THANK YOU, VOLUNTEERS!
The SPP are extremely grateful to Martin May, and the other TWENTY SIX volunteers who helped us cut back the reeds.
This is an essential, annual task as we rely on the new, reed growth to remove harmful pollutants and nutrients from the water. Excess nutrients cause harmful algal blooms and poor water quality. The reeds grow back every year and provide valuable habitats for insects and other wildlife. If we did not manage the reeds, they would gradually take over the pond.
This work does not harm the ducks or moorhens. We always leave uncut reeds at the back of the pond and other areas to provide “territorial” space and winter protection. The cut beds also provide more resting platforms within the pond over the winter period.
Photos from Autumn 2025 show how well the reeds grow back!
As the new reed shoots emerge, they provide valuable food for the ducks, moorhens and visiting geese and they also create a stronger framework for nest building in the spring.
Our moorhen families raise two broods of chicks most years, which shows they are thriving. Historically, our female mallard ducks have chosen to nest away from the pond, in local gardens etc. despite plenty of nesting habitat at the pond. They walk their young back to the pond once they have hatched!
The two spring lockdowns in 2020/21 prevented the management of the mature, reed, and yellow flag iris root beds. This has resulted in extensive, invasive growth within our silt lagoons. This demonstrates how important it is to have regular, active management of both the reeds “green” growth and the root beds.
The Conservation Volunteers (TCV Hull) will be digging out the lagoon beds in early November to hopefully resolve this problem.
If you are interested in helping with pond work, please contact Alyson on 01482 634168, email pond@swanlandvillageassociation.info. THANK YOU!