Rhyl nature spot welcomes new pond area

Work has been completed on a new pond area at Rhyl nature reserve.

Denbighshire Countryside Service has completed work on a new pond at Bruton Park Community Woodland.

This new addition to the Rhyl nature reserve which is 18m x 12m x 1.3m deep, is designed to support newts, specifically the Great Crested species.

The Great Crested Newt which can live up to 15 years, is protected in the UK under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981.

The pond was funded through the Nature For Health project and work at the site included excavation, bentonite clay lining and fencing for protection from dogs.

Volunteers supported by countryside rangers have helped the site by planting native marginal reeds, rushes and flowers that support the newts in the important task of egg laying.

Countryside Ranger Sasha Taylor said: “These habitats are also very important to the invertebrate population as well as a range of amphibians. Here it is the Great Crested newts that we are working to preserve and support but we hope to also help the likes of dragonflies and other invertebrates that rely on a suitable body of water for part of their life cycle.”

Emlyn Jones, Head of Planning, Public Protection and Countryside Services, said: “Bruton Park Community Woodland has become a fantastic place for supporting local wildlife and the wellbeing of local residents who visit the site to walk the paths.

“This area provides us with such a great opportunity to protect and preserve our local nature for the community to enjoy and we are looking forward to seeing how this new pond can support Great Crested Newts going forward.”