Caerlaverock Cluster-Wildlife and Natterjack Toad Pond Creation

We plan to create a mixture of Natterjack Toad ponds (designed to reintroduce historic breeding locations/habitat specifically for this species) (NJT Ponds) and more general habitat and water restoration ponds (HWR Ponds). The HWR ponds are designed to reinstate general habitat, but also to provide natural flood and surface water management, together with diffused pollution control and sediment catchment from adjacent hillside fields – acting as a buffer zone. In winter, the ponds will reach their maximum surface area, providing large waterways for migratory wildfowl. In spring the NJT ponds will reduce in size and leave a small deepening which will heat up quicker to trigger the Natterjack spawn. In summer they will provide habitat for damselflies and aquatic pond insects. We plan to create 24 ponds, totalling approximately 22,000m2 across the estate adding to existing habitat and creating new wetland habitats. 7 will be natterjack toad specific ponds, and 17 general habitat ponds. Rather than thinking of these ponds as individual assets, we have grouped them into pond networks by holding but also layering other wildlife restoration efforts nearby to maximise the ecological benefit for the habitat. The layout of each having been specifically designed to support whole ecosystems.