A pond on Malvern Common has burst into life following a restoration project over the winter.
Huge clouds of tadpoles have been spotted in the pond near to Longridge Road after the Malvern Hills Trust carried out the work.
Ponds are a beautiful, a key feature of the landscape and a habitat for many species but are at risk of being lost as the open waterbodies were becoming silted up.
Over time ponds begin to naturally fill in which benefits some transition species but others are lost as the amount and depth of water decreases. In some cases, the water is lost altogether along with the water dependent species.
The restoration work included the removal of material to deepen the pond and the removal of invasive vegetation.
Beck Baker, Community and Conservation Officer said ‘We’re delighted to see the life blossoming in this pond so soon after work.’
We look forward to watching other life including dragonflies and newts making this pond their home in the future.’
This work will benefit Stickleback fish, newts and Ramshorns snails which require a deeper body of water as well as providing an attractive and thriving habitat for local people to enjoy.
Sadly, there has been a huge loss in the number and the condition of freshwater habitats across the UK. The Freshwater Habitats Trust reports that 92% of ponds in England and Wales are biologically degraded so the Trust's work to preserve these waterbodies is vitally important to improve the national picture of freshwater habitats.
The Trust cares for over 40 ponds ranging from mill ponds to stock ponds in a variety of different conditions, sizes and depths. Conditions of ponds are monitored and conservation works to improve habitats are planned following advice from wildlife experts.
