Waltham Brooks facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
 |
|
| Area of Search | West Sussex |
|---|---|
| Interest | Biological |
| Area | 47.4 hectares (117 acres) |
| Notification | 1987 |
| Location map | Magic Map |
Waltham Brooks is a special natural area in West Sussex, England. It covers about 47.4 hectares, which is like 70 football fields! This amazing place is south-west of a town called Pulborough. It's a protected area because it's home to many unique plants and animals.
The Sussex Wildlife Trust looks after Waltham Brooks. They work hard to keep it a safe home for all the creatures there. This area is also part of bigger protected zones. These include the Arun Valley Ramsar site and a Special Protection Area. These names mean it's super important for nature, especially for birds and wetlands.
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What is Waltham Brooks?
Waltham Brooks was officially recognized in 1987. It is known as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). This means the government has marked it as one of the best places in the country for wildlife. It's special because of its plants and animals.
This area is one of the last "grazing marshes" left in West Sussex. A grazing marsh is a type of wetland. It has wet grasslands where animals like cows might graze. This helps keep the grass short for certain plants and birds.
Amazing Plants and Animals
Waltham Brooks is full of life. It has a wide variety of plants that grow in water. These are called aquatic flora. It also provides a home for many different birds. Some of these birds come here just for the winter.
Rare Plants
One very special plant found here is the small water-pepper. This plant is nationally rare. That means it's hard to find in most other places in the country. Protecting Waltham Brooks helps this unique plant survive.
Special Birds
Many birds visit Waltham Brooks during the colder months. Three types of birds come in very large numbers. These numbers are so big they are important for the whole country. These birds are the Bewick’s swan, the teal, and the shoveler. They rely on Waltham Brooks for food and shelter during winter.
Visiting Waltham Brooks
You can explore parts of Waltham Brooks. There are special paths called footpaths that go through the site. These paths let you see some of the amazing nature up close. It's a great place to go for a walk and spot some wildlife.
