How garden ponds help local wildlife during a heatwave

Sitting in my office feeling hot and flustered! A visit to our local pool, a cold shower or an ice-cold drink will certainly help cool me down. But what about our local wildlife? How do they survive this heatwave we are experiencing when lawns are looking parched, plants wilting and the ground is bone-dry? 

Garden ponds become one of the most valuable habitats for wildlife during a heatwave. As natural puddles, ditches and streams dry out, a well-maintained pond provides a reliable source of fresh water, shelter and food for a wide range of animals.

In this article we discuss some of the key ways garden ponds support local wildlife during hot weather.

Provide Essential Drinking Water

Many creatures rely on ponds when other water sources disappear. Birds, hedgehogs, foxes, squirrels, bees, butterflies and other insects all need regular access to fresh water to survive during prolonged periods of high temperatures.

Keep Amphibians Alive

Frogs, toads and newts need damp environments to prevent dehydration. Even if breeding has finished, a pond offers a cool refuge where they can escape the intense summer heat.

Support Dragonflies and Damselflies

Dragonflies spend most of their lives underwater as aquatic nymphs before emerging as adults. A healthy pond allows these fascinating insects to complete their life cycle while helping control mosquito populations.

Help Birds Stay Cool

Many birds use ponds not only for drinking but also for bathing. Bathing removes dust and parasites from feathers while helping birds regulate their body temperature.

Protect Aquatic Insects

Water beetles, pond skaters, caddisflies and many other aquatic insects thrive in ponds. These insects form an important part of the food chain, providing food for birds, amphibians and dragonflies. Aquatic plants grown in and around a pond provide a landing place for bees, butterflies and dragonflies so that they can drink the water.

Creates Cool Microclimates

The area around a pond is often noticeably cooler than the surrounding garden. Marginal plants, damp soil and evaporating water create a more comfortable environment for insects, amphibians and small mammals.

Provides Food for Wildlife

A healthy pond attracts insects, which in turn attract birds, bats, frogs and hedgehogs. During a heatwave, this concentrated food source becomes increasingly important when insects are less abundant elsewhere.

Supports Pollinators

Bees, hoverflies and butterflies require water just as much as nectar. Shallow edges, damp stones or floating plants provide safe places where pollinators can drink without the risk of drowning.

Offers Shelter from the Sun

Aquatic plants such as water lilies provide shade across the pond surface. This keeps the water cooler while offering shelter for fish, tadpoles and aquatic insects.

Increases Biodiversity

Even a small wildlife pond can support dozens of species. During periods of drought, gardens with ponds often become important refuges that help local wildlife populations survive until cooler, wetter conditions

Ponds also use less water than having to nurture flowerbeds and a lawn in hot, dry conditions. They also don't require fertiliser or pesticides to keep them looking good so are an environmentally favourable addition to any size garden

A garden pond helps local ecosystems so that we can continue enjoying their sounds and sightings. As Dr Daniel Hayhow, RSPB conservation scientist said: "Unfortunately, the sights and sounds of wildlife that were once common to us are sadly becoming more mysterious. Creating a small pond in your garden, or a pool using a washing-up bowl, is so simple to do and could make all the difference."

How You Can Make Your Pond More Wildlife-Friendly During a Heatwave

• Keep the pond topped up with rainwater whenever possible.
• If using tap water, add it gradually to avoid sudden temperature changes.
• Include shallow sloping edges so animals can enter and leave safely.
• Add native aquatic plants to provide shade and oxygen.
• Leave some areas undisturbed where wildlife can hide.
• Avoid using pesticides or herbicides near the pond.
• Never completely clean out your pond during hot weather, as this can disturb breeding wildlife.
• Ensure fish ponds have adequate aeration, as warm water contains less dissolved oxygen.

Why This Matters

Climate change is bringing more frequent and longer-lasting heatwaves to the UK. As ponds, wetlands and streams naturally dry out, garden ponds are becoming increasingly important stepping stones for wildlife across towns and countryside. A single garden pond can provide a lifeline for countless species, helping them find water, food and shelter when they need it most.

For many gardeners, creating or maintaining a pond is one of the most effective ways to encourage biodiversity. During a heatwave, that pond can become an oasis supporting everything from frogs and dragonflies to hedgehogs, birds and vital pollinating insects.

How to build a wildlife friendly pond

• Make your pond as big as possible to create many and varied habitats. The Wildlife Trust suggests a pond 1m wide by 2m long to be an ideal size
• Ensure some edges are shallow and sloping to allow creatures easy access
• Add aquatic plants

When you have finished building your pond don’t be tempted to transfer creatures such as frogs and newts from other ponds or take spawn from the wild, which can spread disease. Insects, amphibians and invertebrates will find your pond surprisingly quickly on their own.

Pond liners are an easy way of containing water for wildlife ponds particularly if the ground is porous. A pond liner does not need to detract from the natural look of your pond. Cover it with smooth surfaced pebbles for a natural look. Rubber pond liners such as Epalyn (EPDM) or Butyl are non-toxic to wildlife and don’t leach chemicals into the water. These pond liners are thick, flexible and resistant to UV rays so will stand up to sunny, hot conditions and the presence of wildlife for more than 25 years.

Useful Articles:

26 Reasons why you should definitely build a pond for wildlife

Steps to planning a garden pond build
 
Planting aquatic plants

5 Important steps to avoid blanket weed covering your pond