Sussex
Scrapbook ~ Wildlife walks throughout the year
Saturday 28th January 2017
Bepton - Westdean Woods - Staple Ash Farm - Devil's Jumps - Treyford - Didling -
Bepton.
8.3 miles
It's been so bloomin'
cold lately but that's because it's winter, of course. The pair of us can just
about cope with it with about 6 layers of clothing on but it seems like the bike
can't cope quite so well. The battery was playing up a bit because of the low
temperatures and so that was making it run a bit rough. By the time we parked at
Bepton church I was in a rotten mood due to my concern with the bike and this
was compounded further by the fact that I'd managed to come out for the day
without my flamin' glasses. If I was going to see anything today then it would
have to be through the binoculars.
From Bepton we had a stiff climb up to the South Downs Way and we were taken
aback to find ourselves so out of breath. Christmas and new year have been
disastrous to our fitness and so we are now on a major get-fit programme before
we hit the mountains again. On our way up however we found lots of evidence of
digging and snuffling with disturbed bluebell bulbs about the place. We followed
paw prints down a small hangar and soon found the badger sett we expected to
find. We will have to come back soon and settle down for the evening to watch
them.
Carrying on down into the woods and we found that a large part of the plantation
has been taken out, revealing a great view of Goodwood Racecourse and also
revealing some of the things brought out of the ground with the tree stumps,
including a large part of the low wheel from a steam threshing machine.
There were lots of birds about, especially Redwings and Fieldfare but once again
the Hawfinches that live in this area proved completely elusive. We're beginning
to think they don't exist.
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A small part of the sett.
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At a quiet tea spot in amongst the
conifers we found ourselves surrounded by puffballs.
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It's not Roman but it's still a bit of history.
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Goodwood in the distance
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Yellow Brain Fungus
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Treyford Hill - A perfect place to stop for tea and cake as the sun goes down
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Didling church. A real favourite of ours.
Take the time to read
the
countryside code for yourself and please stick to it at all times.