Monday, 15th September, 2025 was a significant day in the history of Ballachurry Reserve!
Since it was originally dug in 2007 the pond has silted up with mud carried down by it's feeder stream. "Natural succession" was taking place with plants colonising the mud and, although it was always planned to have a large reed bed, in eighteen years the reeds have advanced halfway across the original pond area. The area of open water has been steadily decreasing over the years and if any was left during 2025 it was certainly impossible to see it from the bird hide!
All that changed rather dramatically on Monday when a JCB and owner-driver, Steve Maddrell, arrived on site not only to dig out part of the original pond but to change its profile completely and extend it into the area to the side of the bird hide as well.
Firstly, let's just remember what the area looked like only last week;
Now, let's watch the work unfold on what was a miserable day with gale force winds and persistent rain.
 |
| 8.30 a.m. JCB ready and waiting |
 |
| gates off |
 |
| rain started just at the wrong moment |
 |
| reversing in |
 |
| those spots are raindrops on the lens |
 |
| off through the glade towards the pond |
 |
| the grass will soon recover |
 |
| in position, MWT's David Bellamy capturing the moment |
 |
| the first scoop! |
 |
| the pile grows steadily larger |
 |
| water again visible! |
 |
| starting to look like a pond again |
 |
| a change of direction |
 |
| no going back now! |
 |
| working on steadily through the rain |
 |
| a river of mud! |
 |
| all spectators keeping safe and dry in the hide |
 |
| work progressed very rapidly....... |
 |
| watched by MWT's David Bellamy, Southern Group's Karen Griffiths, and myself |
 |
| will he ever get out again? |
 |
| buckets of vegetation........ |
 |
| give way to buckets of mud and water |
 |
| about to turn the corner |
 |
| right down to the original clay base now |
 |
| the JCB has a very long reach |
 |
| about to start on the new area |
Unfortunately another commitment meant I had to leave at 10 o'clock. Just as I left the JCB had a minor breakdown so I left on a bit of a cliffhanger! 12.30 saw me back again to see what progress had been made. The answer was - quite a lot! Minor breakdown overcome, I'm glad to say.
 |
| still raining on my return so I headed for the hide |
 |
| this looked like progress indeed - a bespoke mud flat! |
 |
| new view through the shutters |
 |
| water goes nearly to the path junction |
 |
| a final consultation |
 |
| then work continues |
 |
| when the rain eased off I took some distant shots from outdoors |
It was hard to tear myself away but after an hour or so I headed home for some lunch. When I returned the job was finished and I was just in time to see Steve leaving the Reserve. |
| past the noticeboard....... |
 |
| out through the gate...... |
 |
| and homeward bound around 3.30ish - a very good day's work! |
Of course I was excited to return to the hide to see the final result of all Steve's hard work. Yes, it looks raw without the greenery but I couldn't keep the smile off my face! The new pond profile has brought the water almost up to the hide itself and should be wonderful for bird watching in future. With the reed bed still in situ the pond now looks almost like a meander in a river and once screened from the footpaths once more should become a haven for wildlife.
Here are my final photos:
Congratulations to the Manx Wildlife Trust and its Southern Group Committee for "grasping the nettle" to undertake this work and many thanks to Steve Maddrell for making their vision a reality.
I hope to post some videos of the work in Part Two eventually, but that will take me a little longer. Meanwhile here is my favourite photo of the reserve. Once the water clears and the greenery comes back this will be a wonderful place for wildlife and people alike.
please click on photos to enlarge them
