Archived press release

Date Published: 07/06/06

Aylesbury Vale residents are being asked to help a team of volunteers who are gathering information about field ponds in the local community. AVDC, in partnership with Buckinghamshire County Council and Pond Conservation, will be carrying out a s...

Aylesbury Vale residents are being asked to help a team of volunteers who are gathering information about field ponds in the local community.

AVDC, in partnership with Buckinghamshire County Council and Pond Conservation, will be carrying out a survey of field ponds within the district as part of the Great Buckinghamshire Pond Survey.

With the warmer weather of summer upon us, local ponds teem with wildlife, making it an ideal time to get a view of the state of our countryside ponds. The survey will investigate the size, age and type of species living in the ponds.

Field ponds are a priority for local conservation due to the wealth of wildlife they support. They are of vital importance for endangered species such as the great crested newt, other amphibian species and many invertebrates. Many ponds, however, have fallen into neglect or been filled in as they are no longer needed to provide water for cattle.

Matt Dodds, Green Spaces Officer (Biodiversity), said: “If we can find out what is living in field ponds now, then when we repeat the survey we will be able to see what changes there have been. This will help to tell us whether we have been successful in maintaining or improving the environment for wildlife.”

He added: “We have a number of trained volunteers who will be going out to survey the field ponds within the district. However, many of the ponds are on private land and we need permission to survey. If you have a pond on land that you own and would be happy for the volunteers to look at it, please contact our green spaces team.”

To find out more information about the field pond survey, or to give permission for a pond on your land to be inspected, please call 01296 427972 or email: koflinn@aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk

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