Ponds just outside Winkleigh

Time and weather 7-8.30pm overcast

There are three ponds within these grounds. The fish pond contains brown trout, the barn pond is a wildlife pond and the mill pond is fed by groundwater.

Fish pond
Water Slater
Opal score 5
ph nitrates (tbc)


Barn pond
Water Slater
Mayfly Larva
Pond Skater
Newt
Snails
Tadpoles
Opal Score 9
ph nitrates (tbc)


Millpond with dovecot
Water Slater
Alderfly Larva
Water Boatman
Dragonfly Larva
Damselfly Larva
Wigglies
Water Bug
Opal Score 0
ph nitrates (tbc)

Pond nr Hollocombe, Winkleigh

Time and weather 11.00am sunny

This is a large garden pond on a very open site.

Garden pond
Diving beetle
Pond skaters
opal score 7
pH nitrates (tbc)

Lake and Pond on the outskirts of Winkleigh

This gorgeous pond is more of a lake - with Canada geese and fish.







There were lots of lovely marginal plants, and we probably didn't find all the pond life it harbours, as we only sampled at 2 points around the pond.

Time and weather 10-11am sunny

Large lake
Beetles
Water Boatmen
Wrigglies
Opal score 6
ph nitrates (tbc)


The owner also let us look at her much smaller garden pond (no fish here - so better for some wildlife).
Small garden pond
Tadpoles
Shrimp
Water Boatmen
Pond Skater
Water Slater
Beetles ( small black)
Opal score (tbc)
ph nitrate (tbc)

Pond in Eggesford Road

This pond in the garden of a new house, was dug in 2010. It is already a thriving site for wildlife. Big isn't always best!



Time and weather 7-9pm overcast

Small wildlife pond
Wrigglies
Snails
Water Boatmen
Pond Skater
Mayfly larva
Damselfly larva
Beetles ( small black)
Opal score 7
ph 6.8 nitrates 0

Ponds nr Winkleigh airfield

This property has a fish pond, and three larger ponds. One has extensive Canadian pond weed - good for oxygen levels, but as the owner says, it does take over - unless your pond is small enough to reach over and weed it out occasionally.

Two other ponds are fed by a stream draining off farmland. These have become overwhelmed with duck weed. Nitrate testing found no discernable nitrate in any of the ponds.

Time and weather 9.30-11am overcast, some heavy rain



Garden pond
No wildlife found
Opal score 8
ph 7.8 nitrate 0



Large pond with lilies
Water Slater
Water Boatman
Newts
Mayfly larva
Dragonfly larva
Damselfly larva
Wrigglies
Opal score 8
pH 6.6 nitrates 0




Ponds covered with duck weed
No wildlife found
Opal score 8
ph 6.6 nitrates 0

Ponds at Wheatland Farm cottage and lodges

Wheatland Farm cottage and lodges has 5 ponds, including one that is seasonal, and one that is inaccessible. The largest pond was emptied of fish in 2008 (they were donated to Zeal Monochorum fishing club - thanks to Paul Carter from the Environment Agency for help). It has since been re-shaped and managed for wildlife.

Time and weather 7-8.30pm. It was overcast, with slight drizzle.

Main wildlife pond

Water Boatmen
Caddisfly Larva
Water Slater
Newt
'Wigglies'
Pond Skater
Beetles
Snails
Shrimps
Water Stick Insect
Alderfly Larva
Opal score 6
pH 8.2 nitrates 0

Old Slurry Pit Pond

A smaller pond (the old slurry pit pond) is still stocked with fish, and although it has some interesting marginal plants (including greater spearwort) there isn't much invertebrate life.





Water Boatmen
Snails
Opal water test 6
pH 8 nitrates 0

The Magic Pond on Popehouse Moor

Within Popehouse Moor Site of Special Scientific Interest there's a woodland pond. It needs some clearing work, but is still rich in wildlife.



Alderfly larvae
Dragonfly larvae
Water skaters
Water beetles
Wigglies
Water slater
Water boatmen
Opal water test 6
pH 7.2 nitrates 0

Ponds at Seckington Cross

This lovely peaceful pond is near Seckington Cross. The big pond, with its weeping willow and plenty of marginal plants, has ducks and fish. It's a bit green, probably because of the ducks and fish adding nutrients to the water, and may be better for plants than invertebrates.

Time and weather 7-9pm overcast

Large pond



Wrigglies
Opal score 0
ph 8.2 nitrate 0


Garden pond

The pretty pond in the garden is much clearer and had a dragonfly casing on a plant, showing at least 1 species breeds there. This smaller pond also has a few fish.

Dragonfly larva shell
Wrigglies
Pond Skater
Opal score 7
ph 7.4 nitrates 0