Water and wildlife return to farmland ponds

Water and wildlife return to farmland ponds23 minutes agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleLouise ParryBedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire

Affinity Water Jilly stands at the edge of the pond wearing black welly boots over jeans. She holds

Affinity WaterAffinity said more than half of farmland ponds had been lost over the past century

Two historical farmland ponds have seen water and wildlife return after a successful restoration scheme.

The ponds on the Hertfordshire-Essex border, close to Clavering, have held water throughout summer for the first time in more than a decade.

Affinity Water, which funded the project, said farmland ponds were "one of the UK's most threatened habitats".

Since the restoration in 2024, the company said wildlife had begun to return – including smooth newts breeding in both ponds.

It said the previously neglected ponds had filled with sediment and become heavily shaded.

Work was carried out to coppice surrounding trees, to allow more sunlight to reach the water, as well as restoring the original pond basins.

Surveys recorded ten additional aquatic plant species in each pond after the project was completed.

Affinity Water A close up shot of a baby newt in a white tray filled with water.

Affinity WaterSmooth newts have been spotted breeding in the ponds since they were restored

Affinity is encouraging people to apply for grants of up to £5,000 to carry out further biodiversity projects.

Its Rooting for Wildlife scheme provides £80,000 to support community groups, schools, landowners and charities to improve ecosystems.

The Clavering ponds restoration was overseen by FWAG East (Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group).

Its pond conservationist Jilly McNaughton said: "Seeing the ponds hold water again for the first time in over a decade has been incredibly rewarding.

"Wildlife has already begun returning to the site, and it shows how quickly nature can recover when the right conditions are restored."

Affinity Water Charlotte Johnson, Senior Ecologist at Affinity Water (left) Jilly McNaughton (right)

Affinity WaterConservationist Jilly McNaughton (right) worked to restore the ponds, which are now flourishing with wildlife

Charlotte Johnson, senior ecologist at Affinity Water said: "Projects like the restoration at Clavering ponds show the lasting difference communities and landowners can make when they are supported to enhance nature locally.

"We're excited to support more communities that improve habitats and create space for wildlife across our regions."

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