Field Reports

It was cloudy when 12 Chi Nats members set out from Cocking Hill car park, to Bepton Down, and all uphill along the South Downs Way, until the turn off downhill to the glorious meadow. The verges had many interesting plants, including a lesser mullein, complete with a feeding moth caterpillar. Our leader, Diana, a local and very knowledgeable member, answered all our numerous questions, including information about the grazing sheep, New Romneys, a hardy breed suited to life on the downs, and the current management of the meadow itself.  In winter, cattle are used to graze the Bepton  Down reserve, a paradise for orchid lovers and anyone with an interest in plants. Countless tway blades, common spotted and pyramidal orchids, at least a dozen bee orchids and many more butterfly orchids are easy to see in a lovely sloping meadow with far reaching views to the north.

It’s a perfect place to sit on an Iron Age mound and have a snack and think about coming again.  The sun came out a bit late for the butterflies, which was the only disappointment of the morning. A bird highlight for me was a loudly singing tree pipit, which obliged us not only by singing for some time, but flitting about in a convenient tree. Our visit lasted a bit longer than planned , because there was so much to see. I highly recommend going there , if you missed this opportunity.

Thank you to Diana for taking us to such a splendid site. 
The species list is on iRecord.

Steph Carn