After the intense showers a bright, sunny day with a pleasant breeze, perfect walking weather so it’s off to the Downs. We hadn’t been around Goodwood and Levin Down for a while so that was the choice. It’s a shame the car park at the Trundle had been closed off but that’s Goodwood Estate for you. However, just as we left the car a Red Kite swooped low over us, hovered for a while on an
updraft, then went off before we could take a snap.

Only the occasional pheasant called out as we passed down the path through the woods to Compton; that would change in a month or so when they start to put down the many thousands of chicks. At least one Buzzard was calling gently, probably more, so there were plenty of raptors about.

We saw lots of Birds Foot Trefoil about in patches along the road and lanes, the member of the pea family with it’s characteristic leaves is clearly doing well here. A few Pyramidal Orchids were spotted too,
delightful flowers but not present in any real numbers.

Once up on Levin Down there were plenty of Butterflies, especially Meadow Browns. Why is it that Speckled Woods will sit quietly whilst you take a picture, but the Meadow Browns are so flighty that they take off as soon as you approach them? Goodwood Estate is organic and maintains good margins  along the sides of fields, it seems to have had the desired beneficial effect on insect life; a noticeable difference from other areas close by.

Approaching Singleton there is a delightful meadow although it was a bit dry on this visit;  there was some Chicory there. The blooms looked strange on the woody stems with so few leaves. Leaving
Singleton passing up the hill were some St Johns Wort again, we’d seen them several times along the walk. They’re the same family as the Hypericum in the garden, the flowers are very similar.