I would go fish free, there is research that points to some newt species actively avoiding ponds with fish and fish will clear up frog spawn and tadpoles in no time. Not toad spawn and toad tadpoles though, they don't like the taste.
Having said that, lots of people find they start with frogs and end up with only newts. It is often the case then that the newts are eating all the frog spawn.
It's all part of nature but my first option for a wildlife pond would be to introduce nothing at all, let nature choose and it is more fun to see what happens along naturally and makes the pond its home.
I have surveyed ponds in the past that had fish, frogs and newts living side by side so there are always exceptions and I'm sure lots of people have fish ponds shared by wildlife.
I asked when I first moved in here if I was allowed to build a pond. I rent the property and the housing office said: "No way!" They see it as too hazardous for neighbouring children.
Nutcutlet - definitely a fence around it, chickens seem to be attracted to water and have an awful habit of drowning. It is the sort used for a rabbit run, as opposed to solid fencing but also wider gaps than chicken wire to allow amphibians in and out.
Gemma we are the other end of the country to you. We have had newts and frogs alongside each other before but the frogs were exceptionally plentiful so I assume the newts were never able to predate them completely. Also would you introduce no plant life at all and just see what arrives? I am feeling quite indecisive about that!
Excuse the lack of paragraphs but it is the sad side effect of using a mobile
Minosgardener, there is a thread that was just bumped up a short while ago. "Even a micro pond works" (something like that as the title). The user who built a micro pond added plants to help with the oxygenation of the water. The thread is absolutely worth reading. I think I will be able to have a mini pond after all. Small enough for the eager eyes of the housing manager to miss lol
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I'm in Essex Minosgardener.
the little fishies will eat the eggs of amphibians Wk, unless you can find some vegetarians.
In the sticks near Peterborough
Ah, I see...didn't think of that, nutcutlet
Lots of wildlife eat the eggs as well but they're OK
In the sticks near Peterborough
I would go fish free, there is research that points to some newt species actively avoiding ponds with fish and fish will clear up frog spawn and tadpoles in no time. Not toad spawn and toad tadpoles though, they don't like the taste.
Having said that, lots of people find they start with frogs and end up with only newts. It is often the case then that the newts are eating all the frog spawn.
It's all part of nature but my first option for a wildlife pond would be to introduce nothing at all, let nature choose and it is more fun to see what happens along naturally and makes the pond its home.
I have surveyed ponds in the past that had fish, frogs and newts living side by side so there are always exceptions and I'm sure lots of people have fish ponds shared by wildlife.
I think I'd put a circling faux shark fin in there lol
I asked when I first moved in here if I was allowed to build a pond. I rent the property and the housing office said: "No way!" They see it as too hazardous for neighbouring children.
Nutcutlet - definitely a fence around it, chickens seem to be attracted to water and have an awful habit of drowning. It is the sort used for a rabbit run, as opposed to solid fencing but also wider gaps than chicken wire to allow amphibians in and out.
Gemma we are the other end of the country to you. We have had newts and frogs alongside each other before but the frogs were exceptionally plentiful so I assume the newts were never able to predate them completely. Also would you introduce no plant life at all and just see what arrives? I am feeling quite indecisive about that!
Excuse the lack of paragraphs but it is the sad side effect of using a mobile
Minosgardener, there is a thread that was just bumped up a short while ago. "Even a micro pond works" (something like that as the title). The user who built a micro pond added plants to help with the oxygenation of the water. The thread is absolutely worth reading. I think I will be able to have a mini pond after all. Small enough for the eager eyes of the housing manager to miss lol