Ospreys View

Took a walk up alongside Ditchling Beacon today to enjoy some Autumnal sunshine while it was out. On the hunt for more fungi but came up empty on that front. I seem to remember another path up the downs further along Underhill Lane used to be quite good but will have to try and refind that another day.

I took a less beaten path away from the main trail which had a steady stream of hikers today it appeared. Glad I did as after a short time I came out into a little clearing among some old chalk ‘combes’ or hollows where the Autumn colours and natural harvest was in full swing.

The Clematis seedheads or 'Old Man's Beard' along with the Rose Hips area common sight in the Autumn

It has not got cold enough for the Fieldfares and Redwings to arrive in Sussex from Scandinavia just yet and so the berry harvest is still quite evident everywhere with just the resident Blackbirds it seems keen to take advantage at the moment. One area had several small Cotoneaster bushes, a garden plant that presumably arrived via some garden birds carrying the seeds from the bright red berries that echoed the natural Hawthorn and Rose hips and Guelder Rose.

While most of the larger trees are still holding on their greenery, it is the smaller trees and bushes that are leading the way currently with their displays of foliage ablaze with oranges, reds and crimsons.

The late October sun really makes the reds come alive in these Autumn leaves

One of my favourite small trees is the Spindle, famous for its lobed pink berries that split open to reveal a bright orange seed inside. I was lucky enough to find just one of these on the hike up the hill. Looking back over the weald towards the village of Ditchling there was a nice view of Oldland Mill which has been restored to full working order over the last few years by a team of dedicated volunteers.

Oldland Mill nested in the Sussex countryside