15 June 2026

Wild Waters and Gardens

 

Even a tiny pond (1.1m x 1.35m) can provide wild habitat for some plants and animals of the Wild Water streams and the Avon that flow near our villages. Submerged in this 4 month-old pond are young plants of Yellow Flag, Meadowsweet, Lesser Spearwort.


On the edge, a Great Willowherb



(2, 4) will lure gorgeous Elephant Hawk Moths (3) which match the vivid pink petals - their caterpillars feed on willowherbs (garden pond edge, wild corner), bedstraws (mini-meadow), Evening Primrose and garden fuschias (flower/shrub border). To a moth, or any wild visitor, your varied habitats unite into a good place to be! 
 

(5) Pulsating glossy yellow Marsh Marigold/ Kingcup/Mollyblobs grows well in ponds, as well along riversides and gives welcome very early nectar source for Queen Bumbles etc. (and there is white Water Lily).



(6, 7) A pink, exotic flower – Himalayan Balsam is one to definitely avoid... you will see it by Avon streams. Teams of trout fishermen and others maintaining wild river habitats go balsam pulling. It is an insidious invader with spreading persistent root systems. Unfortunately, its seeds, (young seedheads visible behind the flowers close-up 7), have an entertaining way of dispersal – a dramatic explosion of a seed missile. I heard our son, aged about five, confide to his friend that these pods were ideal for frightening your sister! Too dangerous as long-term river invaders to be a toy for children!

 

Not a riverbank walker? So where does your lifestyle fit into this Wild Waters jigsaw? Like the dragonflies and damselflies in your pond (8), you do fit into the total picture. 





(9) See this at Turleigh Trows - running downhill, under the road, finally to the river. Glittering fresh water gushing out of the hillside entices... dreams of pure mountain streams. People drink from cupped hands. Some even fill water containers with this supposed untainted elixir of life.



 

(10) But where does this water come from?  Look at the map, its contours... runoff drains down from Winsley plateau... from your garden too.

 

Back in the 80’s as part of a national Stream survey I tested Trows water with my Wildlife Watch children. It had the highest level of nitrates (fertilisers) in the Bath area! What is it now?


 

Photo 11 This summer, volunteers are planning regular Trows testing. Results will be published adding to the river data already being collected by the Bristol Avon Rivers Trust BART. These are available here:  https://bristolavonriverstrust.org/river-detectives/         (Info will be in Nature Chain newsletters)

Your piece of jigsaw is that chemical fertilisers, chemical herbicides, pesticides you might put in your garden go there..






Photos 12, 13, 14, 15 - Natural pest killers – birds, ladybirds and their larvae, and spiders are a much safer bet! 

 

Maybe stuff you don’t recognise is reaching the river via your drains. (Some modern chemical products cannot be ‘dealt with’ even by the best sewage works.) Brands vary, check bath and shower products, avoid high foaming bath bubbles, excess antiseptics, strong cleaners... plus what they are washing off, some sun creams, insect repellents, toxic chemical flea and tick killers marketed for pets (vets have just advised a ban on over the counter flea treatments; such chemicals were banned from agricultural use a while ago).

 



(16, 17) Grooming is part of ancient dog culture – building social bonds, easing conflict, and reinforcing hierarchy. A lifetime ago, on the other side of the planet, meticulously brushing my Airedale every night was a routine check for the 17 types of Australian tick (some causing serious illness, even death). The alternatives then included DDT powders or complete submergence washing in it! Times have changed, DDT has mercifully gone, more chemicals have come... but nothing beats careful grooming...

 

Wildwatersfestival.com

 

Credits: 3, 12 Bob Drower; 11 Sarah Kearney; others Nicolette

 

A logo with text and plants AI-generated content may be incorrect.


  • We encourage households to switch 20% of their garden to wildlife-friendly
  • We share practical ideas and experience of gardening for wildlife
  • We aim to create wildlife corridors across the village
  • Get your garden on the map at tinyurl.com/NCWinsleyMap

e-mail naturechainwinsley@gmail.com
                     

 

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