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NEWSLETTER No. 42 -  Spring 1999

WEST MIDLANDS BRANCH, BUTTERFLY CONSERVATION

 

Field Trips

July 2nd - 5th.
Scotland – Glen Clova, Balmoral Estate
An opportunity to visit the Balmoral estate. Atlas recording. The aim is to survey this remote area for Mountain Ringlet, Large Heath and Northern Brown Argus. Several pairs of Golden Eagle, Peregrine, Short Eared Owls, Black Grouse and Twite. Wildcats and red squirrel are often seen. A vehicle will be available to take us into the hills. Warm clothing and stout boots.

Owing to the high cost of hiring transport, it has been decided, if possible, to share cars and the cost of fuel for the journey. Booking for accommodation - see enclosed form and Diary page 28 for details. Closing date 1st May.

Blackmoor Copse Sunday July 18th, £10 per person. Purple Emperor , White Admiral, Silver-washed Fritillary and White Letter Hairstreak. Bring lunch. See enclosed booking form and Diary page 28 for details. Closing date July 3rd.

Goring Gap and Kidlington Hill Saturday August 14th. £10.00 per person. Adonis Blue and Silver-spotted Skipper. Bring lunch. Stout shoes. See enclosed booking form and Diary page 29 for details. Closing date July 31st.

Gloucestershire and Warwickshire Trips:
Gloucester Branch has sent details of five field trips May 15th, May 22nd, May 29th, July 17th and August 14th. Warwickshire Branch has a butterfly walk in Birmingham July 17th. See page 29 for details.

Apley Estate
Lord Hamilton has granted Butterfly Conservation full access to his 6000 acre Apley Estate, situated immediately north of Bridgnorth, this year to undertake a full survey of its butterfly populations. The area appears to have great potential given the fact that Dark Green and Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary colonies were discovered last year nearby over less promising terrain. No records currently exist, so this initiative will benefit the Millennium Atlas and also the Estate who will be supplied with a report if the project is successful. The possibility of a concurrent moth survey is also being explored.

Pioneering volunteers are needed to assist Rex Lane Harvey for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The Estate Office is issuing Butterfly Conservation with a full access permit for the flight period whilst we in turn have guaranteed to conduct a controlled exercise that takes account of local sensitivities. Surveying will only take place in sunny conditions, therefore it is not possible to organise visits in advance through announcements in the newsletter.

Interested? Please contact either Rex or myself and we will contact you when a trip is to take place giving 48 hours notice. Please note that visits could well be on weekdays not necessarily at the weekend.

Rex Lane Harvey 01746 789693
Richard Southwell 01384 397066 (after 4pm)