NEW signage has been put up by Wellington Town Council to help people learn more about the wildlife which can be found in the Basins nature reserve.

It has been erected alongside what has been named as the community wood wildlife pond, close to the area’s skatepark, near the sports centre.

The lesser-known pond is about 200 yards from the two larger main ponds in the Basins and forms part of the official nature reserve.

A council spokesperson said: “Signs that used to be here were old, worn, and far too generic in their wording.

“We wanted to create a new sign that matched others in the green corridor area and offered information that was specific to the wildlife in this pond.

An interpretation board beside the community wood pond in Wellington Basins.
An interpretation board beside the community wood pond in Wellington Basins. (WTC)

“We used knowledge from regular volunteers and data from iNaturalist to learn about the species that can be found here, and included a range of them on the sign.

“As well as this, we have answered the question on everybody’s lips - what is the difference between a frog and a toad?”

The new sign, put up by the council’s open spaces team, was welcomed by members of the Basins Volunteer Group who help to look after the area along with volunteers from Transition Town Wellington.

As well as frogs and toads, the pond is home to newts, diving beetles, and dragonflies, while a variety of butterflies are supported by flowering plants which surround it.

Several hundred trees and shrubs have been planted in the nearby field over the past two decades to create a community woodland with a circular walk.

A variety of fruit trees, including apple, pear, and cherry were also planted, as well as blueberry bushes, to produce a harvest which is free for everybody in the community.