bottom wildlife pond
The far pond is set at the bottom of the lower meadow - about 200 yards or so from the house. Completely re-dug in October 2005, this is a pure 'wildlife' pond and has progressed quite dramatically in 18 months, as you can see from the photos.
This pond takes in, on its bank, the field path that's normally kept mown right around the perimeter of Parc-y-teg during the Summer months, so you can view all of the pond life on your leisurely, pre-breakfast walk. As at June 2007, we have a family of mallards using this pond, a resident moorhen family (three chicks at present) as well as newts (we've only seen the babies so can't identify exactly what type of newts!)
A 20ft long wooden footbridge crosses to a small island on which we hope water birds will nest. There is also a sturdy platform extending out over the water so that children (and adults) can do a bit of pond dipping - and there is plenty of pond life. We also have several shoals of fish - escapees from the top pond's overflow! which probably serve to encourage the herons that are regular visitors.
We will be putting seating here for Summer 2007. It is a lovely, peaceful spot, with Welsh Mountain Ponies usually in the next field and few 'human' sounds to disturb the silence.
