Building a new 3 acre habitat for herps - massive project underway
I have been dreaming of this for years.
One problem I have seen on my property is the amphibians get screwed over every year when the spring rains form puddles and the eggs get laid in them.
Buy June the puddles dry up and all the tadpoles and baby newts die off.
For the last few years I have busted my butt pumping literally millions of gallons of water from the nearby creek into my woods to keep the puddles filled up long enough for the metamorphosis to occur and give them a chance to perpetuate.
(yes that is a fire hose)
http://www.reptard.info/frogs/discharge.jpg
So I decided a permanent solution would be a proper pond that will never dry out. The amphibians provide essential food for the local snakes.
My vision taking form...
Phase one, removal of some trees. (this whole spot is approximatly 350 feet deep by about 100 feet wide.)
http://www.reptard.info/rocky/sucks.jpg
looking down on it from the hillside..
http://www.reptard.info/rocky/sucks2.jpg
a shot of the crew at work..
http://www.reptard.info/frogs/skidder.jpg
the next step will be stump removal and excavating a large deep pond..
http://www.reptard.info/frogs/stumps.jpg
Phase two prepping the pond site, That large wall of of woods debris will be covered over with soil creating a six foot embankment with air gaps for snakes and small critters to hide in, as the wood decomposes it will leave caves inside for brumation dens.
We barely scraped the surface and the ground is already getting wet!
http://www.reptard.info/frogs/pond.jpg
http://www.reptard.info/frogs/goo.jpg
I will also be leveling the ground surrounding the pond and planting grass & blue spruce trees.
It should be a sight to behold when we get done.
Re: Building a new 3 acre habitat for herps - massive project underway
That is nothing short of amazing! What beautiful land you have! I can't wait to watch more of this journey and see the fruition of all your work. Even after the "finished!!" pictures have been posted, I hope you come back in future seasons to show pics of all the wildlife your work gives home to! (I'm willing to bet it'll be a lot more than just herps, too!)
Re: Building a new 3 acre habitat for herps - massive project underway
