I think he's given up for awhile--he's not hovering over the nest this morning!

I would love to add a domestic species into my pond. I can't wait to get newts.

I have 7 goldfish 7-10cm long and 2-3 baby goldfish. Will they eat the sticklebacks?

Mark

I was told that the newts would come, and they have. I have no idea from where, but they have. Their population has been gradually increasing and now there are about 1/2 dozen spring residents that I can identify. If the conditions are right, the wildlife do come.

Also would I need filters and heaters and all that, I'd rather leave it as it is.

My pond is purely a wildlife pond, without filters or heaters. When I figure out how to post pictures I will, yours were so inspiring!

Sikario, I was told before I had my pond, by an ecologist that if you want diversity and lots of pond creatures, don't have any fish at all- even sticklebacks. I ignored this and put in a few resulting from a trip with son and net... and now I can see why! They breed like rabbits! Consequently I built my second pond which is totally fish free. Perversely the frogs laid their spawn in the stickleback pond, so I transferred some of the spawn to the fishless pond.
Marky, sticklebacks are very carnivorous, and I'm sure they must eat tadpoles but I haven't witnessed it. You could phone round a few local aquatic shops to see if they sell them. Otherwise pond dipping with the owners's permission is your best bet.
There is a scientific supplier I found last year which is in Kent. A bit pricey but at least it's legal, and the 5 pack would be enough. Tell them you would like to collect rather than pay postage.http://www.blades-bio.co.uk/pond_life.htm

What I am amazed by, is what finds you, and where they come from. I have only imported the stickelbacks and some ramshorn snails, everything else has just appeared. I imagine some of the bugs are airborne, and others (like the common snail, bloodworms, flatworms and the like) just come in on plants and become part of the ecosystem relatively quickly. My pond is only just into its fourth year, and I am amazed by the bio-diversity--even with the stickelbacks which I too was warned about dampflippers!

In fact, I think its the various species that make it ponding fun for me. Recently I've become intrigued by the different 'houses' of the caddis fly which I only just discovered. Some are neat and others are quite chaotic in their design! Mind you, I'm out most evenings squatting by the pond with a torch--best way of watching mini-beast and amphibious activity! My 13 year old daughter thinks I'm rather sad sometimes!

Looks like once intoduced the stickle backs are there to stay. How small are they then?

If I add any more things into the pond I want it to eat some weed at least, if sticklebacks are purely carnivores I am not too sure.

Marky

If there is anyone near to Northwich in Cheshire who would sell me some out of their pond I would be really grateful.

At the moment I have two freshwater mussels and a tiny frog and I am hoping that thedy could all live together.

Yours,
John.

PS
I HATE blanketweed

Site looks amazing Alison, give him a pat on the back.

Steve

I don't think there is any point trying to move the beetles, they will just fly back if your pond is a good food source. If they are there, it must mean you have something for them to eat (ie a balanced healthy pond).

ps I would prefer to have newts than sticklebacks, but they haven't found my pond naturally yet. :o(

After searching the web I have put some logs at the back area of the pond and will be putting some pots and perhaps a covered pipe. There will be lots of plant cover when it settles in and grows.

Im unsure now and possibly regret going for the rigid liner, it doesn't give any shallow waters, it gives three steps at various points at about half deapth for plants. Thus it does have steep sides not ideal I for a wildlife pond I now realise. its about 1m x 1.5m. Nothing I can do about that now thou.

I did read that somemone said about putting a log in the pond for frogs to lap up the sun, is this a good idea? Does it matter what wood the log is?

Can anyone give any advice on pond plants I can put in to encourage most wildlife. I already have some weed and also some snails (sorry not sure what the weed is called).

I am thinking about getting some sticklebacks as well, does the size of the pond matter? I was concerned about them eating the tadpoles but it seems that there is alot of opinions some saying it works some saying it doesn't don't really know what to think!! I suppose with frogs tadpoles and sticklebacks it will all even out and come to a balance! How many sticklebacks should I get to start off?

There are frogs in the area however not newts, I know they are protected but is there anyway you can get them legally or do I just have to wait and hope!

I havent tried the above but it should work.

Re tape and liner, dryness when sticking tape to something or something to tape is a MUST, warmth helps too. I scrub the something, towel it dry and then heat it with a hairdryer bought for the purpose £5 from Argos, a blow lamp is too hot. Tape can be heated too but if the backing paper is in place only very lightly otherwise the paper is hard to remove.

The plastic sheet is an attempt to keep plant roots away from the tape, I have had some roots grow through a liner seaming tape seam.
If you can keep the plastic sheet strip clean I would lay the liner directly onto the plastic sheet but if you see bits of grit and gravel etc appearing on the plastic sheet strip I would lift it, dig out 1" of soil, lay 1/2" of sand as underlay, relay the plastic sheet strip add 1/2" of sand under lay for the liner and then lay the liner proper. Why because gravel between the to sheets of plastic may endanger the liner, the sand will absorb the gravel.

Ref the shelf depth, my shallow shelf is 2" or so to the line with 1" to 1.5" of loose soil on top of theliner, the plants are planted potless.

If you add sticklebacks I would suggest leave it for 3 or 4 months and then add up to about 20, do not feed. The first year you will probably have blanket weed city but the 2nd year you may be clear of it as the plants mature. The fish will reach a balance and no feeding means you are not promoting blanket weed growth.

I have to go, I think the above makes sense.

Thabks for the link to your site alison it was a good in sight and I can see how you get addicted!!

Good luck with the wildlife pond, you will be amazed at what arrives. Waterstarwort is good for newts, and really, quite a lot of planting around the edges. Of course the better it is for wildlife, the less you will see of them as there will be good places for them to watch you without being obvious.

Just been out looking at the garden and the pond, and I have seen my first frog!! Wicked I've had the pond about six weeks now, I wasn't expecting to see a frog for a while yet! Hopefully it will invite all its friends along and set up home!

Having wandered here via a Google search for Sticklebacks there appear to be people here who may be able to help :)

We set up a wildlife pond a few weeks ago. It's about 10mx7m at it's widest but is deliberately an uneven shape. It was my original intent not to put any fish in at all so nothing would molest other wildlife but the pond now has mats of mosquito larvae which have to go. Sticklebacks seem an obvious option as I expect anything else will annihilate the tadpole population next year but I can't find anyone who has any. Our local shop says there is new legislation causing transportation problems so no-one will have any; so far they've been proved correct.

Anyone know of a shop that has any in Kent, Sussex or thereabouts please?

Failing that anyone know where I can go creeping net in hand to give some wild Sticklebacks a friendly new home (is that legal BTW?).

Thanks.

Kevin

> If I were you I would pretend I was a little boy again,
> take my net and go and find a little beck or pond

I'm more than happy to do that not least because like most men I've never grown up and have absolutely no intention of ever doing so! Unfortunately there seems to be a distinct lack of 'wild' water round here so I was rather hoping someone might know the area and be able to point me at somewhere.

> Nothing will destroy the tadpole population to such
> an extent

We had a much smaller pond at our last place that contained Tench and Rudd. Few tadpoles made it (mind you we didn't feed the fish so they had to get sustenance from somewhere!). I don't want to use a filter on this one either so small native fish are probably about right. I am wondering about getting some Rudd but there seems to be the same supply issue.

> It is a shame you do not live near me...

I appreciate the kind thought though, thank you :)

> Have a look on my website ...

I went there just after posting my earlier missive. Nice site and pictures of the first pond built above ground that I've ever liked the look of.

Kevin

There's no filtration on the pond so the water isn't clear and I don't expect to see them again but they're in there!

Kevin

which aquitc centre did you get your stickelbacks from?

Im after some and i dont want to be naughty and get them from the river if i can help it.
Dean

Dean