodes on 07790 344131.
Saturday 23rd July – 11:00am - Rosenannon Downs, near St. Wenn, Bodmin In recent times the exciting discovery of an inland colony of Graylings on Rosenannon 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 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. Leaders – Robbie Robinson & Dave Conway. Meet at SW958670 (approx postcode: PL30 5PJ) 1KM North of Rosenannon Village where there’s parking for cars on the roadside. For details/directions phone Robbie Robinson on 01579 321586 or Dave Conway on 01208 77686.
Saturday 30th July – 11:00am - St Newlyn Downs, St Newlyn East We hope to see & record plenty of Summer butterflies, day-flying moths & Dragonflies including the Grayling butterfly which is to be found at this inland location. This 286 acre site is a SSSI and a Special Area of Conservation located in the Parish of St Newlyn East near the wind turbines. It is an old mining area with East Wheal Rose and Wheal Constance mines close by. We will be looking out for the Bog Bush-cricket and the Dorset Heath (a type of heather). You will need walking boots, a packed lunch & drink. Parking is limited. Some space is available in the entrance to the old golf club opposite. Leader – Carly Riley. Meet at SW836551 (postcode: TR8 5AT), in lay-by opposite East Wheal Rose Farm. For details/directions phone Carly Riley on 01637 498462.
Sunday 31st July – 2:00pm – Fellover Brake, Tuckingmill, St. Breward This site has a good colony on Purple Hairstreaks on its low growing Oak trees and there will hopefully be a good chance to photograph this ‘hard to photo’ species. Silver-washed Fritillary will be on the wing and Dark Green Fritillary & other summer flying species should be spotted. Walking boots are essential as the site slopes quite steeply and can be quite uneven in place as well as long trousers due to tall bracken on the slopes. Leader – Malcolm Lee. Meet at SX0902377850 (postcode PL30 4PQ), in lay-by at Gam Bridge. For details and directions phone Malcolm Lee on 01208 880106.
Sunday 7th August – 2:00pm - Delabole Quarry, Delabole, Nr. Camelford This is an excellent location for our fieldtrips and the main objective of this trip will be to check if Graylings are still present on this inland site, as this should be peak emergence time. There may be the odd Marbled White at the end of their flight time, and plenty of other summer butterflies around, particularly on the Buddleia in the sheltered parts of the site. There may be the occasional Clouded Yellow to be seen. It is also a good location for grasshoppers, especially the Mottled Grasshopper found on the warmest parts of the site. This is the oldest working slate quarry in England and at almost 500 feet deep and 11/2 miles around, looking down into one of the largest man made holes in Europe is an impressive view. Good walking boots essential. Leader – Malcolm Lee. Meet at SX0737683645 (postcode: PL33 9AZ), in Delabole Quarry Car Park by visitor centre (free parking). For details and directions phone Malcolm Lee on 01208 880106.
Friday 12th August – 9:00pm – Trevergy Farm, Cury, nr. Helston (Moth Night) A Summer moth evening kindly hosted at the farm home 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. Target species: Gold Spot, Double Lobed, Lesser-spotted Pinion & Cockscomb Prominent moths & there should be plenty of Summer moths to record including hopefully some migrant moths as well. Please bring your own moth trap if you have one! Leader – Frank Johns. Meet at SW672221 (postcode: TR12 7QY), Trevergy Farm at Cury, near Helston, home of Frank Johns. Plenty of free parking available. For details and directions, phone Frank Johns on 01326 240357.
Sunday, 28th August 2022, 1:00pm, Killigerran Head, Roseland Peninsula A new & little known location with lovely scenery for our late summer coastal butterfly walk. Butterfly species that have been seen at this locality in recent years include, Clouded Yellow, Long-tailed Blue, Painted Lady, Small Copper, Wall Brown and other high-summer species. Directions: 16 miles from St Austell. Approaching from the east or west on the A390 about 4 miles east of Truro turn onto the A3078 for St Mawes. Continue on the A3078 and then turn left at Trewithian. Follow this road for about 4 miles and just after Porth Creek, park at Porth Farm National Trust car park. (postcode: TR2 5EX). Leaders: Rob and Rowena Nicholls. Meet at SW867329 (postcode: TR2 5EX). For details & directions, phone or email Rob & Rowena on 07711105485 or [email protected]
Please note our Covid-19 prevention guidelines: 1) Undertake your own health risk assessment, considering if you can attend our event, taking into account your age and any health conditions or vulnerabilities. 2) Check for symptoms of COVID-19 (a high temperature, new and persistent cough, or a loss of/change in sense of taste or smell) before attending the event. If you, or anyone you have been in contact with has one or more of these symptoms (even if they are mild) you should not attend, and should follow the guidance on testing and self-isolation. 3) Don’t attend the event if you need to self-isolate, for example because you have been asked to by the NHS Test and Trace, after travel, or because you are displaying symptoms. 4) The use of masks is up to your discretion. 5) If you experience any symptoms on the days following our event, please inform the fieldtrip leader.