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This was a day trip to find orchids in the afternoon and nightjars in the evening. The leader was friendly, inclusive, knowledgeable and facilitated the group with sensitivity. A lovely relaxing day with all expectations more than met.
I.T. Kent, Jun 21
Sussex Downs & Heaths (Day Trip)
Tour Code: GBR261An exciting afternoon spent searching for orchids and butterflies, before descending onto the heaths for an evening of watching Nightjars and other heathland specialists.
1 days
from
£60
£60
Highlights
Summary
Our afternoon and evening in the remote corners of West Sussex are set to deliver some of the finest wildlife sightings in the county. We will start the day at Heyshott at 2pm, first searching the north-facing escarpment of the Sussex Downs for a variety of orchids, including the diminutive Musk Orchid, alongside Fragrant, Common Spotted and Greater Butterfly Orchids. This is also an important area for butterflies, and we will hope for a number of blues, amongst other species. If we're lucky, we may even find pairs of Firecrest, Tree Pipit, Yellowhammer and Garden Warbler, all of which breed on the reserve.
After an optional pub dinner, we will drive a short distance to some nearby heathland, where a short circuit of the commons should reveal such heathland specialists as Dartford Warbler, Tree Pipit and Woodlark. Common Crossbill and Siskin, too, can be found in the conifer trees here. As dusk approaches, we will listen out for approaching Woodcocks as they 'rode' low across the horizon and quickly out of sight. A short while later, the wonderful churring of Nightjars will commence, and your expert local guide will ensure we are perfectly positioned to get the most out of this incredible experience.
This Day Trip will aim to finish at 10pm, though it could be a little later if the Nightjars are being particularly cooperative.
- A brilliant opportunity to watch Nightjars on a West Sussex common
- Search for an array of orchids and butterflies on chalk downland
- The diminutive Musk Orchid at its favoured location in the county
- Noteworthy birds may include Firecrest, Tree Pipit, Dartford Warbler and Woodcock
- Have a lovely pub dinner at a country pub
- Led by a local expert birdwatcher
Day Trip Location
Reviews
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This was a day trip, walking up the Downs in the afternoon, looking for orchids, butterflies and other insects, and birds. We saw plenty different species. After an optional meal in the pub, we set out for the Heath, where we heard and spotted the woodlark, saw linnets, yellowhammer amongst others. But the highlight was the sound and displays of the nightjars, really magic moments. Jonathan was a very friendly and knowledgeable guide, and the other members of the group were lovely. Very efficient, also quick to reply to any queries. I have travelled on several holidays with Naturetrek, and have always been impressed with their guides and service.
J.M. Essex, Jun 21 -
This was a day trip, walking up the Downs in the afternoon, looking for orchids, butterflies and other insects, and birds. We saw plenty different species. After an optional meal in the pub, we set out for the Heath, where we heard and spotted the woodlark, saw linnets, yellowhammer amongst others. But the highlight was the sound and displays of the nightjars, really magic moments. Jonathan was a very friendly and knowledgeable guide, and the other members of the group were lovely. Very efficient, also quick to reply to any queries. I have travelled on several holidays with Naturetrek, and have always been impressed with their guides and service.
J.M. Essex, Jun 21
Dates & Prices
2026
Departures
Availability
Cost
Wed 20th May – Wed 20th May
5
£60
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£60
Tour Leader:
Please note that, whilst we assign leaders to particular tours well in advance, we reserve the right to make changes if necessary
Jonathan Mycock
Tour Leader: Jonathan Mycock
Jonathan is a professional conservationist with over 30 years' experience in nature conservation and environmental management. Much of this has been working in protected areas, including the Shropshire Hills & Sussex Downs AONBs and the Peak District, New Forest and South Downs National Parks. He gained a BSc Hons in Applied Biology from Liverpool John Moore's University, and a Post-Graduate Diploma in Countryside Management from Manchester Metropolitan University, during the 1980s. His last position was Environmental Project Manager with the Environment Agency in Worthing, from which he retired in October 2023.
Jonathan has been a keen naturalist from a very young age. He honed his birding skills on the moors, dales and reservoirs of the Peak District during his teenage years, together with regular stays at Spurn Bird Observatory. During this period Jonathan gained a detailed knowledge of the songs and calls of British birds which has stood him in good stead when undertaking bird surveys and leading guided walks.
Jonathan has travelled extensively in Europe, Turkey, North Africa and the Middle East, The Gambia, India, Nepal, Thailand, Malaysia, California, Costa Rica and Ecuador in search of birds and other wildlife. Since retiring he spent 3 weeks birding in Madagascar and a week in Taiwan, together with 2 weeks in the Canaries (El Hierro and Lanzarote).
Jonathan has led tours for Naturetrek in the Dordogne, France; the Sorrento Peninsula, Italy; Sicily; the Carpathian Mountains and Danube Delta in Romania; and Finland and Arctic Norway. He has also led various UK tours, including in Hampshire, Dorset, Somerset and the Forest of Dean, as well as local day trips to Pagham Harbour and the Sussex Downs and Heaths. In his ‘spare time’, Jonathan is a voluntary warden at RSPB Pulborough Brooks and undertakes local surveys for the BTO and Sussex Ornithological Society.
Wed 3rd Jun – Wed 3rd Jun
SPACES
£60
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£60
Tour Leader:
Please note that, whilst we assign leaders to particular tours well in advance, we reserve the right to make changes if necessary
Jonathan Mycock
Tour Leader: Jonathan Mycock
Jonathan is a professional conservationist with over 30 years' experience in nature conservation and environmental management. Much of this has been working in protected areas, including the Shropshire Hills & Sussex Downs AONBs and the Peak District, New Forest and South Downs National Parks. He gained a BSc Hons in Applied Biology from Liverpool John Moore's University, and a Post-Graduate Diploma in Countryside Management from Manchester Metropolitan University, during the 1980s. His last position was Environmental Project Manager with the Environment Agency in Worthing, from which he retired in October 2023.
Jonathan has been a keen naturalist from a very young age. He honed his birding skills on the moors, dales and reservoirs of the Peak District during his teenage years, together with regular stays at Spurn Bird Observatory. During this period Jonathan gained a detailed knowledge of the songs and calls of British birds which has stood him in good stead when undertaking bird surveys and leading guided walks.
Jonathan has travelled extensively in Europe, Turkey, North Africa and the Middle East, The Gambia, India, Nepal, Thailand, Malaysia, California, Costa Rica and Ecuador in search of birds and other wildlife. Since retiring he spent 3 weeks birding in Madagascar and a week in Taiwan, together with 2 weeks in the Canaries (El Hierro and Lanzarote).
Jonathan has led tours for Naturetrek in the Dordogne, France; the Sorrento Peninsula, Italy; Sicily; the Carpathian Mountains and Danube Delta in Romania; and Finland and Arctic Norway. He has also led various UK tours, including in Hampshire, Dorset, Somerset and the Forest of Dean, as well as local day trips to Pagham Harbour and the Sussex Downs and Heaths. In his ‘spare time’, Jonathan is a voluntary warden at RSPB Pulborough Brooks and undertakes local surveys for the BTO and Sussex Ornithological Society.
Sat 13th Jun – Sat 13th Jun
SPACES
£60
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£60
Tour Leader:
Please note that, whilst we assign leaders to particular tours well in advance, we reserve the right to make changes if necessary
Jonathan Mycock
Tour Leader: Jonathan Mycock
Jonathan is a professional conservationist with over 30 years' experience in nature conservation and environmental management. Much of this has been working in protected areas, including the Shropshire Hills & Sussex Downs AONBs and the Peak District, New Forest and South Downs National Parks. He gained a BSc Hons in Applied Biology from Liverpool John Moore's University, and a Post-Graduate Diploma in Countryside Management from Manchester Metropolitan University, during the 1980s. His last position was Environmental Project Manager with the Environment Agency in Worthing, from which he retired in October 2023.
Jonathan has been a keen naturalist from a very young age. He honed his birding skills on the moors, dales and reservoirs of the Peak District during his teenage years, together with regular stays at Spurn Bird Observatory. During this period Jonathan gained a detailed knowledge of the songs and calls of British birds which has stood him in good stead when undertaking bird surveys and leading guided walks.
Jonathan has travelled extensively in Europe, Turkey, North Africa and the Middle East, The Gambia, India, Nepal, Thailand, Malaysia, California, Costa Rica and Ecuador in search of birds and other wildlife. Since retiring he spent 3 weeks birding in Madagascar and a week in Taiwan, together with 2 weeks in the Canaries (El Hierro and Lanzarote).
Jonathan has led tours for Naturetrek in the Dordogne, France; the Sorrento Peninsula, Italy; Sicily; the Carpathian Mountains and Danube Delta in Romania; and Finland and Arctic Norway. He has also led various UK tours, including in Hampshire, Dorset, Somerset and the Forest of Dean, as well as local day trips to Pagham Harbour and the Sussex Downs and Heaths. In his ‘spare time’, Jonathan is a voluntary warden at RSPB Pulborough Brooks and undertakes local surveys for the BTO and Sussex Ornithological Society.
Sat 27th Jun – Sat 27th Jun
5
£60
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£60
Tour Leader:
Please note that, whilst we assign leaders to particular tours well in advance, we reserve the right to make changes if necessary
Jonathan Mycock
Tour Leader: Jonathan Mycock
Jonathan is a professional conservationist with over 30 years' experience in nature conservation and environmental management. Much of this has been working in protected areas, including the Shropshire Hills & Sussex Downs AONBs and the Peak District, New Forest and South Downs National Parks. He gained a BSc Hons in Applied Biology from Liverpool John Moore's University, and a Post-Graduate Diploma in Countryside Management from Manchester Metropolitan University, during the 1980s. His last position was Environmental Project Manager with the Environment Agency in Worthing, from which he retired in October 2023.
Jonathan has been a keen naturalist from a very young age. He honed his birding skills on the moors, dales and reservoirs of the Peak District during his teenage years, together with regular stays at Spurn Bird Observatory. During this period Jonathan gained a detailed knowledge of the songs and calls of British birds which has stood him in good stead when undertaking bird surveys and leading guided walks.
Jonathan has travelled extensively in Europe, Turkey, North Africa and the Middle East, The Gambia, India, Nepal, Thailand, Malaysia, California, Costa Rica and Ecuador in search of birds and other wildlife. Since retiring he spent 3 weeks birding in Madagascar and a week in Taiwan, together with 2 weeks in the Canaries (El Hierro and Lanzarote).
Jonathan has led tours for Naturetrek in the Dordogne, France; the Sorrento Peninsula, Italy; Sicily; the Carpathian Mountains and Danube Delta in Romania; and Finland and Arctic Norway. He has also led various UK tours, including in Hampshire, Dorset, Somerset and the Forest of Dean, as well as local day trips to Pagham Harbour and the Sussex Downs and Heaths. In his ‘spare time’, Jonathan is a voluntary warden at RSPB Pulborough Brooks and undertakes local surveys for the BTO and Sussex Ornithological Society.
Wed 8th Jul – Wed 8th Jul
SPACES
£60
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£60
Tour Leader:
Please note that, whilst we assign leaders to particular tours well in advance, we reserve the right to make changes if necessary
Jonathan Mycock
Tour Leader: Jonathan Mycock
Jonathan is a professional conservationist with over 30 years' experience in nature conservation and environmental management. Much of this has been working in protected areas, including the Shropshire Hills & Sussex Downs AONBs and the Peak District, New Forest and South Downs National Parks. He gained a BSc Hons in Applied Biology from Liverpool John Moore's University, and a Post-Graduate Diploma in Countryside Management from Manchester Metropolitan University, during the 1980s. His last position was Environmental Project Manager with the Environment Agency in Worthing, from which he retired in October 2023.
Jonathan has been a keen naturalist from a very young age. He honed his birding skills on the moors, dales and reservoirs of the Peak District during his teenage years, together with regular stays at Spurn Bird Observatory. During this period Jonathan gained a detailed knowledge of the songs and calls of British birds which has stood him in good stead when undertaking bird surveys and leading guided walks.
Jonathan has travelled extensively in Europe, Turkey, North Africa and the Middle East, The Gambia, India, Nepal, Thailand, Malaysia, California, Costa Rica and Ecuador in search of birds and other wildlife. Since retiring he spent 3 weeks birding in Madagascar and a week in Taiwan, together with 2 weeks in the Canaries (El Hierro and Lanzarote).
Jonathan has led tours for Naturetrek in the Dordogne, France; the Sorrento Peninsula, Italy; Sicily; the Carpathian Mountains and Danube Delta in Romania; and Finland and Arctic Norway. He has also led various UK tours, including in Hampshire, Dorset, Somerset and the Forest of Dean, as well as local day trips to Pagham Harbour and the Sussex Downs and Heaths. In his ‘spare time’, Jonathan is a voluntary warden at RSPB Pulborough Brooks and undertakes local surveys for the BTO and Sussex Ornithological Society.
Prefer to Travel in a Private Group?
For any interested natural history club or society, we can arrange for a private departure of this tour.
Enquire
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