Seaford Scene August 2019

Sussex Wildlife Trust
august on
Seaford Head
In August something is stirring in the short
grass around Seaford. Something rather
beautiful. Something rather… blue.
The Adonis Blue must be
in with a good chance of
being crowned our most
beautiful butterfly. The
male’s dazzling, electric blue
wings are an insult to all
our other butterfly species
who consider themselves
blue. Believe me – you
haven’t experienced blue
until you’ve watched a male
Adonis Blue in the Sussex sunshine. And, like many other
famous Sussex residents, our Adonis Blues also have a
colourful and somewhat odd life history.
During the larval stage of its life cycle the Adonis Blue
caterpillar exudes a sugary sweet secretion and, amazingly,
sings an enticing siren’s song – this drives local ants into
a frenzy and they fall under its spell. With its sugar-drunk,
loved-up ant admirers in tow, the caterpillar cruises the
downs around Seaford – the ants protecting it against
parasites and predators. Each evening, when the caterpillar
retreats to the soil, the ants bury it – effectively tucking
it in for the night. It’s amazing what devotion you can get
around these parts in return for a drink and a song.
The existence of this wonderful butterfly is made possible
through careful management of downland grass. At
Seaford Head our sheep graze the nature reserve to
ensure the correct habitat is maintained for many rare
species. An important factor in the Adonis Blue’s life cycle
is heat and if the grass here gets too tall the temperature
at ground level drops. Without the grazing management
the fantastic Downland habitat would disappear and all
the amazing species
that depend on it
would disappear too.
There’s a free walk at Seaford Head on 14th August
looking for Adonis Blues and other butterflies. There are
also walks on 8th and 22nd August looking out for birds
migrating south and there are Wildlife Ranger events for
local children (aged 12-18) too.
Details of all these events are on the ‘What’s on’
section of Sussex Wildlife Trust’s website at www.
sussexwildlifetrust.org.uk or on our ‘Wild About
Seaford’ Facebook page.
A Good Read
The Dalai Lama’s Cat
by David Michie
Cats are odd creatures. Like
dogs they accompany us
through our lives but unlike
dogs they tend to remain
distant members of our
households. They observe
us, looking on in a slightly
aloof, condescending
manner, always ready to
remind us that we don’t
actually own them. Imagine what their view of our lives
and our daily discussions would be. Imagine if they gave
us their views on life.
In this novel David Michie does exactly that. What if
the Dalai Lama’s cat wandered freely in and out of the
rooms in his home? What would he hear within the
walls of the house as the Dalai Lama entertains famous
people and spiritual seekers from across the world?
This delightful novel (which has spawned a trilogy)
is a short read but is one that will stay with you. It is
narrated by HHC (His Holiness’ Cat) and tells his life
story from being a tiny kitten rescued from the streets
of New Delhi, whisked away to His Holiness’ retreat
in the Himalayas. He learns a lot from his new owner
and sees life in a different way as a result. Described
by some as a brief introduction to Buddhist philosophy,
no matter what your faith is – or even if you have
no faith – you will find words of wisdom in this
meditative novel.
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