Gateshead residents have dubbed a local pond drying up as a "disaster" for the local environment.
Shibdon Pond in Blaydon is home to several species of birds including kingfishers, mandarin ducks, lapwing and snipe - there have even been otters spotted there in recent years. However, in recent months the pond has dried up and for many who live close to it, it is the first time this has happened in living memory.
According to residents, the water level started to drop in June and within a month the pond had completely dried up. And though the pond has started to refill after recent heavy rainfall, residents are worried at what they perceive to be a lack of information from Durham Wildlife Trust, the charity which manages the pond on behalf of Gateshead Council.
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David Caldwell, a wildlife photographer and birdwatcher who lives in Blaydon, said: "(the situation) It's dire, to be honest. The way we're seeing things is obviously that we've had the drought situation.
"However, that's never affected the pond before as such. I'm looking back to 1976 when we had a major drought and I was a young child - the water level never depreciated that much back then, so we're wondering if something else has happened, such as a stream being blocked off."
David says that a stream which runs into the pond hasn't been flowing since May, while there are also concerns about the sluice gate leading into the pond. David and others are worried that birds which nest at the pond, some of which are protected species, are suffering due to the water level being so low.
Lucy McMahon, who lives in nearby Sunniside and goes birdwatching there with her 10-year-old son, said: "The few birds left make a sorrowful spectacle as they fight over a small puddles left by the recent rain. The cacophony of bird calls that used to ring out have gone and the pond is eerily silent - this is a disaster."
But it's not just a home for the birds, the pond is a much-loved community asset, popular among families who come down to feed the birds and dog walkers.
Lucy continued: "This pond holds many happy memories for me as I’m sure it does for the whole community. I used to take my children there to feed the ducks and had many a picnic trying to fend off the Canada geese or running from the swans!
"For people like me and my son, we're twitchers and a lot of the birding community go there as it's a lovely place to walk around. Me and my son have spent long afternoons in the hide, making new friends and having my eyes opened to the amazing variety and beauty of birds (as well as all the other wildlife)."
"It's the heart of a community in a way, it's a landmark and a lot of the community are upset and worried that it's going to be gone forever, there needs to be more information on what's happening."
David has set up a Facebook group named Friends of Shibdon Pond and Shibdon Meadows in an attempt to save the pond and raise awareness of its current plight. So far, more than 300 people have joined the group.
He continued: "You see kids feeding the ducks down there and it brings light into your soul just to see people out and about down there. We've got people who really appreciate and love the place, which is why I set the site up in the first place.
"Local wildlife should be look after, not just left to fend for itself."
Mark Dinning, Head of Conservation for Durham Wildlife Trust, said: "Like people who live close to Shibdon Pond, the team at Durham Wildlife Trust is concerned and alarmed by the drop in water levels over recent months. Sadly, the prolonged dry period is the root cause of the issue and the pond needs significant rainfall to recharge."
A spokesperson for Durham Wildlife Trust added: "The pond is dependent on rainfall and its inflows to recharge, so there is little that can be done to make a material difference without a prolonged wet spell. It may take a considerable length of time for water levels to be restored.
"Durham Wildlife Trust is carrying out investigations to assess the local hydrology to see if that has reduced the amount of water that the pond receives. The Trust is also working on developing projects and bidding for funding to undertake management changes which could enhance the pond for wildlife and mitigate against dry periods and drought in the future.
"During a recent site check we noticed that the position of the sluice gate had been altered by a third party. The gate was in the correct position prior to this interference and such actions will be detrimental to the recovery of the water levels. We would ask that people leave the management of the pond to Durham Wildlife Trust staff and volunteers."
ChronicleLive also contacted the Environment Agency, who redirected us to this statement on the Durham Wildlife Trust website.
What are your memories of visiting Shibdon Pond? Let us know!
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