Spring in Sussex - 22nd April 2005

On a warm sunny day we visited Burton Mill Pond Nature Reserve, which is run by the Sussex Wildlife Trust. Coming from Pagham we took the A27 eastbound, turning quite quickly onto the A285 north for Petworth. After a scenic drive through the Downs, passing Duncton Gap and Duncton Village, we turned right onto the signposted road for Burton Mill. A short distance along a twisty bit of road the rather concealed car park is on your left.

Arriving at our destination we were greeted by a Blackcap singing in a tree under which Bluebells were in flower. On the other side of the road is Burton Mill, famed for its 23 species of dragonfly. This is a large expanse of water that, at this time of year, had only a swan and some Mallard. However, in the winter, Bittern have been seen here regularly. By the water were good stands of Cuckoo Flower and Tussock Sedge in flower; here our first butterfly was a Comma.

The Nature Trail leads through fairly open mixed woodland, mostly Birch and Oak. The air was full of bird song and we identified Wren, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, another Blackcap and several Chiffchaffs. Further on we heard Great and Blue Tit, Robin and Willow Warbler. Lichens were evident on many of the trees and we also found some non-lichenized fungi. There were large Birch Brackets and two colonies of miniscule Sulphur Tufts; what appeared to be bright orange rust was spread over several Oak trees.

There were Violets and Wild Strawberry in flower and a cock Orange Tip was enjoying the sunshine. At the end of this part of the path we came across five or six very large dead Sweet Chestnut trees full of holes and crevices that were being used by a colony of Jackdaws.

The trail then led through an estate called Burton Park and onto Chingford Pond. Here we heard the songs of thrush, Wren and Blackcap with a Green Woodpecker calling in the distance. Greater Stitchwort and Periwinkle edged the path and our first pair of Brimstone butterflies was in courtship. A pair of Shelduck, some Coot and some Tufted Ducks were on the pond. To the left of the path the ground fell away to Alder carr where there were clumps of Kingcup and large stands of Cuckoo Flower interspersed with leaves of Flag Irises. Here we saw another pair of Brimstones and numbers of cock Orange Tips. Just before bearing left into some coniferous woodland, we noticed a single large Gorse bush in flower and a clump of Primroses growing opposite. Other plants in this area not yet in flower were Foxglove, Butcher’s Broom and Pink Campion together with a single flower of Wild Arum.

We now came to an area of peat bog known as the Black Hole where we found deer slots. Later in the spring Bog Bean, Water Plantain and the Purple Marsh Cinquefoil flower among the Tussock Sedge. While standing here we heard the Great-Spotted Woodpecker drumming repeatedly. Making our way back to the car park, we saw another pair of Brimstones, which completed an enjoyable walk through an area of varied habitats.

Brenda Chapman and Olive Boroughs