Whilst balsam bashing Peter Coleman-Smith checked out the waterweed in the top end of the Blaise Estate stretch of the Hazel Brook. He thought it to be Potamogeton natans, also known as broad-leaved pondweed. Although a fairly common pondweed, it was good to see as we have so little aquatic growth in the river.
Peter wonders whether cleaner water will encourage water crowfoot, a member of the buttercup family with white flowers. This would be a great habitat for invertebrates and cover for fish.