Pond organisms such as beetles, insects, snails and other invertebrates will eventually colonise a new pond, but this can be speeded up by bringing, with permission, a few bucketfuls of pond sediment from a nearby healthy pond of the type you wish to create.
Amphibians will find their way to the pond if there is a population in the neighbourhood. Because of the risk of transferring ‘red-leg’ and other diseases of frogs, it is not generally recommended to transfer spawn from one pond to another. Your local wildlife trust will be able to advise on the incidence of frog diseases in your area.
Most children are fascinated by tadpoles. Try to harness this enthusiasm by encouraging them to protect an establishing population against collection by other small children with jam jars! Toads will return to breed in the pond in which they were tadpoles, so adult toads should never be collected. All native species of amphibians are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, and it is illegal to sell adults, eggs or larvae. The natterjack toad and great crested newt are further protected, and it is illegal to collect or disturb them at any stage in their life cycle. Their habitats are also protected.
It is also illegal to introduce non-native amphibians into the wild. Some exotic species are established from earlier introductions and escapes, along with terrapins and other exotics. Don’t introduce fish, as these will eat the spawn and tadpoles of amphibians.
Ducks may be attracted to a new pond, but should not be encouraged on ponds under about 100 m2. Ducks look appealing, but rapidly make the water turbid by their activity, and eat submerged and emergent plants. Discourage them landing by stretching strings or old netting across the pond. Herons are usually welcome visitors, unless the pond is stocked with fish, but they do also prey on frogs. Herons can be discouraged by placing a plastic heron (available from garden centres) by the pond, so a heron flying overhead thinks the pond is already occupied! Some cats will amuse themselves by stalking and ‘playing with’ froglets and adult frogs. Try the bucket of water technique.
