At the end of May begining of June, two reserves that have out of the ordinary species, you can find them on google.

1 Prestbury Hill Reserve above Cheltenham, It’s a bit hard to find but is up the hill just past Sainsburys. Very hilly but well worth the effort. Rare butterflies, moths and orchids.

2 Prees Heath Common Reserve, the last place in Midlands for Silver Studded Blue. It’s an old airfield near Whitchurch, Shropshire. Look for them on the Bell Heather very like the Common Blue but have silver spots in wing circles. Google them in for more information.

Dave

I Have managed to get a group concession at the Butterfly Farm on Saturday 5th November but will need 10 Members to attend to get the reduction .the cost per person will be £6.50 entrance fee. We will be there for 9:45 for a 10 o’clock start. It begins to get crowded around 12 Noon so we should get 2 hours or so tuition time. I’m hoping one or two of the senior members will be on hand to give a hand. You will be free to stay as long as you like but I will be going at 12:30. There is a car park opposite and you can park on the cricket ground. Unfortunately there will be a charge so car sharing is better..sort out amongst yourselves.

The Butterfly Farm is situated just over the bridge up to the roundabout come back towards the bridge turn left behind the Swan pub. All interested please let me know in good time via my email.

Camera and lens around 100mm best. Any zoom that covers it ok. Macro prefered. Travel light as the humidity is high in there. There is a cloak room as such at owners risk. A dedicated flash is preferred but the camera one works fine.

I look forward to seeing you there.

Dave

Great day out at  Westonbirt today (19/10/2016) colours are at a peak but some are starting to drop a good frost and it will all be over, weekend should be fine

21/09/2016
Out and about. Look for fungi wet woodland old rotting trees are all starting to appear  also small coral ones yellow red black and white. good hunting.

Can’t identify it? Go to World of Nature on the web. There is a good reference page on it.

Night flying moths can be found flying around outside house lights . The butterfly and moth conservation sites on the web. Pictures galore flying times and ordinance survey sites around the midlands.

Barry informed me that the deer at Bradgate Park are fenced off to photographers. You now have to book up and pay £5 to go in guided by a warden. Not the best way in my mind. Your time will be restricted and at the wardens pleasure. Has anyone any better local site to do deer? Charlecote Park out Stratford way and Eastnore on the Malverns is another but to my recollection they only come down off the hills at night time and are gone at first light.
Dave

15/09/2016

Out and about this weekend – the Ivy is coming into flower, it is a mecca for wasps bees and hornets and the comma, small tortoishell, red admiral, painted lady and peacock butterflies. Very easy to do but watch you don’t cast a shadow over the subject. Also the shield bugs are showing.
Dave