Welcome to the Nature Site
“The Moulsecoomb Allotments Nature Site acts as an important part of the “green corridor” linking the wild areas that run down from the hills above Bevendean and Whitehawk . This allows wildlife to move around in search of shelter, breeding and food relatively easily within the urban environment. The site offers excellent habitat for a wide range of creatures in an increasingly busy city.”​
Huw Morgan, Sussex Wildlife Trust, Community officer
The Nature Site is part of the Moulsecoomb Estate Allotment Site in Natal Road, Brighton BN2 4BN. This is a City Council allotment site and the entrance is at the junction of Natal Road and Nesbitt Road. Only key-holders have access.
You are very welcome to visit the Nature Site, but please bear in mind that it is a reserve for wild creatures and plants that are increasingly under threat. You will find the site at the northeast of the allotments with steps leading down from the car park outside the shop. There are benches to sit on, and paths to take you round the different habitat areas.
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In summer you’ll see dragonflies and damsel flies mating and laying eggs in the large pond, and maybe a frog or a lizard on the warm rock pile. You may see a bat catching flies over the pond on a summer evening. There’s a small pond too inhabited by frogs.
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The Damson wood is a really good place to see some rarer birds such as Goldcrest and Firecrest. You’ll have to watch carefully – they are tiny birds and flit very fast through the branches, usually up high, catching insects.
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Butterflies, bees and many other insects are all attracted to the wildflower banks either side of the main path. May and June is a good time to see these in full flower and trees in blossom too.
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The Goat willows by the lower ‘Nature Site’ sign are a wonderful sight in early spring when they flower and attract hundreds of bees. You may be lucky enough to see a ‘pollen blizzard’ too. If you look closely you can find fungi and lichens on twigs and on dead branches and logs, especially in autumn and winter.
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Enjoy your visit!
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To see a plan of the site, please click on this file
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