Windover Hill, East Sussex ***

 

Grid ref: TQ544034

Nearest town: Eastbourne

 

Chalk grassland high on the South Downs. 

 

Access details Car parking is available at TQ533034 approximately half a mile south of the A27

Lewes to Eastbourne road. From the car park follow the South Downs Way to the east and up the hill.

 

Key species Grayling, Silver-spotted Skipper, Small Blue, Adonis Blue, Chalk Carpet

Other common species Chalkhill Blue, Common Blue, Marbled White, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Small Heath, Painted Lady, Essex Skipper, Small Skipper

 

Occasional species Dark Green Fritillary, Wall

Also: Wasp Spider

 

Site description  From the car park the steep, bumpy climb to the top is made bearable by colonies of Small Blue and occasional Chalk Carpets along the edge of this chalk track. At Windover Reservoir check the meadow to the south for its colonies of Silver-spotted Skipper, Adonis Blue and clouds of Chalkhill Blue (also occasional Dark Green Fritillary and Wasp Spider). Grayling can be recorded along this track but the best sites are on the exposed chalk on the plateau at the top of Windover Hill, so keep climbing!

 

Author Michael Blencowe