29 July 2008: Orchids return to the battlefield

Media: 1029

Evidence is emerging of the success of the management regime at Landport Bottom in Lewes; an area of 44 hectares of chalk downland to the north west of Lewes. This summer has seen the return of Pyramid Orchids (Anacamptis pyramidalis), which are typical of a traditional chalk grassland habitat.

Lewes District Council and Lewes Town Council jointly manage Landport Bottom through Lewes District Council's Community Ranger. The predominant management activity is grazing by sheep, which is co-ordinated by Plumpton College.

Grazing has been taking place at Landport Bottom since the mid 1990's, when the land, which was then under intensive arable production, was bought by Lewes District Council and Lewes Town Council. The main aims were to restore a traditional chalk downland habitat and increase biodiversity, whilst creating a place for informal recreation for the local community.

A flora survey carried out last summer revealed a number of chalk grassland species increasing in abundance, including Horseshoe Vetch and Ladies Bedstraw. This year with the arrival of the Pyramid Orchids, it is hoped that a chalk grassland flora will once again be seen throughout the summer months, which in turn will attract butterflies and other insects. It will however take many decades before the rich variety of chalk grassland flowers will be seen in abundance, such as that seen at the nearby Blackcap or Malling Down, as re-colonisation of this fragile habitat is very slow.

A dew pond on the site was restored three years ago and today provides habitat to an array of dragon and damselflies, newts, frogs and grass snakes. Skylarks can be heard overhead on most summer days and they nest in the longer grass during the summer months.

Landport Bottom was the site of the Battle of Lewes in 1264, and is now within the Sussex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

For more information, visit the Lewes District Council web site at: www.lewes.gov.uk/leisure/10988.asp

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Media enquiries to Liz Lacon, Communications Manager