It was a misty October morning when four enthusiastic volunteers gathered at Rosamund Community Garden to do some maintenance work on the wildlife pond.  The aim of the work was to enhance the habitat to encourage wildlife and increase biodiversity.

We had received a visit earlier in the year by Ben Siggery, from Surrey Wildlife Trust. Who advised cutting back some vigorous iris and sedge to prevent the dying leaves from decaying in the water, and planting the margins with native wildflowers. The aquatic invertebrates that are currently present are of a detritus community, but by clearing some of the dead plant material from the water it was hoped that other species would move in. We got to work with secateurs and also planted native plants we had raised from seed in the marginal zone – ragged robin, cuckoo flower, water mint, water avens and water forget me not. Five more of us met the following Tuesday to continue the work and also clear bramble from the adjacent dry bank where we will be planting chalkland flowers.

Our next plan is to raise funds for oxygenating plants to be placed in the water and for a second pond nearby which will increase the different microhabitats.  Meanwhile, we look forward to enjoying the flowers next summer - they will attract pollinators and provide habitat for amphibians which in turn will help the fruit and vegetables in the garden. Thank you to SWT for their partnership and support with this project.