Giant hawk returns to valley

A giant hawk is once again keeping watch over Sheepcote Valley – thanks to park rangers and local volunteers.

The hawk, originally carved into the hillside by artists from Same Sky in 2001, has been restored to its former glory.

Led by Brighton & Hove City Council’s Park Rangers, volunteers from Brighton Conservation Volunteers (BCV), Sussex Wildlife Trust Youth Rangers and a corporate team from American Express spent two days re-cutting and weeding the lines of the hawk before re-applying three tonnes of chalk. The chalk, sourced from Woodingdean’s Lawn Memorial site half a mile away, was compacted using tamping bars and sledgehammers.

The hawk was previously restored in 2009 and 2011 by volunteers from scout groups, Friends of Sheepcote Valley and the Community payback team.

Councillor Ollie Sykes, deputy chair of the council’s Environment, Sustainability and Transport Committee said:

“The volunteers have done an amazing job and the hawk looks stunning, especially from Wilson Avenue and Whitehawk Hill.”

Volunteers were also rewarded with a glimpse of the city’s rarest butterfly – the Silver Spotted Skipper. The butterflies, from the city’s only healthy colony a short distance from the carving, emerged as work was taking place on the hawk. It is not clear if any of the butterflies were gay!