Ponds are a real haven for wildlife and a garden pond is an ideal way to get close to nature in your home. Ponds can provide beauty and interest for your garden so why not create your own and make a difference.
Did you know...
Ponds are essential habitats for many species and support over two thirds of British freshwater plant and animal species.
Garden ponds can be a real haven for wildlife -well designed garden ponds can provide a refuge for many species of freshwater plants and animals. Birds drink and bathe in the shallow margins, or eat the autumn seed heads of reeds. Insects feed on exposed mud, and at night, bats hunt for flying insects over the water. If you want to see plenty of wildlife close to home, put in a garden pond.
Some three-quarters (more than a million) of Britain's ponds have been lost over the last hundred years and due to their size and familiarity they are consistently undervalued.
Many ponds are now polluted from run-off from roads and agricultural fields. Others are changing naturally through lack of management and are overgrown by trees or filling with silt.
Garden ponds are an ideal introduction to wildlife for children. Children can get close to nature in their own back garden and can learn about pond creatures and the habitat they rely on.
Once constructed, garden ponds require little maintenance and can make a real difference to wildlife providing they have been well designed.
Download and make a Bugdial so that you can identify pond creatures.