Eco-Team nature trip on Beacon Hill
Longhill High School’s Eco-Team had fair weather last Friday as they walked over to the Beacon Hill Windmill at Rottingdean to meet two local bird and nature specialists, Bob Webzell and Peter Whitcomb.
Beacon Hill is a Local Nature Reserve in the South Downs National Park supporting a range of plants and butterflies associated with chalk grassland, and includes the Windmill. It is owned and managed by Brighton & Hove City Council and is supported and advised by Beacon Hill Management Committee. Sheep have been grazing on Beacon Hill over recent years at the top of the hill.
It was a great opportunity to visit Beacon Hill in spring time, and be guided around the site by the local experts. Students were able to walk around the nature reserve and see wildlife in a range of habitats. Cowslips and skylarks were the highlights.
Students said of the trip:
‘We are very lucky to live so close to this place, we can just walk over from the school for a visit.’
‘Stunning place, awesome facts!’
‘Really fun and interesting to find out about the area.’
‘The scenery was beautiful and we saw some skylarks.’
‘I really enjoyed it, great photography opportunities.’
Last term, Longhill High School was awarded the Bronze certificate by Eco-Schools thanks to the work of the Eco-Team. The team is now working toward the silver award.
Longhill High School prides itself on providing additional opportunities and experiences beyond teaching, to help its students have a greater understanding and appreciation of the world around them.
