Frogs, Wildlife and Integrated Pest Management with a Backyard Pond
Sunday, August 8, 2010 at 06:03PM We’ve been just amazed at how our small backyard pond has become such a haven for local wildlife since we installed it in our suburban garden last winter.
Within months brown marsh frogs stumbled across it, and decided it would be a good place to start a family (if you look closely in the photo below, you can see a second frog on the back of the other, shrouded in their spawn). Peron’s tree frogs have moved in too, they’re a bit more elusive to photograph...
Dragonflies have also decided our pond is a good nursery for their young. One morning we were lucky enough to watch an incredible transformation, as about ten water-dwelling dragonfly nymphs crawled up the stems of the water chestnuts and slowly pulled themselves out of their shells to emerge as stunning dragonflies that flitted off in the wind...
Waterskinks love to warm themselves on the rocks around the pond...
And this morning an Eastern Spinebill dived into the pond for a refreshing Sunday morning dip...
All this wildlife in our garden brings us so much joy and entertainment. Attracting a diversity of wildlife is also important for us in implementing a holistic, integrated, approach to managing pests in an organic garden. If you’re thinking about installing a pond in your garden, now is the perfect time to get this garden task done before the hot summer months! For more info about ponds, check out our pond webpage.
Reader Comments (5)
Oh, gorgeous, gorgeous gorgeous photos! This summer I plant to expand my water barrel pond into something more substantial and natural-looking. I hope it attracts as many beauties as yours :-) Thanks for sharing!
Wow What great photo's,
I would love to put a pond in
that looks awesome and all the wildlife would be lovely. You
guys have done a great job!
Ive been inspired by your site and been busy digging out a new garden
to put some banana and papaya in there later this year, id be stoked if
they grew half as well as your beauties are growing.
Eyebrows up and eyes wide open, that picture of the frog spawning is amazing!
Thanks for your lovely comments Julie, Kaz and cityhippyfarmgirl! We're glad you enjoyed the photos as much as we do! Best wishes for a spring abundant with food and wildlife in your garden!
How inspirational. We had two little ponds in our last place with each being home to a frog. I loved sitting outside on long summer evenings listening to their croaking. Another pond is definitely on my lists of garden "must-haves" for the future