One of the most impactful ways to support wildlife in your garden is to create a pond. Ponds provide a valuable source of drinking water for birds, hedgehogs and other wildlife, as well as a home for a large range of aquatic invertebrates. 

A good wildlife pond needs to have a deeper middle and shallow sides; you can even create a pebble beach along one edge for insects to safely wade and drink. It's also important to make sure that there are safe places around the edges of the pond for wildlife to hide. You can add logs or large stones, or let native grasses and marginal plants grow. Frogs and newts can shelter here when they leave the pond but have quick access back into the water when needed.

The great thing about creating a pond is that you don't need to release wildlife into it – an incredible variety of species will find your pond by themselves. As well as frogs, toads and newts you may be surprised at which invertebrates will also take up residence!

Broad-bodied chaser 

The broad-bodied chaser (Libellula depressa) is one of several dragonflies that breed in smaller garden ponds. It is often one of the first colonists of a new pond. The male dragonflies are recognisable by their broad, bright blue abdomen, whilst the females are a more subtle yellow-brown colour. After pairing, the females lay their eggs below the water’s surface and their young (known as nymphs) live in the pond for up to four years, feeding on other pond creatures. Eventually, when fully grown, the nymphs climb out of the water, split their skins and transform into adult dragonflies. This process can take several hours, so their bright colours don't form straight away to keep them hidden from predators until their wings harden and they are ready to fly.  

Greater water boatman 

Also known as the backswimmer, the greater water boatman (Notonecta glauca) flies at night and is adapted to spot the reflective surface of the water from the air. When it spies the familiar sheen, it flies down and spends the rest of its life under the water, preying on other aquatic insects and tadpoles.

Pond skaters

Similarly, your pond may also attract pond skaters. As their name suggests, they skate across the water’s surface, preying on any small insect that is unfortunate enough to fall in. Their gracefulness belies a darker side; they detect the vibrations of struggling prey, pounce on them and suck them dry using their piercing mouthparts. There are nine species of pond skater found in the UK, but the most common is Gerris lacustris.  

Freshwater snails

The UK is home to 30-40 species of freshwater snail. They come in two distinct types: the ramshorn snails, which have a round but flat appearance; and the conical snails, with a shell like an ice cream cone. The most common of these two types are the great ramshorn (Planorbarius corneus) and the wandering snail (Ampullaceana balthica).

The great ramshorn grazes on algae by scraping rocks with its radula – a special tongue with embedded teeth. The wandering snail, as its name suggests, will sometimes wander short distances out of the pond to feed in wet areas close-by. Both species lay their eggs in a protective mass of jelly on plants or any other underwater structure.  

Water stick insect 

The water stick insect (Ranatra linearis) is another predator that may be lurking in your pond. It usually sits motionless, head downwards, on a reed or other aquatic plant, waiting for a passing tadpole to grab and consume. Its pointed 'tail' acts like a snorkel so it can stay underwater for longer. If the pond dries up or prey is scarce, the water stick insect can leave the pond and fly to find a new one.