Whimbrel, Birling Gap

 A glorious evening and the newly repaired stairway, down to Birling Gap.

Then 7 Whimbrel flew in off the sea.

Wildflower Lawn 2026

 After  three week pause, some more flowers have emerged.

#20 Salad Burnett 

#21 Aquilegia 

#22 Yellow Rattle 

#23 Buttercup

#24 Weedy Hawkweed 

Early-flowering Burnt-tip Orchid, The Caburn

 A few years ago I heard about large numbers of this Orchid growing at the Caburn. The changing climate has made predicting when they will flower difficult. Last year we probably looked too late, so an earlier search was undertaken this year. However, like last year, only one spike could be found.

Part of the large herd of Exmoor Ponies grazing the Caburn.

Spring Sedge

Milkwort 

Meadow Ant mound, presumably attacked by Badgers.

Germander Speedwell 

Sycamore Flowers, Jevington Plantation

 Every Spring these surprise me, often prompting a quick identification check.

Ground Ivy, Beachy Head

 This year, the Ground Ivy is growing in profusion. Patches of it resemble Heather.

Jevington Plantation

The most satisfying Song Thrush anvil I have seen. Garden and Brown-lippped Snails are on the menu!

 These woodchips were on the ground under a newly excavated Greater Spotted Woodpecker nest. A first for me.

Beachy Head

Leaf and shoots of Black Byrony

Chalk Milkwort

Horseshoe Vetch

Whitetop

Also saw my first Swallows.