Building a new 3 acre habitat for herps - massive project underway

[infernalis]

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)



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.)



looking down on it from the hillside..



a shot of the crew at work..



the next step will be stump removal and excavating a large deep pond..



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!





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.

[fire-eyes]

Wow. That's epic! Keep us all updated, what else can I say? Huge project indeed. It should be amazing to see what happens.

[TheSnakeEye]

subbed.

[infernalis]

Thanks for the replies.

we are digging out stumps today..

A couple photos.

[JLC]

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!)

[infernalis]

here is what I already have on the property now, they just need a deluxe condo....

[infernalis]

[infernalis]

Look at this little Dekayi... The garter snake didn't even notice.

[grits]

Great job. Bet its a great place to hang out and just take it all in.

[infernalis]

Great job. Bet its a great place to hang out and just take it all in.

oh yeah! Thanks BTW....





















Picked this up 5 years ago for a whopping $400 delivered. She's a little rough, not able to pass road inspection, but she starts right up, and with my place, we just park it in the back yard. (half mile back but in the yard nonetheless)



Diamond in the creek...



My son Brendan typical boy, can't leave the campfire alone for a minute...



Max getting soaked too.