Wildlife Pond Top Tips

Wildlife Pond Top Tips

Over the last 25 years there have been many questions relating to how one designs a wildlife pond. Every site is specific, and each comes with its own challenges, and surprises. This blog is a list of my top tips before you start digging, as putting in some homework will certainly play dividends before building your wildlife pond.

Whatever size wildlife pond you mark out – make it bigger!

Make your wildlife pond bigger than you first think because when aquatic plants grow, the water surface area will soon lessen, plus the more water volume, the more inhabitants to support the pond’s diverse ecosystem. A wildlife pond has no definitive size, it should be appropriate to the space available and to your requirements. Remember, even a small barrel or trough will be enough to encourage water life.

Give a range of depth to your wildlife pond…

A wildlife pond should have varying depths with shallow areas around the pond’s perimeter ranging from 100mm to 300mm allowing free movement for wildlife, and a deeper central area around 0.5m to 0.8m for deep water plants such as water lilies or water hawthorn. The deeper section also provide vital winter habitat for amphibians should they choose not to leave the pond in the winter months.

Not too much sun…

The location of your pond will be site specific, and each have its own benefits and challenges. Try and select an area that has a good sunny aspect for at least half the day, this will provide plenty of sun for water lilies to flower. Positioning a pond under trees is not really ideal as they will fill with debris from fallen leaves and twigs, not get enough sun, and often negatively affect the trees.

You can build your wildlife pond any time of year…

You can build a pond any time of year. One thing to consider though, is that site conditions in the wetter months can make it difficult to dig and slippery to move around safely and creates more mess from movement of materials and equipment. Also, aquatic plants in the colder months may not be readily available.

Rainwater is best…

Ideally do not fill your pond with mains water, although often to fill the pond for the first time, this will be your only option. This is due to the nutrient content normally present in mains water, which will contribute to unfavourable algae to take over. Best is to use rainwater from roof-space, or water containers.

Avoid fish in wildlife ponds…

Fish will eat tadpoles, amphibian eggs and invertebrates, are effectively apex predators, at the top of the pond’s food web, unless you have a grass snake or heron, then the fishes place is quickly removed. Fish will also contribute to unwanted nutrient levels, creating favourable conditions for not so favourable algae.

When will wildlife come…

Add a water feature to your garden and wildlife will come, please do not be tempted to move eggs, animals, tadpoles or plants between ponds, you will risk spreading invasive non-native species, and potential viruses or bacteria. The abundance of species your wildlife pond will attract such as frogs, toads, newts, dragonflies, and damselflies.

Create features for wildlife…

Having areas for refuge, such as rocks, long grass, overhanging shrubs, suitable aquatic vegetation, or timber will create excellent habitat and a safe haven for an array of species.

Lost Habitat can assist you in wildlife pond design in Devon and wildlife pond building in Devon and wildlife pond maintenance in Devon. Get in touch for assistance.