With the wind and rain howling around us we made a salvage attempt on the pond which had dropped even further over night. With help from Tel and Mark Hart we managed to remove and bag up the once beautiful waterlillies, water soldier and literally sacks of pond weed. This will all be collected today and re homed in other local garden ponds as well as at the new reserve at Stow Maries Aerodrome . I also took the decision to remove the thriving Gunnera as it will no longer have access to a permanent water source even if we do bog garden the area. Last year it wilted overnight when the water dropped too low. At least by doing this at the moment when the weather is so foul it will not get too stressed about moving and should relish its new home.
During the clearance we found several Pirate Water Spiders, Saucerbugs, Smooth Newts, a few surviving Sticklebacks and a HUGE Horse Leech. All we re-homed in the nearest ditch. We have not removed the water yet and will have good pond dipping session of our own before we infill the central area. We shall then plant this up with moisture loving plants and begin a new era of people engagement in the Wildlife Garden.
A hole filled with stifling vegetation
Ruined...
Nice trousers....
Getting stuck in...
EVICTED......
Horse Leech
Pirate Water Spider
Saucer Bug
Water Scorpion ... they breath out of their bums you know!
Female Smooth Newt
The making of a new wildlife refuge
Just a final thank you....
Images taken by Mark Hart
8-6-12
Howard Vaughan, Information Officer
Howard - it is a sorry state of affairs when needless vandalism results in the destruction seen over the past week - I suggest a 15 foot hole filled with quick sand as this is the only thing deserving to these ........... people (used sparingly)