Lullington Heath

Lullington Heath is a National Nature Reserve up on the Downs between Wilmington and Friston Forest.

The reserve is about as remote as southeast England gets, not being close to any roads.

There were large numbers of Linnets on the reserve, that made regular use of the two ponds.

Chaffinch.

View to the southwest, with the edge of Friston Forest visible.

A young ram. Herdwick Sheep currently graze on the reserve.

A Gorse 'lawn', the result of an attempt to control the scrub. Little actual heathland presently exists.

View to the north towards Wilmington.

The Gorse was in full flower, with its spicy coconut smell filling the air.

Winchester Pond, at the western edge of the reserve, and over 200 years old.

Singing Robin.

The astonishing Yellowhammer. Took me quite a while to find this species. By the end of the summer they will be abundant here.

My first Early Purple Orchid of the year, situated by the path down to Jevington (TQ 5548 0181).