We're Making a Wildlife Pond

sssshhheeesssh.

But looking on the bright side; it'll be fantastic for wildlife once it's made and evolving. Who is your client?.... Chris Packham?!

 

It’ll be fantastic for wildlife yes. And maybe the occasional swim on a hot day.

 

Hi @Redwing , I was wondering how your wildlife pond is looking, after the recent rains?

 

It's doing really well. It's full now. Here are some pictures. The first is a general view. We added more sandbags and pebbles at the end and divided up the iris which had grown really well. Second picture is close up of the far end and the last picture shows one of the three lillies which only has it's first flower but it's pretty. The pond is still looking a little sparse plant wise but things have grown well and hopefully will be more luxuriant next year. Wild life comes as it does but I fear our toad has been eaten by the Grey Heron. Loads of birds use it for drinking and bathing and we have so many dragonflies and damselflies. I need to learn the names of those.

 

It's working really well, thanks to Mr Redwings efforts. In the first picture in the above post you can see the pipe on the right front in the pebbles. As I've said elsewhere, we have done a lot of building work over the past few years and he managed to incorporate rainwater off roofs into a collection drain using a flexible pipe which was then dug into the ground. It didn't actually cost much as we had the leftover pipe. I think it will be good as it will aerate the pond every time it rains with clean rainwater. When it's raining hard the flow is really strong. It should keep it quite fresh.

 

Food for thought there @Redwing
Our liner is being delivered a week on Friday and installation begins after bank hols! We need to dig more out next week and have a 45 degree drop on the slopes and hopefully it’ll be easy sailing!

 

The pond has attracted a post breeding finch flock of mostly Linnets, about 130, plus Goldfinchs and a few Greenfinchs. They hang out in the bushes beside the pond and come down to drink and bathe. I’m so pleased.

 

Most of the finches have moved on but we've now got migrating Meadow Pipits dropping in for drinks and baths.

On the downside, I've been fishing out the dreaded blanket weed.

 

Gutting about the blanket weed. Ours got delayed some what, I think I last posted on August we have now lined with a rawmat clay liner, packed it all back down and this week have installed overflow and are building an 8m ‘observation pontoon’ I’m hoping this time next week I will be able to show pictures. The pond got put on a back burner as we had a lot of ground works to do else where but plants are in order, pebbles coming tomorrow and final fixings of pontoon next week. We will then be sowing wild flower seeds as we have an established meadow next to the area. Here’s a couple of pics so far though.

 

That’s going to be amazing. The liner underlay is really thick. I look forward to seeing the planting.

 

This afternoon a Kingfisher was perched in the bushes beside the pond!
No fish as far as I know.

 

I’m glad you’ve just posted about the kingfisher! I’ve been meaning to post pics and update on the Isle of Wight. I’ll try my best tomorrow!!

 

Here’s a few photos of our wildlife pond. I can’t wait for the plants to grow in spring and summer it will look lush hopefully. We’ve planted a wildflower meadow next to it too.
The top of the pond (muddy part) has been planted with wildflower seed to try and create a nice relaxing sitting area. We’ve seen 3 ducks bobbing around, wagtails, and a couple of dragon flies (pre filling)