Spring on the heaths

The pond in my garden

My pond diary - one year on.

By Richard Sharp - Dorset Field Officer, Volunteer Coordinator & H&S Officer Just about a year on from the original pond digging (See Hop Gossip Spring/Summer 2019), things are looking quite good.

I decided to plant up the pond and had several donations of plant material from various colleagues (all great sources of clean material) and have only had one failure so far. I did make the mistake of using some of the left over turf to help weigh down some of the plants, which has led to an imbalance of nitrogen and lots of pond weed and algae! Now I spend the odd hour contemplating by my pond making pond weed candyfloss sticks; it’s all very zen!

The great news is, we have had frog spawn and now tadpoles! I was quite worried that the enclosed nature of some of the neighbouring gardens would restrict amphibian movement but we have also had one solitary Palmate newt turn up under our tin as well! The odyssey continues… Photo: My pond © Richard Sharp

Unexpected Benefits of becoming an ARC Friend

By Dr David Morden - ARC Friend

Some ten years ago I dug a pond in our garden to make it more wildlife-friendly. Thereafter I have always had Smooth Newts in residence, which I’m pleased to see on their return each Spring.

Last Autumn we visited the ARC stand at the Blackmooor Apple Tasting Day, and thereafter my son purchased an ARC subscription for me as a birthday gift.

With the warmer weather our newts put in an appearance, and when checking on one sunny day I noticed a very large newt, which I estimated to be some 6 inches (15 cm) long. Clearly too big for a Smooth Newt, so I fetched the excellent Identification chart that was part of the welcome pack. Yes, the gap in the crest and silvery-white stripe on the tail were visible, confirming it was a male Great Crested Newt! What a surprise!

Since then I have seen several, including this male, and a newtlet that I think is right because of its long toes. I have no idea from whence they came, but it is a privilege to have them in our garden.

I had not expected this extra bonus from a year’s subscription. When it is renewed later this year, perhaps you might arrange for Smooth Snakes in our sand pit next year…