WouldBe
Dislicksick
If it's just for wildlife to escape you could just put a plank of wood in for them to climb up.
A simple garden pond.
- Thread starter Johnny Vodka
- Start date
not-bono-ever
meh
Important for toads and stuff to be able access dry land. Have seen a deep fake pond full of dead amphibians as they could get in but not rest anywhere in it or escape
lazythursday
Well-Known Member
I want to do this. But have (fingers crossed) veggies growing in the spot I have in mind so will have to wait till autumn. I have a very steep garden, so could possibly build in some sort of solar-powered waterfall thing. I really want to create a little oasis of calm, sit next to bubbling water surrounded by reeds. But I'm a bit nervous of creating something crap that just turns into a stinky stagnant algae soup surrounded by weeds.
Johnny Vodka
The Abominable Scotsman
I spotted a better (storage) box in Tesco today. Not quite as deep and a bit longer, so easier to make a decent slope. Didn't look to have any holes in it, but would probably line it anyway. Will have a look tomorrow at what size of stones are around the local river.
Johnny Vodka
The Abominable Scotsman
Bubbling water not good if you want a wildlife pond.
lazythursday
Well-Known Member
Really? Am sure I've read some movement is fine, keeps water healthier etc. Streams do tend to have wildlife after all. I am sure with a basic solar pump setup it will be unlikely to be torrents of water - but would be interested to read why it might be negative for wildlife.
Johnny Vodka
The Abominable Scotsman
Think any sort of water movement will deter frogs and toads from laying spawn.
davesgcr
Reading books
We use an old upturned black bin lid - in a nice , quiet but plant strewn bit of the garden by the fence. Fill it with water but rainfall and so on , got some frog spawn from a nearby neighbor and it seems to have worked OK as the tads seem happy enough. Memo to self - build a proper little pond.
Too many people over the years in our suburban idyll have removed them as "too much work - or too risky for our kids" , like tree planting , we need to do more in this area.
We have some native frogs anyway - the cat will bring some in - but does not harm them. Their colours vary from chocolate brown to olive green. Long stopped using snail pellets......
Too many people over the years in our suburban idyll have removed them as "too much work - or too risky for our kids" , like tree planting , we need to do more in this area.
We have some native frogs anyway - the cat will bring some in - but does not harm them. Their colours vary from chocolate brown to olive green. Long stopped using snail pellets......
Mumbles274
running from law and the press and the parents
Flowing water might but a bit of a small bubbling fountain won't
BristolEcho
Well-Known Member
Our work in progress. To much duck weed? We have a small fountain that keeps the water moving. No real life in it! What could we plant around the edge? It's a very shady spot and has reeds to the left.
Johnny Vodka
The Abominable Scotsman
Started mine today. Least fun part of it is trying to arrange stuff inside so critters don't drown. Maybe I'm just over-thinking? Probably going to need to find more rocks to aid with that and the "blending" of the pond into the surroundings. 
kittyP
Pluviophile
My parents have a waterfall that is filtered through the pond + a bubbling bit over rocks in the middle and they get loads of wild life.
kittyP
Pluviophile
Saul Goodman
It's all good, man
Is this a 'bring-a-bottle' type affair?There are huge frog orgies in the spring
kittyP
Pluviophile
Is this a 'bring-a-bottle' type affair?
Tbh I haven't asked.
I feel pervy enough watching them
Saul Goodman
It's all good, man
I went for a walk by a river a couple of months ago, and I was shocked at how horny they are. There were literally hundreds of them at it.Tbh I haven't asked.
I feel pervy enough watching them
Johnny Vodka
The Abominable Scotsman
Johnny Vodka
The Abominable Scotsman
Already hopping towards it. 
Mumbles274
running from law and the press and the parents
Frogs will only spawn where they were born. You'll need spawn in the spring to get resident froggos. I've heard of frogs spawning on wet lawns where there used to be a pond their homing instinct is so strong. Your pond looks great and perfect for wildlife though
Mumbles274
running from law and the press and the parents
That's looking ace. If you can get someone to donate some pond sludge it will really add a lot of wildlife. You've got lots of space for aquatic plants there too. Banded horsetail, golden club are 2 of my faves as I've said before
Mumbles274
running from law and the press and the parents
Duck weed is a bit of a pain on the whole. Tends to overcome water as yours has. You can net it out to get rid, I've had to do that in the past.
Johnny Vodka
The Abominable Scotsman
Johnny Vodka
The Abominable Scotsman
I have no idea where I'd collect from. Not meant to collect from other ponds anyway (I think?).
Last edited:
Mumbles274
running from law and the press and the parents
When I made my first little nature pond I went to the local canal and scooped out a jar of muck and Beasties. Just enough to add some life that then can get a foot hold
platinumsage
HaveMyPassword123
At my last house I made a pond and within a year I had frogs, toads and newts appear form nowhere.
Johnny Vodka
The Abominable Scotsman
RubyToogood
RubyTwobikes
I watered the garden a couple of days ago, including some trays of plants, and then sat down with my laptop in the dark on the patio. I kept hearing a strange sound of lapping water so I shone my phone light into the darkness and there was a fox having a drink from a tray.
It had never occurred to me to wonder where foxes get their drinking water.
Regarding the drinking/bathing needs of birds, I've realised from obsessively close observation of my bird bathing arrangements during lockdown that little birds need shallow water and/or a firm foothold. So a really easy to grip perch at water level for drinking, or a non-slip surface underfoot for bathing.
It had never occurred to me to wonder where foxes get their drinking water.
Regarding the drinking/bathing needs of birds, I've realised from obsessively close observation of my bird bathing arrangements during lockdown that little birds need shallow water and/or a firm foothold. So a really easy to grip perch at water level for drinking, or a non-slip surface underfoot for bathing.
