So as you know

I am keen to learn what creatures are colonising my newly created pond.

What you probably are not aware of is that to do a proper job one needs to keep alert, ever present and have a keen eye.

I knew I couldn’t do the task justice and so I called for help.

The first volunteer impressed me with such  thorough efforts.

Admittedly, not the sharpest of images, as I had to take them using my phone, through my lounge window and fighting the reflections from the Sun. The Blue Tit had been very conscientious and had taken numerous dips beneath the surface, thus sporting a bedraggled look. I attempted to admonish it for bathing on the clock but was assured that it was merely checking for larvae.

The birds are absolutely loving the locale and perform their ablutions there regularly.

Wood Pigeons, Blackbirds, Robins, Blue Tits, Great Tits to name just a few. Oh! and not forgetting the Chiffchaff this afternoon.

As Pink Floyd nearly said…

All and all it’s just another brick…🔨

Actually, it’s just another link in the food chain.

Today, whilst reflecting and gazing into the pond, I spotted this oddity.

(It is white and is above the pink floating petals and to the right of the green leaves)

It is a ‘rat-tailed maggot’, which is the larval stage of a Drone Fly (Eristalis tenax)

Drone flies are the largest members of the Hover fly family.

There are 280 species of hover flies which are excellent pollinators and essential for a healthy garden. They mimic wasps, honey bees and bumblebees.They are completely harmless and are fascinating to watch. They get their names from being able to hover and hold their station (much like a kestrel, a windhover) either to guard their territory or attract a mate.

Their life cycle is simple. Eggs are laid in water which evolve into larvae, then they pupate before emerging into adults which start the process all over again.

The larva of the drone fly is called a rat-tailed maggot due to its long breathing tube at its rear, which resembles a tail. The body of the larva measures 20mm and the tail measures a further 15mm. However I believe they can grow much bigger and I read somewhere that the tails could extend to 150mm. The tails are used like snorkels to reach the surface and through which they respire.(breathe)

They feed on organic detritus in the water.

They form part of the food chain and so are predated upon by dragonflies and diving beetles, which are expected to arrive soon, now that the warmer weather is here. My bistro pond is well and truly open for business and offers a wonderful dining experience.

Here you can see a clearer image of the extending tail, as well as mosquito larvae, ‘wrigglers’, adding to the menu.

Adult Drone Fly Image courtesy of Ben Kerckx @ pixabay.com

Today would have been my dad’s 91st birthday

My father loved gardening and so I decided to mooch around ours today and remember him with even more focus.

I ended up at the new pond and was pleased to see that ‘Wrigglers’ had taken up residence at last.

I could also see tiny unidentified flies crossing the surface and minute insects beneath.

The Bogbean continues to sprout and one shoot is 75cm long.

Bogbean

Since my last post we have added more Frogbit, some Marestail and Myriophyllum.

Frogbit and Mairstail

Myriophyllum

The Typha that we originally planted has now trebled in length.

Typha minima

The plants around the perimeter are thriving and they too are increasing in height.

The Marsh Marigold had taken a bashing due to the weather but we are expecting a second flush of blooms soon🤞🏻

What a curious thing!…

… is the Bogbean.

I noticed that it began sprouting on the13th April.

It looks like a large asparagus spear lying on its side, floating ‘neath the surface, with long robust roots trailing.

Bogbean (Menyanthes trifoliata)

It produces white, with a hint of pink, feathery and star shaped flowers about 30cm in height.

It is so called as the leaves are said to resemble those of broad beans.

Also known in some places as ‘bog hop’. 

No! It does not have any laxative properties. 

Naughty boys and girls. 😈

It is said that it was used in the making of beer instead of hops.

I am not expecting competition from the famous makers of the 57, but I do hope I have enough.😁

May Day! May Day!

Not a serious cry for help, more a call of frustration and a sign of impatience. I do know better, honest!

It has been 17 days since the official declaration that the pond was completed and that the future now rested with Mother Nature. 

I have checked the pond several times each day since then looking for signs of life. Unfortunately I did not spot any.

All I could do was exercise patience and continue to observe.

Whilst doing so, I could not resist improving the aesthetics.

I checked the other pond at the top of the garden and I could see mosquito larvae wriggling beneath the surface. 

Due to their movement they are commonly known as ‘wrigglers’.

They generally are the first insects to colonise fresh open water, whether it be in the form of a water butt, puddle or pond.

I suspect they were in this pond as it was situated in a sunnier part of the garden and therefore the water would be warmer. Whereas the new pond was mostly in shade and the water would therefore be too cold.

The sun is gradually rising higher each day and will eventually shine on the pond warming things up.

Mosquito larvae (Image courtesy of Adrian Thomas of the RSPB)

Meanwhile the plants are establishing themselves around the pond and appear to be thriving. So everything still appears to be on course.