It's perfectly possible to have a wildlife pond that's good for wildlife but also for yourself @myclayjungle. It's just a question of getting the site right initially, and then planting up accordingly. Some nice shallow areas are important for wasps/bees etc to drink safely, and small birds to bathe, and you can achieve that by having a sloping edge for creatures to get in and out safely. It's much easier to use a liner for that reason, and it's also easier when it comes to digging out the hole to start with!
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Our wildlife pond is filled by a overfill pipe from a water butt which is fed from the garage roof. This means it gets filled when the butt is full and if we have dry weather I can fill it from the butt. I mention this because it's about as much work as I do on the pond, flipping the butt tap open while I potter about. I do cut back the foliage at the end of the year and divide plants but I'd be surprised if it takes more than a couple of hours a year. Wildlife ponds shouldn't need constant work. They can take a couple of years to get through the grotty stage and become stable but the other problems are caused by to many nutrients. Don't use tap water and you have fought half the battle. Ours gets a little algae if it's sunny but not warm in spring but once the plants get going it clears up and remains crystal clear because of the plants.
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Some nice shallow areas are important for wasps/bees etc to drink safely, and small birds to bathe, and you can achieve that by having a sloping edge for creatures to get in and out safely. It's much easier to use a liner for that reason, and it's also easier when it comes to digging out the hole to start with!
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Wildlife ponds shouldn't need constant work. They can take a couple of years to get through the grotty stage and become stable but the other problems are caused by to many nutrients. Don't use tap water and you have fought half the battle. Ours gets a little algae if it's sunny but not warm in spring but once the plants get going it clears up and remains crystal clear because of the plants.