Essex ARG members joined up with local conservation volunteers in Brentwood to carry out some pond management, tree planting and dead hedging at MerryMeades Country Park, in Brentwood Essex. A dozen or so volunteers worked really hard to dig out an old pond to restore it's suitability for the rare and endangered great crested newt. 

The ARG UK's 100% fund provide funds to EARG to build a new pond at Merrymeades in 2008. The pond has been left to colonise naturally and was confirmed to be used by great crested newts in the late spring of 2009. The old pond which was located close by was in need to some de-silting to provide open water for the amphibians which breed at the site there was no opportunity to build a new pond so careful management was used to provide deeper water in the old pond to promote amphibian breeding.

The new pond has suffered from use by local dog walkers who allowed their dogs to swim within the pond. A new fence is planned for the later winter 2011 to prevent dogs from disturbing the pond. The old pond was also surrounded by layered and dead hedging to also prevent dogs from entering this pond. The silt which was taken from the old pond was piled into a linear bank away from the pond to create a new terrestrial habitat for amphibians and other wildlife species found at the Country Park.

A follow up survey for amphibians and reptiles will be undertaken over 2011.

Contacts 

Graham Hart - Essex Amphibian & Reptile Group Project Officer - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

Laura Dunnell - Brentwood District Council