A tern raft in the water at Shibdon Pond Nature Reserve
Our volunteers have been busy! We have been at Shibdon Pond, building and installing new rafts for the birds of Shidbon Pond. The rafts have been installed to create further nesting habitat for birds (particularly common terns), safe from predators, disturbance and changes in water level.
Volunteers and staff launching a tern raft at Shibdon Pond
Tern raft ready for the water at Shibdon Pond
Tern raft construction at Shibdon Pond
Tern raft being launched onto water at Shibdon Pond
Maintenance work commenced at Shibdon Pond in April to repair storm and weather damage to the bird hide. We will be modifying the screens beside the bird hide to enable viewing from that position for people who do not hold a key.
We are developing new signage to go on the site later this summer to highlight some of the species present and ways in which people can support wildlife. We will also have some signs to encourage responsible access to the nature reserve so more people can enjoy the wildlife present.
We would like to express our gratitude to the funders, The Daniell Trust, for their support.
Join us for our inaugural Shibdon Wildathon on Saturday 24 June 2023. Immerse yourself in the urban oasis of Shibdon Pond. We will give you all the tools to safari our reserve and create a record of all of the nature we spot in a day, from bugs, to birds and perhaps even bigger beasts.
While the onset of spring and the approach of summer is always a welcome seasonal shift, the prolonged period of drought and the drying of the pond during 2022 means that the Trust is monitoring the situation at Shibdon Pond carefully over the coming months.
Conservation Manager Phill Catton explains: “Nothing has changed in terms of the pond’s hydrology, but we were pleased to see how well the pond refilled during the winter and we have intentionally kept the water levels high to try and re-saturate as much of the surrounding ground as possible. The inflows that feed the pond didn’t resume flowing until mid-December and it is probable that they will stop running again this summer. This is outside our control, but we are ensuring that we will be holding as much water in the pond as possible as we head into spring to try and mitigate for a prolonged hot summer. We are continuing to pursue funding opportunities for a full hydrological study of the pond to help inform the future management and protection of this important water body.”
By becoming a member you are helping us continue with conservation work as featured in this news update, creating habitats where wildlife can thrive. Thank you.
