During this Autumn I have been considering the collected information and advice to decide how best we can progress in restoring some wildlife-supporting pond habitat. I found myself caught between two factions: local nature conservation ecologists and professional lake and pond management services. After the talk by Mr Wesley we had become interested in some of his advised treatments such as liming. The local ecologists advised against this as they say it is not appropriate for small natural ponds. The processes listed in the Autumn newsletter have been revised.
So I began to think, what is the basic requirement which would promote wildlife? Of course, vegetation! Vegetation always has to come first. It provides so many fundamentally vital functions without which nothing else can thrive and of course it also adds interest and attractiveness. We have good photographs and memories of a well vegetated pond a generation ago when there were crested newts and the annual migration of frogs and toads. So, though the poor water quality has been the most consistent focus for concern it may be that since its treatment is so contentious we could bypass it.
So, what affects the establishment and colonization of vegetation on the pond? There are two culprits: fish and ducks, which do many of the same things destructively affecting the habitat of a small pond. Both eat vegetation, defecate in the water (thus adding nutrients) and stir up the silt into a murk which also recycles the nutrients but prevents light from penetrating the water and promoting growth of plants. However, ducks are like a wild pet for parents to begin to introduce their children to our fellow creatures. So, it is the fish which we plan to deal with, although there are logistical problems.
Rod D'Ayala, who wrote the scoping report for our pond prior to the dredging, is the main ecologist I have been in discussion with and he firmly states that we have to remove all the fish as they will prevent the re-establishment of vegetation. What I am sure people will ask - as I do myself – is, surely the pond always had fish (and ducks!) so why would we try to remove all the fish? I can only say that we need to reset the habitat of the pond and establish vegetation once more and of course fish will find their way back one day - one way or another!
Rod will be coming to pay us a visit to help develop our plans and the shortened list is now as follows: remove the fish, decide on a suite of local plant species which may thrive in the pond and plan a planting scheme which may include some protective measures to keep the ducks away from them until they get established.
Graham Thorne
722540