South Downs National Park

@southdownsnp

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South Downs National Park@southdownsnp· 21d

Dragonflies are remarkable. Not only do they pre-date the dinosaurs but they also have the distinction of being the most successful predator in the animal kingdom, successfully capturing 90-95% of the prey they hunt. 📸: Jane Chandler

Close-up of a blue and black dragonfly clinging to a thin brown stem, showing translucent veined wings, bright blue abdominal spots and large compound eyes against blurred green foliage.

South Downs National Park@southdownsnp· 21d

Cissbury Ring is the largest hillfort in Sussex and one of the county’s most important prehistoric sites ⛰️ Neolithic flint mines were worked here over 5,000 years ago, leaving behind an undulating landscape of pits and mounds that can still be seen today. 📸: John Manley [1/2]

Large hollows at the western end of Cissbury Ring mark the filled-in shafts of 6,000-year-old flint mines. In the background, a patchwork of fields and a village stretch across the landscape beneath a cloudy sky.

South Downs National Park@southdownsnp· 23d

Spot the lizards... Sand lizards are one of the UK's rarest reptiles, favouring warm, sandy soils, such as those found on lowland heath. With their egg laying season between June and July, it's a good idea to keep dogs on the lead to avoid disturbing their nests. 📸: Steph Horn

Two camouflaged lizards, one vivid green with black speckles (male) and one brown-speckled (female) resting and overlapping among yellow-green moss and thin dry twigs.

South Downs National Park@southdownsnp· 24d

We do love a dramatic sky. 📍Kithurst Hill 📸Katarzyna Kedziora

A narrow path through a green wheat field toward the horizon beneath dramatic sunset clouds glowing orange and deep blue.

South Downs National Park@southdownsnp· 25d

A walk in the South Downs is lovely. A walk with stories is even better😉 Download our free In Their Footsteps app for an immersive audio-visual experience that brings local history to life. Find out more: www.southdowns.gov.uk/get-active/s... 🔗 📸: Philip Nind

Sunset casts golden light down a high street in Petersfield, silhouetting rows of brick houses and a pub.

South Downs National Park@southdownsnp· 26d

It's hot! Please take it easy if venturing out. Consider a walk at cooler times of the day (dawn and dusk are perfect, if you fancy an early/late start) and be sure to have plenty of water with you. Find your next walk here: buff.ly/thxtbAe 👋 📸: Emily Rose Shepherd

Narrow grassy path dividing a green pasture and a golden field, leading up a gentle hill toward a clear blue sky with wispy white clouds.

South Downs National Park@southdownsnp· 27d

The Big Butterfly Count starts today! Just 15 minutes, any outdoor space, and a bit of butterfly and moth spotting. Time well spent, we'd say. Find out more here: bigbutterflycount.butterfly-conservation.org 🦋 📸: Richard Murray

Group of white butterflies flutter above a sunlit meadow of blue blurred wildflowers, creating a serene summer scene.

South Downs National Park@southdownsnp· 28d

The dry weather means wildfire risk is particularly high⚠️ Remember to take litter home and don't light BBQs or open fires in the National Park. If you see any fires while out enjoying the South Downs, call 999 immediately - you could help save lives; of the human and animal kind. 📸:SDNPA

Charred, leafless hedgerow and scorched ground beside a grassy path after a fire, under a blue sky with distant trees.

South Downs National Park@southdownsnp· 29d

Happy #HampshireDay! ❤️ Today we celebrate the stunning landscapes, rich history and vibrant communities that make Hampshire so special. Did you know? Hampshire is widely recognised as England's oldest shire county. 📍Butser Hill 📸 Alex Holden

Grassy hillside with two tiny walkers, overlooking patchwork fields and hedgerows that stretch under a warm, golden evening sky.

South Downs National Park@southdownsnp· Jul 14

Not long now until the heather is in full bloom 💜 Found across our heathlands, heather provides vital nesting habitat for some of our most special bird species. As it's ground-nesting season, please help give these birds the space they need by keeping dogs on a lead. 📸: Sam Moore

Blooming purple heather stretches toward a sunlit birch tree line under a pale morning sky.

South Downs National Park@southdownsnp· Jul 13

Want to learn more about moths? 😍 Join Sussex naturalist Michael Blencowe at Seven Sisters Country Park this Thursday, 9:30am–12pm, for 'The Wonderful World of Moths' event. 🔗Find out more and book: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-wonder... 📸: Neil Hulme

South Downs National Park@southdownsnp· Jul 12

Not the most common South Downs species... 🦏 While rhinos aren't roaming the National Park just yet, you could see one at Marwell Zoo! We're giving away two family tickets for a wild day out at the amazing wildlife park. 📸: Charlotte Bennett [1/2]

A young rhinoceros calf standing on dry, pebbled ground in an enclosure, facing the camera with ears raised, wrinkled grey skin.

South Downs National Park@southdownsnp· Jul 11

Help protect habitats and wildlife by not lighting open fires or BBQs in the National Park and also taking all litter home with you. At the first sign of smoke, or if you see a fire, please call 999 immediately and retreat to a safe distance. 📸: Tim Kahane

South Downs National Park@southdownsnp· Jul 10

Fun fact: These chalk cliffs are around 85-90 million years old. Less fun fact: Cliff falls can happen at any time. Please admire them from a safe distance and don't stand on the edge or underneath the cliffs. 📸: Ian Downes

People gathered along a grassy edge atop a dramatic white chalk cliff, peering and sitting by the sheer vertical face beneath a clear blue sky.

South Downs National Park@southdownsnp· Jul 9

Is there anything better than a South Downs sunrise? 📍Ditchling Beacon 📸 Billy Callum

Fiery sunrise over rolling pasture where the low sun casts rays across a dew pond as sheep graze nearby and two trees silhouette against orange clouds.

South Downs National Park@southdownsnp· Jul 8

Just a juvenile peregrine falcon taking in the view 🥹 Peregrines are among the fastest animals on the planet, reaching speeds of up to 200 mph when diving on their prey. 📸: David Jeffery

Peregrine falcon perched on a cliff ledge, alertly watching with purple wildflowers and green vegetation nearby.

South Downs National Park@southdownsnp· Jul 7

Spotted any pyramidal orchids this year? 🌷 Its distinct smell attracts pollinators, especially the burnet moth, helping to carry pollen to other flowers. 📷: Charlie Hellewell

Black and red burnet moth perched on a dense pink pyramidal orchid, against a softly blurred green meadow background.

South Downs National Park@southdownsnp· Jul 6

Got a striking South Downs image? ⚡ Enter our photo competition and be in with the chance of winning a prize - and earning some serious bragging rights. More info here: buff.ly/6XEuGMf 📸: Alexander Swyer

Red poppy field beneath a purple-pink storm sky, a single lightning bolt striking near the horizon to the right.

South Downs National Park@southdownsnp· Jul 5

Good morning! Here’s a Sunday morning view to start things off. 📍Kithurst Hill 📸 Jamie Fielding

A solitary tree stands on a gently rolling meadow beneath a pale blue sky with scattered clouds and small red poppies dotting the grassy foreground.

South Downs National Park@southdownsnp· Jul 4

It’s #NationalMeadowsDay, and it’s no secret that meadows are biodiversity hot spots! 🌷 With projects like Beelines, we're aiming to #ReNature the South Downs by planting new wildflower corridors, connecting species-rich grassland. 📸: John Glover

Wildflower meadow of dense pink blossoms and scattered white daisies among tall green grass.

South Downs National Park@southdownsnp· Jul 2

Glow‑worms are making a comeback in the South Downs ⭐ A team of volunteers, working with National Park rangers, has released glow‑worm larvae at a site in Hampshire. 📸: Sam Moore [1/2]

Bioluminescent glow-worm clinging to a slender grass stem at night. Its segmented reddish body and bright yellow glowing abdomen is visible against a dark background.

South Downs National Park@southdownsnp· Jul 2

Stay in the loop this summer by signing up to receive our monthly e-newsletter 🌷 Sign up here: www.southdowns.gov.uk/join-the-new... 📸: Piers Fearick

Purple heather at golden hour with a lone tree near the centre, and layered green woodland and distant hills beneath a moody cloudy sky.

South Downs National Park@southdownsnp· Jul 1

July is here, bringing plenty to spot: • Orchids galore - wildflower meadows at their midsummer best • Dragonflies and damselflies • Bell heather - magenta blooms beginning to light up the heathlands • Bats around sunset Take this as your reminder to look out for these seasonal sights this month💜

Purple heather blooms in the foreground with shallow focus.

South Downs National Park@southdownsnp· Jun 30

A baa-rilliant view 😍 If out and about with your dogs, please remember to keep them on the lead when near livestock. 📸: Kathleen Bignel

Sheep grazing amid a vast carpet of red poppies that slopes into rolling green fields and distant hills beneath a heavy, overcast sky.

South Downs National Park@southdownsnp· Jun 29

Name a better sound than the churring of a nightjar at dusk... We'll wait. 📸: Jordan Sharp

Mother and juvenile Nightjars sitting side-by-side in small clearing amongst flowering heather.

South Downs National Park@southdownsnp· Jun 27

Come along to our 'Discover your Heaths Day' tomorrow (Sunday 28 June) for a free day of family fun as part of our ReNature Festival. 📍Hogmoor Inclosure, Bordon ⏰11am-4pm Find out the full details here: www.southdowns.gov.uk/renature-fes.... 📸: Andy Reeves

Ranger in a sun hat kneels with a white insect net, guiding two children as they use handheld nets to catch bugs among tall grasses in heathland.

South Downs National Park@southdownsnp· Jun 25

Due to the extreme heat and the latest national guidance, we’ve made the difficult decision to cancel our “Experience the Seven Sisters Day” for Saturday 27 June. Our Discover the Heaths Day at Hogmoor Inclosure in Bordon is still going ahead on Sunday 28 June. We’d love to welcome you there 💜

South Downs National Park@southdownsnp· Jun 25

Due to the current extreme weather conditions, the South Downs Centre will be closed to walk-in visitors on Thursday 25 June and Friday 26 June. Our services remain available by phone (01730 814810) and email via info@southdowns.gov.uk during this time. 📸: Nick Pailthorpe

Sunset casting warm golden-orange light over a wildflower meadow of blue cornflowers, white daisies and yellow bloom.

South Downs National Park@southdownsnp· Jun 25

The bee orchid. Named after its main pollinator, this sneaky orchid mimics a female bee to lure males in. But because the right bee isn’t found in the UK, our bee orchids end up self‑pollinating. 📸: Charlie Hellewell

Bee orchid with a brown, bee-like lip and several open buds on a tall green stem set against a soft-focus grassy meadow background.

South Downs National Park@southdownsnp· Jun 24

Based on the latest guidance from national agencies in light of the current red heat-health alert for the south east, we have taken the decision to postpone tomorrow's Policy & Resources Committee. The Committee will now take place on Thursday 9th July. 📸: Sam Moore