I decided to clear out the pond and work towards it being a nice feature and useful wild-life habitat this Summer. I have taken out loads and loads of leaves and twigs and skimmed off masses of duckweed. Sadly there are no signs of life in the sludge – not even the odd snail and I think that because of all the decaying leaves the water is not good.

I plan to get some oxygenating plants and a water lily and see if I can make the water conditions better. In the meantime a local moorhen seems to appreciate my work and has been enjoying the water!