 Woods Mill headquarters of the SWT in 2009 | |
| Formation | 1961 |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Woods Mill |
| Location |
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| Membership | 38,000 |
| Website | Sussex Wildlife Trust |
TheSussex Wildlife Trust (SWT) is a conservation charity which aims to protect natural life inSussex. It was founded in 1961 and is one of 46wildlife trusts across the UK and the Isle of Man and Alderney. As of 2024, it had 38,000 members and manages 2,000 hectares (5,000 acres) of land for nature.[1] It is a registeredcharity[2] and in the year to 31 March 2019 it had an income of £5.7 million and expenditure of £4 million, resulting in net income of £1.7 million.[3]
The SWT manages twenty-six nature reserves in the county.[a] Nineteen areSites of Special Scientific Interest, one is anational nature reserve, eleven arelocal nature reserves, eight areSpecial Areas of Conservation, three areSpecial Protection Areas, three areRamsar sites and seven areNature Conservation Review sites. Its headquarters atWoods Mill, south ofHenfield, is also a nature reserve with a lake, woodland and meadows.[5]
Thehistoric county of Sussex is divided into theadministrative counties ofEast Sussex andWest Sussex. TheSouth Downs stretches across the county from west to east. This area ischalk and to the north is theWeald, which is composed of heavy clays and sand. The coast has a succession of holiday towns such asBrighton,Eastbourne,Bognor Regis andWorthing.[6]
Public access[edit]
| Designations[edit]
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| Site | Photograph | Area[b] | Location[b] | Public access | Designations | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amberley Wildbrooks[14] |  | 80 hectares (200 acres) | Amberley 50°54′47″N0°32′10″W / 50.913°N 0.536°W /50.913; -0.536 (Amberley Wildbrooks) TQ030136 | FP | NCR[15]Ramsar[16]SAC[17]SPA[18]SSSI[15] | This site has wet grassland, peat bog and man-made ditches. It has more than half the aquatic plants found in Britain and diverse invertebrates, some of which are internationally rare. The site is also important forwaders, which breed there, and for winteringwildfowl.[19] |
| Brickfield Meadow[20] | .jpg) | 1.4 hectares (3.5 acres) | Uckfield 51°01′08″N0°05′49″E / 51.019°N 0.097°E /51.019; 0.097 (Brickfield Meadow) TQ472265 | YES | This wildflower rich meadow has been traditionally managed for many years by cutting in the summer and grazing later in the year. Flowering plants includeDyer’s greenweed,devil's-bit scabious,bitter-vetch andzigzag clover. It is one of the best places in the county for thechimney sweeper moth.[20] | |
| Burton and Chingford Ponds[21] |  | 56 hectares (140 acres) | Petworth 50°57′11″N0°36′32″W / 50.953°N 0.609°W /50.953; -0.609 (Burton and Chingford Ponds) SU978180 | YES | LNR[22]SSSI[23] | This site has ponds,carr woodland, bog, wet heath and marshy grassland. There is a diverse range of invertebrates including three nationally rare species, the snailOmphiscola glabra and the cranefliesErioptera meijerei andTipula marginata. The site is also important for its breeding water birds, such aswater rails andgreat crested grebes.[24] |
| Cooksbridge Meadow[25] | .jpg) | 9 hectares (22 acres) | Fernhurst 51°02′06″N0°43′30″W / 51.035°N 0.725°W /51.035; -0.725 (Cooksbridge Meadow) SU895270 | YES | Most of this site is grassland but there is also a narrow strip of woodland and a stream. The meadows are grazed by sheep in order to keep the grass down and ensure a good display of flowers in the spring. Woodland flowers includesanicle,yellow archangel andpurslane.[25] | |
| Ditchling Beacon[26] |  | 24 hectares (59 acres) | Hassocks 50°54′00″N0°06′25″W / 50.900°N 0.107°W /50.900; -0.107 (Ditchling Beacon) TQ332129 | YES | SSSI[27] | This is one of the highest points of theSouth Downs and it has a 360-degree view across theWeald and the Sussex coast. It is herb-rich chalk grassland which provides food for a variety of insects, including butterflies such as thechalkhill blue and the uncommonsilver-spotted skipper.[28] |
| Ebernoe Common[29] |  | 157 hectares (390 acres) | Petworth 51°02′28″N0°36′40″W / 51.041°N 0.611°W /51.041; -0.611 (Ebernoe Common) SU975278 | YES | NCR[30]NNR[31]SAC[32]SSSI[33] | This site consists of several blocks of ancient woodland. It is nationally important for lichens, with over 100 species, and for fungi, with sevenRed Data Book species. It is also nationally important for woodland breeding birds and for bats, especiallybarbastelles andBechstein’s.[34] |
| Eridge Rocks[35] |  | 44 hectares (110 acres) | Tunbridge Wells 51°05′53″N0°13′05″E / 51.098°N 0.218°E /51.098; 0.218 (Eridge Rocks) TQ554355 | YES | SSSI[36] | This is ancient woodland on clay with outcrops of sandstone which form cliffs up to ten metres high. Flora on the rocks includeTunbridge filmy fern, the mossesDicranum scottianum andOrthodontium gracile and the liverwortsScapania umbrosa,Scapania gracilis andHarpanthus scutatus.[37] |
| Filsham Reedbed[38] |  | 19 hectares (47 acres) | Hastings 50°51′04″N0°31′12″E / 50.851°N 0.520°E /50.851; 0.520 (Filsham Reedbed) TQ775088 | YES | LNR[39]SSSI[40] | This is one of the largest reedbeds in the county and it also has areas of grazing marsh, swamp and ancient woodland. There is a wide variety of plants and over 1000 species of invertebrates have been recorded. The bird life is important and diverse, with species such asCetti's warbler,reed bunting,sedge warbler,purple heron,red-backed shrike andwater rail.[38] |
| Flatropers Wood[41] | .jpg) | 38 hectares (94 acres) | Rye 50°58′48″N0°39′04″E / 50.980°N 0.651°E /50.980; 0.651 (Flatropers Wood) TQ862234 | YES | The wood is mainlyoak andbirch, but there are also areas ofsweet chestnut and former plantations ofScots pine andbeech. The site is notable for its invertebrates, with almost 500 species of moths recorded and the rareoak mining-bee.[42] | |
| Gillham Wood[43] |  | 3 hectares (7.4 acres) | Bexhill-on-Sea 50°50′10″N0°26′13″E / 50.836°N 0.437°E /50.836; 0.437 (Gillham Woods) TQ717069 | PP | The wood is mainlyoak with an understorey ofhazel,birch andholly. An old bomb crater is now a pond which provides a habitat for a variety of fauna and flora. Part of the site is closed to the public so as to provide a sanctuary for foxes and other wildlife.[44] | |
| Graffham Common[45] |  | 38 hectares (94 acres) | Petworth 50°58′05″N0°40′26″W / 50.968°N 0.674°W /50.968; -0.674 (Graffham Common) SU932196 | YES | This former pine plantation is being restored back to heath and grassland by the clearance of pine trees and rhododendrons. Drainage ditches have been blocked to allow the natural restoration of wet heath. Wet seepages provide a habitat forcross-leaved heath,hare’s-tail cottongrass andpurple moor-grass.[46] | |
| Iping and Stedham Commons[47] |  | 125 hectares (310 acres) | Midhurst 50°59′28″N0°47′13″W / 50.991°N 0.787°W /50.991; -0.787 (Iping and Stedham Commons) SU852220 | YES | LNR[48]NCR[49]SSSI[50] | This is described byNatural England as one of the richest areas of heath in the county. Most of it is dry but there are also areas of wet heath, two ponds, woodland, scrub and grassland. It has a rich invertebrate fauna, and breeding heathland birds includenightjars andstonechats.[51] |
| Levin Down[52] |  | 28 hectares (69 acres) | Chichester 50°54′36″N0°44′24″W / 50.910°N 0.740°W /50.910; -0.740 (Levin Down) SU887130 | YES | SSSI[53] | This is an area of chalk grassland and heath on the slope of theSouth Downs. The chalk turf has a rich variety of flora, such asautumn gentian,salad burnet,round-headed rampion,autumn lady’s tresses,eyebright,glaucous sedge andquaking grass.[54] |
| Malling Down[55] | .jpg) | 85 hectares (210 acres) | Lewes 50°52′59″N0°01′19″E / 50.883°N 0.022°E /50.883; 0.022 (Malling Down) TQ423112 | YES | NCR[56]SAC[57]SSSI[58] | ThisSouth Downs site is chalk grassland, which is one of Britain's richest habitats for flowers. There are many orchids including the widespreadcommon spotted andfragrant and rarer ones such as themusk andfrog orchid.[59] |
| Marline Valley[60] |  | 43 hectares (110 acres) | Hastings 50°52′55″N0°32′06″E / 50.882°N 0.535°E /50.882; 0.535 (Marline Valley) TQ784122 | YES | LNR[61]SSSI[62] | This site has ancient woodland and species rich unimproved grassland. The wood has coppice ofhornbeam,hazel andsweet chestnut and standards ofpedunculate oak.[c] A stream runs along a steep sided valley which has 61 species of mosses and liverworts, including some uncommon species.[64] |
| The Mens[65] |  | 166 hectares (410 acres) | Petworth 51°00′11″N0°32′35″W / 51.003°N 0.543°W /51.003; -0.543 (The Mens) TQ023236 | YES | NCR[66]SAC[67]SSSI[68] | This large area of woodland has diverse breeding birds and rich lichen and fungal floras. There are many rare beetles and a fly which is under threat of extinction,Chelostoma curvinervis. All three British species ofwoodpecker breed on the site, together with other woodland species such asnightingales,woodcocks andwood warblers.[69] |
| Old Lodge[70] |  | 74 hectares (180 acres) | Uckfield 51°03′22″N0°05′42″E / 51.056°N 0.095°E /51.056; 0.095 (Old Lodge) TQ469306 | YES | LNR[71]NCR[72]SAC[73]SPA[74]SSSI[75] | This highland site is mainly grassland and heather, with areas of gorse and scatteredbirch andoak trees. There are also smallScots pine plantations. Birds includecommon redstart andcommon crossbills and there are large nests ofred wood ants.[70] |
| Pevensey Marshes[76] |  | 150 hectares (370 acres) | Pevensey 50°50′06″N0°21′11″E / 50.835°N 0.353°E /50.835; 0.353 (Pevensey Marshes) TQ658066 | NO | NCR[77]Ramsar[78]SAC[79]SSSI[80] | This wetland site has a network of pools,scrapes and ditches. There are many plants which are only found in high quality water, such asflowering-rush,water-violet,tubular water-dropwort. Ditches have nationally important populations of some rare aquatic molluscs such asSegmentina nitida andAnisus vorticulus.[81] |
| Rye Harbour[82] |  | 465 hectares (1,150 acres) | Rye 50°56′13″N0°45′47″E / 50.937°N 0.763°E /50.937; 0.763 (Rye Harbour) TQ942189 | YES | LNR[83]Ramsar[84]SAC[85]SPA[86]SSSI[87] | This large reserve has diverse coastal habitats, including saltmarsh, shingle, reedbeds, saline lagoons, grazing marsh and flooded gravel pits.[82] More than 280 species of birds have been recorded, out of which 90 breed on the site. There are more than 450 flowering plant species, including 27 which are scarce and two of which are endangered,least lettuce andstinking hawksbeard.[82] |
| Seaford Head[88] |  | 83 hectares (210 acres) | Seaford 50°45′43″N0°07′52″E / 50.762°N 0.131°E /50.762; 0.131 (Seaford Head) TV504980 | YES | LNR[89]NCR[90]SSSI[91] | The site has diverse habitats with chalk grassland, chalk cliffs, scrub, vegetated shingle, wet grassland, saltmarsh and rockpools. Grassland flora includekidney vetch,squinancywort,moon carrot andclustered bellflower. There are butterflies such assilver-spotted skipper,chalkhill blue andadonis blue.[92] |
| Selwyns Wood[93] | .jpg) | 11 hectares (27 acres) | Heathfield 50°57′47″N0°12′25″E / 50.963°N 0.207°E /50.963; 0.207 (Selwyns Wood) TQ551205 | YES | This reserve has woodland with extensivesweet chestnut, a stream in a narrow valley and an area of heather. Breeding woodland birds includewillow warblers,chiffchaffs,nuthatches andmarsh tits.[94] | |
| Southerham Farm[95] |  | 131 hectares (320 acres) | Lewes 50°51′40″N0°04′01″E / 50.861°N 0.067°E /50.861; 0.067 (Southerham Farm) TQ456089 | YES | The thin and infertile soils on this chalk site result in a floristically very rich grassland. Plants which flower in the summer includehorseshoe vetch,kidney vetch,mouse-ear hawkweed,field scabious,dropwort andsalad burnet.[96] | |
| Waltham Brooks[97] |  | 42 hectares (100 acres) | Pulborough 50°57′11″N0°32′31″W / 50.953°N 0.542°W /50.953; -0.542 (Waltham Brooks) TQ025181 | FP | SSSI[98] | This is one of the few remaining areas of grazing marsh in the county and it has a rich variety of aquatic flora, including one nationally rare species, thesmall water-pepper. Many bird species winter at the site, including three in nationally important numbers,Bewick’s swan,teal andshoveler.[99] |
| West Dean Woods[100] |  | 17 hectares (42 acres) | Chichester 50°55′55″N0°47′56″W / 50.932°N 0.799°W /50.932; -0.799 (West Dean Woods) SU845154 | NO | SSSI[101] | These woods have records dating back to the sixteenth century. The ground layer is rich in flowering plants, includingwhite helleborine,fly orchid and around two millionwild daffodils. Thirty five species ofbryophyte have been recorded and invertebrates include two rarehoverflies which live on dead wood,Cheilosa carbonaria andCheilosa nigripes.[102][100] |
| Withdean Woods[103] | .jpg) | 1 hectare (2.5 acres) | Brighton 50°51′11″N0°09′50″W / 50.853°N 0.164°W /50.853; -0.164 (Withdean Woods) TQ293075 | PP | LNR[104] | Many of the mature trees on this site were destroyed by theGreat Storm of 1987, but it still has a range of mammals including foxes, badgers andcommon pipistrelle bats, while there are birds such asgreat spotted woodpecker andfirecrests.[103] |
| Woods Mill[5] |  | 19 hectares (47 acres) | Henfield 50°54′36″N0°16′08″W / 50.910°N 0.269°W /50.910; -0.269 (Woods Mill) TQ218137 | YES | This is the headquarters of the trust and an environmental education centre.[5] The main feature of the nature reserve is a lake, which has many damselflies and dragonflies, such as thescarce chaser anddowny emerald. There is also a large area of ancient woodland, withoak,silver birch and coppicedhazel.[105] |
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