Southerham

A very hot dog walk this morning over the Lewes Downs taking in the Southerham Farm Nature Reserve and Mount Caburn. The flower-rich chalk grassland of Southerham - alive with butterflies, bees and crickets -  contrasts with the slopes of Caburn Bottom opposite - a grass desert devoid of botanical and biological interest. Hundreds, probably thousands of butterflies here feasting on wild marjoram, scabious, viper's bugloss, round-headed rampion, wild carrot, thistles, ragwort etc.