The Wildlife Water Garden
Some water gardeners set out to establish a water garden especially for wildlife, while others construct a decorative pond as a garden feature and enjoy the wildlife that inevitably arrives. A survey conducted by a major water gardening supplier recently indicated that irrespective of the primary reason for establishing a water garden, over 60% of respondents said that its role in attracting wildlife was an important consideration and an expected part of the pleasure of owning a pond. So for many pond owners the provision of appropriate planting and facilities is essential.
|
 Attracting wildlife is one of the primary reasons for gardeners wishing to establish a water garden.
|
 Frogs are inextricably bound up in the history and practice of water gardening.
|
The first thoughts of most people when a pond and wildlife are mentioned are of frogs and toads. These creatures are inextricably bound up in the history and practice of water gardening. Throughout the world, garden ponds have provided a welcome new sanctuary for these comical and loveable amphibians. Indeed, in many areas they are the last safe havens now that land has been extensively drained for agricultural purposes. All over Australia there are enthusiasts who actively protect and care for these creatures, and a number of contacts are provided on the web-site to enable the potential frog guardian to create the optimum conditions.
|
Dragonflies, damselflies and other attractive insects usually arrive at a pond unannounced. Their number and diversity can be affected by the plants that are grown and their arrangement in the pond. The pond structure itself can also influence the richness of the aquatic fauna. Adequate shallows and suitably planted areas have a considerable influence upon the prospects for the survival of various species. It is not only food resources that are necessary, but also shelter and protection from predators.
|
 Dragonflies usually arrive at the pond unannounced.
|
 In rural areas birds that bath in the margins of the pond may inadvertently add traces of pesticide to the water.
|
Birds are readily attracted to a water garden. Many species find it a suitable place to bathe and drink, although in rural arable areas it is unwise to encourage bathing in the pond margins. It is much more satisfactory to offer an alternative facility away from the main pond, as birds that have foraged on farmland may inadvertently add traces of pesticide to the water from their plumage as they bathe and drink. In urban areas this is unlikely to be a problem and so shallows and beaches can be created to offer easy access to the water.
|
| Waterfowl and other birds associated with water may visit the pond. Herons can be a nuisance, even in the small domestic pond, while cormorants can devastate fish stocks in larger areas of water. Other waterfowl can be tolerated to varying degrees, although ducks and geese can be very destructive, paddling down the marginal areas and destroying plants. Duck and geese are a pleasant notion for a wildlife pond, but unless it is large and the duck numbers are few the result is unlikely to be appealing. Ducks and geese can destroy a wildlife water garden feature. |
 Ducks can cause great problems for a small domestic garden pond.
|
|
America 
Australia 
Canada 
Europe 
International 
New Zealand 
South Africa 
United Kingdom 
