Due to the Covid-19 Pandemic these Field Trips are at the moment postponed, in accordance with the Government and Butterfly Conservation rules on Field Meetings.
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Field Trips for 2021
April 2021
Sunday 18th April
New Forest: Matley Heath (SU332073)
Meet at 10:30am: Target Species: Emperor Moth
Leader Ashley Whitlock Tel: 02392 731266 mob 07752 812340
Directions: On Junction 1 of the M27 find the sign to Cadham A337 and then onto Lyndhurst then take the B3056 to Matley Heath, parking there at Matley Passage, this is another look at the Emperor Moth following on from the success of the 2019 season. Please Bring Lunch
N.B. This venue may change at short notice due to car park being closed because of nesting birds in area.
May 2021
Sunday 2ndMay
Ramsdean Down and Grandfather’s Bottom (SU712205)
Meet at 10:30am: Target Species: Duke of Burgundy, Grizzled Skipper
Dingy Skipper, Red Kite and Cuckoo
Leader Ashley Whitlock Tel: 02392 731266 mob 07752 812340
Directions: Follow the signs from the A3 turnoff for Clanfield and then on towards signs for Butser Hill. There is a large mast on the top of the hill, park in the car-park where there is a charge. This will be a strenuous walk taking in a few Duke of Burgundy colonies. With very uneven steep slopes not for the feint hearted. . Please Bring Lunch
Wednesday 5th May
Beacon Hill Exton & Stephen’s Castle Down (SU605227 & SU560200)
Meet at 09:30am Target Species: Duke of Burgundy, Brown Argus & Green Hairstreak
Leader Ashley Whitlock Tel: 02392 731266 mob 07752 812340
There is no parking at Stephens Castle Down so a car will have to ferry field trippers to the site from Beacon Hill. Please note the time of meeting as the ferry service will take some time! Please Bring Lunch
Wednesday 12thMay
New Forest
Ivy Wood/New Copse Inclosure (SU315024)
Meet at 10:30am Target species: Pearl Bordered Fritillary
Leader Ashley Whitlock Tel: 02392 731266 mob 07752 812340
Directions: Follow the A337 from Lyndhurst approaching Balmerlawn go left and follow the B3055 underneath Railway Bridge for about a mile. Car Park for Ivy Wood is clearly marked as you head south east, close to the Pig Hotel. We can walk along the Lymington River in the afternoon for dragonflies and other invertebrates…. Please Bring Lunch
Sunday 16th May
Stockbridge Down (SU380350)
Meet at 10:30 Target Species: Duke of Burgundy, Pearl-Bordered Fritillary, Grizzled Skipper, Brown Argus
Leader Ashley Whitlock Tel: 02392 731266 mob 07752 812340
Directions: On the A272 from Winchester in the East, Stockbridge Down is 6 miles from the city centre. Good parking on both sides of the road. Good walks around the area. Please Bring Lunch
Wednesday 19th May
Broughton Down (SU294327)
Meet at 10:30am: Target Species: Adonis Blue Possible Duke of Burgundy
Leader: Ashley Whitlock Tel: 02392 731266 Mob: 07752 182340
Directions: From Romsey follow the A3057 north for signs to Spearywell, from B3084 follow north until you see a sign for Broughton. Turn left along a rough track Broughton Down is in front of you. Or from A343/A30 from the north follow A30 until you see a sign for the B3084 for Broughton . Please Bring Lunch
Sunday 23rd May
Martin Down (Sillens Lane end) (SU058191) Meet at 09:30am
Target Species: Adonis Blue, Small Blue, Marsh Fritillary Brown Argus, rare invertebrates, with possible Duke of Burgundy, flora and fauna
Leader Ashley Whitlock Tel: 02392 731266 mob 07752 812340
Directions: Approach the site from the A354 look for the signpost for Blandford Forum; car-park is a mile or so from the turning off from Martin village turn left into Sillens Lane: Park at the end of the road/track, we are going to look at Martin Down from a different angle…note the time please as the site is quite large, and we can look at the site where the Duke of Burgundy has been reported. . Please Bring Lunch
Wednesday 26th May
Bentley Wood (SU260300)
Meet at 10:30: Target Species: Pearl Bordered Fritillary, Marsh Fritillary,
Small Pearl-Bordered Fritillary, Argent and Sable Moth
Leader Ashley Whitlock Tel: 02392 731266 mob 07752 812340
Directions: from the West Dean Village from Romsey in the East, approach from the West via Salisbury to East Grimstead, from the north and south can be found from the M3 via Winchester/Stockbridge, along the A30 to Winterslow all well signposted. Good invertebrates and birdlife. Please Bring Lunch
Sunday 31st May
New Forest
Holmsley/Brownhill Inclosure (SU232004)
Meet at 10:30am Target Species: Possible Small Pearl-Bordered Fritillary
Leader Ashley Whitlock Tel: 02392 731266 mob 07752 812340
Directions: From the Motorway M27 which goes into the A31 before Ringwood come off at Picket Post head for the village of Burley, head south-east along station road, car park is in front of you over old railway line. Bring lunch as there is a lot of forest and wet meadows to explore. Please Bring Lunch
June 2021
Wednesday 6th June
Portsdown Hill - Fort Widley (SU622067)
Meet at 10:30am: Target Species: Small Blue, Common Blue, Possible Wall
Leader: Ashley Whitlock: Tel 02392 731266 mob: 07752 182340
Directions: From the (A3) south into Portsmouth look for sign for Queen Alexandria Hospital. Southwick Hill Road very steep up to B2177 onto James Callahan drive roundabout then head East where the car-park is situated on the left hand side as you drive towards Fort Widley. From the M27 find Junction 12 Southampton road (A3) then signposted to Queen Alexandria Hospital along London Road turn left at traffic lights, past hospital steep hill look for James Callahan Roundabout and follow signs for Fort Widley where the car park is on the left hand side.
Wednesday 23rd June
Abbotstone Down (SU583364)
Meet at 09:30am Target Species: Marbled White, Dark-Green Fritillary, possible Purple Emperor and other good flora and fauna
Leader Ashley Whitlock Tel: 02392 731266 mob 07752 812340##
Directions: On the M3 motorway come off at junction (9) Winchester By-pass take the A33 Basingstoke Road, B3047, follow signs to Itchen Abbas, then onto Itchen Stoke arriving at New Alresford at church head north into Old Alresford (B3046) signposted Abbotstone Down & Oliver’s Battery Settlement Car-Park. An old field trip site good flora and fauna, with woodland and chalkdownland-. Please Bring Lunch
Sunday 27th June
New Forest
Hawkhill Inclosure (am) Hatchet Moor (pm) – (SU357005)
Meet at 10:30am: Early Grayling, Silver-Studded Blue, Dark Green Fritillary, White Admiral, good Bird life possible Nightjar
Leader - Ashley Whitlock Tel- 02392 731266 Mobile 07752 182340
Directions: Along the M27 Motorway look for junction (1) come off of the motorway here towards Lyndhurst. Through Lyndhurst ( A very busy market town allow for plenty of time ) Look for signs to Brockenhurst along the A337, from Brockenhurst and Lyndhurst follow the B3055 with the car-park on the left hand side in Hawkhill Inclosure, and Hatchet Moor on the right hand side. Meet at the car-park in Hawkhill Inclosure: With easy walking in the tranquil New Forest. (Explorer Map OL22). Please Bring Lunch
July 2021
Sunday 4th July
Alice Holt Forest – Abbotts Wood Inclosure (SU815480)
Meet at 09:30 am: Target Species: Purple Emperor, White Admiral,
Silver-Washed Fritillary, Possibly Red Kite, and Buzzard
Leader - Ashley Whitlock Tel- 02392 731266 Mobile 07752 182340
Directions: From the North along the A325 go through Farnham through Wrecclesham/Birdworld fork left at the Public House called the Half-Way House. Meet at the Abbotts Wood Inclosure car-park on the right hand side at 1030. From the South follow the A3 until the junction with the A325, follow this through Whitehill and Frith End, then turn right at Goose Green Farm, follow road all the way around, called High Thicket Road, then onto Dockenfield Street. Car-park will be on your left, bring lunch (OS Map Explorer 14. Please Bring Lunch
Wednesday 7th July
Farley Mount (SU435295)
Meet at 09:30am: Target Species: Purple Emperor, Dark Green Fritillary, & Scarlet Tiger Moth
Leader: Ashley Whitlock Tel: 02392 731266 Mob: 07752 182340
Directions: Well signposted along the old Roman Road known as the Sarem Road from Winchester, the area has many car-parks, but park at the Pitt Down car-park known as Spindle Tree Car-Park. This is a long day so bring lunch, in the morning we will circum-navigate West Wood and look in on Crab Wood, and then in the afternoon look at Pitt Down. Please Bring Lunch
Saturday 10th July
Micheldever Wood – (SO24 9UB) OS Grid Ref (SU53013753)
Meet at 09:30am: Target Species: Purple Emperor, Silver-Washed Fritillary, and White Admiral
Leader Ashley Whitlock Tel: 02392 731266 mob 07752 812340
Directions: Postcode SO24 9UB will get you on to Chillandham Lane but please note this postcode is for a private property further along and on the opposite side of the lane to the car park. SU 5301 3753 Micheldever Wood is five miles northeast of Winchester, bordering the M3. . Please Bring Lunch
Wednesday 15th July
West Harting Down (SU737157)
Meet at 09:30am: Target Species: Purple Emperor, Silver-Washed Fritillary, Dark-Green Fritillary, and Hummingbird Hawk Moth
Leader Ashley Whitlock Tel: 02392 731266 mob 07752 812340
Directions: Follow signs from the A3 motorway for the Village of Chalton, turn left at the Red Lion Inn and then over Railway bridge where there is limited parking at the side of the road going up to Ditchem Park School. Following on from the success in the 2015 and 2018 season where the Purple Emperor was seen at least twice on two occasions, plenty of good flora and fauna for the wildflower connoisseur. Buddleias on the ride side verges were packed with Comma, Peacock, and Small Tortoiseshells on past field trips. . Please Bring Lunch
August 2021
Sunday 15th August
Shipton Bellinger (SU222465)
Meet at 09:30am: Target Species: Brown Hairstreak, Wall Brown
Leader: Ashley Whitlock Tel: 02392 731266 Mob: 07752 731266
Directions: Meet at the Village Hall car-park, and then it is straight walk up to the Blackthorn thickets, where hopefully Brown Hairstreaks will be observed. From the A303 (T) the main Amesbury to Andover road, look for the A338 Shipton Bellinger/Tidworth road, this road goes underneath the main road of the A303 (T). The village of Shipton Bellinger is 2-3 miles on the left on the A338. Bring lunch as we will visit another site in the afternoon
Wednesday 18th August
Soberton Down & River Meon (SU612165)
Meet at 10:30am: Target Species: Possible Brown Hairstreak
Leader Ashley Whitlock Tel: 02392 731266 mob 07752 812340
Directions: This site has been a good area now for several years where Brown Hairstreak eggs have been found, so chances of seeing a female laying may well be possible. Found along the Wickham Road (A32) Park in the car-park almost opposite the site, where the Town Hall is situated. We can also walk along the river Meon where there is another site where Brown Hairstreak eggs have been found, also Kingfisher, Dragonflies and other interesting flora and fauna. . Please Bring Lunch
Sunday 22nd August
New Forest
Beaulieu Heath (SU350018)
Meet at 10:30am: Target Species: Grayling
Leader Ashley Whitlock Tel: 02392 731266 mob 07752 812340
Directions: Along the M27 Motorway look for junction (1) come off of the motorway here towards Lyndhurst. Through Lyndhurst ( A very busy market town allow for plenty of time ) Look for signs to Brockenhurst along the A337, from Brockenhurst and Lyndhurst follow the B3055 with the car-park on the left hand side in Hawkhill Inclosure, and Hatchet Moor on the right hand side. Meet at the car-park in Hawkhill Inclosure: With easy walking in the tranquil New Forest, . Please Bring Lunch
(Explorer Map OL22)
Wednesday 29th August
St Catherine’s Hill Down (SU485277)
Meet at 10:30: Target Species: Adonis Blue, Silver-Spotted Skipper, and other flora and fauna
Leader Ashley Whitlock Tel: 02392 731266 mob 07752 812340
Directions: Can be seen from the M3 Motorway, come off at Junction 10 and on to the A31 over a roundabout, parking is on the left hand side. Very steep in places, spectacular views of Winchester from the Fort and Maze at the summit of St.Catherines Hill, bring lunch. Parking at Shawford Down. Please Bring Lunch
Wednesday 1st September 2021
Beacon Hill NNR (SU605227)
Meet at 10:30
Target Species: Silver-Spotted Skipper, Brown Argus, Clouded Yellow spectacular views
Leader Ashley Whitlock Tel: 02392 731266 mob 07752 812340
Directions: Located just of the A32 the Wickham road from the south drive through Droxford village, and Corhampton Villages, then turn immediately left into the village of Exton (Easily missed) Past the public house called the Shoe Inn and along the narrow tracks up to Beacon Hill, to where the car-park is.
Sunday 5th September
Old Winchester Hill (SU640208)
Meet at 10:30am: Target Species: Adonis Blue, Silver-Spotted Skipper, & Clouded Yellow
Leader Ashley Whitlock Tel: 02392 731266 mob 07752 812340
Directions: The reserve can be found from the north through West Meon on the A32 well-marked as a NNR Reserve, also from the south throughout the village of Droxford, again along the A32, very steep hillsides in places. Please Bring Lunch
Message from the field trip co-ordinator
Footnote: If the weather looks inclement then please phone the leader of the field trip advertised. I will personally change the date of my field trips if the long range weather suggests the weather is going to be wet and windy, on the Hants Butterfly website page a few days before and also on the Hampshire Butterfly Facebook page.

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September 2021








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Meanwhile lets have a look at some fields trips from yesteryear....There have been so many highlights over the years and for those who have been on my field trips I hope this brings back some memories. For any of you reading this and thinking of dipping your toes into the Hampshire Butterfly field trips in the future, then I hope these notes and pictures will encourage you to come along. Join me and my other fellow field trippers for a day out looking at Hampshire's glorious flora and fauna. On most occasions we find our' target' species, but even if we dont we have a good go, and I must say we tend to learn a lot from other peoples knowledge.
These are just a snap shot of many field trips I organise every year. There are invariably up to 20 walks starting at the end of April with at least 3 or 4 every month and these will go on until the first week of September. I try and start them about 10:30am, so everybody who is coming can get to the site in ample time. As the Purple Emperor is such a fickle butterfly and very weather dependant, it can be flying very early in the rides, so some of the field trips will start at 09:30am in June and July.
Field trips are for everyone, however rough terrain over fields and in woods could regrettably make access impossible for some people with mobility issues...although having said that there are exceptions and photographs in this section under (May 2016 Martin Down) show a mobility scooter moving over the chalk downland with some ease and the owner saw everything he wanted to see!
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Two Field Trips in 2020 under Covid restrictions were to Shipton Bellinger to see the Brown Hairstreak and Wall Brown on the 9th August and the 20th August at Old Winchester Hill to see the Clouded Yellow and Silver Spotted Skipper

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May 2019 New Forest : target species : Pearl-Bordered Fritillary and Raft Spider
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May 2018 Botany Bay Surrey (not Australia!) target species: Wood White and Nightingale
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August 2017 Beacon Hill NNR (Exton) target species: Silver-spotted Skipper
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May 2016 Martin Down target species: Marsh Fritillary, and Adonis Blue.
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July 2015 West Harting Down target species Purple Emperor, Hummingbird-Hawk Moth





May 2014 Hyden Wood target species: Orange Tip and Bluebell woods.





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June 2013 Setley Common target species:
Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary and Silver-Studded Blue


