Wildlife with Hugh

A midsummer walk in a wooded area of the South Downs produced a bountiful array of birds, butterflies and wildflowers.

It was a day of Jersey tiger moths around Chichester Harbour. During a morning walk at Thorney Island one of these delightful moths flew in front of us and landed up nicely in the rough hedge.

Dartford warblers are always a delight to see. These small birds, with rich colours and a distinctively long tail, are one of a number of specialist species that can be found in suitable heathland habitats.

On a fine spring day at Amberley Wildbrooks we were treated to some memorable sightings.

January is a busy time at our wetlands, with overwintering birds in great abundance. On a trip to Thorney Island this was in evidence, with an interesting mix of species seen.

An early autumn walk in Chichester Harbour started with an unexpected sighting. Where a small stream enters the harbour in Bosham village a water vole sat low in a shrub and nibbled away at the foliage unperturbed by us onlookers. Water Vole. We may have overlooked the water vole had it not been for a kingfisher that previously flew up this section of stream. After a while of watching the vole it dropped in the water and swam ashore where we lost it from sight. A bright blue flash flew away from us, it turned out the kingfisher had been sitting on a sluice gate under our feet but obscured from view the entire time. Wading birds were beginning to return, in the first section of the harbour we saw a few species as well as grey herons and little egrets looking for their next meal. Oystercatcher, Turnstone, Grey Heron and Little Egret. Rounding the corner into the main channel a more diverse mix of waders were seen, including a few passage migrants such as a common sandpiper. In this patch

A trip to a West Sussex heathland on a wonderful summer evening in early June produced performances from the majority bird species that specialise in this unusual terrain. The ground is sandy, in some places pure sand. Pine and birch trees dominate the wooded areas, and the ground is carpeted with heather and gorse. It had been a hot day, a slight breeze was therefore much appreciated.