Pond photos

[lfphotography]

Hi the barrels are what my uncle uses as hoppers for his pheasants because he is a gamekeeper.

It is a different pond to the last thread and i chose to have this one because it is more in the open than the other pond.I might be going down the pond at the weekend to do some coppicing and raking up leaves around the pond.I will also be putting up some bird feeders as well.Do you think it will be alright to plant a few buddleia a little way from the pond to attract the butterflys.

Also is it possible to make a floating island with a pallet and some other material.

Thanks for everyones help.

Best Regards
Liam

[lfphotography]

Also which is photo 34 or do you mean 24#?

[King Edward]

Originally Posted by lfphotography

Hi the barrels are what my uncle uses as hoppers for his pheasants because he is a gamekeeper.

I was concerned this might be the case. I'd see if you could get him to move those further from the pond. Partly because you don't want the water polluted from either spilt grain or pheasant droppings, and partly because hordes of pheasants rampaging round the pond aren't going to do the wildlife any good.

Likewise with bird feeders - I don't really see the point of putting these up in a wood, but if you do then keep them well away from the pond itself.

Originally Posted by lfphotography

I might be going down the pond at the weekend to do some coppicing and raking up leaves around the pond.

There's no reason to rake up leaves. It's normal for the ground to be covered in leaves in a woodland, including in and around woodland ponds, and this is an important habitat and food source for many species.

Regarding coppicing, as I said before, take it cautiously. Don't cut too much all at once.

Originally Posted by lfphotography

Do you think it will be alright to plant a few buddleia a little way from the pond to attract the butterflys.

No, it's fine in gardens and urban areas, but it's a bad idea to go planting it in a native woodland environment like this.

Originally Posted by lfphotography

Also is it possible to make a floating island with a pallet and some other material.

What for? Not a good idea.

Essentially, I don't think it's wise to go rushing round trying to 'improve' what is essentially a wild pond in a semi-natural environment without (1) knowing what's living in and around the pond already, and (2) a clear idea of how the management will be beneficial.

[GCN lova]

it does look temporary to me. if not how deep is it etc? you could plant them but i dont think you need to do anything else. agree with King Edward and The Woodman. the leaves and stems of the trees should be cut back to provide light. looks like a good habitat for common toads and palmate newts.

[Kayleigh]

I think you should just leave it well alone and and just sit and watch what goes in and out, I used to know pond like this when I was a kid it had newts frogs and toads dragonflies lots of things.

[artdemole]

Another good thing to for your pond is write up a monthly diary or throughout the seasons for at least a year.Then you will know all the good things and any pitfalls about the pond.You could make a blog on this site regarding your pond and area of the wood as a whole.

[Kayleigh]

There is pond just like this one where I live and its teaming with dragonflies newts and toads, there are no plants just a natural water hole.
If you get your hide and sit quiet you will see mammals as well as the the flying insects and birds all using this natural source of water.
If you can try to get there in the dark and shine a torch into it you will see the newts..
Also don't forget if there are great crested newts you could land in hot water as their habitat is protected by law so before interfering its best to just watch..