Mol_PMB's wildlife pond

[Mol_PMB]

I've decided to create a wildlife pond in my garden. Most of the garden is dedicated to fruit and veg but I have a rather untidy border of perennials which I intend to convert to the pond.

At present it is about 5m long and 0.6m wide, which isn't a great shape for a pond. So once I've dug it out I'm going to demolish the low stone wall at the front of the border, and rebuilt it in a semi-circular shape so the pond will be close to 2m wide at the widest point (and 5m long).

I intend to have a deep end (approx 0.8m) and a shallow end. At the deep end there will be some form of pump and sponge filter, while the opposite end will gradually slope up to an area of emersed plants. One end of the pond will get more sun than the other, and I haven't yet decided whether it's best to have the shallow or the deep end getting the sun. Any thoughts?

The border is close to my garage, and the rainwater gutter comes down close to it. I'm thinking about making the gutter feed into the pond, and have an overflow on the opposite side leading to a soakaway. That should give me a natural partial water-change when it rains.

My intention is to use only native plants, and not to keep fish. Instead I'm going to try and provide a good habitat for amphibians.

Has anyone got any useful ideas or links to references on wildlife ponds? As usual, the online searches I've done so far have given conflicting advice, for example one advocated making a wildlife pond very shallow, little more than a puddle in summer - that seems wrong to me.

Pics to follow when the sun's out again!

[Mol_PMB]

Here's a photo I took looking down from an upstairs window, before I started work:


And the result of an hour's clearance and digging, plenty more to do yet!

[Stephen]

An interesting project Paul.
5 x 2 meters is a nice size pond.

I could only dream of such a pond but I only have a tiny garden and love my flower border.
My thought would be a small header pool cascading down to the main pool, maybe just 1 metre (or less) cascade.
The top header pool would be great for birds to take a drink whilst the cascading water would keep the bigger pool aerated.
I'm not sure which plants are actually native but rushes are good for natural filtration.
Is there an old pond near by?
I would get a net and a jam jar (just like being a kid again) and give the net a good dip in the bottom of the pond and pull it out and empty the contents into a jar.
I am sure there will be lots of bugs in the mud etc.. to help kickstart your wildlife pond.

I will follow with interest.

[DoubleDutch]

Nice Paul!!!!! I know that garden hahaha.

Verstuurd vanaf mijn SM-G960F met Tapatalk

[Mol_PMB]

Thanks Stephen, good ideas.
And thanks Aad, when it's finished there will be an excuse for you to come over again, if we're still letting Europeans into the country...

I found this web page about suitable native plants; I need to do some more research and see which of these are suitable:
https://sussexwildlifetrust.org.uk/disc ... rticle/133

I already have some tubs of water outside where I culture live foods for the fish, which have good populations of daphnia, blackworms etc. I intend to empty one of them into the pond when it's finished.

One of my friends works in wildlife surveying (associated with new building developments etc). This sometimes involves capturing and re-homing animals. While it would be irresponsible (and probably illegal) for me to get some great crested newts, she may be able to help me get hold of some creatures for me (maybe some toad spawn or similar) if I can provide a quality environment for them.

[DoubleDutch]

If you need some help digging give me a sign hahaha.

Verstuurd vanaf mijn SM-G960F met Tapatalk

[Annie]

Nice project, look forward to seeing the progress.

[fr499y]

i'd highly recommend sticking some water mint in. Not only does it smell nice but it grows really well!

[plankton]

Looks like a good project Paul.

I would think the deep end would be better in the sun??

[Mol_PMB]

Thanks Ian! I’ll do it that way round.