Create a mini freshwater habitat
Over the last 50 years, ponds have been disappearing from the UK. This is a problem for wildlife that rely on freshwater for all, or part, of their lifecycles - particularly frogs, toads and newts, which need these spaces to breed.
You can help by adding a mini pond to your garden.

© thatmacroguy/ Shutterstock
You will need
gravel
large stones
logs
rainwater
pond plants
a large, watertight container
How this can help
- Frogs and toads need spaces such as ponds to breed and lay their spawn.
- A pond can provide drinking water for animals such as hedgehogs, badgers and foxes, as well as bathing water for birds.
- Frogs will happily live in a small pond. They are excellent pest controllers and will munch on a variety of invertebrates attracted to the water.
- Some of the insects drawn to the water, such as mosquitos, are also an excellent food source for bats.
- With a larger pond you may also attract newts, toads and dragonflies.
Further reading
Follow our step-by-step instructions and make your own mini pond