Wildflowers of the South Downs National Park (Day Trip)

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.