Kingley Vale,West Stoke, National Nature Reserve (Natural England)
Leader: Helen Beal (Reserve Volunteer Worker)
The visit included walking through the groves of the famous Yew forest, climbing uphill to the ancient barrows on top of the South Downs and returning through mixed woodland to look for spring flowers.
The Yews here are some of the oldest living organisms in the UK, with some estimated to be 2,000 years old.
This National Nature Reserve has four dew ponds. Belted Galloway bullocks and Jacob Sheep help to keep down the scrub. Wood Anemone was one of the species in flower and a Brimstone and Comma were on the wing.
The very close, spectacular fly-past given by Red Kite was the highlight of the day for many members.