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    [name] => Wildflowers of the South Downs National Park (Day Trip)
    [code] => GBR118
    [slug] => wildflowers-of-the-south-downs-national-park-day-trip
    [description] => 

Join naturalist Paul Harmes on his home turf, the South Downs National Park, to the east of Lewes, in the historic county of East Sussex. We will explore the rabbit and sheep-grazed chalk grassland of Southerham Farm Nature Reserve, Malling Hill, Cliffe Hill, Malling Down Nature Reserve and Oxteddle, Bible and Caburn Bottoms, in search of the plants, insects and birds of this diverse habitat. In the late spring, early butterflies such as Brown Argus, Grizzled Skipper and Dingy Skipper can all be seen amongst Primula veris (Cowslip), Thymus drucei (Wild Thyme), Hippocrepis comosa (Horse-shoe Vetch), and in good years Neotinea ustulata (Burnt Orchid), and Cerastium arvense (Field Mouse-ear), both of which are now of quite restricted distribution in south-east England.

In June, our attention switches to such sought-after butterflies as Dark Green Fritillary, Adonis and Common Blue, together with mid-summer plants such as Common Spotted, Fragrant, Pyramidal, Bee, Southern March, Twayblade and Musk Orchids.

 In August, later flowering species such as Carlina vulgaris (Carline Thistle), Centaurea scabiosa, (Greater Knapweed), Euphrasia nemorosa (Eyebright), ‘Pride of Sussex’ Phyteuma orbiculare (Round-headed Rampion), Scabiosa columbaria (Small Scabious), Rosa micrantha (Small-flowered Sweet Briar) and, hopefully, the diminutive Spiranthes spiralis (Autumn Lady's Tresses), all grow here, along with many more. Butterflies may include Chalkhill, Adonis and Common Blue, various skippers, Small Tortoiseshell and Peacock, amongst others. On the western side of this area is a chalk cliff, which is home to a resident pair of Peregrine Falcons and a pair of Ravens. Common Whitethroat, Yellowhammer and Skylark are also likely to be seen or heard.

  • In April and May, find flowers such as Cowslip, Wild Thyme, Burnt Orchid and Horse-shoe Vetch
  • Spring butterflies such as Brown Argus, Dingy and Grizzled Skippers
  • In August, find late-flowering plants such as Carline Thistle, Greater Knapweed, Eyebright and Round-headed Rampion
  • Chalkhill, Adonis and Common Blue together with skippers and other insects
  • Whitethroat, Yellowhammer and Skylark amongst downland birds
  • Join expert naturalist Paul Harmes on his home patch
[introduction] => A day high up on the chalk in the Sussex Downs east of Lewes to enjoy the flowers (particularly), birds and butterflies of high summer in southern England. [edges] => Array ( ) [locations] => Array ( [0] => Array ( [name] => England [description] =>

England

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=> Array ( [0] => Andy Tucker ) ) [5] => Array ( [__typename] => StringFieldData [name] => relatedtrips [string] => ) [6] => Array ( [__typename] => NumberFieldData [name] => carbon_with_flights [number] => 1.8 ) [7] => Array ( [__typename] => StringListFieldData [name] => best_time_to_go [values] => ) [8] => Array ( [__typename] => StringFieldData [name] => start_point_long [string] => 0.0266343355178833 ) [9] => Array ( [__typename] => NumberFieldData [name] => carbon_without_flights [number] => 1.8 ) ) [details] => Array ( ) [information] => Array ( [0] => Array ( [id] => 01kz9ajhar4e9jxmnq3sqz3d3a [title] => Why Naturetrek? [content] =>

At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:

  • The widest choice of wildlife holidays worldwide
  • Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
  • Outstanding value and exceptional customer service

Furthermore, as a Naturetrek client, our office team are always to on hand to help you – so if you have any queries about your holiday, whether before or after you have booked, we will be delighted to answer them on the phone. Please just give our team a call!

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A Naturetrek Tailormade holiday allows you, with the benefit of our wildlife travel expertise and destination experience, to enjoy the perfect private wildlife holiday – one that truly matches your requirements, expectations and ambitions. We will ensure the most competitive prices, superb naturalist guides and seamless ground services.

Some of the benefits of Naturetrek Tailormade travel include:
• A bespoke itinerary which is crafted by experts and designed specifically for you
• Private guiding by the very best local naturalists 
• Travel with people you know, at your own pace
• Incorporate as much culture, history or relaxation time as you wish
• Choose dates to suit you
• Select your preferred style of accommodation
• Travel with families and children of any age

Furthermore, our Tailormade team are always on hand to help and guide you along the way, with friendly advice, first-hand knowledge and inside information specific to your destination of choice. So if you have any queries about your holiday, we will be delighted to answer them. Please just give us a call!

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For any interested natural history club or society, we can arrange for a private departure of this tour.

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Wildflowers of the South Downs National Park (Day Trip)

Tour Code: GBR118

A day high up on the chalk in the Sussex Downs east of Lewes to enjoy the flowers (particularly), birds and butterflies of high summer in southern England.

We hope to run this tour in the future, but have not yet finalised dates and prices. To be added to a waiting list and be informed when details are confirmed, please click on the register interest button, or phone 1-844-433-9473.

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Carbon Footprint

1.8kg CO2e

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Highlights

  • In April and May, find flowers such as Cowslip, Wild Thyme, Burnt Orchid and Horse-shoe Vetch
  • Spring butterflies such as Brown Argus, Dingy and Grizzled Skippers
  • In August, find late-flowering plants such as Carline Thistle, Greater Knapweed, Eyebright and Round-headed Rampion
  • Chalkhill, Adonis and Common Blue together with skippers and other insects
  • Whitethroat, Yellowhammer and Skylark amongst downland birds
  • Join expert naturalist Paul Harmes on his home patch

Summary

Join naturalist Paul Harmes on his home turf, the South Downs National Park, to the east of Lewes, in the historic county of East Sussex. We will explore the rabbit and sheep-grazed chalk grassland of Southerham Farm Nature Reserve, Malling Hill, Cliffe Hill, Malling Down Nature Reserve and Oxteddle, Bible and Caburn Bottoms, in search of the plants, insects and birds of this diverse habitat. In the late spring, early butterflies such as Brown Argus, Grizzled Skipper and Dingy Skipper can all be seen amongst Primula veris (Cowslip), Thymus drucei (Wild Thyme), Hippocrepis comosa (Horse-shoe Vetch), and in good years Neotinea ustulata (Burnt Orchid), and Cerastium arvense (Field Mouse-ear), both of which are now of quite restricted distribution in south-east England.

In June, our attention switches to such sought-after butterflies as Dark Green Fritillary, Adonis and Common Blue, together with mid-summer plants such as Common Spotted, Fragrant, Pyramidal, Bee, Southern March, Twayblade and Musk Orchids.

 In August, later flowering species such as Carlina vulgaris (Carline Thistle), Centaurea scabiosa, (Greater Knapweed), Euphrasia nemorosa (Eyebright), ‘Pride of Sussex’ Phyteuma orbiculare (Round-headed Rampion), Scabiosa columbaria (Small Scabious), Rosa micrantha (Small-flowered Sweet Briar) and, hopefully, the diminutive Spiranthes spiralis (Autumn Lady's Tresses), all grow here, along with many more. Butterflies may include Chalkhill, Adonis and Common Blue, various skippers, Small Tortoiseshell and Peacock, amongst others. On the western side of this area is a chalk cliff, which is home to a resident pair of Peregrine Falcons and a pair of Ravens. Common Whitethroat, Yellowhammer and Skylark are also likely to be seen or heard.

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Why Naturetrek?

At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:

  • The widest choice of wildlife holidays worldwide
  • Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
  • Outstanding value and exceptional customer service

Furthermore, as a Naturetrek client, our office team are always to on hand to help you – so if you have any queries about your holiday, whether before or after you have booked, we will be delighted to answer them on the phone. Please just give our team a call!

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