HEREFORDSHIRE Nature Trust is expressing its concern over the decline in the number of ponds in the UK.

Sixty three per cent have gone during the last 100 years, which equates to about 100 million lost waterholes!

There are several reasons for the decline including neglect, infilling or new building development.

A large number of ponds are found within people's gardens, and although some are small in size they often provide valuable havens for amphibians, insects and birds.

The Trust is encouraging people to manage their ponds - and now is the time of year to begin. During the late summer and early autumn, leaves and decaying vegetation leads to ponds becoming choked up. Decaying vegetation also releases extra nutrients into the water, which can cause water quality problems.

Clearing a pond at the correct time of year - during October/November - avoids interfering with amphibians' breeding season as most froglets, toadlets and young newts born in the spring will have already left. Since amphibians begin their mating season in spring, care should be taken to avoid clearing a pond after early February.

Top tips

Essentially, ponds need to be managed even though they are valuable for wildlife. James Cooke, Assistant Conservation Officer for Herefordshire Nature Trust, gives the following advice:

1. Remove decaying vegetation to avoid water quality problems.

2. Retain or create open spaces by removing areas of pondweed and herbaceous plants. Certain pondweed species are vigorous and will return even when most is removed.

3. Leave some shallow marshy areas and areas of tall marginal vegetation, although cut dead growth off to allow fresh growth in spring.

4. Try and create wood or/and stone piles for amphibians to shelter and hibernate in - a few metres away from the pond.

5. Try to avoid the use of chemicals in the pond.

6. Avoid introducing fish - they will eat all your newt eggs.

7. If you think you may have Great Crested Newts in your pond, contact Herefordshire Nature Trust. Please do not disturb them; they are a protected species.

Herefordshire Nature Trust can provide advice about starting a pond and managing it for wildlife. For further information contact James Cooke at Herefordshire Nature Trust, Lower House Farm, Ledbury Road, Tupsley, Hereford HR1 1UT.