best time to clean out wildlife pond?

[cwilk]

I stupidly hadnt covered our pond properly and now it has a lot of symamore leaves in it, its also full of weed and brooklime. This summer it has frogs, ramshorn snails, dragon and damselflies, and for the first time, common newts, despite not being much bigger than a bath!
When can i dig around in the bottom and get the leaves out? I don't want to disturb anything hibernating in the mud.

[The Woodman]

If its only that big, roll up your sleeves and gently lift the sycamore leaves out without disturbing the mud. I have a Swedish Whitebeam close to my pond and this is what I do to remove its large leaves. Hand removal is more sensitive than using a kids fishing net or rake.
If too many leaves remain, they will be broken down by bacteria and invertebrates but can add nutrient to the water in the pond leading to excessive algae growth next spring.

[Susie]

I have been thinking about this too because my pond is covered in blanket weed.

I wasn't sure if removing the blanket weed now would remove some of the protection for the frogs and inverts in the pond or if I should leave it until next spring.

[Gill Catton]

You could just leave it be if you wanted to. weed choked ponds aren't any worse for wildlife. Even ones full of leaves can support invertebrates that would struggle to survive in the typical garden pond.

[Kayleigh]

About now is the best time to do any cleaning as most of the amphibians have left the pond or are at the bottom..
So moving a few leaves and tidying up as long as you put what you get out at the side of the pond so anything you disturb can make its way back in all should be fine..
Best not to do it in spring and summer..