Wildlife Ponds.....

Over the past hundred years the number of natural wildlife ponds in rural areas have descreased dramatically, so it has never been more important to create new ponds.

A wildlife pond can attract many species, the favourates being frogs, toads and if you are lucky newts. Flying visitors like dragonfly's and birds can also become regular visitors.

The common toad.

Location....
The pond should ideally have an equal measure of sunlight and shade, if you have too much shade there may not be enough warmth for the little tadpoles to turn into frogs. Provide a gentle slope into the pond, this will help wildlife enter and exit the pond. To encourage frogs and toads to live beside the pond, you will need to construct some sort of shelter, a rockery would be one example of shelter. Stones or stuctures like decking provide excellent places for frogs and toads to hide from preditors such as cats.

Building the pond....
Excavation and lining can be carried out as described on the pond liner page. Remember to include a slope and a marginal area.

Plants....
After the pond has been filled with water, leave for a few days to allow the water to naturally de-chlorinate, after this planting can begin.

Animals....
After planting, a small amount of silt can be collected from a neighbouring wildlife pond. By adding this silt to your pond it will introduce a lot of extra under water pond creatures. It is not a good idea to add fish to your wildlife pond as they will eat the inhabitants of the pond.