Dew Pond

[Arminfarmin]

As the title suggest we have a dew pond quite large that is slightly overgrown with rushes...well bit more than slightly, anyway during the winter it can have a foot or more of water.

 

My question is as we can't really afford to dig it out, if the reeds were cleared and food was put down in the more shallow areas would that attract ducks? and do they need to see a large clear area of water to land?

 

Also apart from control of foxes are there any other tips to create a good place for them but on a shoestring, this is just a to try and get it sorted for next season?

 

Any advice will be greatly appreciated

 

Thanks

[Quist]

As the title suggest we have a dew pond quite large that is slightly overgrown with rushes...well bit more than slightly, anyway during the winter it can have a foot or more of water.

 

My question is as we can't really afford to dig it out, if the reeds were cleared and food was put down in the more shallow areas would that attract ducks? and do they need to see a large clear area of water to land?

 

Also apart from control of foxes are there any other tips to create a good place for them but on a shoestring, this is just a to try and get it sorted for next season?

 

Any advice will be greatly appreciated

 

Thanks

 

Be carefull. Some dewponds are lined with puddled clay to stop the water leaking away and if you simply uproot the plants, you might make holes in the clay liner.

Get a bag of wheat and feed it and see what happens is the cheap way to answer your question!

[JRS]

As the title suggest we have a dew pond quite large that is slightly overgrown with rushes...well bit more than slightly, anyway during the winter it can have a foot or more of water.

 

My question is as we can't really afford to dig it out, if the reeds were cleared and food was put down in the more shallow areas would that attract ducks? and do they need to see a large clear area of water to land?

 

Also apart from control of foxes are there any other tips to create a good place for them but on a shoestring, this is just a to try and get it sorted for next season?

 

Any advice will be greatly appreciated

 

Thanks

dew ponds may also have a preservation order on them if it is the real macoy (it could turn into a mine field) dont just pull weeds out and if it needs any type of restoration get some expert advice

[crazyfarmerboy]

where about in essex are you if you dont mind me asking??

[Arminfarmin]

Thanks for the advice guys, after a chat with the boss I don't think its the real macoy, but will look into it a bit more.

 

Crazyfarmerboy im down near Clacton-on-Sea

[crazyfarmerboy]

oh, i am over in harwich (near) and he also have a dew pond, one way of clearing reeds is once they have all died off, drag an a old harrow through which pulls all the dead matter out and clears it a bit

[starlight32]

As the title suggest we have a dew pond quite large that is slightly overgrown with rushes...well bit more than slightly, anyway during the winter it can have a foot or more of water.

 

My question is as we can't really afford to dig it out, if the reeds were cleared and food was put down in the more shallow areas would that attract ducks? and do they need to see a large clear area of water to land?

 

Also apart from control of foxes are there any other tips to create a good place for them but on a shoestring, this is just a to try and get it sorted for next season?

 

Any advice will be greatly appreciated

 

Thanks

 

Dont cost much to get a digger in for a day. I am sure in your line of business you would be able to tap someone up and get it for next to nowt.

 

The best flight ponds are no more than 6" deep.

[pondigger007]

Roundup (glyphosate) will kill any unwanted rushes. If you want to be selective mix it 50/50 and wipe it on leaves with a sponge. The addition of lime into the pond can help reduce built up sludge ( best applied in winter if there are any fish and only treat a third of the area at a time leaving at least ten days between treatments). As has been said a digger may be needed depending on how bad it is and yes, just be aware of any clay lining.

[quadimodo]

As the title suggest we have a dew pond quite large that is slightly overgrown with rushes...well bit more than slightly, anyway during the winter it can have a foot or more of water.

 

My question is as we can't really afford to dig it out, if the reeds were cleared and food was put down in the more shallow areas would that attract ducks? and do they need to see a large clear area of water to land?

 

Also apart from control of foxes are there any other tips to create a good place for them but on a shoestring, this is just a to try and get it sorted for next season?

 

Any advice will be greatly appreciated

 

Thanks

I ALSO FOUND A VERY SMALL DEW POND HIGH UP IN THE LINCOLNSHIRE WOLDS,SPREAD A BAG OF WHEAT IN IT FOR 3 WEEKS THEN THE MALLARD AND THE TEAL FOUND IT.KEEP IT FED AND THEY WILL KEEP COMMING.

[bothbarrels]

we've got a dewpond on our estate. it's tucked under a ring of oak trees right by the road. this morning 7 mallard were on there. so they can find water don't worry about that mate!

 

 

BB.

[-oXo-]

I would have dug it out for a favour but im miles away.