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Seaford Head Nature Reserve is one of the most diverse in the South East, with some 2,000 different species being recorded there. A high percentage of these species are uncommon in the UK, and classified as ‘rare’ or ‘threatened’. Read on to learn about some of the notable species which call the reserve home.
The site is managed on behalf of Seaford Town Council by Sussex Wildlife Trust. The information and pictures on this page have kindly been supplied by Seaford Natural History Society.
Moon Carrot, Seseli libanotus
This is a rare plant in England, with Near Threatened status. Seaford Head is one of only a few strongholds for the species. Moon Carrot closely resembles the very common Wild Carrot, with a white, umbelliferous flower head. It flowers in July and August. It is a biennial. Members of Seaford Natural History Society count the plants every year: The population, which is limited to the coastal area around Hope Gap, has been increasing and spreading, although cliff erosion and scrub encroachment present considerable risks.
Potter Flower Bee, Anthophora retusa
This is a solitary bee, which nests in holes in the soil, again in the coastal areas around Hope Gap. Listed as Endangered (Red Data Book 1) by Falk (1991). Seaford Head is an important stronghold for the species, and much effort has been put into maintaining suitable habitat. A much more common bee, the Hairy-footed Flower Bee (A. plumipes) is also is also present, and an expert eye is needed to distinguish them.
Green-winged Orchid, Anacamptis morio
This is not an uncommon species, but is only seen in suitable habitats - unimproved neutral or calcareous grassland. On Seaford Head, there is a scattered community on one part of the golf course. Like many wild Orchid species, it is very sensitive to changes in the habitat - the application of fertiliser could easily kill off the population. SNHS members go out each year to count the plants over the flowering season.
Dotted Bee-fly, Bombylius discolor
Although Bee-flies look and behave like bumblebees, they are in fact true flies with only one pair of wings. They can easily be distinguished from bees because they have a long, straight proboscis that doesn't retract. There are two species of bee-flies on Seaford Head - the Dark-edged Beefly (Bombylius major), which is common and widespread; and the Dotted Bee-fly (B. discolor), which is much less common. The two species are both seen flying in April and May, either feeding from early flowers like Ground Ivy or hovering over patches of bare earth. The adult Bee-flies lay their eggs in the nests of solitary mining bees of the Genus Andrena. The two Bee-fly species are difficult to distinguish unless the wings can be seen (B. major has wings with a dark stripe along the leading edge, while those of B. discolor have spots). SNHS members go out in April each year to count Bee-flies and try to estimate how many are B discolor.
Kittiwake, Rissa tridactyla
The Kittiwake is said to be the most oceanic gull in the world, only returning to the same spot on favoured cliffs each year to breed. The colony that returns to the cliffs of Seaford Head each year, is one of the last, and most successful in Southern England, most populations breeding much further North. All colonies in Southern England are under threat from cliff erosion and Climate Change.
Barred Tooth-striped Moth, Trichopteryx polycommata
This moth, one of about 2,500 in the UK, has a very healthy resident population on Seaford Head, mainly among the wild Privet along the sides of the tracks leading to Hope Gap. It is virtually impossible to find during the daytime, because of its size – not more than 17mm long at rest - colouration, and habit of hiding, deep in the scrub. It is widespread in the UK, but rare everywhere, being classified as Nationally Scarce, and a Priority Species under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan.
Short-Snouted Seahorse, Hippocampus hippocampus
A rare colony of the beautiful Short Snouted Seahorses live at Hope Gap, the seawater diluted by the water seeping seawards from the chalk aquifers under the land, to the perfect level of salinity for them to thrive.
Seahorses are monogamous, though they don’t mate for life. They don’t have teeth, and feed by sucking up their favourite prey of tiny shrimp and plankton. They are light brown to purple in colour, can measure up to 15cm, and have a prominent spine above each eye.
Image: Short Snouted Seahorse by Paul Naylor, courtesy of Sussex Wildlife Trust.
All other images courtesy of Seaford Natural History Society.
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