Butterfly Conservation - North East Branch

A number of events are being run in the North of England this summer which may be of interest to members of the North East England Branch. If you are interested in attending any of the events listed outside our region, please contact Dave Wainwright.

24 January 2009
	Annual General Meeting
	The meeting will take place at Rainton Meadows Nature Reserve, Houghton-le Spring at 2.00 pm to be followed by judgement of the Photographic Competition. Reports will be given, followed by election of Officers for 2009. Any Other Business should be directed to the Chairman no later than twenty one days before the meeting.

25 January 2009
	Winter work party
	Please note the meeting place is changed from that indicated below and will now be in the larger car park at Havannah; i.e. the one closest to the airport and the Dinnington Rd. Other details are not changed.
	Volunteers are invited to join a work party at Havannah Nature Reserve near Hazlerigg on the outskirts of Newcastle. The reserve, which is owned by Newcastle City Council, is a good example of a 'brown field' site that has developed into good habitat for butterflies including the Dingy Skipper which has one of its largest colonies in the north-east here. However, scrub encroachment needs to be kept under control and the work party will assist with clearance of hawthorn and gorse that is spreading onto the best butterfly areas. We will meet at 10 am at the Three Hills car park (nearest to Hazlerigg village) and aim to finish by about 3 pm. Please bring stout boots, waterproofs and a packed lunch. Tools and work gloves will be provided. If you are interested in taking part, please contact Dave Stebbings.

21 March 2009
	Winter work party
	Volunteers are invited to join a work party carrying out work to maintain habitat for the Small Pearl Bordered Fritillary in County Durham. This species is hanging on tenuously in the County and efforts to protect its habitat in sites where it occurs are vital to ensure its survival. Tools and work gloves will be provided; volunteers should wear suitable footwear as ground may be wet in parts. Bring a packed lunch. If you are interested in taking part, please contact Dave Stebbings.

4 April 2009
	National Butterfly Recorders' Meeting
	The meeting will take place at the Birmingham and Midland Institute, Birmingham. Anyone interested in butterflies is welcome; you don't have to be an active recorder. However, advanced booking is required and there is a (heavily subsidised) registration fee of £5 per person, made on the day, to help cover the costs of venue hire, tea/coffee and buffet lunch. If you would like to book a place or want further details please contact Ian Middlebrook at Butterfly Conservation (01929 400209 or imiddlebrook@butterfly-conservation.org) providing your name, address, email and contact number.

19 April 2009
	Darlington Green Fayre
	The Branch will have a stand at the Green Fayre which will take place in South Park, Darlington from 12 noon to 4 pm.

20 May 2009
	Pearl Bordered Fritillary Workshop
	The event will take place at Warton Crag, Lancashire. Booking required; contact Dave Wainwright for details.

12 - 13 June 2009
	Bioblitz Event
	Following the success of last year's event, Northumberland Biodiversity Partnership is organising a 'Bioblitz' event on Holy island in June. The aim is to count as many species as possible within the two days. Members of the public are invited to take part alongside a team of wildlife experts. There will be a variety of specific activities organised and a timetable will be published prior to the event. The organisers are keen to include some butterfly/moth activities and any Butterfly Conservation members interested in getting involved should contact the organiser. Details of last year's event can be seen here.

13 June 2009
	Moth Trapping at Tilery Wood
	A chance to see some of the moths flying in woodland in the summer. The event starts at 10 pm and the meeting place is just off the A689 between Billingham and Sedgefield (map reference NZ403284). Bring a torch, midge repellant, flask and warm clothing. Booking not required but contact Dave Wainwright for further details.

4 July 2009
	Moorbank Botanic Garden Butterfly and Moth Open Day
	In conjunction with OPAL the Botanic Gardens on Claremont Road, Newcastle upon Tyne will be open between 11 am and 4 pm. In addition to the chance to see the gardens and hothouses, normally closed to the public, there will be the opportunity to find out more about the region's butterflies and moths from local experts as well as butterfly themed craft activities for children. Free.

19 July 2009
	Coast and Countryside Festival
	Butterfly Conservation's stand will be one of many attractions at the annual Festival held at Souter Lighthouse near South Shields.

23 July 2009
	Chalk Carpet Workshop
	At Wharram Quarry Nature Reserve near Malton, North Yorkshire. Chalk Carpet is classified as Nationally Scarce and is a Biodiversity Action Plan Priority Species. The workshop will cover survey methods for this species with a view to encouraging surveying in order to improve our knowledge of its distribution. Chalk Carpet occurs on the Magnesian Limestone in County Durham and a similar event was run successfully at Wingate Quarry in 2008. Booking required; contact Dave Wainwright for further details.

30 July 2009
	Grasslands and Butterflies Workshop
	At Leighton Moss, Lancashire. Contact Dave Wainwright for details and booking.

25 July - 2 August 2009
	Alnwick Garden Events
	A week of events at Anlnwick Gardens, Northumberland involving various butterfly activities aimed at children. More details will be provided once available.

5 August 2009
	Moth Trapping at Ingram Village
	In conjunction with Alnwick Wildlife Group, Dave Wainwright will lead a workshop on moths and moth recording at Ingram Village Hall near Powburn. 8 pm till late, booking essential. Contact Dave Wainwright or on 01388 488428.

14 November 2009
	Winter Work Party at Havannah Nature Reserve
	Volunteers are welcome to join a work party at Havannah Nature Reserve at Hazlerigg just north of Newcastle. We will be clearing invading scrub from some of the best butterfly areas. We will be meeting at the large car park at the airport end of the reserve near to the Dinnington Road junction at 10:00am. Grid Reference NZ215718. Tools and gloves will be provided; bring a packed lunch and suitable clothes and footwear (e.g. wellies/walking boots). Contact Dave Stebbings.

13 December 2009
	Winter Work Party at Havannah Nature Reserve
	Volunteers are welcome to join a work party at Havannah Nature Reserve at Hazlerigg just north of Newcastle. We will be clearing invading scrub from some of the best butterfly areas. We will be meeting at the large car park at the airport end of the reserve near to the Dinnington Road junction at 10:00am. Grid Reference NZ215718. Tools and gloves will be provided; bring a packed lunch and suitable clothes and footwear (e.g. wellies/walking boots). Contact Dave Stebbings.