South Downs
Wild coast, stunning wildlife, remarkable history - enjoy the top spots in Britain's newest National Park.
What to see in July
Hound's tongue
This grey green plant has tiny flowers that range in colour from pink through purple to deep red. The seeds or 'nutlet's grow up the stem in sets of four and turn dark red in autumn.
Chalkhill blue
Males are a silvery-blue colour whilst the females are brown with a white fringe to the wings and a blue dusting near the body. They lay their eggs on horseshoe vetch
Hobby
The hobby is the only British falcon that spends the winter months south of the Sahara desert. It is kestrel-sized with long pointed wings. It chases large insects and small birds like swallows and martins.
Ladies bedstraw
These frothy yellow flowers have a sweet, honey-like scent. It past times it was traditionally dried and used to stuff straw mattresses of monied ladies.
Marbled white
The striking black-and-white checks of the marbled white are unmistakeable. The adults can often be seen feeding on purple flowers, such as common knapweed and wild marjoram.
Corn bunting
Spot this streaky brown, thick-billed bird singing from a wire or post, sounding just like a set of jangling keys. Like many of our farmland birds, the corn bunting has declined in number recently.
Pyramidal orchid
The pyramidal orchid has bright pinky-purple, densely packed pyramid of flowers. It can be found across the South Downs and is attractive to a range of butterflies and moths.
Silver washed fritillary
Our largest native fritillary is named for the streaks of silver on the underside of the wings. Although seen mostly flying in sunny rides, it actually breeds in the shadier parts of woodland.
Bullfinch
The male is unmistakable with a bright red breast and cheeks, grey back, black cap and tail, and bright white rump. They feed voraciously on tree buds in spring and were once a 'pest' of fruit crops.
