A circular walk from Butt's Brow

By David Beer

Eastbourne Local Members Group

Warm sunshine and a light breeze welcomed fourteen members of the local group as we assembled in the car park at Butt’s Brow. 

We set off in a southerly direction and were soon treated to excellent views of a Kestrel that perched obligingly in the upper branches of a dead Ash tree. 

Marbled Whites and Meadow Browns were flying vigorously as we approached the American Airforce Memorial. Pyramidal Orchids and Vipers Bugloss provided a dash of intense colour to the chalk grassland landscape. The occasional Swift delighted us as it arced across the skyline. 

As we walked to the top of Bourne Hill, Small and Essex Skippers were more obvious in the swathes of semi improved grassland. The unmistakable gurgling croak of a Raven was heard by most of the group and there were good views of this increasingly common Corvid as it was mobbed by a parliament of Rooks. As we enjoyed the timeless view of Jevington a Red Kite glided by on the breeze and it was quickly followed by three Buzzards circling on the thermals. 

Two very fresh Gatekeepers provided some good photo opportunities and a Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell and Red Admiral were seen amongst the Brambles. 

As we returned to the car park a group of very showy Linnets were seen perched on the gorse bushes. We enjoyed a fine walk on this spectacular section of the Eastbourne Downland.