Below is a partial list of recent events and field trips
Show Future Events| Date: | Sunday 21 Jun 2026 |
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| Event Title: | Butterflies and Orchids of Fairmile Bottom near Arundel |
| Event Description: | Martin Kalaher will lead a 2-3km walk to see a good selection of seasonal Butterflies and a nice display of Orchids and wildflowers. |
| Event Type: | Walk |
| Event Time: | 10:00 to 13:00 |
| Target Species: | Butterfly species should include Large Skipper, Marbled White, Meadow Brown, Brown Argus, Common Blue, Small Heath and hopefully Dark Green Fritillaries. Overhead should be Red Kites, Buzzards and Ravens and on the ground a fine selection of native flora. The date has largely been chosen for the Orchid display |
| Meeting Place: | On the A29 between the Fontwell and Whiteways roundabouts 2-300m North East of Arundel Lodge. SU983091 What3Words ///scam.spearhead.paid. We will access the site from the footpath here which crosses Fairmile Bottom (it leads on to Rewell Wood). There is plenty of parking in a lay-by on the south east of the A29 just by the footpath. Please note, this is not the carpark further north, called Yewtree Gate, leading to Sherwood Rough. |
| OS Grid Ref: | SU983091 |
| Map: | |
| Contact Details: | To register please email events@sussex-butterflies.org.uk using "Fairmile Bottom - 21st" as the subject title. |
| Other Info: | This event is limited to 12 people. Booking is required. |
| Date: | Saturday 23 May 2026 |
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| Event Title: | Butterfly Recording Training at National Trust Woolbeding |
| Event Description: | Our Sussex Branch have again joined forces with National Trust Woolbeding to offer a one day course in Butterfly recording. For full details please see the flyer in the News Section of our branch website. |
| Event Type: | Training Day |
| Event Time: | 10:00 to 15:00 |
| Target Species: | |
| Meeting Place: | NT Woolbeding. Pound Common Estate Yard, Midhurst, GU29 0QB. What3Words scorpions.sushi.tablet |
| OS Grid Ref: | |
| Map: | |
| Contact Details: | southdownswest@nationaltrust.org.uk with "Butterfly Recording Training" as the title. |
| Other Info: |
| Date: | Saturday 16 May 2026 |
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| Event Title: | West Combe of Chantry Hill - just south of Storrington. |
| Event Description: | Martin Kalaher will lead a walk to see seasonal butterflies - Green Hairstreak, Dingy Skipper, Grizzled Skipper and more - plus the local flora. Please note this walk is on steep slopes. |
| Event Type: | Walk |
| Event Time: | 10:00 to 13:00 |
| Target Species: | The butterfly target species include Green Hairstreak, Dingy Skipper, Grizzled Skipper, Duke of Burgundy, Brown Argus and Common Blue. Overhead there should be Red Kites, Buzzards, and Ravens and beneath your feet, the chalk flora includes Common Rock-rose, Horseshoe Vetch, Wild Strawberry, and Early Purple Orchids. |
| Meeting Place: | Meet at Chantry Post car park (Map Ref TQ 08703 11963). ///rush.opened.firelight |
| OS Grid Ref: | TQ 08703 11963 |
| Map: | |
| Contact Details: | Numbers will be restricted to 12 and is for Sussex BC members only. Booking will be required by email to events@sussex-butterflies.org.uk Please put “Chantry Hill” as the subject of the email. Please indicate if you could make a Back Up date of Sunday 17/05/26 |
| Other Info: | As for any walk in the countryside, we should take a hat (in case it is hot and sunny), some light wet weather clothing (unless the forecast is especially favourable) and wear ankle walking boots (as part of the route is off the footpath). Jeans or trousers are recommended as there will be a few brambles and nettles, and they will also help protect against ticks (not that I have ever had a problem with ticks on Chantry Hill). Some of the slopes are quite steep and this event is only suitable for someone with a reasonable level of fitness. The main problem is twisting an ankle in a rabbit hole. The route is part footpath, part open grass downland and therefore not easy walking. However, it is only 2-3 km in total and we will be walking at a very gentle pace, over a 3 hour period. I am not aware of any risk of Lyme Disease. The Event is family friendly but please no dogs. |
