We finally had the pond emptied and cleaned out last week, first time in 12 years and now we have a clear view of the water and far bank looking from the house. Also now a large pile of plant muck, sludge and weed to get the the local tip.
Yesterday we had a extraordinary variety of birds visit, to start with there were 6/8 Blackbirds, mostly this years fledglings all fighting to find space for a bath.
Then briefly amongst the plants at the back of the pond a Redwing appeared and disappeared just as quickly. The earliest I've ever seen a Redwing and no picture. Equally as quickly and briefly appeared & disappeared was a female Blackcap. The latest in the year I've ever seen one of them as well. There then appeared a succession of Dunnock, Goldfinch,Sparrow, Blue Tit, Great Tot, Greenfinch, Wagtail, pair of Wrens and finally a Heron landed on the deck at the end of the pond.
It wandered around the pond to meet a friend sat on the side.
This is only the second time in 20 years we've had a Heron visit the pond. No food to interest it as there are no fish and the newts will have left the water any now.
Then today Sun we had a Jay land at the pond but I moved in my seat and got was gone. It makes such a difference to the garden having a pond.
A job well done. The heron must have been waiting for a lovely clean pond as well!
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Super photos Tony.
I think a lot of the time, the herons and other birds that feed on fish, will see a body of water and that usually will mean potential food.
Mike
Flickr: Peak Rambler
Great post and photos Tony and shows your hard work cleaning the pond is paying off, nice you saw a Redwing albeit it briefly and Blackcap; I miss our old garden with the pond .......but not the hard work maintaining it all !! Keep updates coming :)
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Regards, Hazel