From Pit to Pond - Learning at Big Pit: National Coal Museum
This pond has been created as a result of the industry that preceded it. The rain water that ran off the tip formed this pond, and provided opportunities for new life to colonise. Today, this pond is teaming with life, providing homes and food for lots of animals and plants. Many birds and mammals will drink, bathe and feed on the insects living in this pond.
Dragonflies, Newts and Orchids
Here are some of the plants and animals found at this pond"
- Diving beetles
- Southern marsh orchid
- Water boatmen
- Bullrush
- Pond snails
- Spikerush
- Dragonflies
- Marsh pennywort
- Damselflies
- Canadian pondweed
- Pond skaters
- Greater bird-foot’s trefoil
- Whirly-gig beetles
- Purple moor grass.
- Common lizard
- Palmate newt
- Common frog
- Water fleas
- Freshwater shrimp
- Water scorpion
Can you spot any plants or animals?
High on Life!
Ponds can have a high conservation status. They are hot-spots for wildlife because they may support hundreds of plants and animals within a relatively small area.
Surprisingly, ponds near coal tips are often quite rich in plants and animals. This is partly because they have only low amounts of nutrients, allowing many species to live side by side. Farm ponds are often affected by fertilisers, and are dominated by one or two competitive species. Studies have also shown that ponds in South Wales have more plant species than the average for Britain.
In Britain, there are three species of newt: great crested, smooth and palmate.
The great crested newt, which can grow up to 17cm long, is the largest and has special legal protection. Great crested newts require open water spaces for performing courtship displays and suitable vegetation in which to lay their eggs. The great crested newt has not been recorded here, but the conditions in this pond are perfect. You may be able to spot the species here at Coity Tip pond in the future.
