Volunteers, guided by Ranger Jess, cut back brambles and added plants to improve a section of hedgerow on the hill (to include plants that fruit—providing food for birds). The Friends of Waterhall represent the hill and valley, and have worked hard towards its care. Christine, a long-standing member, walked through Waterhall with me. She loves the area very much—having walked the hill for 50 years.
Waterhall is grazed to maintain the chalk grassland habitat. The grazers are moved periodically between grassland sites. A dead hedge surrounds the dew pond, both to protect it and to provide a habitat for the animals and birds living around the pond. Built in 1999, the pond is now home to a variety of wildlife. A heron or two often take up residence during frog-spawning season.
Waterhall used to be a Brighton & Hove City Council Golf Course. The area has now been designated as Open Access Land, so can be walked across freely. The ‘Wilding Waterhall’ project is led by Brighton & Hove City Council, working in collaboration with local groups. Wilding Waterhall is part of a bigger project called ‘Changing Chalk’—encompassing more of the South Downs.
