Winter events programme - Herts & Middx Butterfly Conservation

Winter Events programme - 2026 (see separate link for the Zoom Presentations)


We invite all our Butterfly Conservation members as well as members of the public to join us at our Brown Hairstreak Survey Events.

A printable copy of the 2026 winter events programme in pdf format can be downloaded in due course

Link to Winter Zoom Presentations 2025-2026 here

Last updated 16 October 2025


Important instructions for our Brown Hairstreak Survey events
  • Before the event, we recommend you watch our YouTube presentation from 2021 which tells you all about finding Brown Hairstreak eggs and the history of the species in Middlesex. https://youtu.be/LTQiet-GRQA
  • We will be taking bookings through Eventbrite in 2026 but we would appreciate having a mobile phone number (which Eventbrite don't take) - please email: elizabethgoodyear@talk21.com when booking. This is essential in case of bad weather and the need to cancel or postpone! Eventbrite will then contact you prior to each event to confirm you are still coming and any extra contact details for the day. Please note that the event at Paradise Fields is organised by the Ealing Beaver Project who will be responsible for contacting you.
  • Always wear strong shoes - we recommend OLD Wellington Boots as conditions can be very muddy
  • Wear warm OLD clothes including hat and gloves
  • It is recommended you bring a small hand lens
  • If you need reading glasses bring them
  • You may wish to wear safety glasses
  • Bring something warm to drink
  • Please don't bring your dog along - they will get bored!
  • If you decide to leave the event early, please tell the leader that you are going
  • Please do not attend if you have had a positive COVID-19 test within 7 days prior to the meeting; you have any COVID symptoms or feel unwell

Date: Sunday 4th January 2026
Event Title: Brown Hairstreak egg hunt and training morning
Location: SStafford Road Open Space. 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 will meet those that have made their own way there.
What3words: see above
Transport & directions: Train:-s ee 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: Advance booking through Eventbrite - details to be confirmed

Date: Sunday 11th January 2026
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
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 indicate this when booking with Liz Goodyear who will advise 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
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