I deviated away from my usual route this morning, choosing instead to take the steep, arduous climb of Seaford Head the foot of which lies at the western end of Seaford beach. Despite the overcast sky and the challenge of the hill I felt exhilerated by the buffeting gusts of the strong wind. Half way up I was met by the familiar calls of kittiwakes and I had some good glimpses of these lovely birds. The grass of the hill was dotted with patches of selfheal, kidney vetch, clovers, wild thyme, greater knapweed and dropwort, and I also came across this lovely clump of bladder campion
Walking westward along the clifftop path I passed many more wildflowers sharing their blooms. Wild carrot, lady's bedstraw, viper's bugloss and carpets of agrimony could be seen and in one place; a mass of gorgeous yellow-horned poppies. Closer to Hope Gap lots of low-growing privit hugged the downland slopes, covered in their white blossam. At low tide the area of beach at Hope Gap is revealed as a large expance of rock pools. Alas, the tide was fully in this morning, but I still descended the steps and sat for a while watching the crash of the incoming waves, the view of The Seven Sisters beyond and enjoying the practice of Hakalau. Click here for an introduction to Hakalau.
leaving Hope Gap I made my way to the coastguard houses at Cuckmere Haven, and then northwards along the scrub-lined path of the Vanguard Way. Common mallow, white campion, hedge woundwort and that most gorgeous of climbers tufted vetch were found in bloom. Despite grey skies and the wind a couple of red admirals were abroad, and I had lovely views of a white throat singing from atop a nearby bush.
Crossing Exceat bridge I continued alongside the river sighting little egrets, a curlew and a small group of oystercatchers as I went. Further along I had wonderful views of a buzzard as it wheeled over the fields on the opposite side of the river.
For a brief time I popped into Friston Forest too and at West Dean pond found a pair of small banded snails. Lovely things.
Crossing Exceat bridge I continued alongside the river sighting little egrets, a curlew and a small group of oystercatchers as I went. Further along I had wonderful views of a buzzard as it wheeled over the fields on the opposite side of the river.
For a brief time I popped into Friston Forest too and at West Dean pond found a pair of small banded snails. Lovely things.