Natural pond

[suffolk]

Hi everyone!

I am buying a property that has a very large natural pond in the garden. The pond has been there for a very long time.

I've never had a pond before so I was wondering what is likely to be living in the pond. Perhaps someone can help me with this?

I've seen small ducks like coots? on the pond so far.

Also it is full of duckweed. How do I get rid of this?

Should I introduce a pump and fountain to keep the water moving?

I would like to build a deck over one third of it from bank to bank. Would this impact on the wildlife at all?

Thanks very much to anyone that answers!!

[Dogghound]

There could be anything living in the pond, every pond is different, you will probably have various amphibians, possibly grass snake. You may even get mammals such as water vole and water shrew. A lot depends on the habitats and surrounding area. There will also be a vast array of invertebrates, such as dragonflies. The fact its an old pond increases the likelihood that you will have some interesting species, such as great crested newt.

The birds are more likely moorhens

Its not always necessary to get rid of duckweed, I would asses if its a problem or not before you worry about it.

Dont introduce a pump or fountain in a pond of this nature it could have negative implecations to wildlife.

Provided that the bank can support it and your not destroying any small unique areas of habitat the deck wont be much of a problem.

[Cowgirl]

Hi Suffolk, lucky you, a pond that you've not had to dig out yourself. Both me & my husband have slogged hard to get our ponds (one fish & one wild) up & running.

In addition to Doghounds post (who has a wealth of good advice on the subject) I wouldn't be tempted to add fish (decorative like goldfish or koi) as this will require filter/pumps etc and as stated will upset the natural balance.

You may be lucky to get dragonflies etc visiting next spring/summer. If you get your deck built that will be lovely, I would love one but I have to make do with a flattish piece of grass & a plastic patio chair, still doesn't stop me from sitting there for hours on end watching Mother nature at work!

Just sit back & enjoy someone else's hard work . Post some pictures, we'd love to see.

[suffolk]

Thanks for the replies so far.

I have been warned there maybe water snakes in there. I don't have any intention of adding fish of any kind but maybe some ducks. I'd like to create an island for them in the middle.

I've been told the pond is about 8ft deep in the centre and wondered whether a floating duck island or house would be a good idea?

Also, dare I say it, can anyone tell me anything about great crested newts? Apparently, that's another possibility for living creatures in the pond. Hush though!

[Dogghound]

Originally Posted by suffolk

Thanks for the replies so far.

I have been warned there maybe water snakes in there. I don't have any intention of adding fish of any kind but maybe some ducks. I'd like to create an island for them in the middle.

I've been told the pond is about 8ft deep in the centre and wondered whether a floating duck island or house would be a good idea?

Also, dare I say it, can anyone tell me anything about great crested newts? Apparently, that's another possibility for living creatures in the pond. Hush though!

Ducks will cause considerable damage to the pond and will reduce its wildlife value so im afraid you will struggle to maintain both a wildlife pond and duck pond. The snake will be a grass snake nothing to worry about, they are often an indicator of high levels of amphibians in and around the pond.

Anything specific you want to know about Great Crested Newts? the pond does sound ideal for them, although possibly a little deep, but im sure the margins will be ideal. GCN are very susceptible to wildfowl and ducks will cause their numbers to crash im afraid. They are heavily protected but you should be ok depending on the level of development you wish to undertake. Anything that you need planning permission on may require a GCN survey first though.

[nightshade]

Sit and watch it for a couple of seasons, get to know the best places to sit and watch the best views are not always obvious. Ask questions on here and
learn to appreciate what you have. Good luck with your pond.

[tom00_uk]

Originally Posted by Dogghound

Ducks will cause considerable damage to the pond and will reduce its wildlife value so im afraid you will struggle to maintain both a wildlife pond and duck pond. The snake will be a grass snake nothing to worry about, they are often an indicator of high levels of amphibians in and around the pond.

Anything specific you want to know about Great Crested Newts? the pond does sound ideal for them, although possibly a little deep, but im sure the margins will be ideal. GCN are very susceptible to wildfowl and ducks will cause their numbers to crash im afraid. They are heavily protected but you should be ok depending on the level of development you wish to undertake. Anything that you need planning permission on may require a GCN survey first though.

im not sure where the maximum depth for amphibians comes from, i have dived to 0ver 20 meters and come across lots of gcn's swimming and in a hole in Wales at 40 meters watched a toad swim past

[Dogghound]

Originally Posted by tom00_uk

im not sure where the maximum depth for amphibians comes from, i have dived to 0ver 20 meters and come across lots of gcn's swimming and in a hole in Wales at 40 meters watched a toad swim past

Ive no doubt that you did, but do they breed at 20 meters or feed at 20 meters? Optimum breeding ponds are shallow, shallow ponds warm up quickly, shallow ponds allow more light to penetrate through to the bottom. This allows plant growth vital for GCN to breed and vital for aquatic invertebrates to survive. GCN tend to like a shallow weedy margin and an open area of water to display in.

Its not a maximum depth and it comes from basic amphibian ecology, your always going to find a smooth newt in a huge gravel pit or a toad in a tiny pool as anomalies. However these species have specific habitats in which breeding success is generally more successful.

[suffolk]

Thanks Dogghound and everyone else that has replied so far

Very disappointed re ducks!

You suggested moorhens were on the pond but I've looked online and I think what I saw on the pond were coots. Presumably coots and gcns are able to cohabit or would coots indicate no gcns in the pond?

If it's okay for coots, what other species similar could I introduce onto my pond if I can't have any ducks?

I am visiting the property on Monday. Promise to take some pics then! I will try and get a pic of the coots.

I wondered how they were faring as the pond was frozen solid when I last saw it.

Also am I right in thinking that a frozen pond means the duckweed will be temporarily killed off?

[Dogghound]

Yes duckweed does grow back in winter although it will soon become re-estalished in the summer.

Coots and GCN are fine. Coots and moorhens dont put the same kind of pressure on the pond. Im not sure there are any other species you could introduce. The basic idea of a wildlife pond is to attract animals to the pond not to introduce them. Often introducing other animals or plants can cause serious problems.

How about getting some chicken's or building a pen and having ducks away from the pond?