Photo Posts

Fixed Point Photography Posts

Help monitor seasonal change at the ponds

As part of the Rewilding Queensmere project, we will be installing 'photo posts' with a specially made cradle for camera phones to act as fixed point photography locations at each of the Commons' nine ponds. 

By taking a photo and sharing it you'll be helping document how the wildlife in and around the ponds changes with each season and whether it's affected by nature or visitors using the space. 

Please place your phone in the cradle, take a photo of the view, upload it to social media and tag it with hashtag: #WPCponds

Thank you!

 

How will your photos help monitor and manage the ponds?

Marginal vegetation - Marginal vegetation is important for pond wildlife. It provides habitat at the waters edge for invertebrates, amphibians and birds. We'll be looking at your photos to record the plants that are growing at the edges of the banks and how this changes throughout the year. 

The habitat around the pond - We will also look at the plants on the land around the ponds. Year on year we can see if new trees and scrub are growing closer to the pond and whether this impacts the light entering the pond and the amount of leaf litter that could be collecting in the water. 
Naturally, if a pond is left untouched, it is likely that the habitat would succeed to become woodland habitat. This is because, over time, sediment builds up in the pond until it eventually becomes a marshy wetland that terrestrial plants can establish on. Your photos can help monitor sedimentation and the changing shape of the pond. 

Water depth - The water levels in a pond are expected to change seasonally - some will even dry up each summer. Your photos will help us examine whether these water levels are changing each year or better understand what is normal for each pond. 

Impact of visitors and dogs - Your photos might help us understand how visitors are using the areas around the ponds. We will be able to see if new paths are forming or if the banks are eroding due to dogs entering the water.