WildBristol.uk - Discovering Wildlife in Bristol

Description

With the new pond on Horfield Common now settled, some may be wondering why it hasn't been planted? With it being a natural (unlined) pond, it is to be left alone to see what naturally colonises - a very exciting process. The ground here has always been boggy and in the past there were several ponds in the vicinity. This means there is the potential for long dormant seeds from a past aquatic flora (some of which can survive for hundreds of years) to re-emerge from the disturbed mud. There were several water-loving plants already present on this boggy piece of ground prior to its construction and they are expected to return. Someone (probably with good intentions) has already chucked in a clump of aquatic plants (Fool's Water-cress and Brooklime) despite the clear sign. Please do not introduce anything. This is how invasive species and diseases are spread and it defeats the object of observing how the pond naturally evolves overtime. Thank you. For more information see https://wildbristol.uk/location/new-quab-pond/

A new pond created on 02.12.25 where there was an existing near permanent muddy puddle. This is a naturally boggy area with several springs in the vicinity. Historically a large pond occurred to the East of it and two more existed further to the West. It is named after the former farm house 'Quab Farm' which stood where the garages are today.

Introducing New Quab Pond - a new pond which has finally become a reality after a period of two years since its initial proposal. It has been named after the farm house which once stood opposite (where the garages are now) and an extinct pond which formerly existed adjacent [see Know Your Place https://maps.bristol.gov.uk/kyp/?edition=]. 'Quab' refers to boggy or muddy and is certainly apt for what is one of the boggiest parts of the Common and where until recently, an almost permanent muddy puddle once stood; having now been turned into an even bigger muddy puddle!

The soil here is heavy clay and naturally waterlogged and there are several springs in the area. For this reason there was no need for it to be lined but merely an act of digging a hole and letting nature do the rest. In fact it was filling up as it was being dug and was full within just three hours (quickest pond ever!).

It will now be left to its own devices and regularly monitored to observe how it changes over time - an extremely exciting process. The disturbance will have reawakened long dormant seeds and it will be interesting to see what naturally colonises. A pair of opportunistic Pied Wagtails were seen picking for surfaced worms during its creation. Several water-loving plants already existed here and are expected to reappear, and with the close proximity to the original pond, it's possible that some locally extinct species may return.

It will not be planted. There are several reasons for this. People seem to have an obsession with planting. In an ornamental setting such as a garden then fine but in the world of conservation (an objective which has unfortunately gone out of the window in recent years) it should be about allowing natural processes to take place and preserving what's already there (whether it's visible or not) through various forms of management.

it has the potential to introduce pests, diseases and invasive species.

and above all it's boring! The whole point of allowing natural colonisation is that it's fascinating seeing how it changes over time. It's the next best thing to having a time machine.

Thanks to historical texts, we know what once grew here. Relics of the past still remain and a picture can be built of what the past once looked like.

There were already a couple of plants often associated with waterways including Plicate Sweet-grass (Glyceria notata) and Redshank (Persicaria maculosa) other plants present included Creeping Buttercup (Ranunculus reptans), Silverweed (Potetilla anserina), Broad-leaved Dock (Rumex obtusifolia), White Clover (Trifolium repens), Knotgrass (Polygonum aviculare), Greater Plantain (Plantago major), Pineappleweed (Matricaria discoidea), Perennial Rye (Lolium perenne), Annual Meadow-grass (Poa annua), Rough Meadow-grass (Poa trivialis), Cock's-foot (Dactylis glomerata), Timothy (Phleum pratensis), False Oat-grass (Arrhenatherum elatius), Creeping Bent (Agrostis stolonifera) and Wall Barley (Hordeum secalinum).

Clay soils are fantastic for preserving objects and seeds can remain dormant for an incredibly long time only germinating once the right conditions come to light.

The first plant expected to colonise the water itself is a type of filamentous green algae called Cladophora glomerata

among the most exciting potential species to return is Whorl-grass (Catabrosa aquatica) - an extremely rare aquatic plant in Bristol; only recently seen along the River Avon near St Anne's in 2009. Historically it was more widespread and is mentioned from "Pools on Horfield Common; Herb. Stephens." (White, 1912) by locally famous botanist Henry Oxley Stephens. Peculiarly though it isn't mentioned in his catalogue. Astonishingly two plants of significant interest mentioned in the same list were rediscovered in 2025. His herbarium is located in Bristol Museum.

Another is Horned Pondweed (Zannichellia palustris) recorded from "Horfield" by G.H.K. Thwaites (Swete, 1854)

Floating Sweet-grass (Glyceria fluitans) is also mentioned "Pools about Horfield" (Swete, 1854) but the two species are very similar and weren't distinguished back then. Both often grow together and so it is possible that this could have occurred. This was seen by Stephens (1835 [as Poa fluitans])

The plan is to see what naturally colonises and let it do its thing. After an extended period the introduction of plants from the existing pond and other places from around the Common. These include:

For the pond itself:

• Yellow Iris (Iris pseudacorus) - relict patch growing by the garages
• Brooklime (Veronica beccabunga) - from existing pond
• Water-cress (Nasturtium officinale) - from existing pond
• Amphibious Bistort (Persicaria amphibia) - from soil bund at Wellington Hill entrance of Wellington Playing Field
• Reed Sweet-grass (Glyceria maxima) - from existing pond

For the banks and margins:

• Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria) - from Horfield Parish churchard
• Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia) - from Horfield Parish churchard
• Toad Rush
• Pendulous Sedge (Carex pendula) - from nearby ditch
• Hairy Sedge (Carex hirta) - from Cat-mint area
• Remote Sedge (Carex remota) - from behind Horfield Parish churchyard
• Meadow Vetchling (Lathyrus pratensis) - from Horfield Parish Churchard or Donkey Ln
• Tufted Vetch (Vicia cracca) - from Horfield Parish Churchard
• Lesser Celandine (Ficaria verna) - from nearby ditch
• Common Fleabane (Pulicaria dysenterica) - from meadow behind Horfield Parish churchyard
• Creeping Thistle (Cirsium arvense) - should naturally colonise otherwise from nearby ditch
• Cuckooflower (Cardamine pratensis) - from one of a number of areas
• Winter-cress (Barbarea vulgaris) - from one of a number of areas
• Water Figwort (Scrophularia auriculata) - from lane between Radnor Rd and Longmead Ave
• Great Willowherb (Epilobium hirsutum) - should naturally colonise otherwise from nearby ditch
• Hoary Ragwort (Jacobaea erucifolia) - from Horfield Parish Churchard
• Meadow Buttercup (Ranunculus acris) - from one of a number of areas
• Red Clover (Trifolium pratense)

Wavy Bittercress (Cardamine hirsuta) should naturally colonise Meadow Fox-tail (Alopecurus pratensis)

It is hoped that this new pond will provide much needed relief to the local amphibian population and all wildlife which calls Horfield Common home as well as giving passers by a reason to stop and glimpse a view from the past!

Next will be maintainance on the existing pond - vegetation clearance to open up the pond and let in more light ready in time for next years spawning season.