skip to main content

Ponds in the UK

Wildife around your pond

20 years ago

Does your pond get used by other wildlife? Blackbirds are currently stealing mud to line their nests.

I have hedgehogs, but don't know if they actually drink from the pond.

Talking of hedgehogs- do you know that numbers are declining? There is a survey you could do (link below). Please all do it even if you don't have hedgehogs visiting your garden, as negative sightings are useful too.

Here is a link that might be useful: hedgehog survey

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (7)

jaci_49
20 years ago
I get lots of birds who love to shower in the waterfall, today a blackcap visited (the first I've seen), I also have yellowhammers and a tiny goldcrest as well as the usual garden visitors. I love watching the starlings as the bathe communally, with up to 5 at once. I have grey squirrels who visit the garden and they often stop for a drink. I have seen a heron in the garden, but I have no fish in the pond, so haven't seen it recently.
I looked under the rock that my two frogs were living under today and there are now 5 frogs of varying sizes.
We had a hedgehog in the garden last year but I haven't seen it so far this year. I registered it on the website and hopefully I'll see it this year again.
chippewacat
20 years ago
It is amazing the birdlife that can come by--besides the usual garden birds, we've had nuthatches, goldcrests, wrens, grey wagtails, and the kingfisher. Mammal wise it is mice and squirrels, and part of me longs for a hedgehog, but as we live on a corner of a road, I'm rather glad we don't!

I have a fantasy of rigging up puzzles for the squirrels, and all they have on websites is squirrel feeders on a bungie cord which looks like squirrel torture rather than squirrel fun!

Oh! and the bats!! They come by at a particular time in the evening. One evening I was outside and one flew so clsoe I could feel a wing beat against my cheek!
Related Discussions
Are cats destructive around ponds?
Q
Comments (26)
I am sure you are correct that cats prey on birds. That said, the cats in this neighborhood are seldom seen during the day. They are very visible at night when they are hunting mice and other pests. The worst or most efficient predators are the squirrels and raccoons. They raid the nests and either consume the eggs or the baby chicks after scaring the mother away. One raccoon destroyed the duck's nest in the front yard. I found shells scattered everywhere. There had been 7 eggs in the nest and they had only a week before they hatched. We also find dead birds that flew into the windows. Of course there are always the raptors that keep an eye on the feeding area. We are close enough to open areas that we see foxes occasionally and they are very efficient at raiding the nests of ground nesting birds. An unpopular thought on birds that are caught by predators is that those are the slowest and least attentive birds so the predators are doing nature's culling. That is something I read somewhere, not my own opinion. I always cheer for the birds. Sandy
...See More
Moon Gardening around a small pond
Q
Comments (10)
Hi, I live in Zone 5 (Ontario, Canada) and put in a waterfall and pond 3 years ago. My husband and I had a wonderfull time landscaping the area once all of the grunt work was finished. We used daylilies because they're drought resistant and need very little maintenance. Near the pond edge we used Siberian Irises which have been thriving and are quite spectacular with their blue colour. We also planted two Japanese Cut Leaf Maples, a pom-pom bush, a butterfly bush, Moon Flower vines along the fence, Goliath ornamental grass, cotton tail grass, various ferns, Hot Poker perenials, hens & chicks, and a Yucca. We used a variety of ground cover...everything from Rock Crest to Irish moss. Looks great...we're happy with the results. This year we are planning a "moon garden" and will be planting "Evening Scented Stock", "Evening Primrose", "Four O'Clocks", "Nicotiana" - best scent in white, and of course our "Moon Flower" vines. If anyone would like me to save seeds for them for next season, let me know.
...See More
Where are your favorite 'public' ponds around OK?
Q
Comments (3)
I'm going to try to go Saturday. I think I read that there is an ornamental grass display on the grounds outdoors. Gonna go see that Dale Chululy exhibit at the art museum, too. I haven't been there yet but have wanted to go since it opened. I'll be in OKC for a family reunion, so figured I would just go early. Theta Pond here at OSU is the only public pond I can think of here in Stillwater. It's a beautiful pond but the ducks and geese are kind of cranky and very messy, so I view it from a distance, mostly.
...See More
Landscaping help around pond
Q
Comments (3)
As I have mentioned various times, I am a big fan of Acorus (sweet Flag). I am surprised to see that it supposedly will grow in zone 4 since I believe it is native to the Middle East. Like most here, I have a liner built pond (and stream). Sweet flag is really useful there because it will grow directly in water but it is also happy in damp conditions. Mine seems to grow less than two feet tall (rather than the listed three feet) in clumps. I specifically suggest it (or Mondo Grass or Lirope if they would grow in zone 4, I didn't check), because you have a huge area to cover. I originally bought a gallon pot full of a clump of Sweet Flag and soon realized that I could split it into several little clumps with a shovel. As it turned out, it can be torn apart into individual plants. I would think you could take a single clump and divide it up into a pile of small clumps and spread them in a small area. In a year or so, you could dig them all up and divide into individual or very small clumps and spread them all over your edge and into the water. Of course, my spreading theory might not be as easy or fast as it is for me in zone 7, and in fact might be impossibly slow. My problem is to keep it under control.
...See More
ponddipperdave
20 years ago
I get more pests than wildlife.
A Fox, a Heron and a family of Magpies which seem to keep the birds away. We have a visit from a squirrell and whilst digging up the flower bed, uncovered one of its hordes of peanuts!
We get occasional Blackbirds Bluetits and Sparrows, thats all.
Around My pond in Salford I conducted a survey about 10 years ago and 15 species visited in one day. These included Great Tit, Coal Tit, Wren, Robin, Greenfinch Mistle and Song Thrush.
Dave
big_kid
20 years ago
I believe the decline in small birds and songbirds is because of grey squirrels and magpies. The former rag every nest they can get their destructive little hands on in my garden. The latter rip baby birds out of their nests. I haven't seen a pair of songthrushes for about seven years now.

Best Â£35 I ever spent was on a squirrel trap. I've now caught 19 and they have all been taken on a trip to pastures new, (no, not that great peanut factory in the sky!) and are happily playing around a large park which shall remain nameless. And, yes, I do know I'm very naughty doing this, but hey, who cares... At least my birds are able to rear their babies at last.
Big Kid
dampflippers
Original Author
20 years ago
A couple of weeks ago a sparrowhawk had a prolonged bath in the pond. It landed in one place, then went to the watercress corner but not deep enough, then it tried to land on my floating pottery frog- but too wobbly. Then it paused for a while on the floating solar fountain, before finding a bath site. It sat preening for quite a while.....but this was also very handy for the bird table.....
chippewacat
20 years ago
Wow! What a sight that must have been!
jaci_49
20 years ago
I went out tonight with a torch, as recommended, as I did last night when I saw 5 frogs at the pond, however, tonight not a frog was in sight, but, I was a little startled by a hedgehog, although very pleased to see it.

Related Stories

PATIO OF THE WEEK Koi Glide Around a Tranquil Garden's Moat

By Becky Harris

This idyllic retreat combines lush plantings, statues and moving water for a serene backyard scene

ARCHITECTURE World of Design: 10 Homes That Lap Up the Landscape Around Them

As building techniques develop, architects all over the globe are finding new ways — and new places — to integrate houses with nature

HOME TECH The Inevitable Future of Drones Around Your Home

By Mitchell Parker

As Google joins the push for airborne deliveries, it seems only a matter of time before neighborhoods are buzzing with drones. Is that OK?

TRADITIONAL STYLE Farmhouse Style: Windmill Power Comes Around Again

By Mary Jo Bowling

Windmills helped win the West. Today these hardworking features are still winning our hearts

THE ART OF ARCHITECTURE Design Workshop: Put Industrial Mesh to Work Around the Home

By Eric Reinholdt, Architect

From open gratings to fine weaves, commercial metal mesh is a durable and beautiful choice for residences too

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING How to Make a Pond

By Mitchell Parker

You can make an outdoor fish paradise of your own, for less than you might think. But you'll need this expert design wisdom

ARCHITECTURE Houzz Tour: A Pond House in the Arizona Desert

With water in the back and a descent to get in, this skillfully designed modern home keeps its cool in the Southwestern sun

HOUZZ TOURS Houzz Tour: Rustic Cabin With Dive-In Pond

By Becky Harris

Set on 22 acres and with as many modern comforts as rugged trails, this Montana home is an outdoor lover's paradise

GARDENING GUIDES English Country Garden With Its Own Writer’s Cabin

By Victoria Harrison

Tour this lush and magical Chelsea Flower Show garden with a 2-story wooden cabin and tranquil natural swimming pond

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING Reflecting Pools as Liquid Assets

By Debra Prinzing

Mirroring the sky and the earth, reflecting pools and ponds heighten the sensory experience of nature in your landscape

Sponsored