After what seems an almost endless process (it's taken many decades to get here), the South Downs has finally received approval for designation as a National Park. 😀 This is the culmination of intense campaigning to provide statutory protection to one of the most beautiful parts of the South of England. What it means is that the environment in this area, and along a swathe of southern England will now have much better environmental protection. And I am completely surrounded by it, at home and at work.
All of which is the perfect excuse to provide some links to photos: South Downs Spring, South Downs Autumn, and South Downs. And of course a great many of photos scattered throughout the site were also taken within the designated areas. Ironically my favourite spot for photographing kestrels is technically outside the NP (maybe not surprising as it's reclaimed industrial land). 
A long-tailed tit, resident of the new National Park
Farming in the new National Park
Out on the borders of the National Park (i.e., at home) the foxes are still being 'tricky' but I did manage to photograph a hedgehog this evening.
And last night I re-positioned the trail cam to show the 'run' where the foxes enter and leave the garden. Nice to see that they will also come out in daylight. I thought that was going to be the last of the trail cam footage for a while. It malfunctioned this evening, but I have a suspicion that it was the data card that was causing the problem. I've put a small card in for now, and will try a new one tomorrow. Here's today's video.
Camera note: all shots taken with the EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L USM IS lens, except the hedgehog which was photographed with the EF 24-105 F4L IS USM lens.
gdare
1 Apr 2009I think fox managed how to mess up your trail cam :bandit:
And they are all coming from a same direction, are you sure this is the only one fox around? 😀
Flying Red Fox Blog
1 Apr 2009Thats really good about the national park status for the South Downs :yes: I wonder if there is a map showing the area and boundary of it? I think Bognor and Arundel are just about in it hopefully. 😀
Words
1 Apr 2009Mark, Bognor is outside the National Park, and it runs just north of Arundel, so the castle is in it but Arundel itself isn't 😉 Detailed maps here (click on the relevant box to get a large size map).
Flying Red Fox Blog
1 Apr 2009Thanks 😀 iam guessing you are in area 30 lol 😛 Looks like Arundel Wildfowl is half in, half out haha 😆
annoushkiss
1 Apr 2009I wish all the Earth were a kind of National Park… It's nice that you live next to the protected area, Words! Hopefully the status will bring even more prosperity to the local wildlife!
Hedgehog is nice and the foxes are too shy!!! They'd better understand that you are a good guy that will bring the world fame to them! 😆
And my fav is the farming picture here. :up:
cakkleberrylane
1 Apr 2009That's wonderful news! It will not only provide a beautiful place for people, but the wildlife will thrive!
SittingFox
1 Apr 2009Yes, congrats on your new park status! :up: Only 60 years to get it finalised – that must demonstrate a new record in governmental red tape 😉
As for the trail cam, hmm. They do eat cards sometimes.
Words
1 Apr 2009Lois, that's the idea. there are also lots of rare plants in the area, usually very small and hard to find!
Words
1 Apr 2009Thanks Anna, it would be great if everywhere had environmental protection. We'll have to see how it works out though. Those foxes are foxing me completely at the moment, but I live in hope that they'll get more tolerant.
SittingFox
1 Apr 2009Absolutely, and the sooner the better. I've got through three of the things now :irked: (Though my friend has somehow managed to keep her trailcam, which is of the same make as mine, alive and operational for some years.)
Words
1 Apr 2009Adele, yes a brief interlude from when they first thought about it. And they've carefully re-drawn the line to allow the new football stadium (currently a very big hole in the ground) to be built on the very edge (the original line had it inside the NP). As for the trailcam, I'm trying a new card out tonight. It seems to work indoors… now to see if it works outside. Very temperamental devices. I wish a real camera maker would make one.
Words
1 Apr 2009Mark, no problem. Those maps are great. We're in zone 32 😉
Ukwildlife
1 Apr 2009Its great news about the South Downs. Great photos. I had a great bit of luck with a fox today at my new job. Ill post on it eventually…
Words
1 Apr 2009Adele, mine seems to be working again at the moment. Very frustrating though.
Words
1 Apr 2009Neil thanks. Looking forward to reading your fox news.