Whether you’ve been wondering how to attract wildlife to your pond and garden or you want to give your aquatic area a much-needed boost of life, there are a few things you can do. Listed here are some great ways to enhance your landscape and ensure that your outdoor space is home to the creatures that have made a home in your area for centuries.
Pond Safety for Wildlife
Keeping pond safety for wildlife in mind is important. If you plan to attract native species, you’ll need to make sure that your pond is in a safe location.
Whether you have a small pond or a large one, there are some simple ways to keep it safe for wildlife. It’s a good idea to keep some natural products around your pond to help protect it.
Plants provide shelter for a variety of wildlife. For example, some insects, amphibians, and terrestrial animals need a tall grass travel corridor. Adding shrubs and trees can create a habitat for these animals.
If you’re not sure if your pond is suitable for a habitat structure, consult an extension publication. It can help you determine whether a pond is right for your yard and give you instructions on how to fill it.
The depth of your pond is also important for wildlife. A shallow pond isn’t attractive to many predators, so make sure that your pond is at least 60 cm deep. If your pond has running water, it should be close to a source of electricity.
If you’re concerned that a predator will be able to get into your pond, consider installing a fence. A good fence should be at least a metre high. It should be secure so that animals cannot climb it. You may also want to add features along the edge of the pond, such as a plant shelf or shallow area. These will discourage raccoons and other nocturnal predators from getting into your pond.
Wildlife-Friendly Features
Adding a wildlife pond or water feature to your garden is a great way to draw in a variety of species of wild animals. These can include birds, butterflies, frogs, toads and more. They can also serve as an oasis for many other creatures.
Creating a wildlife pond is not as difficult as you might think. You can either build a pond from scratch or convert an existing one. You can even use a container pond as a wildlife habitat.
You can find a wide range of books at your local bookstore that provide information on attracting different types of animals to your yard. These can range from guides to bird attracting and gardening, to waterfowl management. If you’re not sure how to start, watch YouTube videos for guidance.
You may want to consider installing a bird feeder. Having a feeder provides an easy source of food for many different species. You can also plant a fruit tree that bears berries in the summer. You can also offer food such as leftover kitchen fat or fatty grains.
The best place to put a pond is in a sunny sheltered spot. It’s a good idea to avoid putting a pond near houses, as wildlife may be disturbed by the noise and movement of people.
Natural Corridors for Visitors
Putting in a pond or garden is no small feat, especially if you’re on a budget. To make the process worthwhile, you need to do a little planning and preparation. You need to choose a pond location that is well suited to the type of plants and animals that call your yard home, and make sure that your pond features a good drainage system to prevent flooding. For best results, keep it free of invasive species, including fish, birds, and mice. If you’re lucky, you’ll find that you have a healthy ecosystem that thrives and produces some interesting and unusual creatures.
The best way to do this is to create a wildlife corridor. This is best accomplished by using the right combination of native plants and shrubs, which are not too invasive. For instance, you can use a mix of bog and marsh plants, as long as they’re well rooted and pruned. These two pillars of the plant kingdom will go a long way toward ensuring that your pond will survive the ravages of time. Creating a wildlife corridor, however, will require some upfront investment of time and money, but it’s a worthy endeavor, and can prove to be a calming, relaxing experience for both humans and pets alike.
The Importance of Native Pond Plants
Having native pond plants in your pond or garden can enhance the beauty and ecology of the pond. They provide food and cover for aquatic wildlife, support and protect fish, and attract insects and other animals.
There are three types of pond plants. These include floating plants, submerged plants, and marginal plants. Each type of plant contributes to the health of the pond.
Having diverse species of pond plants will help to regulate the temperature, condition the air in the home, sequester carbon, and increase wildlife habitat. This will eventually lead to a well-balanced pond ecology without human intervention.
Adding floating plants to your pond can attract and protect small fish. They also serve as a source of shade and protection for the water’s surface. However, they can be difficult to see, as they often stick out in the water.
Other plants you may want to consider are hornwort, which hides beneath the surface of the water. This is a perennial that is often found in damp habitats. In addition, it provides shelter for tadpoles and hides from predators.
Another great plant to add to your pond is the Marsh marigold, which is known as the kingcup. It is a good source of nectar and pollen and has pretty yellow flowers.
Common Pond Visitors Who to Expect?
Thousands of species thrive in garden ponds. These critters provide benefits to your home and garden, such as carbon sequestration, water regulating ambient temperatures, and pollination of flowering native plants.
Among the most common pond visitors are fish, frogs, amphibians, lizards, tadpoles, and insects. These animals are well adapted to seek out a pond. Some are even able to enter a pond and swim. Others prefer to bask in the sun or remain partially submerged.
Having a pond with varied types of pond inhabitants makes a pond more likely to be self-sustaining. This is particularly important when wild animals visit a pond. In addition, a pond that has a diverse range of plant and animal species is better equipped to handle changes and other environmental stresses.
While you may want to avoid introducing non-native ornamentals into your pond, many of these plants are helpful for attracting wildlife. Some also offer shelter for critters, which can help to protect them from predators.
Another benefit of a pond is the diversity of microorganisms that are found there. These organisms can be single cells or clustered in colonies. The best way to identify these organisms is to examine them under a microscope.
Creating Microhabitats
Creating microhabitats in your pond and garden can be a fun way to bring a variety of wildlife into your yard. Small animals can easily hide and hide in these tiny pockets of life.
You can use rocks and logs to create these microhabitats. Place them at the edge of your pond or along the sides to provide shelter for small mammals. These habitats also add nutrients to the soil.
Another idea is to build a series of small islands near the shore of your pond. These islands are great places to attract fish and other aquatic creatures. The deeper areas of your pond are ideal for hiding from predators.
You can make a series of holes or coves in your pond for frogs and other aquatic animals to hide from predators. Plants in the surrounding area can be used as a food source for these creatures.
Planting marginal shrubs and flowering plants near your pond can create safe havens for small animals. These plants will attract a variety of birds, insects, and other small creatures.
Another way to create microhabitats is to plant trees. These can help attract a variety of bird species and be a good source of shade. This can also help cool down your yard on hot days.
Benefits of Having a Diverse Pond
Having a diverse pond and garden can benefit the health of both the ecosystem and the wildlife. By adding plants, you can enhance the water quality, provide food and shelter for wildlife, and help cycle pollutants.
The most important thing to remember when choosing plants for your pond is that they need to be the right size for your pond and style. If you select plants that are too big, they can clog your pond. You also need to consider light levels. If you have a pond that has little or no shade, you will not attract as much wildlife as a pond with lots of sun.
Floating plants can aid frogs in entering your pond. They also provide nesting and sheltering sites. This helps frogs and other aquatic wildlife survive.
It is also helpful to place plants along the pond’s edge. These are sometimes called bank plants. This gives small birds and other wildlife access to the pond. It also reduces wave action and can help lower the temperature.
The best pond plants for your area are likely to be native species. If you are not sure which species to choose, you can ask your local nursery.
