Pond update!

[Queen bee]

Late last summer, we dug a pond in our garden, and within weeks it was full of life, but winter made everything go quiet. Now spring is here, it's full of weird and wonderful life again. We've introduced tadpoles (only to be told this can spread diseases :O ) Over winter, we put in a net of straw which was meant to clear up algae. Which it didn't. It cleared up on its own (apparently ponds go green at first) but it did become home to lots of beetles. There are probably lots of larvae in there now. There is a very large waterbeetle, about the width of my fingernail but longer (I saw it last year too, but when we get sun, it is much more active. Also, the sun brings the tadpoles up--they often sunbathe on the side) I've seen the water boatman again. It scooted up to the surface for a breath, then masterfully camouflaged itself by going to the handle of the waterlily basket and pressing itself upside down onto the bottom of it. I think it had its eye on the small tadpoles eating algae beneath. It vanished when I looked away, so I don't know what happened. (I am now trying to decide whether to call the sinister creature Sweeney Todd or Jack the Ripper) As I was clearing out leaves, I discovered this really weird creature that resembled some sort of aquatic woodlouse. Water shrimp? Oh, and there are lots of tiny, very baffling tube-shaped creatures that move jerkily along. Thet're about a millimetre or two in lenght and sort of shiny. And they mate like mad. I need a really good pond guide

[Kayleigh]

Its all great stuff. The newts, toads, frogs will be in there soon..

[Ukwildlifeo]

Originally Posted by Queen bee

Late last summer, we dug a pond in our garden, and within weeks it was full of life, but winter made everything go quiet. Now spring is here, it's full of weird and wonderful life again. We've introduced tadpoles (only to be told this can spread diseases :O ) Over winter, we put in a net of straw which was meant to clear up algae. Which it didn't. It cleared up on its own (apparently ponds go green at first) but it did become home to lots of beetles. There are probably lots of larvae in there now. There is a very large waterbeetle, about the width of my fingernail but longer (I saw it last year too, but when we get sun, it is much more active. Also, the sun brings the tadpoles up--they often sunbathe on the side) I've seen the water boatman again. It scooted up to the surface for a breath, then masterfully camouflaged itself by going to the handle of the waterlily basket and pressing itself upside down onto the bottom of it. I think it had its eye on the small tadpoles eating algae beneath. It vanished when I looked away, so I don't know what happened. (I am now trying to decide whether to call the sinister creature Sweeney Todd or Jack the Ripper) As I was clearing out leaves, I discovered this really weird creature that resembled some sort of aquatic woodlouse. Water shrimp? Oh, and there are lots of tiny, very baffling tube-shaped creatures that move jerkily along. Thet're about a millimetre or two in lenght and sort of shiny. And they mate like mad. I need a really good pond guide

The 'woodlice' could be hog/waterlouse. Not siure on jerky thing.
Oh and th best pond guide is 'Collins Freshwater life'

[Wild-Woman]

If you've got water beetles then you're doing well. The water must be balancing up nicely! Got any shots yet?

[paddy]

The beetle could be a Great Diving Beetle - watch out for the scorpion-like larva - they make the already-agressive parent look like Cliff Richard!
If it is, it will approach the surface rear-end first - they breath through spiracles on their xxxx!

[Queen bee]

The beetle could be a Great Diving Beetle - watch out for the scorpion-like larva - they make the already-agressive parent look like Cliff Richard!
If it is, it will approach the surface rear-end first - they breath through spiracles on their xxxx!

Yes, it comes up and traps a bubble with its rear. Cool diving gear... the smaller ones do that too. Come to think of it, I have seen some sort of larvae swimming around, with a pair of straight prongs on its tail. But it looked a bit tame :P

A load of pond skaters and whirligigs have appeared. They popped up everywhere on the same day... I went out for a walk the day they arrived, and on all the puddles there were pondskaters and whirlies. Our dog got excited and ran round the pond chasing them, unfortunately trampling the lovely kingcup blooms that have come up, but they're recovering well. He's lying behind me right now, dreaming of who knows what!

I saw the weird louse again the other day... I pulled up the waterlily basket to pull off some of the algae that was covering it, and it was in there, but the weirdest thing was that there were two of them, one on top of the other. Now, you're probably thinking, go and get sex education, girl, but I think they were like it last time as well... a smaller, darker louse attatched to the bottom of the other. Kinda reminds me of those anglerfish...

[dragonfly]

it sounds realy good well done have you found the less we interfer the better things are

[paddy]

[quote=Queen bee;260903]Yes, it comes up and traps a bubble with its rear. Cool diving gear... the smaller ones do that too. Come to think of it, I have seen some sort of larvae swimming around, with a pair of straight prongs on its tail. But it looked a bit tame :P

They do when they're little - -- wait until they've eaten 40 tadpoles, most of their brothers and sisters and anything else that gets in the way - if they're diving beetle larva, they'll end up the size of an index finger!! And much more pokey....

[Queen bee]

it sounds realy good well done have you found the less we interfer the better things are

Yes -- we have three goldfish in a tank inside, and if we'd put them in the pond I bet the biodiversity would be much weaker. It's just really nice watching the pond develop as it wants to, and feeling flattered that all these creatures have chosen our pond to call home!

[galanthus]

your pond sounds as if it's thriving I adore pond creatures and still spend lots of time on my tummy hanging over the pond spotting things. Keep an eye out for dragonflies and damselflies over late spring and the summer, we've had some beauties.