Bepton Down

Bepton Down Conservation Group is team of supporters for Bepton Down, a unique grass chalkland and SSSI on The South Downs in West Sussex

[Bepton Down @beptondown]

The beautiful carpets of snowdrops in the woods above Bepton are a joy to behold. They are at their best now. They are better than last year too! Enjoy.

[Bepton Down @beptondown]

The Downs from Bepton Church. Peaceful... but not so. Sheep worrying is on the increase with ewes lost, aborted lambs and fences destroyed. A "dead" loss for the farmer. Irresponsible dog owners who do not keep their dogs on leads and/or whose dogs have no recall.

[Bepton Down @beptondown]

The Common Blue. This beautiful butterfly has been seen in great numbers on Bepton Down. It has benefited from the excellent cut and collect management at the end of 2019.

[Bepton Down @beptondown]

Another great find on Bepton Down: The Brimstone.@CowdrayEstate @Ranger_sdnpa

[Bepton Down @beptondown]

The Bee Orchids have joined the party....

[Bepton Down @beptondown]

The Speckled Wood Butterfly is around at the moment. This one was on the path going towards the orchids on Bepton Down.

[Bepton Down @beptondown]

The Pyramidal Orchids are out with the Common Spotted. I just wish people would keep their out of control dogs on leads. Think of ground nesting birds, leverets, fawns etc and, of course, the flora and fauna.

[Bepton Down @beptondown]

Someone has dumped large stumps in the ditch behind the Bepton Down SSSI sign at the T. junction. How stupid can you get? Blocking ditches is disgraceful as we need them to act as drains in the very wet weather we get here @BeptonRanger @helen_hollowood @sdnpa

[Bepton Down @beptondown]

The Common Spotted orchids are also coming into their own.... Look out for yellow rattle the annual parasitic plant which weakens the grasses and provides the perfect habitat for rare chalk downland wild flowers.

[Bepton Down @beptondown]

The Twayblades are everywhere on Bepton Down. Some are gigantic! They have appeared where the brambles were cut down to ground level in late autumn 2019. Please maintain that level of management in 2020.

[Bepton Down @beptondown]

Group of Greater Butterfly Orchids

[Bepton Down @beptondown]

Greater Butterfly in bud.

[Bepton Down @beptondown]

The Greater Butterfly Orchids are in full flower. They are not numerous but with luck will increase if the management of this SSSI is maintained i.e. cut and collect of scrub etc in late autumn. Please be aware of where you put your feet when walking in the Access Area.

[Bepton Down @beptondown]

The beautiful bluebells and early purple orchids in the woods have faded for another year but the chalk downland SSSI at Bepton is sending up relays of different orchids and other wildflowers together with insects.... The show goes on.

[Bepton Down @beptondown]

Beautiful woods...

[Bepton Down @beptondown]

Please keep this SSSI well cared for as this is the result. The cowslips are magnificent and are seen at their best as the scrub was cut right back in late 2019. Please do a complete cut and collect at the end of 2020 too.

[Bepton Down @beptondown]

In the woods beyond Bepton Down SSSI there are a very few tiny patches of Early Purple Orchids. These are so rare now. Perhaps the SDNP could protect them from being uprooted by Cowdray clear felling? When gone they will never come back.

[Bepton Down @beptondown]

Bepton Down SSSI is ready to burst into life with thousands of cowslips and the first showings of common spotted orchids. 🤗

[Bepton Down @beptondown]

Signs of spring everywhere: new lambs on Bepton Down😊

[Bepton Down @beptondown]

More beautiful dafs.... In West Dean Woods above Bepton and straight down the path due south. There are masses of them. All wild and so uplifting.