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Wildlife pond in the making - Printable Version

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Wildlife pond in the making - Red Kite - 24-05-08

I haven’t posted any photos for some time as I’ve been too busy but decided to start a thread
on my ongoing project of creating a wildlife pond with bog area. It’s around 9m long and 5m wide
at the widest. The ground rises towards the tractor shed, this is the area where I will have the
bog section but due to the rise in land levels will still need to be dug out by around 450mm - 18”.
At the end nearest the house it will have to be dug out to around 1m – 3`. I hope to plant
Bog Bean, Marsh Cinquefoil. Water Avens, Marsh Valarium, Common Reed, Brook Like,
Purple Loosestrife, Marsh Marigold, Meadow Sweet, Wood rush, & various Sedges all of which are in
tubs waiting to be planted. I would also like to bet some Flowering Rush & Burr Reed if I can find any
and get the seed to germinate, not always easy.
[Image: Pond1.jpg]

[Image: Pond2.jpg]

[Image: Pond3.jpg]
Early stages after a heavy rain last summer, the ground falls down to the house & when planting
the Blackthorn hedge which is behind the wire to protect it from rabbits I put a drain under
the hedge to feed the pond.
[Image: Pond4.jpg]

[Image: Pond5.jpg]
After the heavy rains in Feb 08

[Image: Pond6.jpg]

[Image: Pond7.jpg]
The view from my office window
[Image: Pond8.jpg]

[Image: Pond9.jpg]

[Image: Pond10.jpg]
In May I discovered Keith next door was getting a digger in to dig out the base of his new hay shed
so I’ve taken of most of the turf & dug out the larger blocks of concrete, which will become a climbing
area for the lambs when I decide where to put them. The remainder of the spoil will become a raised
mound to the right of the garage going u to the hedge possibly with some trees on it & more wild flowers
& the area between the garage & the hedge will become another r wildlife area which will be inaccessible
to my gourmet sheep who have a liking for most things I don’t want them to eat. I’ll get back to that
thread when we have some rain & more things start to grow.
I’ll update this thread as work proceeds but I don’t expect plants to be settled in till next summer.
Who knows I may have a heron 20` from my office window. Hopefully it will attract a few new birds &
insects such as Grey Wagtails, Warblers, possibly Reed Buntings & Dragonflies & Damselflies.

RE: Wildlife pond in the making - Goldfinch - 24-05-08

it looks good Dave, you've a lot of work ahead of you there though!

RE: Wildlife pond in the making - cubs - 25-05-08

Oh Wow!!! Looking good!!! Well done you and good luck with the project, I hope you do well with the birds!!!

RE: Wildlife pond in the making - Red Kite - 25-05-08

Thanks I love hard graft & just wish I could have a week to 10 days at it without any interuptions, but unfortunatly it will have to be a long term project.

RE: Wildlife pond in the making - celticsparrowjan - 25-05-08

Dave that is going to be some pond when you have finished it ,lots of hard work ahead but a great project

RE: Wildlife pond in the making - Lutontownnil - 01-06-08

That's going to be a great place for your local wildlife Dave. Cool1

RE: Wildlife pond in the making - Kestrel - 02-06-08

Looking good so far Dave, though as Andy said looks like a fair bit of hard work ahead of you!

Will be a wonderful wildlife haven when you're finished though and of course you'll be able to do plenty of wildlife & bird watching from your office window! Smile

RE: Wildlife pond in the making - Red Kite - 02-06-08

Thanks Ali,
The problem will be will I be able to do any work? Lol the other day I had around 13 different kinds of bird came within 15` to 20` of my office window as it is without the attraction of a pond & bog area.
I'm itching to stop work get out there & dig it all out by hand I'd love to do that, but haven't the time. It's a pity I need to earn an income, though Gill does most of that & works very hard, so it would hardly be fair if I skived off & enjoyed myself. If I thought I could do it in a couple of days I would, but to do it by hand & barrow all the spoil away would take at least a week of hard work, something I'm not afraid of, I just don't have the time between work & other jobs about the place, Gill is working hard with the veg garden when she's not working or doing her mother's garden.

RE: Wildlife pond in the making - Cazzagirl - 02-06-08

Dave what a fab job!!!! Are you ever going to get any work done though Wink I'd just want to be wildlife spotting all day around that Smile

RE: Wildlife pond in the making - Red Kite - 08-07-08

OK folks these will be my last photos for some time due to pressure of work, home & extended family etc. Smallholding sitting next week Lol I love doing photo threads & will try & do some when I have completed my next 3 Higher Level Schemes.
You & Gill won Andy, I would have loved to have done all the work myself but as you said it would have been a massive task by hand & Gill was embarrassed by my attempts to date. At least now it looks as if we are going somewhere even if it takes 6 months or more to complete.
The size by the way is 30` x 12` at its widest
[Image: P1040784.jpg]

[Image: P1040785.jpg]

[Image: P1040787.jpg]
The JCB getting to work
[Image: Pond001.jpg]
2 hours & £50 later
[Image: Pond002.jpg]
The bog area which I will extend a bit all the surrounding ground levels need the soil taking from under the grass & tapering down. I already have Purple Loosestrife, Ragged Robin, Bog Bean, Brook Lime, Marsh Valarium, Sedges Wood Rush, Early Marsh & Common Spotted Orchids Water Parsley & Flag Iris amongst other things waiting to go in & want to get some Common Reed I love the large purple flower heads though like the Iris & Bog Bean they will take some management.
[Image: Pond003.jpg]
The deeper area where I will have clear water & hopefully attract Dragonfly & Darters. This will need a little more digging out but I aim for around 1m at the deepest.
[Image: Pond007.jpg]
The view from my office window
[Image: Pond008.jpg]

[Image: Pond009.jpg]
The 1st visitor, not quite a pond animal but made his day easy collecting worms they have had it hard this year.

RE: Wildlife pond in the making - Red Kite - 08-07-08

[Image: P1040803.jpg]
Then the rain came, we had cut an old horseshoe drain, ( a clay tile n shaped which was used to drain fields around 150 years ago the 1st ones coming from bending clay roofing tiles over your leg to form a channel for water). I blocked the down side of the drain so water stayed in the pond it will be interesting to see what level it settles at but ultimately I will have to clear the drain that lets the water away & put in a liner.
[Image: P1040805.jpg]
The extent of the wetland/pond/wildlife area in front of my office window. The Blackthorn hedge between my Rav & the pond is rabbit fenced until it becomes established & the whole area will be totally sealed from children.
[Image: P1040807.jpg]
More rain & the level rises, at present it has settled at this level which is around 2` lower than I want it. Can any one spot the GSW?
[Image: P1040795.jpg]
A big Bird Bath bags I first go!!
[Image: P1040796.jpg]
Must wash under all the feathers.
[Image: P1040798.jpg]
OK anyone take me for a duck & fancy throwing me a crust?
Don’t be soft I know its pouring down but am I worried? Come on with that crust I’m going to start to get wet if I stay here much longer!
[Image: P1040815.jpg]

[Image: P1040816.jpg]
OK not the pond but a new visitor attracted by the flies, a Garden Warbler? Any help welcome it wouldn’t sit still for more than a few seconds & had the cheek to land 3` in front of me & look in through my window for a couple of seconds.
Right back to Computer My photo threads & input to others will return I just don't know when.
Dave

RE: Wildlife pond in the making - sweetMaisie-Mae - 08-07-08

Great photos, Dave. Look forward to the updates as you go along. Cool1

RE: Wildlife pond in the making - Falco - 08-07-08

Looks great Dave, hope it gets all the wildlife you want for all of that work!!. Cool1

RE: Wildlife pond in the making - ledburylass - 08-07-08

Well done Dave
I can imagine how frustrating it is not being able to get on with it. I am looking forward to updates and eventually the finished article! It is sooooo good to see you here again.
Chris x

RE: Wildlife pond in the making - lullieowl - 08-07-08

Exellent photos Dave.. Cool1
Oh how i would love a pond like that in my garden, i bet it will look exellent when its finshed.
By the way i may be wrong but your Garden Warbler looks like a Whitethroat to me..