In early September, Friends of the Quantocks organised and paid for the reinstatement of a dew pond on Fire Beacon on the Quantocks.
Over the years the pond had slowly filled up with sediment and in 2024 the grazing livestock, mostly Highland cattle, had breached the pond’s bund so that this year all that remained was a muddy puddle. We approached the land owner and farmer to see if they would like the pond repaired, which they did. A contractor with a digger was engaged and the pond was reinstated digging down to its original depth. These works took just over a morning to complete.
Losing ponds
Two thirds of ponds present in England and Wales during the 19th Century have gone. For centuries ponds played an important part of the farming landscape. All livestock farms unless access could be obtained from a stream or river had a pond to drink from. Sadly as time progressed and with the advent of mains water more and more ponds fell into decay. To maximize food production, at one stage the Government even paid for ponds to be filled in. Many farms also changed from livestock to just growing cropped foods so the pond became redundant and hindered food production.
And reclaiming them
Luckily ponds are now being appreciated for their wildlife value. Ponds are a very important habitat and contain such a rich variety of life that supports local biodiversity. They support an amazing range of species from invertebrates, wetland plants and amphibians, and provide an important drinking and bathing spot for birds and mammals.
If you have a back garden one of the best ways to benefit and increase local biodiversity is to create a pond. Even an old washing up bowl can be turned into a mini pond habitat. Please always remember when making your pond to have a piece of wood or stone so that any animal that falls in can climb out safely.
After the Fire Beacon pond was restored the three supervising members of FotQ and the digger driver had a sweepstake (a drink at the Carew Arms, Crowcombe) as to when the pond would be full. By Christmas, end of January, April or May…? Who will be right?
Our wildlife and habitat conservation work is only possible due to the support of our membership and you can help by becoming a Friend of the Quantocks –
Membership fees help to fund pond restoration and similar conservation efforts. Annual membership is £25 and you’ll be making a valuable contribution to protecting the special habitats and wildlife of the Quantock Hills. Become a Friend of the Quantocks