We returned to Gayles FarmAMP the following week to survey another field or two. I should say that the survey methods and recording were all carefully adhered to, and were ably undertaken by Chris and Colin, I was just along to speed up the spotting!
The main photo above shows our beautiful location, with Bird’s-foot Trefoil Lotus corniculatus in the foreground.
I cheekily zoomed in on the sign so you can see approximately where we were. We went rather nearer the sea than the “You are here” label but you get the idea! As you look at the map, Seaford is a bit further left and Eastbourne is just away to the right. You can see we were halfway along the Seven Sisters cliffs.
We found many flowers from the species list mentioned in Part 1AMP. Photos marked with an L are plants that are on the list. We found many not shown, including Wild Thyme Thymus polytrichus and the warm fragrance was fabulous underfoot.
Wild Basil was new to me. L
Sorry bad photo but there’s also a Bird’s foot Trefoil Lotus corniculatus in there LL
Also known as Pride of Sussex, this one loves the chalk too, but wasn’t on the list.
Chris pointed out this plant which I had never seen before, growing in some disturbed ground by a farm gate. Henbane is a member of the poisonous Nightshade family so we kept our distance.
Not to be confused with yellow Lady’s Bedstraw Galium verum, this one is not on the list.
Listed as Stemless Thistle in the indicator species list. L
Often purple in colour as seen in Part 1, here is the white form.
That was another beautiful sunny morning! I also spotted a similar range of flowers on an afternoon walk in Cradle Valley SeafordAMP in July, where I had more time for photography, and also Seaford Head in AugustAMP.
See also my Fourth and final day counting flowers at Gayles FarmAMP.