Reptile Forum, Reptile Classifieds - CaptiveBred

Rickeezee · Posted: Sat May 13, 2006 11:49 am Post subject: Wild pond

I am thinking of setting up a wild life pond in the back garden.

I don't want fish in it but toads, newts frogs insects etc, would be nice. In the rear of the back garden there is a very boggy area where the garden dips, the soil is predominantly London clay and we have a very high water table level, 1.25 metres down and bang you hit the water table, lots of underground streams etc locally.

In the winter this particular area is well wet all the time, in the summer it does dry out but dig down a couple of foot and it is well damp and wet.

So I was thinking of using this area as the wildlife pond site, seems to make sense to me. maybe a few bog type marginal plants and so forth.

Has anyone got any experience in setting up a wildlife pond? If so any help or tips muchly appreciated, thanks. [/b]
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www.rickslivefood.co.uk

Stuart · Posted: Sat May 13, 2006 11:57 am Post subject:

No tips I'm afraid but be interested to hear how you get on with it mate.
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Scott W · Posted: Sat May 13, 2006 12:02 pm Post subject:

I have a couple Rick, only 'scrapes' in the ground really, about two foot deep and 8ft with by 8ft long, basically a couple of buckets from a JCB that was working in the area. They are sloped at one end (where the bucket scrapes towards the digger).

Mine are in a solid clay area and will totally dry up by the end of summer, this is important for an amphibian pond as it kills off any insect pests that prey on the baby newts and tadpoles etc.

Plenty of wildlife in them now, so much insect life, plenty of food for the amphibs to eat. Always plenty of damsel and dragon flys there too.
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Please DO NOT pm orders for reptiles, send email instead scott@captivebred.co.uk

Stuart · Posted: Sat May 13, 2006 12:07 pm Post subject:

Have you seen any dragonflies recently scott?
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Rickeezee · Posted: Sat May 13, 2006 12:51 pm Post subject:

So Scott just dig a hole fill with water and leave well alone? Animals will find their own way in I guess?
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www.rickslivefood.co.uk

JStroud · Posted: Sat May 13, 2006 1:03 pm Post subject:

Insects you should have no problem with, if you want pond skaters etc just got and collect some from your nearest local pond or laker. Newts (only smooth newts Wink

), frogs and toads I would personally go and collect myself...makes a good day out as well, make sure around the pond you give plenty of rock piles, damp wood piles and logs for the newts and toads to hide under, the frogs will stay mainly in the water. Anyway best of luck with it and look forward to seeing it completed Cool

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Regards James Stroud

Pollywog · Posted: Sat May 13, 2006 1:47 pm Post subject:

Rickeezee · Posted: Sat May 13, 2006 1:50 pm Post subject:

Cool so you just use those balck plastic pond things then?
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www.rickslivefood.co.uk

Pollywog · Posted: Sat May 13, 2006 2:02 pm Post subject:

mattie · Posted: Sat May 13, 2006 3:03 pm Post subject:

stunning pics Andrew and good luck rick im a bit jealous id love a pond but live in a flat, don't even have a garden