October Moved into the new house.

November After surveying and photographing the garden, a digger was hired and work begun on the pond. The hole was excavated and the underlay and liner was in place.

December The rock was ordered, delivered and put into place.

January Not a great deal happening, the odd job when weather permitted, the pond checked for leaks.

Febuary Nothing much happening, a few hawthorn bushes put where there is a gap in the vegatation along a fence.

March A second load of rock delivered, this has mainly been used to make a retaining wall between the 'stolen' part of the garden and the woods. A few bird boxes placed towards the end of the month. I did think it may be too late but a pair of blue tits took an interest within a couple of hours.

April The pond finally finished. A start was made in planting the surrounds and margins. I began to lay a path that will surround the pond and lead to the entrance to the woods, this is made from slate chippings. Weather, work and the amount of earth needed moving prevented the planting from being complete. I am pleased that the blue tits have nested in one of the boxes and even more so that a pair of long tailed tits have nested in an evergreen hedge near the woods, another pair of blue tits have taken up residence in a small hole under the eaves of the house ( which I think is unusual ) and I think a pair of robins have nested just into the woods but I do not wish to disturb them by trying to confirm that a nest is in place.

May The surrounds of the pond are all but planted with the earlier plantings starting to grow and spread nicely. The long tailed tits have successfully reared their young and departed with no sign of starting a second brood. Both pairs of blue tits are constantly back and forth feeding their young which should be emerging soon. Quite a few species of birds are bringing their offspring to the garden to feed including starlings, blackbirds, greenfinches, dunnocks and chaffinches. The pond has already started to attract all sorts of birds with a diverse clientel from bluetits to crows coming to drink and bathe. The first residents have also been seen, a palmate newt and some great pond snails, although the latter must have arrived on some plants.

June The young from both blue tit nests have now dispersed and no sign of either pairs starting a second brood. Another plant bed added. Got a nice picture of a great spotted woodpecker feeding a jouvenile in the garden. The plants around the pond continue to grow and fill gaps.

July Most of the path around the pond is now complete. A gazeebo has been added along with another plant bed. The starlings have completely dissapeared from the garden and as a result it seems much quieter.

August I have started to slow down a bit now and hopefully enjoy the little bit of Summer we may get. Quite supprised at the amount of dragonflies being attracted to the pond. I have watched 3 species laying eggs in it.

September Just a little weeding

October Cut down some of the old lawn to create a new circular lawn and a couple of small beds

November Built 3 compost bins from concrete blocks

December Started work on a large Water Tank, this is built from concrete blocks and will be lined with a pond liner. This will be linked to an overflow in the pond which in turn is linked to a couple of water butts. This should provide a reservoir to refill the pond in summer when it gets low.