Wildlife v. water feature in pond

Heartinthedirt

Hey garden gang. Can I pick your brains on ponds and water features? I've got it in my head from somewhere that frogs don't like moving water for spawning, but you need to keep the water moving to discourage mozzies. Any knowledge on this would be appreciated. Ta. 

Fairygirl

It would depend on the size of the pond as to whether a feature is suitable, or would cause problems, and also your conditions. I've never had mosquitoes in any pond, so I don't know if moving water works to deter them.

I've never heard of that with frogs either, but someone else will know about that. 

Posy

What do you have in mind for 'moving water'? We have a filter and pump to keep our pond water clear and the wildlife are ok with it.

Fire

No, moving water does not deter mozzies. I have tried a fountain in my pond for that reason. It made no difference. The frogs seemed not to mind at all. 

AnguisFragilis

The thing to remember is if creating a wildlife pond that natural ponds don’t have moving water. The problems with artificial moving water features in ponds vary depending upon the species we are talking about. Pond skaters for example detect prey via surface vibrations. I’ve seen pond skaters disappear after the introduction of just an air stone to help with algae (which isn’t an issue for wildlife).  Water features disrupt this and in small ponds where escaping the effects of this are not possible pond skaters will normally move on. The other aspect is the micro fauna. A pond is a fine balance of food webs and it all relies on the micro fauna(the tiny animals). Water features spend their day sucking animals in and spitting them out, depending on the size of the pump and pipes this can include tadpoles, dragonfly larvae etc which will likely die. Normally it would be smaller than this but the effect remains.

Heartinthedirt

Thanks Both. We rescued a bath out of a neighbours skip a few months back, (in pretty good nick, we were tempted to just install it indoors!) So that will be our pond when we get round to it, fairly low down the list of other Jobs for the Weekend. I'm a bit neurotic about not encouraging mosquitoes as poor old OH gets eaten by anything and everything outdoors. Not altogether sure what the plan is for the pond right now, I was thinking of a fountain situation just for the lovely sound of it, but was convinced I'd read something about frogs not liking moving water, can't remember where though. Need to get it done though, probably a bit late in the season for frogs to spawn now anyway isn't it? And I'd need to get the plants in and established sooner rather than later.

Fairygirl

Are you sinking the bath into the ground? It makes it easier for access for all kinds of wildlife, rather than having to build up areas at the ends or sides.

AnguisFragilis

You’re right. Common frogs are species of still water. While they are not that fussy still water is what they need for breeding. 

Heartinthedirt

Fairygirl said:

Are you sinking the bath into the ground? It makes it easier for access for all kinds of wildlife, rather than having to build up areas at the ends or sides.

We did sink it, which became a shenanigan of mud and sludge! We're on clay and have an insanely high water table so when we had a lot of rain (back in Feb, I think) it was like a low-rent version of Raise the Titanic! So we pulled it out, parked it elsewhere and will build up loads of access points around it. It'll either work or it won't but you don't know til you try!

Fairygirl

Might have been easier just to dig out a pond and line it instead - or not even bother to line it   
Why not just have a separate water feature/fountain elsewhere? Maybe where you can see it from your house or a seating area. Then you have both features 

Joyce Goldenlily

Waterlilies do not like moving water. Should you consider planting one in your bath. 

Who doesn't like a waterlily growing in their bath!