Diary - Field Trips and Other BDS Events
BDS Field Meetings, Courses and other events for 2008
This is the diary of special events, courses, field trips and holidays for 2008.
Field trip and other event dates will be published as they become available.
Events for April, May, June, July, August and November can be found below. Please note that where limited places are available, priority will be given to BDS Members.
For Safaris and Couses run by the Dragonfly Project please see their web site.
Dragonfly Week The BDS Dragonfly Week will run from Saturday June 21st to Sunday June 29th.
This is the sixth year that the BDS has held this successful series of events to introduce our favourite insects to the general public.
Once again a wide range of BDS events are taking place around the country for our members and friends to attend.
The Dragonfly Week events are highlighted below.
If you are organising a dragonfly-themed event of any kind and it's not on here already, please contact our Conservation Officer with the details for including on our site. We can also help out with materials and ideas for activities if required.
| Saturday 5th April 2008 | Brandon Marsh Nature Centre, Warwickshire
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| Event | Larval identification workshop. Indoor and outdoor sessions to be held at the Warwickshire Wildlife Trust Nature Centre. |
| Contact | Peter Reeve on 01926 632400
or e-mail peter@reeve60.uklinux.net |
| Meet | 10.15 for 10.30am start at the Nature entre (SP 386761). Map available at www.reeve60.uklinux.net/wdg
|
| Requirements | Strong footwear and lunch (cafe available) |
| Notes | Payment of £6.50 charge to the Warwickshire Wildlife Trust. |
| Sunday 27th April 2008 | Stover Country Park, Devon |
| Event | South-west Atlas Launch and Member's Day. Presentations will include the Dragonflies in Focus Project (Steve Prentice), the role of the Conservation Officer (Kat Parkes) and Devon Key Dragonfly Sites (Dave Smallshire), plus exuviae collection around the lake and identification workshop. |
| Contact | Dave Smallshire on 01626 853393
or e-mail davesmalls@supanet.com |
| Meet | 10.00am at the visitor centre (SX 833751; entrance off A382 to Newton Abbot, 300m from A38, 10 miles from M5), finishing at 4.00pm.
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| Requirements | No pre-booking - open to everyon efrom Land's End to Glos. and Dorset. Bring lunch (drinks provided), wellies and close-focus binoculars for field session. Pay and display car park. |
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| Saturday 17th May 2008 | Mointeach Mararaulin (Glen Brittle), Isle of Skye |
| Leader/Contact | Highland Council Ranger Service and Jonathan Willet Tel 07740 216595 |
| Aim | To search a large blanket bog pool system for Azure Hawker and other species.
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| Meet | 10 am at the Sligachan Hotel (NG 485298). This site is 2.5 hours from Inverness. The nearest village is Broadford.
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| Requirements | The day will be spent on rough boggy ground with no path, so boots/wellies, waterproofs, midge net/repellent and packed lunch required. Colanders and plastic tubs for catching and viewing larvae would be handy. |
| Sunday 18th May 2008 | Grand Western Canal, Devon |
| Leader/Contact | Dave Smallshire on 01626 853393
or e-mail davesmalls@supanet.com |
| Aim | To look for Scarce Chasers and other early species.
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| Meet | At 10.00 am at Ebear Bridge, estleigh (ST 06163): Take A361 from M% at junction 27; in 500m take slip road (signpost Tiverton Parkway); turn right at first and right at second roundabouts; follow minor road for 2 miles until alongside straight section with canal on left; park before canal bridge.
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| Requirements | Close-focus binoculars will be helpful. |
| Sunday 18th May 2008 | Lochcarron (1.5 hours from Inverness) |
| Leader/Contact | Jonathan Willet Tel 07740 216595 |
| Aim | To look for White-faced Darter and also Northern Emerald on this under-recorded site |
| Meet | 10am at the Lochcarron Hotel. NG 90940 |
| Requirements | The day will be spent on rough boggy ground with no path, so boots/wellies, waterproofs, midge net/repellent and packed lunch required. Colanders and plastic tubs for catching and viewing larvae would be handy. |
| Saturday 24th May 2008 | River Nene near Oundle, Northants |
| Leader/Contact | Mark Tyrrell (01933 389748) (e mail mark.p.tyrrell@ntlworld.com: See Northants Local Group website http://www.northantsdragonflies.org.uk |
| Aim | This is the third "Northants Scarce Chaser hunt", and our aim is to record and count immature Scarce Chasers before they disperse. This year's trip will focus on areas of the Nene where Scarce Chaser has not previously been recorded. We sould also see many Banded Demoiselle, Large Red Damselflies and Hairy Dragonflies and may be lucky enough to see some early White-legged Damselflies (especially if it is a warm spring). We will be travelling to several sites over several 1km squares. |
| Meet | Numbers are limited and prebooking is essential, so please contact the meeting leader for joining instructions at least 1 week prior to the walk. Full location and directions will be provided. |
| Requirements | These stretches of the Nene vary from easy walking to areas with significant long grasses and nettles along the banks. Scarce Chaser often roost in nettles and we may need to come close to get to the water's edge o find them. Long trousers and walking boots are advised. Bring a packed lunch and a camera! |
| Saturday 24th May 2008 | Fort William Area, ersit by Loch Treig, 9 miles east of Spean Bridge |
| Leader/Contact | Pat Batty on 01546 605316 or email pat@patbatty0.wanadoo.co.uk |
| Aim | To look for larvae and breeding sites of White-faced Darter, Azure Hawker and Northern Emerald from early records and record 10km squares. Some early species may be flying but the aim is to look for larvae |
| Meet | 10.00am Spean Bridge Car park, NN 221814, behind the Woollen Mill on A82 |
| Requirements | Boots/Wellies, lunch, colander, plastic spoon, midge repelent. Expect some rough ground. |
| Sunday 25th May 2008 | Lock Arkaig, 10 miles west of Spean Bridge Fort William area |
| Leader/Contact | Pat Batty on 01546 605316 or email pat@patbatty0.wanadoo.co.uk
***Please contact me if you are attending; we might be able to make an earlier start.*** |
| Aim | To look for larvae and breeding sites of White-faced Darter, Azure Hawker and Northern Emerald from early records and record 10km squares. Some early species may be flying but the aim is to look for larvae |
| Meet | 10.00am Spean Bridge Car park, NN 221814, behind the Woollen Mill on A82 |
| Requirements | Boots/Wellies, lunch, colander, plastic spoon, midge repelent. Expect some rough ground. |
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| Sunday 1st June 2008 | River Colne Project (BDS Yorkshire Branch event) |
| Leader/Contact | Tom Hubball on 01535 678334 or e-mail vc63dragonfly@blueyonder.co.uk |
| Aim | We will be providing a group of River Colne Project volunteers with identification tips and advice as we walk around some ponds close to the River Colne. |
| Meet | 10.00am by the bridge over the River Colne on West Slaithwaite Road, off A62 near Marsden - Grid Ref: SE064130 |
| Requirements | Walking boots/wellies and suitable clothing for the weather conditions. Bring packed lunch and your favourite identification guide (so that we can show the volunteers what we use to id dragonflies).
For further information about the River Colne Project, please check out their website. |
| Saturday 7th June 2008 | Monadh Mor, The Black Isle. This site is 20 minutes from Inverness and the number 25 and 27 buses go past the entrance to the site. |
| Leader/Contact | Jonathan Willet on 07740 216595 |
| Aim | To look for White-faced Darter at new locations on the site and also Northern Emerald, on this under-recorded site. |
| Meet | 10.00am at the car park off the A835. NH 579526. |
| Requirements | The day will be spent on rough boggy ground with no path, so boots/wellies, waterproofs, midge net/repellent and packed lunch required. Colanders and plastic tubs for catching and viewing larvae would be handy. |
| Sunday 8th June 2008 | Loch Bran, Inverness-shire |
| Leader/Contact | Jonathan Willet on 07740 216595 |
| Aim | This loch is a SSSI and designated for its Dragonfly Fauna (11 species), particularly the Brilliant Emerald. We shall be looking for proof of breeding for as many of the species recored there as possible. |
| Meet | 10am at Gorthleck Primary School car park. NH 537199. This site is half an hour from Inverness. |
| Requirements | The day will be spent on rough boggy ground with no path, so boots/wellies, waterproofs, midge net/repellent and packed lunch required. Colanders and plastic tubs for catching and viewing larvae would be handy. |
| Sunday 8th June 2008 | Toad holes beck and Bees Urban Nature Reserve, Bradford (BDS Yorkshire Branch event) |
| Leader/Contact | Steve Warrilowon 07731 041558 |
| Aim | We will be visiting two reserves today, Toad Holes Beck at Low Moor, Bradford and Bees Urban Nature Reserve at Bradford University. |
| Meet | 10.00am on Commondale Way/Merrydale Road, Bradford near entrance to Toad Holes Beck - Grid Ref: SE169287. After visiting Toad Holes Beck we will proceed to Bradford University. |
| Requirements | Walking boots/wellies and suitable clothing for the weather conditions. Bring packed lunch and pond net (if required). |
| Sunday 15th June 2008 | The Axe Valley and Lower Bruckland Ponds, Devon |
| Leader/Contact | Dave Smallshire 01626 853393, email davesmalls@supanet.com |
| Aim | To look for Scarce Chasers and White-legged Damselflies along the river and Red-veined Darters, Red-eyed and Small Red-eyed Damselflies at nearby fishing ponds. |
| Meet | At 10.00 am in large gateway onthe north side of the A3052 east of Colyford at SY 260927. This is between the River Axe and the A358 turning to Musbury on the Exeter to Lyme Regis road. |
| Requirements | Bring lunch. A small fee for parking and access to the ponds may be required. Close-focus binoculars will be helpful. |
| Wednesday, 18h June 2008 | Inchnadamph |
| Leader/Contact | Assynt Rangers. 01571 844654 |
| Aim | To look for the under-recorded Azure Hawker as well as getting a better idea of the distribution of the common species found there. |
| Meet | Inchnadamph car park. NC 251216. Inchnadamph is 2 hours from Inverness or just under an hour from Ullapool. |
| Requirements | The day will be spent on rough boggy ground with no path, so boots/ wellies, waterproofs, midge net/repellent and packed lunch required. Colanders and plastic tubs for catching and viewing larvae would be handy. |
| Saturday 21st June 2008 | Chartley Moss NNR Staffordshire |
| Leader/Contact | Tim Beynon 01538 724130 after 1800hrs |
| Aim | Key species White faced Darter and lots more! Best lowland site for bog flora, good for raptors |
| Meet | 1100hrs at SK 022289 - wide grass verge on N side A518 Stafford to Uttoxeter road about 7 miles E of Stafford |
| Requirements | Limited numbers so pre-booking essential. There is usually a waiting list for places. If having booked you are unable to come please telephone; if on the day, phone 07913 671604. You'll need wellies, packed lunch, binoculars, camera, net if wanted, sorry no dogs (except Ghyll, aka. "Bog Dog", who has his own permit!). Something dry to sit on like a plastic sheet. Uneven surface so a walking stick/pole is useful. Insect repellent if you wish, although the open moss is pretty mozzy-free. |
| Saturday 21st June 2008 | NWT Upton Fen, Norfolk |
| Leader/Contact | Dr Pam Taylor (01926 632400) email: BDSPamTaylor@dragonflysoc.org.uk |
| Aim | Morning walk to look for a braod range of species, including Norfolk Hawker, Hairy Dragonfly and Variable Damselfly. To link with the new atlas project, an introduction to dragonfly recording will be included. |
| Meet | 10am at Upton Fen car park, TG 379136.From Acle, Norwich or Wroxham, head towards South Walsham, then follow signs for Pilson Green. |
| Requirements | Booking essential, preferably by email. Numbers stritly limited. Wellies or boots, insect repellent. Packed lunch if staying on site for the afternoon. |
| Saturday 28th June 2008 | River Avon, Eckington Bridge |
| Leader/Contact | Peter Reeve (01926 632400) email: peter@reeve60.uklinux.net |
| Aim | The target species is Scarce Chaser, a recent colonist of the Avon, which is extending its range up the river. Expect to move further up the river later in the day to a more recently colonised site. |
| Meet | 10.45 for 11.00am start at the car park on the South side of Eckington Bridge (SO 922422). For map see the web site: http://www.reeve60.uklinux.net/wdg |
| Requirements | Bring lunch and strong footwear. |
| Saturday 28th June 2008 | Countess Wear and Exminster Marshes, DevonThe former in association with Exeter City Council |
| Leader/Contact | Dave Smallshire 01626 853393, email davesmalls@supanet.com |
| Aim | An introduction to the dragonflies and damselflies of the still and flowing waters in the area, with chance of seeing Red-eyed Damselfly, White-legged Damselfly and Banded Demoiselle, Hairy Dragonfly, Emperor, Black-tailed Skimmer and hopefully Scarce Chasers. |
| Meet | At 10am in the rowing club car park at SX 942895 (turn left off the A379 westbound, mmediately before the swing bridge) moving to Exminster Mrshes (SX 950 880) for lunch; finish by 4pm. |
| Requirements | Binoculars will be helpful. |
| Saturday 28th June 2008 | Potteric Carr Nature Reserve (BDS Yorkshire Branch event) |
| Leader/Contact | Tom Hubball on 01535 678334 or e-mail vc63dragonfly@blueyonder.co.uk |
| Aim | We will be surveying parts of the YWT Reserve at Potteric Carr. Free entry to the Reserve (normally £2.50). |
| Meet | 10.00am at Potteric Carr car park. A6182, off Junction 3 of M18 near Doncaster - Grid Ref: SE169287. |
| Requirements | Walking boots/wellies and suitable clothing for the weather conditions. Bring packed lunch and pond net (if required). Hot drinks/food are available at the Reserve's new canteen. |
| Sunday 29th June 2008 | Prewley Moor and Lydford Station |
| Leader/Contact | Dave Smallshire 01626 853393, email davesmalls@supanet.com |
| Aim | To see Southern, Small Red and Scarce Blue-tailed Damselflies and other moorand species at a natural moorland site and at a flooded station (SSSI!). |
| Meet | At 10am in small club car park off A368 Okehampton to Tavistock road (at SX 542911, 0.5 mile SW of A30 junction); afternoon visit to Lydford. |
| Requirements | Wellies and lunch (Devon cream tea will be provided at Lydford, courtesy of the owners!); binoculars will be helpful. |
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| Saturday 5th July 2008 | NWT Thompson Common, Norfolk
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| Leader/Contact | Dr Pam Taylor (01692 670311) email: BDSPamTaylor@dragonflysoc.org.uk
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| Aim | Morning walk to find Scarce Emerald Damselflies and other wildlife characteristic of this habitat. To link with the new national atlas project, an introduction to dragonfly recording will be included.
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| Meet | 10am at the reserve car park near Stow Bedon, TL 940966
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| Requirements | Booking essential, preferably by email. Numbers strictly lmited. Welies or stout shoes, insect repellent. Packed lunch if staying on site for the afternoon.
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| Saturday 5th July 2008 | Deeping Lakes Nature Reserve, Deeping St James, Lincolnshire
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| Leader/Contact | Dave Mainwaring 01778 571213 email dmainwaring@btinternet.com
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| Aim | A visit to a Lincs Wildlife Trust Nature Reserve with restored gravel pit workings where there are lakes and ponds, plus surrounding grassland, wodland and river bank habitat comprimsing in total some 200 acres. Thus far 17 species have been recorded, but the site is currently only monitored by the leader shown above, so come and see if we can find more and hopefully some exuviae.
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| Meet | 10.00 am at the car park on the site. You can stay as long as you wish, I am prepared to be there morning and afternoon. The grid reference for the site is TF 187083. The reserve is located south of the manned level crossing in Deeping St James on the B1166. Access is by an unmade road off the B1166 approx. 1 Km south of the level crossing (at the sharp left and bend near the banks of the river Welland). A car park s provided, located approx. 400m from the reserve entrance along the unmade road.
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| Requirements | Bring lunch and strong footwear.
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| Saturday 5th July 2008 | Brandon Marsh Nature Centre, Warwickshire
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| Leader/Contact | Peter Reeve (01926 632400) email peter@reeve60.uklinux.net
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| Aim | Adult identification workshop. Indoor and outdoor sessions to be held at the Warwickshire Wildlife Trust Nature Centre. There will be a charge of £6.50 payable to Warwickshire wildlife Trust to cover costs and to contribute to equipment for recording.
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| Meet | 10.15 for 10.30am start at the Nature Centre (SP 386761). For map see the web site www.reeve60.uklinux.net/wdg
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| Requirements | Bring strong footwear and lunch or eat at the Nature Centre cafe. Pre-booking essential
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| Sunday 6th July 2008 | Spurn Point National Nature Reserve (BDS Yorkshire Branch event) |
| Leader/Contact | Tom Hubball on 01535 678334 or e-mail vc63dragonfly@blueyonder.co.uk |
| Aim | We will be visiting the Spurn Point NNR with the hope of seeing Red-veined Darter. |
| Meet | 10.30am at Spurn Point car park. Take the A1033 Withernsea road and take a right fork in Patrington onto the B1445 to Easington. From here, unclassified roads
lead to Kilnsea and Spurn. - Grid Ref: TA410159 |
| Requirements | Walking boots/wellies and suitable clothing for the weather conditions. Bring packed lunch. |
| Saturday 12th July 2008 | Isle of Eigg
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| Leader/Contact | Jonathan Willer 07740 216595
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| Aim | To survey the Odonata found on this island. This will be the first full survey of the island.
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| Meet | 10am at the shop (there is only one). NM 488851. Eigg can be reached y ferry from risaig or Mallaig. There is limited accommodation on the island. Mallaig is 1.5 hours fom Fort William.
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| Requirements | The day will be spent on rough boggy ground with no path, so boots/ wellies, waterproofs, midge net/repellent and packed lunch required. Colanders and plastic tubs for catching and viewing larvae would be handy.
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| Sunday 13th July 2008 | Esher Common, Black Pond and Middle Pond, Surrey
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| Leader/Contact | Don Tagg 01252 322793
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| Aim | Looking for Brilliant Emerald (known to be there) and others.
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| Meet | 10.30am at the car park on A307, 1.2 miles S of Esher. TQ 125627
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| Sunday 13th July 2008 | Isle of Eigg
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| Leader/Contact | Jonathan Willer 07740 216595
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| Aim | To survey the Odonata found on this island. This will be the first full survey of the island.
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| Meet | 10am at the shop (there is only one). NM 488851. Eigg can be reached y ferry from risaig or Mallaig. There is limited accommodation on the island. Mallaig is 1.5 hours fom Fort William.
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| Requirements | The day will be spent on rough boggy ground with no path, so boots/ wellies, waterproofs, midge net/repellent and packed lunch required. Colanders and plastic tubs for catching and viewing larvae would be handy.
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| Sunday 13th July 2008 | New RSPB Reserve, Middleton Lakes, South of Tamworth
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| Leader/Contact | Peter Reeve (Tel. 01926 632400 email: peter@reeve60.uklinux.net)
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| Aim | To survey the dragonflies at the RSPB's new reserve on the Warwickshire/Staffordshire boundary. There are many water bodies at this old gravel extraction site in the Tame valley.
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| Meet | 10.15 for 10.30am start. Meet at the Middleton Hall car park (SP 193982). For map see web site http://www.reeve60.uklinux.net/wdg
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| Requirements | Bring lunch, strong footwear.
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| Sunday 20th July 2008 | Smallhanger, SW Dartmoor, Devon.
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| Leader/Contact | Dave Smallshire 01626 853393; email davesmalls@supanet.com
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| Aim | A superb range of species at this threatened site, including Small Red and Scarce Blue-tailed Damselflies, Common Hawker, Keeled Skimmer, Black Darter and maybe Red-veined Darter.
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| Meet | 10.00am by the ford at Drakeland Corner (S 572589); finish early afternoon, but optional afternoon visit to Cadover Bridge, depending on weather.
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| Requirements | Wellies and lunch recommended.
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| Sunday 27th July 2008 | Fen Bog (BDS Yorkshire Branch event) |
| Leader/Contact | Keith Gittens on 07968 840623. |
| Aim | We will be visiting Fen Bog SAC (Special Area of Conservation). This is a key site for Keeled Skimmer, Beautiful Demoiselle and Golden-ringed Dragonfly. |
| Meet | 10.30am at roadside on left side of A169, approx. 2.5 miles beyond the Hole of Horcum - Grid Ref: SE857982 |
| Requirements | Walking boots/wellies and suitable clothing for the weather conditions. Bring packed lunch. |
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| Saturday 2nd August 2008 | Tentsmuir Forest, 3 Kilometers south of Tayport
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| Leader/Contact | Bid Strachan/Jonathan Willet/Ruary Mackenzie Dodds Bid's mobile: 07766 161547, Email: bid.strachan@forestry.gsi.gov.uk
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| Aim | To survey for dragonflies in a range of old fire ponds, newly formed pools, water courses and rides on this under-recorded site.
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| Meet | 10am at Fetterdale office, Forestry Commission Scotland, near Tayport, Fife, Scotland grid referece NO 47282548. From the B945, look for sign for caravan club site and take unmade road past Morton Lochs SNH reserve. Continue ahead for a further 1Km, until reach green wooden building which is the Forestry Commission office.
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| Requirements | We will be visiting a number of sites, away from footpaths, with uneven surfaces, tall vegetation and wet ground. Boots, wellies, waterproofs, midge net or repellent and packed lunch required. Colanders and plastic containers for viewing larvae would be useful.
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| Sunday 3rd August 2008 | Braunton Burrows, North devon
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| Leader/Contact | John Breeds 01271 812552; mobile 07773 085984
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| Aim | To see Ruddy Darters and other species associated with the dune ponds.
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| Meet | 10.00am at Sandy Lane car park (SS 463350). From Barnstaple, turn left off the A361 in braunton at the traffic lights onto the B2321; then turn left at staggered crossroads, following the signs to Brauntn Burrows. £1.50 car park charge.
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| Requirements | Bring lunch
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| Saturday 16th August 2008 | Foxglove Covert Local Nature Reserve (BDS Yorkshire Branch event) |
| Leader/Contact | Tom Hubball on 01535 678334 or e-mail vc63dragonfly@blueyonder.co.uk |
| Aim | Guided walk around the reserve. |
| Meet | 10.00am at Foxglove Covert Reserve car park. Turn off A1 at Catteric and follow A6136. Access to Reserve via Cambrai Lines front gate - Grid Ref: SE160971
For map: http://www.foxglovecovert.org.uk/pdf/Foxglove_LNR_Map.pdf |
| Requirements | Walking boots/wellies and suitable clothing for the weather conditions. Bring packed lunch. Hot and cold vending machine refreshments are also available at the
Field Centre. |
| Saturday 23rd August 2008 | NWT Roydon Common, Norfolk
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| Leader/Contact | Dr Pam Taylor (01692 670311) Email: BDSPamTaylor@dragonflysoc.org.uk
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| Aim | Morning walk to find Black Darters and other wildlife charcteristic of this habitat. To link with the new national atlas project, an introduction to dragonfly recording will be included. It is hoped another nearbysite can be visited after lunch.
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| Meet | 10am at the car park on the track, TF 680228. The reserve lies between King's Lynn and Grimston.
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| Requirements | Booking essential, preferably by email. Numbers strictly limited. Wellies or stout shoes, insect repellent. Packed lunch if staying for the afternoon. |
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| Saturday 25th October 2008 | BDS Members' Day 25th Annual Meeting of the BDS
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| Venue | Oxford University Museum of Natural History
Hope Entomological Collections
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| Programme | Word document [32.5 Kb]
PDF [28.2 Kb] (opens in a new window)
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| How to get there | Directions are on the Oxford University Museum of Natural History website, at http://www.oum.ox.ac.uk/visiting/index.htm
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| Saturday 22nd November 2008 | Course on Identifying Dragonfly Larvae and Larval cases (exuviae) at Whistlestop Centre, Matlock Bath
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| Tutor | Dave Goddard
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| Cost | £25 non-DWT members, £20 DWT members.
Must be pre-booked and pre-paid by phoning DWT on 01773 881188 (in office hours)
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| Further Details | Please ring the Trust office as above
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