How do I manage a Natural Pond

posie · #1 (**permalink**) 29-11-2009, 12:59 PM

I have a natural pond in the garden, it is fed by underground spring, and is fenced round (dog proof), there are 2 trees close to it, a goat willow and a weeping birch.Nobody has been through the gate to the pond area for about 3 years, and as there is an abundance of pondside vegetation, I wondered if I should be doing any clearing of dead vegitation, I've left things alone cos I dont like to disturb or accidently hurt or kill the smaller wildlife, Bit of a dilemma really, cos for one thing I dont know about any pondlife except ducks. Any advice would be appreciated.p.s. I know there are a lot of little mousy mammels living on ground area round edges, near fence, cos my dog says so....In anticipation.....Posie...( Alias-...Poe-of-the-Pond.)..

Davy Crockett · #2 (**permalink**) 29-11-2009, 01:57 PM

Hi Poe, My advice would be to leave well alone, nature will take care of its self. Best wishes DC

Kayleigh · #3 (**permalink**) 29-11-2009, 02:09 PM

Yes Poe,
Leave well alone just like Davy said but find somewhere to sit quiet for an hour or so and see what's around you will be amazed, there will be lots of things in the pond too not just ducks.
Do a pond dip see what you find and let us know also take some pics as we would all love to see it.

posie · #4 (**permalink**) 29-11-2009, 02:18 PM

There is a 'garden ' seat sort of under the weeping birch, inside the fence to sit on,there won't be any photos cos I am useless and only have a digi camera, not all this professional gear., and I see wabbers apologising for 'poor' photos that look great to me so I must say that's put me off putting my crappy photos on, if I had any! And please, how do I do a pond-dip? Is it a jamjar jobbie, please explain.......Po-of-the-Pond....

Kayleigh · #5 (**permalink**) 29-11-2009, 02:46 PM

Poe you really make me laugh..
For a start any pics you take for a thread would go into the images they dont have to be something that wouldn't look out of place in a mag, people on here have taken pics with a phone dont worry about the camera not being up to the job or your skills so dont be shy get some pics took..

Get a bucket and collect some water try to get some mud as well then get a white or clear shallow container and pour the water into it so you can see anything swimming or wriggling about..
Then pour it back into the pond..you should have dragonfly and damsel fly nymphs ect
Do the leaves go into the pond as this might be a problem I would also get some native oxygenators to throw in as this will help keep the water clear and maybe some yellow flag irises but keep them in a container or they will get out of hand..

posie · #6 (**permalink**) 29-11-2009, 06:09 PM

Thankyou Kayleigh for the instructions, but also for the reassurance about pictures, tho' I don't know how any wabbers will identify anything with their heads missing,( the specimin's heads, not the wabbers) but I will do my best. The info about the 'pond dip' makes sense, I'll do that tomorrow, if I don't get onto this thread, or any other, tomorrow night, you'll know I've fallen in head first and drowned.I'm a bit apprehensive about what I will find,(Leeches, venomous water snakes, mini alligators and Loch Posie monsters come to mind).... the fenced area of the pond is approx. 78feet by 54feet, but that is not all water of course, when I can I'll measure the actual pond surface area There are yellow water Irises and lots of sort of 'reeds' and some bullrushes, and lots of teazles, or teasles, and many more plant species that I can't name. The Mallard duck doesn't nest here now because she didn't like my dog, although the dog couldn't get to her. Not recently, but back a couple of months we had a regular daily visit from a Heron, what a beautiful bird he/she was.Never saw him/her catch anything but I guess there was some attraction Looking forward to the pond dip, but must get camera bit sorted first.Thanks again, and thanks Davey Crockett ...Poe-'in'-the-Pond..

Kayleigh · #7 (**permalink**) 29-11-2009, 06:24 PM

The Heron sounds encouraging you could have newts and frogs if there are no fish in there..

I didnt mean try to take macro images as the might not turn out but take a few images of the pond so we get an idea of scale ect..

Don't get eaten by the monster lol

posie · #8 (**permalink**) 29-11-2009, 07:08 PM

The lady who comes through the summer to ring the young swallows is into all wildlife, and said we should look for a certain newt, can't remember what it is called but I think it is endangered. I hope that B....y Heron hasn't eaten any rare newts, He/she can just go back to bringing babies, and leave the newts alone ! ! I've gone right off Herons now. He'd better not show his beak here again.

Fuzzy-felt bloke · #9 (**permalink**) 29-11-2009, 08:00 PM

Hi Posie

There is a very good book from the Ponds Conservation Trust called ‘The Pond Book’ ISBN: 0-9537971-0-4.

Their web site Pond Conservation | Home is also very good, should keep you busy for a while.

Fuzzy-Felt Bloke

Kayleigh · #10 (**permalink**) 29-11-2009, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by posie

The lady who comes through the summer to ring the young swallows is into all wildlife, and said we should look for a certain newt, can't remember what it is called but I think it is endangered. I hope that B....y Heron hasn't eaten any rare newts, He/she can just go back to bringing babies, and leave the newts alone ! ! I've gone right off Herons now. He'd better not show his beak here again.

It will be a greater crested newt..

but any newts would be good..