Wildlife Gardening - Green Gardening Guide » Garden pond wildlife

Oxygenating pond plants

Alan — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 14:13:56 +0000

A garden pond is a thing of beauty – and sometimes major frustration, head scratching and a lot of trial and error.

If you are fortunate enough to have the space and the time to establish a small pond in your garden, take the time to learn about the plants that are most suitable for your purposes and the climate they’ll be growing in.

Oxygenating plants are a good choice, as they help keep the water clear of algae and provide cover for fish and other wildlife. Most grow underwater and do not root in the bottom, so it’s easy to control their growth. A couple of the best options are hornwort and curly pondweed, both hardy native plants that can survive a British winter, and the curly pondweed even blooms with delicate pink and white flowers in early summer.

Water violets are also oxygenators, and though they’re a bit harder to get started, it’s worth the effort. Besides producing lovely flowers that grow up to ten inches above the surface, they can thrive in water up to two feet deep. Water lilies, on the other hand, are an established favourite but not always the best choice for a small pond, as they require a lot of light. Others that do well in deeper water and can handle shadier conditions are Brandy Bottle (common pond lily) and Golden Club.

Floating plants like water hyacinths and fairy moss are notoriously invasive, but in small garden ponds they are easily controlled and add a lot of character. Marginal plants that grow in the very shallow water along the edge of a pond can be wonderfully decorative. Yellow Flag and Harlequin Blue Flag Iris, Marsh Marigold and many others are all good options, but note that most of them tend to be invasive so you have to watch them closely or they can take over the pond.

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Tree disease spread by grey squirrels

Alan — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 16:27:43 +0000

There is growing concern that the increasing spread of Phytophthora ramorum, which is causing both extensive damage and mortality to British trees is actually closely linked to the native grey squirrel. There is now anecdotal evidence which now suggests that those trees that have been damaged by grey squirrels are particularly likely to be infected, and the grey squirrels themselves are actually carrying the disease spores between the trees.

Phytophthora ramorum is a fungus like pathogen which is killing huge numbers of Japanese Larch trees in the UK. Very few trees were affected prior to 2009, but since 2010 the disease was found initially in Japanese Larches in south west England, Wales and in both northern and the republic of Ireland. Now however, it has been confirmed that infected trees have been found in Scotland, The Derbyshire peak district and the north west of England.

The chairman of the European Squirrel Initiative, George Farr, has said that the reports that are coming in from foresters has indicated that the when the damage done to a Larch by a grey squirrel is particularly bad, the phytophthora spores have easy access to the tree.

“Phytophthora enters the trees via a wound, and as a fungal disease, can be carried by grey squirrels as they move from tree to tree. It is vital that, as part of good forestry practice, grey squirrels are controlled to prevent the spread of this economically damaging disease. This is also a wake-up call for the Forestry Commission to ensure that they exercise proper grey squirrel control on their estates,” he added.

Grey squirrels are already estimated to cost the economy in excess of £14 million per annum. A report from the international research organisation, CABI, commissioned by the Scottish government, Defra and the Welsh Assembly Government established this figure and warned that they real costs could be significantly higher.

“These reports reinforce the importance of the removal of grey squirrels and the devastating impact they are having on our woodlands and eco system,” added Mr Farr.

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Natural pond algae killer

Alan — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 06:58:33 +0000

Using chemical solutions to eliminate pond algae can be tricky and dangerous. If you over do it, it may kill all your fish, or if you are worried about using too much, it may not be useful at all and you will have wasted your time.

Now, eliminating pond algae is easier than ever and you have helpers that will help do the work for you. Florida flag fish and Black mollies will help to eliminate the pond algae. You can start with just about 24 mollies, with twice as many females as males, or more if you can make enough different families.

Doing this not only eliminates the string algae in the pond but it can also make you some money. You can sell the fattened up fish and make a bit of money, then use it to buy more fish the following year. And the mollies that are white or gold add to the look of the pond.

The koi fish help to stir up the algae and they will not harm the other fish, this makes it easier for the mollies to eat it. You will not eliminate all the algae but you can control is much better. Mollies will reproduce each month so in a year’s time you could have between 100-200 mollies taking care of the algae.

The fish are good to have because you do not have to be worried about giving them food since they will dine on the algae. You can also add lily pads to the pond to help keep sunlight out and keep warmth in by not escaping from the surface of the water.

By eliminating the algae is this manner you save money and can make some, if you decide to sell the fish at the end of the year. This method is very effective and if tried you will be very surprised at the results.

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Disease threatens garden birds

Alan — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 02:37:31 +0000

The public is being urged by conservationists to help with tracking a spreading bird disease that in recent years has taken a hold of many garden birds, and particularly the Great Tits, which are being spotted with lesions that are caused by the disease.

The first case of British avian pox was confirmed by scientists in 2006, prior to that the virus was only found in birds in Austria, Slovakia, Scandinavia and the Czech Republic. The pox virus, last year, reached Oxfordshire in Wytham Woods that has a Great Tit population that scientists have monitored since 1947, and is the longest running study in the world of its kind.

When the disease was first detected many were very concerned, said Edward Grey Institute’s Ben Sheldon. Avian pox produces tumour-like, warty growths in birds close to their beak and eyes. It has an effect on a number of British birds like the House Sparrow, Dunnock, Wood Pigeon and Starling, but it affects the Great Tit worst of all.

London’s Zoological Society’s wildlife vet Becki Lawson said that on the Great Tits the lesions can be much more severe that with other species. They appear most commonly on the head and are quite large, but also can be seen on other parts of the bird’s body.

It is unknown as to whether or not the infections are lethal but nonetheless they affect the bird’s vision and ability to fly meaning they are more prone to be victims of their predators. The virus is spread via direct contact between individual birds or through insect bites and through indirect connect at places like bird feeders or perches. Work is being done to try and isolate the avian pox virus.

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Tempting frogs into your garden

Alan — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 21:43:50 +0000

Frogs in your garden is a good goal to aim for. They help keep the insect population low and they will also serenade you with lovely songs. The best way to get frogs in the garden is to build a pond that is frog friendly. By recreating a natural habitat for them you will have the best success in attracting frogs and keeping them.

But remember if you live in a region where frogs are not normally seen, then the chances you can attract them is quite slim. Importing frogs to an area where they usually are not plentiful will in most cases not work either, since the frog will not thrive in an ambiance that it is not familiar to them or not to their liking.

A frog friendly pond will limit you to native species which in the long run is the best. Species that are not native sometimes create problems in different ways. They may not survive or they may survive and then create a population that could affect the ecosystem in a negative way.

The best thing to do to attract them is to find the habitat that is preferred by your native frogs and recreate the same habitat as close as you can in your own garden. You may be able to get information from your local authority as to what frogs are native to your area.

Make sure your pond is easily accessible for the frogs. Sloping the sides is a must to allow the frogs to get in and out without any difficulty. A flexible pond liner is the best to use to mold the exact shape you want. Do not worry about waterfalls, aeration or filtration, frogs want still water. No fish either, since they are natural predators of frogs and lots of plants both in and out of the pond.

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Create a butterfly friendly garden

Alan — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 04:14:24 +0000

To draw beautiful development and colour to your landscaping make a butterfly friendly garden, while helping in the pollination of fruit, flowers and vegetables. Sadly the expanding urbanisation and other development is making the natural habitats for butterflies smaller and smaller, leaving them fewer places to mate, lay eggs and feed.

There are a myriad of ideas for changing that trend and the gardens do not have to be large as it is easy to have plants in pots on the patio as well as those hanging baskets and window boxes.

Butterflies need plenty of sun to maintain their body temperature so it is important your garden is in the sunniest area possible. The way to entice them to come is with the different nectar sources and they love tube shape open flowers.

All butterflies begin as caterpillars and need to have host plants for food. Many of these plants are native like wildflowers that may grow close to your home. Some great choices of plants are clovers, violets and milkweeds. After it rains butterflies will congregate close to a puddle or area that is damp to get minerals from the soil as well as drink. To help butterflies to return you can maintain a water spot in the same area allows.

Butterfly gardens have become real popular and the business is booming. Butterfly farms will sell you butterflies to release at special events like a wedding. Many think the butterflies will lessen those same butterflies that may be in the bride and grooms stomachs. Butterflies and flowers go hand in hand. Many a poet has described both flowers and butterflies in the same poem and will forever.

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Providing shelter for wild animals in your garden

Alan — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 09:37:59 +0000

We still can do our own share to help get wildlife to come to our gardens even though things seem to be improving with the protection of our wildlife in the countryside. By providing shelter and food for birds as well as other wildlife it becomes possible to lower the use of chemicals and sprays that we use in the garden and in the countryside you will be surprised by the few aphids and other insects pest you see.

Firstly it is important to have a bird table to feed birds in your garden. Besides just feeding them we need to give the bird’s shelter and a place for them to roost. Trees can be planted if the garden is sufficiently large to not make it over crowded. Trees not only provide a roosting spot for the birds but also an area from nesting and an area to hang bird feeders.

A plentiful supply of food for birds can be accomplished by planting shrubs or trees that produce berries giving them a natural food source. One tree you may want to avoid is the Elder. Black birds love the Elder and will then deposit all over your car and washing.

Insects are another food source for birds. You can attract insects by stacking up tree trunks and other branches in a corner of the garden that is shady. These areas will provide shelter for hedgehogs and smaller mammals. Moths and butterflies can be attracted by having shrubs like Lavender or Buddleia.

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Tictchfield Park, wildlife garden open day

Alan — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 06:19:04 +0000

An open day in Tictchfield Park, Hucknall at a wildlife garden can easily be described as the bee’s knees. The garden was created to encourage native bees that have been threatened with pollution and environmental pressures to visit the area that is packed with plants.

Leenside Women’s Institute (WI) is supporting the project that was launched because of the decision by the National Federation of WI’s to begin the Bee SOS campaign to fund research to find out why the population of bees is dwindling.

The Hucknall garden took shape last year in April with the help of Beardall Street Primary School, TV gardening expert John Stirland who designed it and the Ashfield District Council.

To celebrate its success the Leenside WI arranged for the open day as a combined fundraiser. There were attractions like bee-inspired posters that Beardall children created. There also was a raffle, demonstrations of card making and tombola. In all £130 was raised to go into the bee-garden fund to help pay for the memorial bench in memory of Leenside president Marian Shaw.

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Nettles are key to garden wildlife

Alan — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 06:18:12 +0000

We may not rush to smell their aroma or coo over how beautiful they may be, but nettles are a very important plant in the world of wildlife and can also be very valuable to people. The RSPB is asking that people see then as much more than just a weed.

More than 40 kinds of insects are supported by the native plant stinging nettles. They act as magnets for birds and others that eat insects like shrews, frogs, toads and hedgehogs during the entire year.

Many overwintering insects are held by nettle patches which hover around the nettles in spring and provide early season food for lady birds. Blue tits and other birds eat these aphids as they dart around the stems. The myriad of seeds produced in late summer are food from the birds that eat seeds including chaffinches, bullfinches and sparrows.

Nettles also help to support some of the most colourful of all butterflies like the red admiral, comma, tortoiseshell and the peacock butterflies, feeding in large groups near the top of the stems of the nettles. Nettles are also liked by moths, some insects and some only live in nettle patches, like the nettle weevil.

Stinging hairs on the nettle act as protection against grazing animals and only those that are the bravest and hardiest will eat them. Cultivating a nettle patch in your garden is even suggested by the RSPB and request that you think twice before getting rid of a patch that is in your garden now. Nettles have a very long cultural significance as well as being beneficial to wildlife and can be of value to people. Some have eaten them for centuries.

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Dragonflies in your garden

Alan — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 04:41:37 +0000

Great Britain is home to over 30 species of dragonfly, those colourful iridescent darters that are a treat to watch and a great gnat controller to boot. Dragonflies and their generally smaller cousin’s damselflies are a welcome addition to any garden pond, and they are easy to attract if you can provide the right habitat. Different species adapt to a range of habitats, but the keys are clean water, plentiful shelter and insects for them to eat.

A sheltered, sunny pond with a good border of water plants as well as submerged and emerging plants will offer a very satisfactory breeding ground. Submerged plant life is necessary for larvae to survive, and emerging plants such as flowering rush and water mint give the developing dragons a place to climb up and out when they are ready to take to the air as adults. If your pond is situated near larger shrubs and trees, so much the better, as they provide additional shelter and food sources.

The pond does not need to be large or deep; it should definitely have shallow, gently sloping margins to support the aquatic plant life and provide a larval habitat. Most experts say the depth need not be more than two feet at its deepest, just enough to provide shelter from predators. Light coloured flat rocks near the perimeter make ideal perching and basking areas. Don’t mow the edges; tall grasses and flowering plants attract other insects for dragons and damsels to feed on, as well as providing perches and shelter.

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