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Small ecosystems

Case studies

Swallow Pond, Wallsend

OS sheet 88, Grid Ref: NZ 301 693

This page last updated 06/07/02
Many of the ponds which are Northumbria Wildlife Trust reserves had their origins in the aftermath of coalmining. Big Waters near Seaton Burn is the largest and developed after the collapse of mining in the 1920s. It was established as a reserve in 1964 and became a Site of Special Scientific Interest in 1985. Another is Throckley Pond, part of Tyne Riverside Country Park, Newburn ('the Reeth') which was used as a reservoir by the coal industry (Isabella Colliery). Swallow Pond formed as a result of subsidence associated with coal mining at the former Rising Sun colliery, Wallsend (1908).
Ponds a very basic introduction.

All photos taken April 2002 © Kay Williams.
  • Click here to get a Multimap location map of the area (postcode: NE12 9SS). You should also be able to view an air photo of the area by clicking on the left-hand menu.
  • A sketch map of the reserve is also available from here.
Swallow Pond is a Northumbria Wildlife Trust nature reserve leased by the trust from North Tyneside Council in 1975. It is a shallow lowland pond and the site is part of the 400 acre Rising Sun Country Park, currently undergoing redevelopment of its visitor facilities (summer 2002).
The area's paths and bridleways are popular with dog walkers, cyclists and horse riders. It is within walking distance of Palmersville Metro station, an Asda hypermarket and local housing estates (eg Hadrian Park and Battle Hill). Work has started on a new housing estate opposite Palmersville station (builders - Bett). The area borders the North Tyne industrial estate and is wedged between the A191, the A19 and the A1058. The reserve is managed to protect birds, to diversify the habitat and, in conjunction with the Rising Sun park, encourage educational use.
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Wildlife Wintering and migrating birds are the main focus of the reserve. Waders include redshanks and greenshanks. Winter wildfowl include teal and whooper swan. Breeding birds include grebe, mute swan, coot and mallard. More on birds from the RSPB.
Surrounding area There are areas of grazed grassland, plantation woodland and carr surrounding the pond. The oldest area of woodland is part of a reclamation scheme and contains Corsican pine, ash, alder, Swedish whitebeam and sycamore. Pictured is a new area planted by the Forestry commission which will act as a buffer between the area immediately surrounding the pond and the housing estates along the Wallsend/Silverlink coast road (A1058).
The Pond margin Plants and trees surround the pond. There are stands of yellow flag iris, greater reedmace, branched burreed and greater spearwort. Although some areas are shaded by reeds and overhanging branches, there is plenty of light. Plants, shrubs and trees provide shelter and lots of food can be found as there are many insects and small animals living in the reeds and on (or just below) the water’s surface. The main predators are birds, mammals and larger insects.

The reed bed is the silent invader of ponds and lakes. The thick underground stems spread sideways through the mud and send up fresh shoots, pushing aside competitors. The strong stems trap old leaves and other plant material. Over several years previously open water becomes vegetated marsh. At the back of the bed, drier-ground plants move in, such as sedges and willow. (Process of ecological succession.) Reedbeds are an important and threatned bird habitat.
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The pond surface Above the surface the air is full of oxygen produced by plants and trees surrounding the pond. There is little shelter above the pond and little food in this area, but good amounts of light. Birds and insects have to hunt at the surface, margin or dive in to the water to find food. The few main predators include larger birds and dragonflies that catch their smaller prey while flying over the pond. The surface is completely open, so plenty of light and the only shelter is among the surface plants like water lilies. There is plenty of oxygen, which dissolves in the water from the air above. Many small animals live here and breathe through their gills, lungs or skin. Predators include birds, fish, some mammals and the larger insects.
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Mid-water conditions Underwater plants produce oxygen and creatures here breathe through their gills or skin. Food is more difficult to find and most hunt at the surface, margin or scavenge the bottom. Some light reaches this habitat through the water, but the further down the darker it gets! There is less shelter, unless lots of floating plants are growing.

Pond bottom Plants find it hard to grow at greater depth, because of the lack of light and reduced oxygen levels. As the dead rot and decompose on the bottom they use up oxygen, further reducing it. There is shelter on the bottom in decaying plant matter, stones, mud and sometimes ‘rubbish’. Fish and insects that can dive down for food, lurk in the mud waiting to pounce. Food in the mud and debris includes dead or decaying plant or animal material (detritus).

  • Broadwaters Virtual pond ecosystem. Get below the surface. Interactive diagrams of food webs and the physical conditions within a pond (microhabitats). Well worth a dip. http://www.broadwaters.fsnet.co.uk/
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Algae The producer plant of a pond ecosystem. Some are easily seen and form floating mats on the surface, but others are microscopic. These microscopic algae provide abundant food for microscopic animals, which are in turn food for larger creatures such as water beetles and insect larvae. These are eaten by fish, which are then hunted by predatory birds. Pond snails graze algae and in turn get eaten by fish, newts and birds.
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Visitor management The area surrounding Swallow Pond is criss-crossed by bridleways and paths, all of which seem well used and well signed. Paths are graded and normally the visitor centre can provide information. However, direct access to the pond itself is limited to the north-western end. Visitors are encouraged to use two concrete hides to watch the birds from and discouraged from actual access to the pond margins (which otherwise would quickly become trampled and muddy). Fencing and dense planting is used to discourage visitors from access to the majority of the pond.
     
Pond management Local government use Local Habitat Action Plans as part of their biodiversity management strategy. Read Cambridge's action plan to examine the broader issues. http://www.camcnty.gov.uk/sub/cntryside/biodiv/plans/ponds.html
The Pond Life Project 1995-1999 John Moores University, Liverpool A demonstration pond landscape conservation project, involving local volunteers; aiming to raise awareness of this declining habitat across Europe and to promote strategic conservation initiatives. http://cwis.livjm.ac.uk/pondlife/ and http://cwis.livjm.ac.uk/pondlife/pondlife.htm

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