Garden Wildlife UK

Willpar wrote: Wed Jul 26, 2023 8:26 am See that the pond has tiny little wriggly things. Could that be mosquito larvae? Also filaments of green now growing on the sides. Take it that is algae.

Yep, I think you're right on both counts. The mosquito larvae will thrive unless there is something to eat them. Goldfish love them but I doubt that you want any introduced species.

Just goes to show what a small amount of water can do.

Saw this on Twitter.
Might be useful to you Willpar

https://www.wwt.org.uk/wetlands-can/mini-wetlands

Very informative Kev, thank you.

Here is an update of the pond I put in not quite two years ago. This year it has took off and has flowers from two plants and they are spreading. Only groan I have its the amount of string algae that grows in it. The water gets quite warm in the shallow parts. Think there may be small water snails in there also. Must have come with the plants that was put in. Not happy with the grass, but if I pull it out the plants may well come out with it. So perhaps trim it with scissors.

It looks like your marginals are thriving. The algae can be a problem and can only controlled by hauling lumps of it out. After a while the pond will get into balance but until then it must not be allowed to take over.
Are there any signs of wildlife other than the snail? It is surprising what turns up uninvited.

Thank you JS, I haul out the algae a couple of times a week, is quite hard to get some of it as there are plant roots everywhere but do my best. Not seen any other wildlife in it yet, got me thinking that the water may be a bit too warm for it in the summer months. It does have a deep section but that is around 18 inches deep. nave never really put my arm down in it to feel how warm that part is.

Willpar wrote: Wed May 21, 2025 8:16 pm Thank you JS, I haul out the algae a couple of times a week, is quite hard to get some of it as there are plant roots everywhere but do my best. Not seen any other wildlife in it yet, got me thinking that the water may be a bit too warm for it in the summer months. It does have a deep section but that is around 18 inches deep. nave never really put my arm down in it to feel how warm that part is.

Natural heat is unavoidable. The only answer is to plant a shrub with enough height to give a little shade. Try to avoid anything that will drop a lot of leaves or debris into the pond.