Pett Pools
27th September 2006, WednesdayIf you visit Pett Pools you will notice some special management taking place.
An introduced water plant, Australian Swampweed (also known as New Zealand Pigmyweed or Australian Swamp Stonecrop) Crassula helmsii, is threatening the native wetland wildlife. The Wetland Trust is carrying out essential management of these pools to protect their long term wildlife value. This will involve lowering the water level by pumping, careful application of herbicide and possibly burning. This work has been agreed with English Nature and the Environment Agency.
Ten or so years ago the roadside pool was drained each autumn by the Sussex Ornithological Society to attract wading birds. It was a very good birdwatching site and so the current management may also provide good birdwatching.