DORSET Wildlife Trust is highlighting the importance of garden ponds for wildlife as we face a summer of environmental drought, despite recent rain.

A survey of a network of garden ponds this spring has shown that wildlife is benefiting from the variety of ponds and plants provided by neighbouring wildlife friendly gardeners.

The survey was carried out as part of a Community Pond Dip and covered six quite different privately-owned garden ponds.

Over 30 species of wildlife were found, including newts, snails, freshwater shrimps and dragonfly and damselfly larvae, many of them having colonised the ponds without the knowledge of the owners.

Joy Wallis, community conservation officer for Dorset Wildlife Trust, said: “This pond survey has shown clearly how a group of gardens and their ponds can form an invaluable habitat for wildlife, with species choosing the pond or garden that is most suitable for them. Different ponds attract a different range of wildlife but taken together, this 0.7km strip of gardens makes up an important haven for wildlife to help it to survive environmental changes and loss of habitat.”

Dorset Wildlife Trust’s Wildlife Friendly Garden Competition this spring is designed to encourage gardeners across the county to make a home for wildlife and there is plenty of advice available.

Joy said: “In the survey, the pond with the most animal species was the one with the greatest variety of plants in and around the pond, so do put in suitable native plants.

“My other top tip for anyone who wants to attract wildlife to their pond is not to add any animals at all, especially fish. Native animals such as amphibians, dragonflies and snails, will find their own way. Just sit back and let the wildlife come to you.”

The Wildlife Friendly Garden Competition, sponsored by The Gardens Group, is open to all sizes of garden until May 18.

Winners will receive a plaque and there are wildlife-friendly prizes for the runners up and for every school that enters the competition, kindly donated by The Gardens Group. For advice or to enter the competition, visit dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/wgc or ring 01305 264620.