Ifield Mill Pond

The main pond south of the railway line is reached either via Waterfield Gardens, off Gasson Wood Road, Bewbush, or via Rother Crescent off Gossops Drive. The smaller part of the pond north of the railway line is accessible on foot, from the south via the railway bridge, or by road via Hyde Drive, off Rusper Road.

Ordnance Survey grid ref. TQ 244360.

The Greenway also passes through this site via the Rusper Road car park.

Ifield Mill Pond, although surrounded by large areas of recreational grassland, is considered to be the most important wetland site in Crawley. Strips of woodland are located along the pond margins and to the south east, along Dowster Brook.

This large pond supports a rich bird community - coot, moorhen, mallard, mute swan, great crested grebe, reed bunting and grey wagtail, all breed here. Winter visitors include many species of duck, whilst kingfisher, heron and water rail may be seen very occasionally.

In the spring, frogs, toads and newts breed in the pond and during summer, damselflies and the larger dragonflies can be seen skimming over the water. Greater reed-mace (which is sometimes called bulrush by mistake) and the true bulrush, together with yellow iris and water mint emerge at the water's edge. Amphibious bistort, a plant which has different shaped leaves depending whether it grows in the water or on the bank, also grows here.

Links

www.sussexmillsgroup.org.uk
www.crawleyanglingsociety.co.uk