MAIN POND WITH VIEWING BRIDGE The abundance of plants both above the water and below indicates a healthy wildlife pond. I try not to disturb the pond too much and occasionally clear some of the Elodea which although providing protection for underwater creatures can overpopulate the pond. The duckweed comes and goes and is a useful way of removing excessive nutrients from the pond by skimming off. Blanket weed is relatively easy to control with a plastic rake but small amounts are not a problem. This photo is midsummer and the pond is due some careful management towards the end of Summer.
The small pond with a membrane shown above was easy to construct taking a couple of days. The main large pond took several weeks and is still an ongoing project.
This small fibreglass pond was donated by a friend and has proved a useful pond for observation of wildlife on nature walks. It is easy to see frogspawn and tadpoles although because of its more open aspect they are quickly predated on. I have now covered top half of the pond and the trees are now larger giving it some shade in the hotter months.
DOUBLE POND - DEEP AND SHALLOW This was the first pond which attracted a lot of wildlife but I used the grass matts which became damp and unsightly. The wildlife and plants didn't mind however they have flourished. This pond is due some TLC this winter. The construction at the top of the picture is a sheep shelter and water run off from here is used to top up the water in this and the fibreglass pond.