Of course we have our heron (mentioned many times before) but also two ducks which I thought at one point were thinking about making a nest. The video shows some nice reflections as they come into land.

Then last night there were a variety of amphibians, two frogs locked in carnal enjoyment, several newts, and a large toad who tried to make a snack of one of the newts. Also water boatmen, bees in the heather, and the latest arrival – a peacock butterfly

Three water lilies are out at the moment (pink and white), together with yellow and purple irises, bog cotton, red campion and wild orchids. On the invertebrate side there are several species of dragonfly (red ones, blue ones, green ones and large ones to be properly scientific) also water boatmen and damsel flies. We also saw a strange creature today which looked a bit like a large prawn and I am still trying to identify. Then we have newts and frogs – yesterday I saw a small froglet which must be one of this year’s hatchlings.

I’m very glad we didn’t put fish in because aside from feeding the heron (and otter!) they would have eaten all the interesting invertebrates. And many of the latter live on midges which are the prime enemy at the moment.

More of the pond in the video….