East Midlands Field Trips 2025
These field trips are a great way to learn about butterflies and their habitat, help with identification will be available and there will also be photographic opportunities. Walks are open to anyone to attend. Please check the weather conditions and come suitably prepared.
IMPORTANT. All walks must be pre-booked (with the exception of the Hoe Grange event) with the leader of the walk. This is essential so the leader can inform you if the walk is cancelled for any reason. Also, all walks will be limited to a maximum of 12 participants. If you arrive at a venue without booking, you could be turned away if the number of participants has reached its maximum.
Bagworth Heath Woods Country Park
Leicestershire
Tuesday 13 May
Meet at 11.00am in the Car Park, Grid Ref: SK 457068
Target Species: Dingy Skipper and Green Hairstreak.
Bagworth Heath Woods is located off Heath Road, approximately 0.6 miles south of Bagworth towards Merry Lees and Desford, in West Leicestershire.
This 75 hectare (185 acre) Country Park has been transformed from the scarred industrial landscape of Desford Colliery into a valuable recreational resource. Owned and managed by Leicestershire County Council, Bagworth Heath Woods is made up of woodland, grassland, heathland, lakes and ponds. There is a network of grass and surfaced paths through varied habitats.
There is a free car park at Heath Road Bagworth, LE67 1DL, but no toilet facilities.
Contact: Richard Jeffery 07803 599247
Bingham Linear Park
Nottinghamshire
Sunday 18 May
Meet at 10.00am at the bridge on Tithby Road in Bingham (grid ref SK 701393). Approx NG13 8GP.
Target Species: Spring butterflies - hopefully Grizzled Skipper.
Wear stout walking boots or shoes as the ground is rough. No toilets or facilities so bring your own drink or snack.
The walk is about 6 km and takes approx 2 hours.
Contact: Jenny Craig: 07979 355413
Longstone Edge
Derbyshire
Saturday 24th May
I propose meeting at 10.30am in the big layby Grid Ref SK 199 730 on the single-track road that leaves Great Longstone on the left, just at the RHS bend in the village coming from Monsal Head. The St Crispin pub is just beyond this. If you see this you have gone too far!
This is a meet suitable for those who have difficulty getting around as the walking is very short and easy. There are no conveniences. Last year was a wash out, so this year must be better, I hope. Even if we do not see many butterflies the views are wonderful from the car park. Hope to see you there.
Target Species: - We hope to see Green Hairstreak and Wall Brown if they are out, but also other spring butterflies.
Contact: John & Sylvia Green 07760 136369
Pleasley Pit Country Park, Pleasley
Derbyshire
Sunday 25th May
Meet at the Pit Café (open 10.00am – 2.00pm) at 10.45am, Post Code: NG19 7EY, Grid reference: SK49918 64418.
There are good facilities on site and if members of the Pit Team are on site it will be possible for anyone interested to have a tour of the Pit Top and Winding Houses.
Also well worth a mention is that Pleasley Pit Nature Study Group are holding their Wildlife Day on the same day, which means there will be a number of stalls representing a wide range of organisations, including EMBC, so plenty to look at and get involved in right throughout the day
The walk (weather permitting) should be easy going with two hours being the maximum time needed for the route.
Target species: Countryside butterflies, plus there has been good numbers of Small Blues (pictured below) seen on site during the last four years.
Directions: From M1, Junction 29 take the A617 to Mansfield. There is only one roundabout on the route, approximately 3.5 miles from the Motorway. At the roundabout take the 4th turn right, then take the first right up Pit Lane, drive past the first car park, go through the gate and turn right and drive up to the car park at the Pit. Approaching from Mansfield (A617), the roundabout is approximately 3.5 miles from Mansfield, at the roundabout take the first turn left, then following the instruction outlined above.
Contact: Willy Lane: Mobile: 07790 000770
Hoe Grange Quarry Open Day
(Longcliffe, Derbyshire – SK222560)
Sunday 6 July
This event does not require advance booking
The 7th Open Day for Derbyshire’s first Butterfly Reserve
From 11.00am to 4.00pm.
Members of Butterfly Conservation East Midlands, including Ray Walker (Hon Warden) together with Pat and Ken Orpe (Derbyshire Butterfly Recorder) and other volunteers, will be able to show visitors around this restored limestone quarry. The Information Centre will be open containing illustrated charts of species recorded there recently.
Longcliffe Quarries will be offering refreshments and providing toilet facilities.
No Dogs please
Car Parking
This will be at Curzon Lodge (DE4 4HN) which is situated down the hill towards Grangemill from the crossroads in Longcliffe village. Mini buses will then take visitors direct into Hoe Grange Quarry.
Contact: Ken Orpe: ken@malaga.plus.com
Cloud Wood (LRWT) Nature Reserve
Leicestershire
Tuesday 15 July
Meet: 2.00pm in the lay-by opposite the reserve.
Location: SK419214. (Postcode for SatNav DE73 8BG). Cloud Wood lies in the N.W. of Leicestershire, 1.5km S.E. of Breedon-on-the-Hill on the road between Tonge and Griffydam. It is part of the site of an ancient woodland that was originally coppiced in the traditional way. Parts of the wood are still coppiced by the Wildlife Trust in rotation, and other areas are left to grow naturally. There is a diverse range of flora and fauna present.
Nearest toilets and facilities (lovely cafe) are in Staunton Harold Garden Centre (LE65 1RU).
Target Species: Silver-washed Fritillary, White-letter Hairstreak and hopefully Purple Emperor.
Contact: Richard Jeffery: 07803 599247
Coombs Dale
Derbyshire
Wednesday 23 July
Meet at 10.00am at the bottom of the Dale by the playing field where there is a parking area - SK236751. It is on the A623 towards Stoney Middleton. There is also parking around Calver Crossroads.
Target species: Dark-Green Fritillary, Brown Argus and other summer butterflies
Morning walk finishes around 12.30pm. Facilities available in nearby pub and cafe.