Hertfordshire & Middlesex Branch
Saving butterflies, moths and our environment
We invite all our Butterfly Conservation members as well as members of the public to join us at our Brown Hairstreak survey and training events and Volunteer tasks.
Link to Winter Zoom Presentations 2025-2026 here
Last updated 19 December 2025
| Date: | Tuesday 24 FEBRUARY 2026 |
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| Details: | Duke of Burgundy - working party On Tuesday 24th February we will be joining friends from the Upper Thames Branch working on a site by Pitstone hill close to the Herts border Dukes are slowly spreading out of their stronghold at Incombe Hole and getting close to re-establishing in Herts. The task starts at 10am and involves scrub and grass control on Wadborough Field, part of the National Trust Ashridge Estate Parking at Pitstone Hill (NT) car park LU7 9EN (Grid Ref SP95501493) What3words: https://w3w.co/cashier.gobbling.coaster Please register in advance and address any queries to Nick Bowles |
This winter we are working with CPRE the countryside charity in a program of hedge and tree planting in Hertfordshire. The project is called HEDGEROW HEROES.
| Date: | New Year 2026 - dates to be confirmed |
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| Details: | Hedgerow Heroes in North & East Herts Hedges are brilliant homes for wildlife, particularly butterflies and moths. This winter we are asking members to volunteer to help plant new hedges. These will contain our specially-selected mix of 15 shrub and tree species which provide ideal larval foodplants and nectar sources. We are working in partnership with CPRE, the countryside charity, who will be arranging the sessions. This winter, hedge planting is planned in two separate locations. Prior to Christmas, planting will take place at the Woodhall Estate, near Watton-at-Stone and at Rye End Farm, Kimpton, near Hitchin in the New Year between 10:30 and 15:30. More information will be provided for those able to attend the dates in the New Year when confirmed, but as a note, please bring your own spades etc if you have them, as well as sturdy shoes and gloves (spares will be provided). All necessary training will be provided. In the new year, more dates will be arranged at Rye End Farm, Kimpton, near Hitchin If you would like to take part, please contact James Lunt, the Hedgerow Heroes Officer for CPRE James@cpreherts.org.uk. There is more information in their recent branch newsletter and on the web at: CPRE Hertfordshire Hedgerow Heroes. |
| Date: | Sunday 4th January 2026 |
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| Event Title: | Brown Hairstreak egg hunt and training morning |
| Location: | Stafford Road Open Space off Stafford Road, Ruislip Gardens in the London Borough of Hillingdon |
| Address and/or grid ref: | Start Point on Yeading Brook footpath TQ0960285505. [Landranger Map 176]. What3words: https://w3w.co/daring.sticks.eaten . Google GPS co-ordinates 51°33'28.3"N 0°25'13.2"W |
| Time/meeting place: | Start 10:30 on Stafford Road Open Space at the sign post on the Yeading Brook footpath TQ0960285505. Finish at this location 13:00. For those arriving by train, bus, or parking in the stations small car park you may meet the leader earlier at the entrance to Ruislip Gardens Underground Station (Central Line) DEPARTING at 10:15 for the 600m walk along the Yeading Brook to the event start point where we will meet those that have made their own way there. |
| What3words: | see above |
| Transport & directions: | Train: see above. Bus E7 stops outside the train station. Every 20 minutes. TFL Oyster or Credit Card on board. Car. Limited pay and display parking at the station. Free off street parking in Sidmouth Drive (HA4 ODA) and various other streets. Allow time to search out spaces and the likely 10 to 15 minute walk. |
| Information | Remember to wrap up warm! |
| Contact details on the day | Nick Furtek please email: nick_furtek@yahoo.co.uk - Nick will be monitoring his emails on the day |
| Booking details: | https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1968205221801 Booking is essential – the tickets are free. If we don't know you are coming we can't tell you if the event has been cancelled! If the event has to be cancelled or rearranged due to bad weather conditions, you will get a notification via Eventbrite |
| Date: | Saturday 10th January 2026 * NEW * |
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| Event Title: | Brown Hairstreak egg hunt and training morning - with the The Conservation Volunteers |
| Location: | Welsh Harp / Brent Reservoir(Barnet Council) |
| Address and/or grid ref: | Nearest postcode is NW9 7ND |
| Time/meeting place: | Meet at 10:00 Phoenix Canoe Club, Cool Oak Lane, London NW9 7ND |
| What3words: | https://w3w.co/skip.navy.crash |
| Transport & directions: | The nearest stations are Hendon (National Rail) or Colindale (Northern Line) - approx. 20 minute walk to the meeting point. |
| Information | Please note this event is being organised by the The Conservation Volunteers who will be responsible for taking bookings. The session will involve an introduction to the Brown Hairstreak Butterfly and then a practical survey which will involve searching for hairstreak eggs on blackthorn around Welsh Harp |
| Contact details on the day | Details are on the Eventbrite booking link |
| Booking details: | https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1975102991215 |
| Date: | Sunday 11th January 2026 |
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| Event Title: | Brown Hairstreak egg hunt and training morning - with the Ealing Beaver Project and Ealing Wildlife Group! |
| Location: | Paradise Fields, Horsenden Hill, Greenford (London Borough of Ealing) |
| Address and/or grid ref: | Nearest postcode is UB6 0UW |
| Time/meeting place: | Meet at 10:00 beaver mural underpass opposite the car park at the McDonald's in Westway Cross Retail Park. At the retail park, there is free parking for up to 4 hours and unlimited free parking specifically at the McDonald's. - we aim to finish by 12:30. |
| What3words: | https://w3w.co/wacky.vibes.spider |
| Transport & directions: | The nearest station is Greenford (Central Line Zone 4/Great Western Railway) - approx. 10/15 minute walk to the meeting point. |
| Information | Please note this event is being organised by the Ealing Beaver Project who will be responsible for taking bookings. If the morning is oversubscribed we will consider arranging a second search at Horsenden Hill later in the month/early February |
| Contact details on the day | to be confirmed |
| Booking details: | https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/brown-hairstreak-egg-count-tickets-1813724812739 |
| Date: | Date to be confirmed |
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| Event Title: | Brown Hairstreak egg hunt and training morning - with kind permission of the Woodland Trust |
| Location: | Merry Hill off Merry Hill Road, Bushey, Hertfordshire |
| Address and/or grid ref: | Nearest Postcode WD23 1DF - TQ136943 [Landranger Map 176] |
| Time/meeting place: | Meet at 10:30 at the upper footpath entrance on Merry Hill Road just past number 125 - we aim to finish by 13:00. |
| What3words: | https://w3w.co/apples.wallet.chair |
| Transport & directions: | The nearest mainline station is Bushey (London Northwestern Railway from London Euston (approx. 1 mile walk) alternatively it is possible to walk across the site from Carpenders Park (London Overground). Buses are reasonably frequent and stop at Merry Hill Road (eastern end). The 258 runs from Watford Junction to South Harrow station and the 142 runs from Watford Junction to Brent Cross - both call at Bushey Station. It is approx. 8 minute walk along Merry Hill Road to the meet point. We suggest you park in Victoria Road just off Merry Hill Road a short distance from the meeting point. |
| Information | If you plan to come by public transport and walk, please tell the event leader. |
| Contact details on the day | Peter Fewell mobile: 07814 282356 |
| Booking details: | Advance booking will be required through Eventbrite - details to be finalised |
| Date: | Autumn 2026 |
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| Event: | The Branch Members' day is having 'a make over' and will be held in the autumn of 2026 |
Additional advice
Children
Children are welcome at our events, but if under 16 they must be accompanied by at least one adult for two children. It is the responsibility of the accompanying adult(s) to ensure that the event is within the children's ability.
Bad weather
Leaders of these events will be at the meeting point unless the conditions are unsuitable and the event cancelled.
Lyme Disease
We recommend that all attendees understand the symptoms of Lyme Disease and take the relevant precautions. For more information visit the branch website -
here
Special needs
Unfortunately, all survey events will not be suitable for wheelchair users and pushchairs. Please contact the named leader in advance if you have any concerns about accessibility.
What3words
We have tried to include the What3word link for each event. To download the App visit: https://what3words.com/products/what3words-app
Public Transport
We aim to give as much information as possible, although unfortunately some of the Hertfordshire events are not easily accessible by public transport. Train times should be checked, as timetables change and engineering works take place on Saturdays and Sundays. In 2024 industrial action may also affect travel arrangements. We recommend using public transport for all events in London.
If using your car please check you are ULEZ compliant https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/ultra-low-emission-zone