Eastbourne Group - November 2025 activities

David Beer

Cuckoo Trail Walk

On an unseasonably warm November morning, 18 members of the Eastbourne group met at the Hellingly Station Cuckoo Trail car park. The trail allows good views of some fine Wealden countryside. The deciduous woodland and damp meadows contained numerous fungi and a surprisingly large number of bird species. We had excellent views of Long Tailed Tits, Goldcrests, Great Spotted Woodpeckers and a solitary Buzzard. Robins, Dunnocks and a Wren were in full voice but there was a sense that the harsh winter days were just around the corner!

British Bats - an illustrated talk given by James Duncan

The UK is home to 18 species of bats and all of them have been sighted in Sussex in recent years. Sussex Wildlife Trust Wilder Communities Officer, James Duncan, described the importance of bats for the ecosystem. They help to control insect populations and facilitate seed dispersal and pollination. However, he stressed that many species are facing population declines, mainly due to habitat loss, climate change and human impacts. 

James illustrated his talk with superb photographs of all the species and sound recordings of their shouts which they make as they fly. The returning echoes give the bats information about what is ahead of them. The talk was full of interesting ‘ bat facts’ and we all left the hall with a much enriched understanding of this fascinating group of mammals. Thanks to James for an entertaining and stimulating talk which everyone enjoyed.

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