thinking of cleaning our pond

[Newton]

We've moved into a new home which has a fairly large pond. There is no moving water and, thinking that nothing could possibly live in it, figured I'd drain it and clean it over the weekend. it's been completely neglected and pretty grim to say the least. However, today we noticed three or 4 small newts and a frog! should we leave the water as it is? I certainly wouldn't like to fall in it! I'd really like a clean pond but not at the expense of the wildlife!Any advice would be gratefully received.

[Wozza]

What's so bad about it - could you post a picture?

[Meta menardi]

Where does the water come from? Where does it go to?

Nasty and stinky though it may seem you have got an eco-system, and as it is a pond an important one. Get to understand it before you act, amelioration of the current situation by very simple means could be all you need. You already have some interesting stuff in there.

[Digifrog]

Hi Newton

The advised time of year to clean out your pond, or any major maintainence is around the end of september/october. This is because there maybe young frogs/poles/newtlets at this time of year and if you attempt any maintanence now you could disrupt the growth of these animals. Despite what seems its' poor looking state I can assure you there is more than you can see dependant on it being there for now.

When you do decide to clean it out, be sure to do so with great care.

Incidentally, how big is the pond?

Scott

[dampflippers]

You could use a net to remove dead leaves, but they may have newt eggs attached.
You could also remove a few handfuls of weed if there is no clear water, but again, it may be full of newt eggs. So if you remove any, put it in a bucket of water for a couple of weeks to see if any babies hatch. Then you will have the prob,em of them being so tiny you might miss them.
.........so it might be best to leave until the autumn after all!
I would suggest that when you do it, you remove no more than one third in the first year. You obviously have a good ecological (if untidy or full of weed) pond, so it would be a shame to cause too much disturbance.

Have you got any photos?

[Kayleigh]

Don't touch anything till Sept/Oct just like Digifrog said.
I have a pond with no moving water just oxygenating plants that's how the wildlife like it.
I believe its an offence to disturb breeding newts and eggs anyway as they are protected. (No doubt someone will correct me if I am wrong)
Sept time they will be big enough to breath air as at the moment they have gills.