Eastbourne Local Group Catch-up

By David Beer

Eastbourne Local Members Group

Sussex Wildlife Trust's Eastbourne Local Group has recently returned to holding in-person events. Here is a brief report on their recent events.

Thursday 21 April . Talk from Martin Hole on farming the Pevensey Levels
Following a two year break due to covid restrictions, our evening talks programme recommenced with an excellent description on the challenges and joys of farming the Pevensey Levels. Martin is passionate about conservation and described how he is able to successfully run an organic livestock farm without damaging the fragile ecosystem of the Pevensey Levels. The Levels consist of over 3600 hectares of low lying grassland and the patchwork of drainage ditches, wet meadows, pools and willow carr support diverse biodiversity. His talk was illustrated with images of some of the wildlife that he encounters, from his beloved Lapwings to the very impressive Fen Raft Spider. In these times when the media is full of depressing stories describing the loss of biodiversity, it was encouraging to listen to what can be achieved by a family farming in an environmentally sensitive way.

Thursday 28th April. Walk at Arlington Reservoir

On a bright but cool morning thirteen local Sussex Wildlife Trust members met in the visitor car park for a circuit of the reservoir. With the spring migration well underway, hopes were high and there was talk of a Nightingale in full song the previous day. Chiffchaffs, Reed Warblers and Whitethroats were heard as we started our clockwise circuit. A couple of Swallows darted over the water and a pair of Great Crested Grebes seemed to be ignoring each other. In the woodland there were still patches of Celandine and the Stitchwort, Bluebells and Garlic Mustard were in full bloom. A single Speckled Wood was braving the chilly conditions. As we approached the hide the symphony of birdsong created by a pair of Blackcaps, a Wren, Song Thrush and Chiffchaff was enriched by the unmistakeable song of a Nightingale. We caught glimpses of the star songster before heading off along the footpath on the top of the dam. Shelduck, Linnets, a Kestrel and a Mistle Thrush were seen on this section of the circuit but a single Grey Wagtail stole the show as it foraged on the water’s edge. When we returned to the car park my avian species list totalled 43. An enjoyable walk in excellent company.