It used to be very busy didn't it? I think some people left because of the adverts, but I'm not really sure.
I wonder if all the ice will have affected our ponds this year.

Well, I thought I was being barred there for a while! Just tried to log in and had to try a number of times before it let me back into the site. It seemed to be remembering my password, when I've never actually ticked the box, but didn't accept it, even when I typed it in again correctly. Oh dear...

I have popped in from time to time but everyone appeared to be hybernating!

Have to say that I was proud of a little invention of mine this winter. Like everyone, my pond's been iced up at times. A while ago I came back from a trip away to find snow had weighed down the netting over my pond and stopped the football from moving about on the surface, effectively causing the whole pond to freeze over. Even though I keep the pond as clear as I can of decaying leaves, etc. I was worried about my fish and other creatures living below the ice, so I melted holes in the surface with pans of boiling water. Then, being a great believer in the 'It'll come in handy one day' theory, I cut a couple of pieces off an old (bendable) vacuum cleaner tube that I'd kept. Next, I tied string around one end of the tube and threaded it through different holes inside a plastic plant pot, to cover the end of each tube, then tied it. (Are you still with me?!)This stays on the edge of the pond, the other end being put below the water, deeper than the level ice could reach. (The plant pot is there in case it snows again and blocks the vent end outside of the water.) I'm hoping we've seen the worst of the weather here in London, but I shall certainly use my invention again next year.
Big Kid

That sounds like a great invention.
I think only healthy fish will have been able to get through without any problems from this long hard winter. When the ice came it killed only one of my fish but my sister in law lost 5 large Koi and my mother in law lost at least 8 frogs and 3 or 4 fish as they froze under the heavy thickness. Only the beginning of spring will tell how bad it really has been. There doesn't seem to be any let up in the coldness. My pond is still frozen in places but the fish and frogs seem to be coping. Spring can't be far away though as the plants are starting to rear their heads and buds are appearing. I love the spring flowers and am quite excited that the daffs are about 2-3 inches high now at the side of the pond.

Here is a link that might be useful: alisons nature reserve

Hi Alison,

Sorry to hear about everyone's fish and frog losses - how sad for you all. It's usually warmer here in London than it is back home in Liverpool, but not this year. I guess Yorkshire must be even colder, as it's that much further north. Just goes to show, with all your experience and knowledge, Mother Nature has the final say and there's nothing we can do about it. I shall keep my fingers crossed that there are no more casualties when spring finally arrives in Leeds.

I finally bought myself a digital camera and I'm really looking forward to testing it out on the dragonflies and damselflies that pay me a visit. Haven't won the lottery, so I had to compromise on the price, but I think it will be okay for close-ups. Only time will tell. I still have the instructions on how to upload to the gallery that someone posted for me a long time ago. Was it Dampflippers? Can't remember, but thanks again, whoever you are.
Big Kid