Graffham Common Nature Reserve

Returning Nightjar, Woodlark and Tree Pipit can be heard and seen in the spring and summer as well as more common wood­land birds. Listen out for the ‘snap’ of a Spotted Flycatcher’s beak as it feeds in the old Oak trees.

Due to a large proportion of deadwood around the reserve there are many saproxylic (deadwood feeding) insects to be found including the scarce longhorn beetle Pogonocherus fasciculatus (the only known site for this beetle in Sussex) and the black and red darkling beetle Diaperis boleti found on Birch Polypore bracket fungi.

The pond on the eastern site is a good place for dragon and damselflies including Four-spotted Chasers and Emerald Damselflies. In the west, patient searching will reveal carnivorous sundews and the rare Marsh Clubmoss on the bare peat. Nestled amongst the more mature heather on the western site, Bilberry can be found, normally a species of higher cooler heaths.

hobby / Hugh Clark