Events added since publication in the Branch Newsletter are marked NEW

Friday, 26th March

Lancs Moth Group Social

7pm to 10pm. The Barn, Cuerden Valley Country Park, near Bamber Bridge.

The Moth Group Social will be held on Friday evening from 7pm to 10pm - entry charge £2 per head to cover hire costs. (Tea, Coffee and Biscuits will be available free of charge.) The Lancashire Wildlife Trust welcomes us at their headquarters, The Barn, Cuerden Valley Country Park , near Leyland. Members and guests are invited to bring along books, displays, slides, Powerpoint presentation or CDs with pictures on to show to the group. The speakers will be Richard Burkmar and Graham Jones who will give an illustrated talk on the Sandhill Rustic in Lancashire. Organiser, Steve Palmer - 01772 861570.

To find The Barn, come off the M6 at J28 and take the B5256 eastbound, crossing the A49 at the traffic lights. After one mile (and just as you leave the houses) turn left at the top of the hill onto Shady Lane. Proceed for about a mile past Nell Lane on your left then take the next right down Berkeley Drive. The Barn is on your left after a couple of hundred yards with ample parking beyond.

Sunday, 18th April

Belted Beauty Search

10:30am to about midday. Meet at Potts Corner Car Park (SD413571), near Heysham - a small parking charge may apply. We aim to look for and record numbers of the rare Belted Beauty moth. Last year several hundred were found in our most successful visit to date. Please come equipped for cold, windy and wet conditions – the search will take place whatever the weather! Organiser, Steve Palmer - 01772 861570.

Sunday, 25th April

Green Hairstreak Hunt

12 to 1pm. A North Lancashire event at Clougha. Meet at the car park on Rigg Lane SD 526 604. Short walk of about 150m to the area where the hairstreaks occur, gentle uphill slope but walking boots probably advisable. Organiser – Martin Wain 01524 389361 or mobile 07773 431420

Sunday, 25th April

Spring Butterflies and Moths

11am. Meet at the end of Ambleside Road, Flixton, Manchester (SJ741942). A time for Small Tortoiseshell, Orange-tip, Holly Blue and possibly even Small Copper.

After the walk the leader will be taking you back to his house to look at moths caught the previous night with a tempting offer of tea/coffee and biscuits. Bring your own packed lunch if required. The walk is over rough ground so stout walking boots are required. Organiser, Kevin McCabe – 0161 7486429.

Sunday, 25th April.

Early spring in East Lancashire

11am. Greenbooth Reservoir, Rochdale for Green Hairstreak and possible Wall Brown. A fairly energetic three hour or so walk, meeting at the former bus turn-around in Norden centre on the A680 by the Bridge Inn (Hotel?) SD 858 146. Direct bus service runs on a Sunday from Rochdale. Bring a packed lunch, some walking on open moorland and no facilities. Stout foot-ware required. Contact Richard Greenwood, Tel: 01706 351377

Friday, 7th May

Butterfly Conservation (Lancs Branch) AGM

7.30pm to 10pm. The Barn, Cuerden Valley Country Park, near Bamber Bridge.

The event will include an illustrated talk by guest speaker Dr Richard Burkmar entitled “Gardening for butterflies and moths”. Organiser, Steve Palmer - 01772 861570.

To find The Barn, come off the M6 at J28 and take the B5256 eastbound, crossing the A49 at the traffic lights. After one mile (and just as you leave the houses) turn left at the top of the hill onto Shady Lane. Proceed for about a mile past Nell Lane on your left then take the next right down Berkeley Drive. The Barn is on your left after a couple of hundred yards with ample parking beyond.

Saturday, 8th May

Moorland edge butterflies in Spring

11am. Walker Fold Farm, abuve Bolton. Meet at the small ''pull off'' car park across the road from Walker Fold Farm (SD676122) near a cluster of cottages on the B6402 Walker Fold Rd., which meets Chorley old road (B6226) at the Bob's Smithy pub. and leads onto Belmont Rd. The walk is approx 3 miles taking in 3 or 4 Green Hairstreak sites. Boots are needed but terrain not dangerous. Normal care needed and packed lunch. Organiser, Jill Mills – 01204 692787.

Sunday, 9 May

Green Hairstreak hunt

10:30am. Werneth Low Country Park, Tameside. Meet at the Visitor Centre car park SJ 960936. Looking for Green Hairstreak (Wall is a possibility, probably a bit early though). This trip will involve a few short but fairly steep climbs and some off-path/rarely used path walking over tussocks. Packed lunch and a drink recommended – hill climbs can be thirsty work in warm weather!) Leader: Phil Kinder, Secretary of the Cheshire & Peak District Branch of Butterfly Conservation. Please contact Phil for further details. Tel: 0161 430 5107 (home) or 07747 481463 (Mobile).

Saturday, 15th May

"Moths Count" Training Event

10am - 3.30pm . "An Introduction to Moths" at Leighton Moss RSPB reserve nr. Carnforth (SD476749) led by Steve Palmer. All Moths Count events are free but must be booked in advance. Booking is strictly via Butterfly Conservation on 01929 406009 or nmrs@butterfly-conservation.org These free, daytime, classroom based courses are for beginners who wish to take those first steps in understanding about, finding and identifying moths.

Saturday, 15th May (night)

NATIONAL MOTH NIGHT

This is an annual event and anyone who wishes to participate simply records any moths seen on the night and sends the details in to the scheme organisers. If you do take part please send your records to Steve Palmer via email s.palmer12@btopenworld.com or to the address at the end of this newsletter including your name, the location (with 6 figure grid ref.), type of trap used and how long you trapped for. If you intend organising an event for NMN do advertise it through the Lancs Branch of Butterfly Conservation website and the Lancashire Moth Group website. Records are appreciated as soon as possible after the event.

Saturday, 22nd May

Search for moth and butterfly caterpillars

10am Chorlton, Manchester led by Ben Smart (0161 8819056)

Meet at 10am by the entrance to the Hardy Farm field, on the right hand side at the very end of Hardy Lane, Chorlton to explore Hardy Farm, Chorlton (SJ815926). Specific targets are to find the caterpillars of Small Skipper and possibly Gatekeeper but if the weather is suitable there should be plenty of butterflies and day-flying moths on the wing as well.

Sunday, 23rd May

Habitat Management

1015 am. Plock Wood, Yarrow Valley, Chorley – pulling Himalayan Balsam. Meet at Yarrow Valley Visitor’s Centre car park. SD 570 152. Contact Eddie Langrish – 01257 232100 or email edwinlangrish@btinternet.com

Saturday, 12th June NEW

A day and night (MV light-trapping) session at North Beach Car Park, Lytham St. Anne's

Meet at 10.30 at the North Beach Car Park (SD311297) for the daytime session and 21.00 for the MV session, although people are welcome to stay for the entire day. The Wardens hut has both toilet and tea making facilities and will be available for use throughout. Several sites will be available for survey on the day.

The area is currently part of a major sand dune recovery project and biological records, particularly of invertebrates, are needed by the Sand Dune Officer, Anne Heslop, who will be attending on the day along with Graham Jones, Reserves Manager for LWT and Macro Moth Recorder for VC59&60. For further details contact Graham Jones 01772 318371 gjones@lancswt.org.uk or Anne Heslop 07595233424 aheslop@lancswt.org.uk

Sunday, 13th June

Moths (10am) and Butterflies (1pm) of Lower Burgh Meadow.

Come and see the moths on show from the previous night's catch combined with a talk on moths at 10.30am Walk the meadow from 1pm to look for day flying moths and butterflies. Meet at the Yarrow Valley Visitors Centre, Chorley SD 570 152. Contact Eddie Langrish – 01257 232100 or email edwinlangrish@btinternet.com

Sunday, 13th June

Pearls in Summer

11:00am - 1:00pm: Warton Crag, Warton, Carnforth to see Pearl-bordered Fritillary and Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary amongst others. Meet in Warton Crag Quarry car park (SD 491 725). Walking on the lower slopes of the crag with uneven paths and some steep slopes - stout foot-wear advised. For further details contact Colin Peacock, Tel: 01524 733234

Saturday, 19th June

In search of the Large Heath

1200 hrs (midday). Winmarleigh Moss, near Pilling.

The walk will have a specific target of finding the rare Large Heath butterfly but many other species of moth and butterfly can usually be seen on this lowland heather site. This walk takes you over some rough terrain on uneven, scrubby ground with some climbing over stiles so please come suitable attired. Organiser Derrick Smith (01253 356173). As parking near the site is very limited and on private land, please meet at the Car Park (with a toilet) in the middle of Pilling village (SD404483).

Saturday, 19th and Sunday 20th June

Leighton Moss - Annual Moth Event

10pm. Leighton Moss RSPB reserve nr. Carnforth (SD476749)

The event starts with a moth trapping demonstration on Saturday night from 10pm onwards through the night. On Sunday morning (8am to 10 am), learn more about the fascinating world of moths with experts from the Lancaster Moth Group. Booking is essential for the moth breakfast (running from 8am – 10 am.). Cost: £8 (£7 RSPB members) including cooked breakfast. A drop in session will also be available afterwards from 10 am – 12 noon for anyone not booked on the event who wishes to see what’s been caught. For further details and booking for the breakfast (essential) please phone the RSPB on 01524 701601

Saturday, 26th June

Moth Trapping

An overnight moth-trap will be set at Fir Tree Farm, Kings Moss, Billinge (SD505013), or for those with Satnav, postcode WA11 8RG. The contents will be available for inspection on Saturday morning (precise times not available at time of going to press). Organiser Chris Darbyshire. For those who may like to phone to check about the event nearer the time the farm number is 01744 894959.

Sunday, 27th June

Moth Trapping & butterfly walk

10am. Fishwick Bottoms, Preston

Some moths from a previous nights catch will be on show and a talk on these will be given. This will be followed (at 1pm) by a walk through the wild flower area to look for day-flying moths and butterflies. Meet at Fishwick Bottom Car Park off London Road, Preston (SD 551289). For further details, contact Eddie Langrish 01257 232100, email edwinlangrish@btinternet.com or Terry Blackburn 01772 906471, email t.blackburn@preston.gov.uk

Saturday, 10th July

Summertime Skippers

1.45 pm – 3.45 pm Marshside RSPB Reserve near Southport.

A joint walk with West Lancashire Wildlife. Target species will be Small Skipper, Large Skipper and Gatekeeper. Meet at Sefton Council car park opposite junction of Marine Drive and Marshside Road, (SD 352204). Ring 0151 9243921 and ask for Daniel Flenley to confirm attending.

Sunday, 11th July

Summertime Meadow Butterflies and Moths.

1pm. Yarrow Valley, Chorley.

Species expected, Gatekeeper, Large and Small skipper, Comma, Meadow Brown, Small copper etc., plus day-flying moths. Meet at the Yarrow Valley Visitor’s Centre SD570152. We will put a moth trap out the night before, with a talk before we set off. Distance of walk about three miles – good walking shoes recommended. Organiser, James Hide – 01772 865392

Sunday, 11 July

Mid Summer Hairstreaks

10:30am. Chadkirk Country Estate, Romiley. Meet at the Vale Road car park SJ 937897. A walk to find White Letter Hairstreak (Purple Hairstreak also occur here) and other butterflies. Walking at Chadkirk is largely flat and easy going. Leader: Phil Kinder, Secretary of the Cheshire & Peak District Branch of Butterfly Conservation. Please contact Phil for further details. Tel: 0161 430 5107 (home) or 07747 481463 (Mobile). Walk expected to finish about 1.30pm so packed lunches may be needed.

Saturday, 17th July

The Sefton Dunes in Summer

1.45 pm – 3.45 pm Ainsdale Sand Dunes NNR, near Formby.

Target species will be Dark Green Fritillary, Grayling, Gatekeeper. Meet at Natural England office (SD 301111). Ring 0151 9243921 and ask for Daniel Flenley to confirm attending.

Saturday, 17th July

Satyr of the Elms

12:00 (midday). Stanley Park, Blackpool

A walk to observe butterflies in this urban park but specifically to look for the White-letter Hairstreak butterfly on elms. Meet at the Park Information Centre car park (SD326359) which is at the east end of the drive in from the main gates. Organiser Derrick Smith (01253 356173).

Sunday 18 July

White-letter Hairstreak hunt

2pm. Bradley Lane, Mersey Valley, Sale. Meet at the end of Bradley Lane, Sale (SJ 783932) – there is some car-parking space at the end of the lane at the side of the road. An afternoon guided walk with Peter Hardy, Butterfly Recorder for Greater Manchester to find White-letter Hairstreak and other butterflies. Stout foot-ware recommended to cope with brambles. Please contact Peter for further details. Tel: 0161 9720725.

Saturday, 24th July

Butterflies of meadow and woodland

12.00 – 2.00pm. Beacon Country Park, Upholland

Target species include Speckled Wood, Gatekeeper, Common Blue and the general butterflies and day flying moths of Beacon Country Park. Would suit those beginning their interest in Lepidoptera and with a general interest in natural history. Binoculars are useful for observing butterflies as well as birds! There are designated paths, tracks and rides with some slopes and slightly rough ground. Light walking boots advised. Beacon Country Park is West Lancashire Borough Council's main countryside site, consisting of over 300 acres of rolling countryside on the slopes of Ashurst Beacon above Skelmersdale.

Meet at the Visitor Centre Car Park (SD505066) by the Ranger Service hut. The entrance to the Country Park Visitor Centre is on Elmers Green Lane, off Beacon Lane , which runs between Upholland and Dalton. It is locally well signposted. If weather forecast looks bad please contact the Organiser – Dr Richard Charles

Tel, 01257 464604 or mobile 07802 83 84 32

Saturday, 24th July

An Introduction to Moth Recording

10am to 3.30pm, The Barn, Cuerden Valley Park, Bamber Bridge. This Moths Count event is run by Graham Jones of the Wildlife Trust for Lancs, Greater Manchester and Merseyside. There will be sessions on identifying moths, using MapMate and the various methods that can be used to record moths, including information on the different light-traps available. Pre-Booking is essential through Laura Wiffen lwiffen@butterfly-conservation.org Butterfly Conservation, Manor Yard, East Lulworth, Wareham, Dorset BH20 5QP Tel: 01929 406009

To find The Barn, come off the M6 at J28 and take the B5256 eastbound, crossing the A49 at the traffic lights. After one mile (and just as you leave the houses) turn left at the top of the hill onto Shady Lane. Proceed for about a mile past Nell Lane on your left then take the next right down Berkeley Drive. The Barn is on your left after a couple of hundred yards with ample parking beyond.

Sunday, 1st August

High Brown Fritillary hunt

1:00pm. Yealand Hall Allotments, Silverdale. An afternoon walk with David Wrigley to see High Brown and Dark Green Fritillaries and to observe the conservation work being carried out by Butterfly Conservation as part of their Morecambe Bay Limestones Project to conserve the High Brown Fritillary ( http://www.butterfly-conservation.org/article.asp?PageId=9&ArticleId=124 ). Meet at the entrance to Yealand Hall Allotments on Storrs Lane - SD 494 761, at 1:00pm. For further details contact David Wrigley on 01524 782962.

Sunday, 1st August

The St Annes Dunes in Summer

1pm. Starr Hills Nature Reserve, Blackpool (SD309307). Park just north of the New Thursby Nursing Home. If the weather looks doubtful phone the organiser, Barry Dyson on 01253 885144.

Sunday, 8th August

Rakewood, Nr. Littleborough, Rochdale

Meet 11:00 am at the Hollingworth Lake Visitor Centre, Rakewood Road, Littleborough - SD 940152 hoping to see Gatekeeper, Wall Brown and Small Heath. Trains from Manchester, Rochdale, Todmorden etc to Littleborough or Smithy Bridge stations, buses from Rochdale, Littleborough and Milnrow. Fairly easy walking but stout foot-ware advised, duration about 3 hours. The visitor centre on Rakewood Road has a small museum, toilets, café, refreshment and gift shop. Contact Richard Greenwood, Tel: 01706 351377

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