Wildlife Pond
Key Benefits
- Biodiversity: Creates valuable freshwater habitat supporting amphibians (frogs, newts), dragonflies, damselflies, other aquatic invertebrates, and providing drinking water for birds/mammals. Supports BNG.
- Water Management: Can provide some minor rainwater attenuation and infiltration depending on design and soil.
- Amenity & Education: Attractive garden/park feature; Excellent educational resource for observing wildlife cycles.
Technical Guidance
Siting
Choose a location that receives sunlight for at least half the day. Avoid areas directly under trees (excess leaf fall) or in deep shade. Ensure site is relatively level. Check for underground services.
Size & Shape
Any size is beneficial, but larger ponds generally support more wildlife. Irregular shape preferred over formal shapes. CRITICAL: Incorporate varied depths - shallow margins/shelves (essential for amphibians/insects) sloping gently to a deeper central area (min 60cm for overwintering). Include at least one shallow sloping 'beach' area for easy access/exit.
Lining
Flexible liner (Butyl, EPDM, PVC - use with protective underlay) is most common. Pre-formed plastic/fibreglass ponds often have steep sides less ideal for wildlife. Clay lining (puddled clay) is traditional but requires expertise.
Water Source
Ideally fill with rainwater (e.g., from water butt) as tap water contains chemicals harmful to sensitive wildlife (allow tap water to stand or use treatments if unavoidable). Aim for pond to be self-sustaining via rainfall once established.
Planting
ESSENTIAL for wildlife. Use UK NATIVE species only. Include: Oxygenators (e.g., Hornwort, Water Crowfoot - keep water healthy); Floating plants (e.g., Frogbit - provide shade/cover); Marginal plants (e.g., Yellow Flag Iris, Water Mint, Marsh Marigold - plant on shallow shelves); Submerged plants (e.g., Water Starwort). Plant into baskets with aquatic soil or directly into soil layer over liner base.
Habitat Features
Add logs or stones partially submerged to provide basking/emergence points for insects/amphibians. Ensure safe exit points on all sides.
Avoiding Problems
NEVER introduce fish (they eat wildlife). Avoid non-native invasive pond plants (check sources carefully). Manage excessive blanket weed manually (remove small amounts, leave on side for creatures to return).
Maintenance
Relatively low. Top up with rainwater during prolonged dry spells. Remove excess dead vegetation/leaves in autumn (leave some for hibernation). Thin out oxygenators/other plants periodically if they become too dominant. Avoid chemical treatments.