A hundred butterfly and moth enthusiasts from all over the Thames Valley Region packed Beaconsfield’s Fitzwilliam Centre on Sat 10th Nov and enjoyed a full day learning more and exchanging information about their favourite topic.
Talks from nationally recognised experts were interspersed with a quiz and a photographic competition and food of the highest standard making this a day the privileged attendees will not forget.
Following a warm welcome by branch Chairman Frank Banyard a keen audience was treated to some fascinating talks which covered some very local examples as well as national conservation issues, by speakers who amazed even this expert gathering with their detailed knowledge.
First to speak was Neil Lambert, Manager of the RSPBs newly acquired reserve at Otmoor near Oxford. He gave an in-depth account of mans attempts over many years to tame this wild, low lying basin and bring it into productive agricultural use, and then about the RSPBs actions to reverse the damage and restore the wildlife value of the site. The results of their work are very encouraging with a huge increase in the numbers of breeding and overwintering birds. It also seemed certain that the absence of ploughing and insecticide sprays would greatly increase the numbers of butterflies, moths and other insects.
Dr Ken Willmott, conservation advisor to Butterfly Conservation’s Surrey branch followed Neil with a talk, which was beautifully illustrated with slides, on Fritillary butterflies. Nationally declining these butterflies are hanging on in our three Counties, often due to the work of conservation groups at local reserves such as Holtspur Bottom and Holtspur Bank near Beaconsfield. Ken's knowledge has been gained over 40 years, much of which has evidently included long patient hours spent searching undergrowth and leaf litter for Fritillary eggs, caterpillars and chrysalises.
Demonstrating at least equal patience and dedication was Dr Barry Fox, an ecologist whose talk described a detailed study of the survival tactics of the White Admiral caterpillar. This work, he told us, had involved many years of his life spent in the very darkest depths of the woods where the White Admiral breeds, armed with camera and magnifying glass, and yet spent more time peering into his microscope at home.
The painstaking work carried out by Barry and Ken will help those many enthusiasts who wish to help threatened insects to channel their efforts in a way which is directly beneficial to the species they are trying to help.
Last but not least of the days experts was David Green who is employed by Butterfly Conservation as Moth Conservation Officer. David showed us, with more beautiful slides, what rarities are flying around us while we sleep. He was concerned that moths have acquired a bad name, yet are often as beautiful as their day flying cousins and that their conservation is just as important.
Efforts to conserve rare moths will undoubtedly benefit butterflies and other insects in equal measure. They are also vital components of the food chain for many other animals particularly birds. (There are nearly 2000 species of moth in Britain as against some 58 species of Butterfly).
The quiz, set by Jim Asher, was cunning and tested even the experts in the hall. It was finally decided on a tie break question and won by a guest from the Surrey Branch.
The overall winner of the photographic competition was branch member Nigel Choat who had produced a stunning picture of a Swallowtail Butterfly.
Branch members who did not attend this years members day missed out on a magnificent lunch which surpassed even the excellent food served up in previous years. Margaret Price, the Branch Treasurer, had put together a team of volunteer caterers whose mouthwatering buffet was a bonus for an already well satisfied audience.

Thanks to Jack Peeters, our press officer, for the above copy.