The Mickleover Meadows Ponds : August 2009

The New Pond at the Meadows

The new pond is going to be a success, the water level is holding and the surrounding meadow, which was inevitably damaged during digging work, is recovering well.

Although slow to clear there are signs that this will be a viable habitat. A preliminary survey found that there were greater water boatmen (back swimmers), pond skaters, lesser water boatmen and a rich supply of microscopic organisms which will provide food for future residents.

A small amount of duck weed has been imported from the other pond nearby and there is some algal growth at the margins.

It is important that this gradual and natural development is allowed to continue to allow a very special site to be established.

Next Spring will be a very exciting time when it is hoped that the nearby amphibian colonies will discover and start to breed in this new habitat.

Murray Park Pond

This pond is completely smothered with duck weed at the present time, the water level is low but it has kept water all year round since the improvements were made i.e. the dam and the link with the brook.

There has been a loss of plant varieties at the margins of the pond, and on the surface. The water starwort has been largely lost and the marsh marigold wasn't visible but the flag iris and the branched burr reed introduced in June are just about surviving.

Sampling for macroinvertebrates was hindered by the mud and duck weed contaminating the nettings, but we did find greater water boatmen, shrimp, pond snails, water slaters, daphnia and smooth newts. We also know we had a lot of frog spawn earler in the year so this pond is doing amazingly well considering the state it is in.

We are waiting until October, as advised, to clear the surface of duckweed, and hopefully this Autumn the promised tree work will take place, the improved light availabilty from both these actions should give is a much healthier, more desirable habitat. Perhaps next year it will achieve its' full potential.