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South Downs National Park @southdownsnp.bsky.social · 10h

JOB ALERT: Principal Ecologist (Commercial) 👋 We're looking for someone to provide expert ecological and biodiversity advice, lead high-quality technical work and support the growth of our emerging ecological consultancy offer. Apply here: buff.ly/j129NJR 🔗 Applications close 11 October.

Recruitment poster featuring an autumn woodland path lit by golden sunlight, inviting applications for Principal Ecologist (Commercial) at South Downs National Park; closing date 11 October 2026.

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South Downs National Park @southdownsnp.bsky.social · 20h

Entries to this year's South Downs photo competition close on Saturday 31 October. There's a top prize of £250 for the winning entry along with special wildlife, youth and monochrome categories. Here's everything you need to know ➡️ buff.ly/klZKK6i 📍 Bo Peep Hill 📸 Daniel York

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South Downs National Park @southdownsnp.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Come and join our rangers for a hedgelaying taster day 🌳 You'll be introduced to the tools that you use, why we do hedge laying, how this method restores hedgerows to their full glory, how you make the cuts and how to stake and bind the hedge together. 📸: Andy Reeves [1/2]

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South Downs National Park @southdownsnp.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

October's autumnal magic is here! Look out for: • The brilliant shades of autumn colour • Fungi appearing (admire, don't pick, as some can be poisonous) • Spiders and their webs • Nuts and berries ripening for wildlife Take a moment to slow down and enjoy the natural world 🍂 📸Emma Varley

Misty tree‑lined country lane in autumn, golden leaves arching overhead and a lone cyclist silhouetted in the foggy distance.

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South Downs National Park @southdownsnp.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Could you be our next Support Services Officer? 🤔 Supporting colleagues across the organisation, you will provide a wide range of administrative support while acting as the first point of contact for visitors, partners and stakeholders at the South Downs Centre. Apply here: buff.ly/o6RI8U8 🔗

Reception desk at South Downs National Park with two smiling staff welcoming visitors and a poster inviting applications for a Support Services Officer (Reception) role, closing 11 October 2026.

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South Downs National Park @southdownsnp.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

A little South Downs folklore for your Friday 🐲 Some stories tell us St Catherine’s Hill, just outside Winchester, is the ancient burial ground of King Arthur and if you care to look, the hilltop resembles a sleeping dragon. 📸: Charlie Hellewell

Yellow wildflowers in the foreground on a sunlit hillside overlooking intersecting dirt paths with small groups of walkers and rolling green fields and tree-lined valleys stretching into the distance.

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South Downs National Park @southdownsnp.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

October can only mean one thing... spooky season! 👻 Do you have a favourite spooky spot? Let us know in the comments! 📷: Iping Common by Richard Murray

A weathered, leafless dead tree with twisted branches dominates the right foreground, standing over a mist-shrouded meadow with a solitary living tree and faint forest beyond.

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South Downs National Park @southdownsnp.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Thank you to these amazing Exmoor ponies, who did a grand job at Mill Hill Local Nature Reserve near Shoreham. The ponies munched their way through overgrown vegetation, helping to restore flower-rich chalk grassland 🪻 📷: Adur and Worthing Council [1/2]

Three brown ponies grazing on a windswept, dry meadow; one stands in the foreground facing the camera while two graze near shrubs under a cloudy sky.

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South Downs National Park @southdownsnp.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Did you know that heritage sits at the heart of the National Park's purposes? We're proud to have made a renewed commitment to our historic environment - which includes all the ancient lumps and bumps in the ground, historic buildings and much more! 📷: Edburton Hill, Historic England

Aerial view of sunlit rolling green hills and patchwork pastures with winding footpaths and long shadows, a small cluster of farm buildings and village at the right.

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South Downs National Park @southdownsnp.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

The last few days of September are upon us. What a beautiful and uplifting month it's been! 😊 As we head into October, have you got anything planned in the National Park? If not, it's time to plan an autumn adventure! 🍂 📷 "Contours of Calm", taken at Firle, by Sam Moore

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South Downs National Park @southdownsnp.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

The South Downs has been lived on and worked by generations of people for over 5,000 years. From Stone Age tribes and Iron Age people to Romans, Saxons, Normans and Victorians, they’ve all helped shape the landscape we see today. 📸: James Ratchford [1/2]

Golden late-afternoon farmland with a lone round hay bale in the foreground.

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South Downs National Park @southdownsnp.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Hey, ewe! 🐑 Just a heads up that the South Downs Centre will be closed to visitors on Tuesday 29 September (9am to 5pm) due to an all staff event. For urgent queries, please email info@southdowns.gov.uk and we'll do our best to respond as soon as possible. Thanks for your understanding💚

A flock of sheep standing alert in a sunlit pasture at golden hour, with a band of low morning fog and rolling farmland hills stretching into the distance.

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South Downs National Park @southdownsnp.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

After 5 successful years, the Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL) programme has been extended for another 3 years 🚜 Since launching, FiPL has funded 190 projects across Sussex and Hampshire, from planting new hedgerows, to restoring listed barns and providing farm visits for children. [1/2]

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South Downs National Park @southdownsnp.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

There's a little over a month to go to get your entries into the South Downs Photo Competition. Our judges are looking for serene images, showing the South Downs in its glory over winter, spring, summer and autumn. Get your entries in before 31 October. Full info: buff.ly/3WwydBY 👀 📸: Ben Moore

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South Downs National Park @southdownsnp.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

“Autumn is my season, dear. It is, after all, the season of the soul” Famous words from the celebrated writer Virginia Woolf, who retreated to the South Downs for her literary inspiration and loved long tranquil walks in the chalk downland. 📸: Christopher Pearson

Sunlit woodland path carpeted with fallen autumn leaves leading into a misty clearing beneath arching, mossy trees with golden light filtering through the branches.

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South Downs National Park @southdownsnp.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

A little window into the South Downs to brighten your Monday morning. 📸: Christopher Pearson

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South Downs National Park @southdownsnp.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

Ever wondered what a turtle dove sounds like? 🔊 Its distinctive, gentle purring call, often heard as “turr turr”, is actually where the bird gets its name. Find out about how we're helping this iconic species recover in the National Park: buff.ly/RDYtcyw 💚

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South Downs National Park @southdownsnp.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

Misty morning along the River Ouse. In case you need an excuse to slow down and spend time in nature, the Big River Watch runs from 18-24 September. Spend 15 minutes enjoying your local river and help build a picture of river health. Find out more here: buff.ly/soXfaST 👋

Misty river bend at sunrise with a grassy bank in the foreground, a thin layer of mist drifting over fields and rolling hills, and a soft pastel sky with a lone cloud.

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South Downs National Park @southdownsnp.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

As the seasons begin to change, mist and dew highlight the intricate spider webs woven throughout the landscape, as shown in this stunning image. A sight to appreciate, even if you’re not the biggest fan of spiders 🕷️ What seasonal changes are you noticing? 📸: Carrie Davidson

Morning mist blankets a meadow studded with dew-covered spiderwebs, leading to a large solitary oak silhouetted against a soft golden sky.

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South Downs National Park @southdownsnp.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

📍Singleton Station, Centurion Way The recently restored platforms give just a glimpse of how it might have looked in its heyday. 📸: Sam Moore [1/2]

Wooden-framed interpretive panel titled "Journey back in time..." showing a vintage 19th‑century railway platform illustration and logos for South Downs National Park and West Dean, placed beside a rural path to help visitors imagine the historic station.

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South Downs National Park @southdownsnp.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

A little reminder to stop and admire the final blooms of heather before this year's display comes to an end💜 📍Iping Common 📸 Sian Spiers

A sandy trail winds through purple heather toward a stand of pines and birches beneath a bright blue sky dotted with wispy white clouds.

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South Downs National Park @southdownsnp.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

To celebrate #EuropeanYouthInParksDay and this year's theme, Parks After Dark, we're reflecting on some magical evenings spent under the stars through our Discover the Downs project. 📸: Jennifer Linton [1/3]

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South Downs National Park @southdownsnp.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

Bilberry, our native version of the blueberry. Look out for the berries along sunny woodland edges around the heaths. A delicious summer addition to the diet of our ancestors and often shipped to London markets. 📸: SDNPA

Bilberry plant bearing clusters of ripe dark-blue berries among small oval green leaves.

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South Downs National Park @southdownsnp.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Truleigh Hill to Chanctonbury Ring. If out and about with your dogs, please remember to keep them on the lead when near livestock. 📸: Caroline Rix

Sloping grassy hillside in the foreground overlooks a fog-filled valley and a distant tree-covered hill bathed in soft pink dawn light, a lone bird gliding above the mist.

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South Downs National Park @southdownsnp.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Got South Downs wildlife shot that you're proud of? 🦉 Enter it in our photo competition to be in with the chance of winning a £150 prize for the best shot and £100 for the runner-up image. Enter here: www.southdowns.gov.uk/care-for/pho... 📸: Sarah Womersley

Tawny owl perched on a twisted branch in a dim forest, facing forward with large dark eyes and camouflaged plumage blending into the leafy background.

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South Downs National Park @southdownsnp.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

A herald of the changing seasons. Walking along the chalk grasslands, don't be too surprised to come across Autumn lady's tresses. Of Britain's native orchids, these are the last to flower, just as other plants are beginning to retire for the winter. 📸: Neil Hulme

Two slender green flower spikes with tiny white, spirally arranged orchid-like blooms rising from grass against a soft, out-of-focus green background.

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South Downs National Park @southdownsnp.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Good news story: turtle doves in the South Downs 🕊️ The turtle dove has inspired writers and musicians for centuries, but it's now on the brink of extinction in the UK. That's why urgent efforts are now under way in the National Park to help this iconic species recover. 📸: Paul Bushell [1/3]

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South Downs National Park @southdownsnp.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

Here's a bit of golden hour inspiration to get your Monday started. 📸: Jeremy Bullen

Sunset sunlight filters through a row of trees onto a leaf-strewn woodland path, casting long golden rays and warm shadows across the ground.

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South Downs National Park @southdownsnp.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

Know of a young person looking for a Duke of Edinburgh's Bronze volunteering opportunity? 👋 If you're aged 13 to 16, volunteering as a Junior Ranger is an exciting way to learn new skills, connect with others and help care for and protect nature. 📸: Emma Mcloughlin [1/2]

Group of hikers walking in single file along a snow-patched grassy ridge, wearing backpacks and winter hats, beneath a wide clear blue sky with the moon visible above.

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South Downs National Park @southdownsnp.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Currently in the South Downs National Park departure lounge: the Nightjar. By late August and into September, many have left the UK, crossing mountains, seas and deserts to winter in sub-Saharan Africa. 📸: Graham Osbourne

Brown nightjar curled on a lichen-covered pine branch, blending with the surrounding evergreen needles and bark.

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South Downs National Park @southdownsnp.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

Miles without Stiles are routes suitable for people with limited mobility. These routes are perfect for wheelchair users, parents with pram or anyone preferring a gentle stroll. Discover our existing trails here 👉 www.southdowns.gov.uk/accessibilit...

Two people walking along a sunlit country trail with mobility scooters following behind, framed by rolling green hills and a blue sky.

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South Downs National Park @southdownsnp.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Some sunflowers to brighten your Wednesday. 📸: Andy Flowerday

Sunlit field of yellow sunflowers glowing in golden-hour light, stretching toward rolling hills with scattered trees and grazing sheep.

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South Downs National Park @southdownsnp.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

September! How did that happen? 🍂 From changing landscapes to seasonal wildlife behaviour, there are plenty of signs that the seasons are changing. Look out for: • The first hints of autumn colour • Berry-laden hedgerows • The start of the deer rut • Early morning mists 📸: James Ratchford

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South Downs National Park @southdownsnp.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

Making the most of the long weekend? If you're visiting the heaths or out on the Downs, please remember to keep your dogs on a lead. There are still plenty of ground nesting birds, reptiles and amphibians who would appreciate it. Thank you 😊 📸: Simon Watkins

Camouflaged adder curled low in groundcover, its patterned head and body blending among twigs, textured green leaves and clusters of small purple wildflowers.

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South Downs National Park @southdownsnp.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

Ditchling Dew Pond this summer vs when it's full 🌧️ Dew ponds remain vital havens for wildlife and an iconic part of the landscape, so the recent rain, with more on the way, is very welcome. 📸 Image 1: Claire Kerr, Image 2: Chris Hall #WorldWaterWeek

Wide open dry grassland under a deep blue sky with two windswept trees leaning from prevailing winds and casting short shadows across parched golden hills.

Lone windswept tree silhouetted against a golden sunset, its reflection mirrored in a calm pond, with sheep grazing on rolling hills in the glowing background.

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South Downs National Park @southdownsnp.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

Just dropping by with some Bank Holiday Monday walking inspiration. Start here: www.southdowns.gov.uk/get-active/s... 👋 📸: Anthony Nuthall

A weathered wooden gate opening onto a rocky footpath that leads past sunlit, mist-filled rolling hills layered into the distance at sunrise.

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South Downs National Park @southdownsnp.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

House Martin update 👋 The nest cups recently installed by our eastern ranger team near Brighton are proving a hit! A couple of weeks ago, some pairs were already on second broods, while others were still feeding fledglings from their first. Safe to say they're making good use of their new homes 😊

House Martin nestlings with wide open beaks peek from a mud nest attached to a porch eave, while an adult bird perches nearby ready to feed them.

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South Downs National Park @southdownsnp.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

We're hiring a Woodland Agent 🌳 You'll play a key role in delivering the South Downs Woodland Carbon Project. This project, delivered in partnership with National Parks Partnerships and Legal & General, aims to create more than 500 hectares of new woodland across the National Park. [1/2]

Recruitment poster for South Downs National Park showing a sunlit beech woodland path with autumn leaves, announcing "Apply now to become our: Woodland Agent" and "Closing date: 31 August 2026."

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South Downs National Park @southdownsnp.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

This week is #WorldWaterWeek. From rivers, chalk streams and ponds to our coastline and the chalk aquifer that supplies water to more than 1.2 million people, water is vital to both nature and communities across the National Park. 📸: Wayne Spring [1/2]

A heron gliding low over a mist-covered river at sunrise, silhouetted against a pastel sky streaked with contrails and mirrored in the calm water beside grassy riverbanks and distant hills.

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South Downs National Park @southdownsnp.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

Heather isn't just a pretty sight, you know? Late-blooming, heather provides pollinators with pollen and nectar long after other plants have retired for the winter. 📍Stedham Common

Expansive purple heather-covered heath scattered trees in the foreground and a dense forest along the horizon under a pale blue sky.

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South Downs National Park @southdownsnp.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

With the evenings gradually drawing in, now's a great time to make the most of the last of the summer days. 📍Chanctonbury Ring 📸Ruth Parkinson

Sunrise bathing a mist-filled valley in golden light, with a sunlit grassy meadow in the foreground and tree-covered hills fading into a soft pastel sky

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South Downs National Park @southdownsnp.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

Make the most of the last of the summer holidays with a visit to the South Downs Centre in Midhurst for local inspiration, free guides, family-friendly activities and more ✨ (Please note, we’re closed on weekends and Bank Holidays).

Visitor entrance to The South Downs Centre with a wooden "OPEN" sign by a stone building, a narrow paved walkway under a gnarled tree and a bright blue sky with scattered clouds.

Interpretive national park visitor centre and gift shop with a large "Embrace the Darkness" night-sky display above a detailed map labeled "Start planning your adventure here", round tables of brochures, mugs and beeswax candles.

Interactive nature exhibit mural titled "A Beautiful Mosaic" depicting meadows, flowers, butterflies, moths and a stream, beside a dark informational panel titled "Discover the Night Sky" about the South Downs.

Tabletop spread of nature-themed educational materials for kids: a "Top 5 Chalk Grassland Species to Spot" flyer, a "Be a Dark Night Skies Explorer" booklet, coloring pages and several "The Sticktionary" activity book.

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South Downs National Park @southdownsnp.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

The blooming heather takes pride of place. Now is the perfect time to get out and explore these wonderful plants, which are so important to our heaths. 📸: Piers Fearick

Narrow dirt path winding through vibrant purple heather toward a solitary pine tree standing against a soft pastel evening sky.

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South Downs National Park @southdownsnp.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

Hey you, South Downs lover. Petersfield Museum and Art Gallery are still accepting entries for 'South Downs Open'. 📸: Meredith Sherlock [1/2]

Sunlit rolling green hills with a small herd grazing along a faint track beneath dramatic low clouds and a bright blue sky.

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South Downs National Park @southdownsnp.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

And then there was rain... A throwback to dramatic skies over St Hubert's Church, Idsworth 🌻 📸: Katarzyna Kedziora

Small country church with a cross and red-tiled roof rising behind a dense field of bright yellow sunflowers, contrasted against heavy dark storm clouds suggesting an approaching storm.

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South Downs National Park @southdownsnp.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

Today is #WorldPhotographyDay 💚 A great reminder to take only pictures and leave only footprints when you're out and about. And if you've got a photo you're proud of, why not enter our annual photo competition? 📸: Simon Newman

Sunlit woodland path framed by a tree on the left and dense green foliage on the right, morning light filtering through leaves onto the grassy trail.

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South Downs National Park @southdownsnp.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

A little bit of bread and no cheese? That's how the Yellowhammer's call is often described, though it's perhaps closer to "si-si-si-si-si bzuuuu." 📸: Piers Fearick

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South Downs National Park @southdownsnp.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

‘Poppies & Puffy Clouds’ by Ian Brierley. This serene shot was the winner of the summer category in our 2023/24 photo competition. Entries are now open for this year's competition: www.southdowns.gov.uk/care-for/pho... 📸

A sunlit meadow of red poppies in the foreground opening to rolling green hills and a distant sea on the horizon beneath dramatic clouds.

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South Downs National Park @southdownsnp.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

Cloud inversions create breathtaking views, forming when cold air settles in low-lying areas beneath warmer air ☁️ A worthy 3rd-place winner from our 2021/22 photo competition. Could your photo be next? Enter this year's competition: www.southdowns.gov.uk/care-for/pho... 📸: Andy Flowerday

Cloud inversion between green rolling hills and a tree-lined ridge, with a lone person in a blue jacket sitting on the slope.

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