Wildlife
Meet our wonderful residents
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Buzzards
Buzzards
These magnificent birds are now a common site around Saddlescombe and Newtimber. Watch out for their aerial fights with the rooks that nest near the farm.
© National Trust
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Silver spotted skipper
Silver spotted skipper
This nationally rare little butterfly is a common site on Newtimber Hill in August. It is also a key indicator species of well cared for chalk grassland.
Find out more from UK Butterflies
© UK butterflies
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Burnt orchid
Burnt orchid
Newtimber Hill is home to this tiny little orchid. Flowering in July, you really have to look closely to find this elusive and rare flower.
© Graham Wellfare NT
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Juniper tree
Juniper tree
Newtimber has the largest stand of juniper bushes on the eastern South Downs. This rare and declining tree is a relic form the last ice age.
© Graham Wellfare NT
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Red kite
Red kite
Catching a glimpse of this magnificent bird of prey is a real highlight. Sightings are becoming more and more frequent and we hope one day this bird will be nesting in nearby Newtimber woods.
© National Trust
Buzzards
Silver spotted skipper
Burnt orchid
Juniper tree
Red kiteThe habitats of Newtimber Hill
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Chalk grassland
Newtimber is considered one of the best chalk grassland sites in the UK.
Thousands of years of continuous grazing has produced a rich tapestry of wildflowers. With such a variety of colour, smells and taste, Newtimber is also home to a wonderful variety of butterflies, bugs and insects. -
Ancient woodland
Newtimber Holt has stood the test of time for thousands of years.
Amongst the gnarled, coppiced ash trees lies a thousand year old lime; a multi stemmed giant that soars above the canopy. Delve deeper into the woods and you will find beech trees with graffiti from 1880 and bluebells galore. -
Dew ponds
Newtimber is lucky to have three surviving dewponds.
These ponds are a visible link to the past on the South Downs. Originally created as watering holes for sheep they are now important watery wildlife sites in an otherwise dry landscape. A myriad of dragonflies skim the surface in summer. -
Chalk heath
A century ago the top of Newtimber was a purple blaze of heather. After years of neglect and fertilizer use, this rarest of habitats has now virtually disappeared. However, look closely and you can still find an intimate mix of acid loving heathers and downland plants clinging on.
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Juniper scrub
Newtimber has one of the largest stands of juniper on the South Downs. This rare and declining habitat is a relic from the last ice age and will quickly dissapear if it gets shaded out by trees. The junipers here have been closely studied over the years and recently new trees have been planted to reinvigorate the stand.