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Chalk was formed by the tiny skeletons of marine creatures between 65-100 million years ago!

Mark Greco wildlife prints Silk screen and giclée prints of wildlife of the South Downs – The hedgehog | © Mark Greco

The River Itchen. A rich chalk river habitat with a wide diversity of plant and animal life. | © Nigel Ridgen

Mark Greco wildlife prints Silk screen and giclée prints of wildlife of the South Downs -The goldcrest | © Mark Greco

Woolmer Forest

Mark Greco wildlife prints Silk screen and giclée prints of wildlife of the South Downs – The Blackbird | © Mark Greco

Orchids, Beacon Hill

Mark Greco wildlife prints Silk screen and giclée prints of wildlife of the South Downs – The treecreeper | © Mark Greco

Tree creeper – A small woodland bird that eats insects found on tree trunks.

Stag beetle – A fascinating beetle that spends years as a larvae growing in rotting wood

Oak hook-tip moth – A well camoflaged moth; the larva feeds on oak

Corn marigold – A brightly coloured wild flower that often grows as a weed in corn fields but is an important nectar source for insects and bees

Barley – A common cereal crop grow for food, brewing and animal feed.

Stone curlew – A rare summer visitor to the South of England. Will they been seen the the South Downs this year?

Chalkhill blue butterfly – A beautiful butterfly seen on chalk grassland, especially on horseshoe vetch.

Birdsfoot trefoil – A food plant for many butterflies including many “blues” that are found in the South Downs

Bee orchid – A beautiful “bee like” flower that can be seen in June and July on chalk grassland

Southdown sheep – A sturdy local breed that grazes on grassland

Bog bush cricket – Typically found in bogs and wet heathland.

Sundews – carnivorous plants that are specially adapted to live in wet, nutrient poor, acidic soils.

Sand lizard – A sand lizard can grow up to 25cm long!

Barn Owl – often found on Farmland where they hunt for small mammals.

Adder – one of our native reptiles

Chalkhill blue butterfly – A beautiful butterfly seen on chalk grassland, especially on horseshoe vetch.

Birdsfoot trefoil – A food plant for many butterflies including many “blues” that are found in the South Downs

Southdown sheep – A sturdy local breed that grazes on grassland

South Downs Poppies

Map 4.1 Distribution of designated wildlife sites of national and/or international importance | Maps prepared by: GeoSpec, University of Brighton; April 2012. | Source: Natural England, 2011 | Ordnance Survey Crown Copyright © Licence No. 100050083.

Figure 4.1 Chalk grassland SSSI units in the National Park | Source: Natural England (2012) England SSSI Unit Condition Assessments, Natural England. Analysis by Sussex Biodiversity Record Centre

Map 4.2 Chalk grassland and lowland heathland distribution within the South Downs National Park | Maps prepared by: GeoSpec, University of Brighton; February 2012. | Source: Hampshire Biodiversity Information Centre and Sussex Biodiversity Record Centre, 2011 | Ordnance Survey Crown Copyright © Licence No. 100050083.

Chalk Grassland Colouring Sheets

November 23rd, 2018

Six A4 colouring sheets with some of our best chalk grassland species.