Saturday 10th
May 2008
Pulborough - Parham - Amberley - Pulborough
16 miles
11 hours
This was the hottest
day of the year so far with temperatures reaching 27 oC. Most of the
wet mud has now dried up and walking conditions are much easier. Birdsong was
far more evident this week and all of the trees and plants seem to have suddenly
burst into growth and flower. The fields and meadows are covered in Buttercups,
Cowslips and Bugle and we found some more Early Purple orchids too.
One of our target species of the day was the
Hobby. This agile bird of prey catches large insects like dragonflies in its
talons and eats them while on the wing. Soon after arriving at the Hanger we
were given a close up view of one hunting. We could see all of its markings
really well, including its characteristic red 'trousers'. Another species we
were hoping to see was the
Cuckoo. Unfortunately, although we could hear them all day long, sometimes
very close indeed, they managed to stay out of our view. That was also true of
the nightingales, which are now in great voice. In compensation for not seeing
any cuckoos, we saw a weasel scamper across the farm track ahead of us at
Amberley Mount.
By the time we got to Amberley village we were in serious need of medicinal ice
cream and a water bottle refill. We were saved in those respects by Amberley
village stores, a rarity in these parts and the saviour of many a tired and
hungry hiker. They will even make you a cup of tea!
Today Amberley was the centre point of a 60 km (37 mile) sponsored charity hike
for women. It really was too hot today for these relatively inexperienced hikers
to cope with such a long arduous walk. However, with real determination, it was
just about possible. We wished them luck, but many of them didn't look like they
were going to make it. Some didn't even have hats, so we can only hope they
didn't get sunstroke!
By making use of all available shade, drinking plenty of water, and not walking
between midday and 1 pm, we managed to feel pretty good at the end of our measly
16 miles.
The sun began to sink when we reached Coldwaltham and we were able to watch a
barn owl hunting on the brooks. In all we saw 50 species of bird today
(including 2 lapwing chicks with a very defensive mother), as well as a hornet,
millions of dancing mayflies and a brown hare. Everything today seemed to be
pollinating, mating, nesting and breeding and wasn't being put off at all by the
extreme heat.
Buttercups beside the Arun
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A Reed Warbler, warbling in the reeds!
.JPG)
Looking from Rackham Hill, over the orchids and
cowslips, towards
Parham estate
.JPG)
The (mercifully shady) footpath near Hardham Priory
.JPG)
The River Rother near Stopham
.JPG)
The ancient bridge at Stopham.
The
White Hart pub here is an idyllic place for a drink on a summers evening