Wheatear Wildlife Walk

They've flown 3172 miles to get here. Be part of the welcoming committee.

As you read this beating hearts and beating wings are powering tiny bodies through African skies.

The story of the tiny Wheatear is a migratory miracle. Each Spring these beautiful birds undertake an epic journey over savannas, deserts, mountains and seas to arrive at the chalk cliffs of Sussex. Here they'll stop to catch their breath (and a few beetles) before venturing further north.

Wheatears are one of our earliest returning African migrants. It’s a long 3000 mile flight from Senegal to Seaford for a 1 ounce Wheatear and they’ve been recorded migrating at 500 miles a day. The dashing males arrive first, their soft sun-bleached shades of pink and buff topped with a dapper black bandit’s mask.

We'll head out on a circular loop around Seaford Head searching for these incredible birds - as well as looking out for other incoming migrants, emerging butterflies and maybe an Adder.

Michael Blencowe is a Sussex author and naturalist who has been welcoming in Wheatears for 40 years. He'll lead the walk and help us identify anything that flies, flutters or slithers past. More details at michaelblencowe.com

Location: We'll meet at Seaford Head car park at 10:am and a gentle, mostly flat circular walk will lead us back to the car park for 12:30.

More details will be emailed to you nearer to the event.