Tuesday 21st February 2023
Group volunteers joined High Life Highland Countryside Ranger Paul Castle to begin the work of improving the Borgie woods pond for wildlife. There were eight of us altogether, including Louise Senior from PlantLife Scotland ‘Species on the Edge’, and Chaz Powell, the Highland Council Access Ranger.
The weather had been wet but cleared up as we parked and then started the short walk to the pond. This is a small pond that has become very choked with vegetation, and around the pond, brambles were restricting access. The Highlife Countryside Rangers often use the pond for wildlife studies and it had now become very difficult to conduct the all-important pond dipping activities.
Rakes were used to remove plenty of the choking weed from the pond. All removed weed was left on the bankside to allow any accidently trapped wildlife to re-enter the pond. Volunteers will go back in a few days and tidy up the weed left on the bank.
We did discover several immature palmate newts which were returned immediately to the water.
Going forward, we hope to develop the biodiversity of the pond. Further work to deepen the pond will soon be undertaken by Forestry and Land Scotland. Increasing the depth will have a positive impact, as currently, it is often a seasonal pond, drying towards the end of summer. Additional landscaping is being planned in order to increase the attractiveness of the pond to dragonflies, which are often seen along the woodland paths.
© Stephen Kirkup
© Stephen Kirkup
