Large Clay Lined Wildlife Pond Renovation near Durham by Pondguru
Channel: Pondguru
Date: 28/11/2010

Large wildlife pond at Witton Gilbert near Durham. 
The old pond was totally overgrown, had very steep sides and had no suitable shelter for wildlfe around it.
We cut back the overgrown willow and hawthorn from around the edges, taking care to lay all logs and branches in piles near the pond.
Next, with a small digger we cut paths around two sides of the pond and reduced the slope on one side to give better wildlife access and exit. The overgrown grass that had choked the pond was removed mostly with the digger (the rest raked out by hand) and placed over the log piles to create a sheltered environment suitable for amphibians (Hibernaculum).
The surrounding land was shaped with the digger to make a more interesting shaped surround to the pond and also allow future access for a digger or wheelbarow.
The outlet of the pond was raised by approx. 1' (30cm) to allow for more water capacity and a rock wall was integrated in one side of the pond to act as dry shelter for toads and possible basking sites for grass snakes (not present now)
Rough sedge grasses and rushes were planted around the sides to reduce the chances of grass invading the pond.
http://www.pondguru.co.uk
http://www.tynevalleyaquatics.co.uk