A pond on Wisley Common in Surrey has reached its lowest level in 17 years, according to the Surrey Wildlife Trust (SWT). The pond, located at Pond Farm adjacent to RHS Garden Wisley, has been visibly drying up over recent weeks due to a prolonged period of hot weather.
James Herd, director of reserves management at SWT, who has worked with the trust for 17 years, stated he has "never seen the pond so low." He described the pond's condition as a "very obvious visual indication of the scale of the drought."
The region has experienced its fifth heatwave of the year, with meteorologists at Wisley reporting no rainfall for over 50 days. Although cooler temperatures were predicted for the weekend, the lasting effects of the dry spell are evident.
Herd noted "signs of struggle" among nearby plants and trees, with some trees exhibiting premature leaf fall as a self-protective measure, resembling autumn conditions. He emphasized the need for preparedness for extended dry periods, asserting that this summer's conditions are not an isolated event. "Sceptical or not, the data shows that we are getting more extremes," Herd said.
Pond Farm is situated on lowland heathland, a habitat characterized by acidic and nutrient-poor soils. Herd explained that efforts are underway to improve water retention on such land, particularly in anticipation of future dry summers.
One proposed method to address water retention is the reintroduction of beavers. "They will do the rewetting work for us... we should look to nature to help us cope better," Herd commented.
Last year, SWT indicated it was considering a license to release beavers into the county, where they have been absent for approximately 400 years. While this has not yet occurred, Herd confirmed that constructive discussions with Natural England are ongoing.