I was really inspired by some of the people and projects I saw at this years Rutland Bird Fair and now have a list of projects I want to complete at home and at the Secret Wood feeding station.
Yesterday me, my brother and my dad decided to create a wildlife pond due to us seeing quite a few frogs in the garden recently; I really want to attract beetles, more frogs and maybe Newts to the garden. We started off by going to B & Q for the equipment and then discussed the depth, location and shape of the pond.
These are the tools we used, nothing too fancy.
We had to put a big wooden beam against the fence to stop soil and water leaking into the neighbours garden, as I don't think they want a pond just yet!
After we finished the banks we fitted the plastic which was rather fun.
We had to use logs to secure the plastic in place which hopefully frogs will like; I think it was good to use all natural materials (apart from the plastic liner), as bugs and wildlife will like the new habitat around the pond as well.
After that we started to fill the pond using the hose pipe and then my dad put put a special powder in that neutralises chlorine. It would of course been better if we had collected rain water to fill it up with.
It took about ten minutes to fill up.
After the pond was filled, me and my mum went out to get some water plants whilst my dad and brother Harley put a few stones in.
It was under the tree so there was plenty of shade (it is also next to my log pile where the frogs like to hide in the day).
It is not just frogs newts and beetles I want to come I would also like birds to drink in it. And our project was being closely watched by our garden visitors.
In the end I think it was a job well done and the only things we had to buy were the liner and the plants.
So are you going to build one in your garden?
Good effort Fin, nice to see, I'm sure it will reap rewards :)
ReplyDeleteWell done Fin mate, I might put one in my garden now!
ReplyDeleteGreat stuff Findlay! Looking forward to seeing photos of the first visitors. Keep up the good work.
ReplyDeleteExcellent first project Findlay. I'm sure you'll get plenty of visitors to it. I put a small wildlife pond in my garden a few years ago. Hundreds of frogs now, and the birds love it to bathe in.
ReplyDeleteGreat effort! I like the pic of the foreman supervising the the pond filling! Have you got a camera set up looking over it?
ReplyDeleteCheers
DaveyMan
You and the team(!) have done an excellent job there Findlay, hopefully it will bring lots of new creatures into the garden for you to watch..and for Harley to photograph! I'm looking forward to seeing the results!...[;o)
ReplyDeleteI might just have a go myself, I got a couple of water butts pretty full of water at the moment, the only problem I face is my dogs, the Australian Shepherds if they even see a puddle they have to play in it, the Collared Dove looks pleased.
ReplyDeletei hope they will enjoy it and use it. :)
ReplyDeleteGreat work gang, you will i'm sure get loads of wiidlife come to use it and get a great deal of enjoyment out of it,i know i did when i did my fish pond.
ReplyDeletepeter
Well done Findlay, dad and Harley - looks great - Gary made a wildlife pond for me last year and we've got frogs in it, the birds like to drink from it and seen a few dragonflies recently too - it still needs some more pond plants though!
ReplyDeleteGreat stuff Findlay and the team, as Sharon said we did one last year, and just dug it out and left it to go 'wild', its going great guns with all sorts finding its way in, hope yours attracts all sorts of wildlife
ReplyDeleteNicely done! Your pond will surely attract all manner of wildlife. Can't wait to hear about your new residents.
ReplyDeleteNo. I have nothing but natural wetlands. Good idea though. Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
ReplyDeleteWhat an awesome project and it looks like a great job was done by all! I bet you will get lots of wildlife shots with the new pond.
ReplyDeleteThe Wilde Action Team don't waste any time, do they!! A brilliant job. Well done!
ReplyDeleteBTW - don't forget to clean the leaves out of the pond in the autumn!
What's the next project on the list, Findlay?
Looks great Findlay. We put in a pond when we owned our house in Oregon , but raccoons destroyed it. They ate the fish and snails and even the water plants. Boohoo. Now that we travel , we just have to look at other people's ponds ...so thank you for showing me yours. And good luck.
ReplyDeleteSorry I am a bit late seeing this post Findlay... I hope your new pond is a great success.
ReplyDelete