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Baffins Pond

Where

The site is bordered by Tangier Road, Neville Road and Hayling Avenue and there is footpath access from each of these roads

Opening Times

This site is open at all times

Area

43,500 square metres   (4.35 Hectares)

What’s There

• The pond’s main attraction is the large number of ducks and other wild fowl that people of all ages come to feed. Please only feed the birds grain - it is essential for the well-being of the birds and to maintain a healthy pond.

• There are established reed beds and other water plants helping to create a diverse habitat to encourage a wider range of flora and fauna.

• There is a large play area with equipment for all ages and a sand pit. The site has recently been upgraded to include accessible equipment such as play panels, a sand table and disabled swing seat.

• Close to the play area is a ball-court with basketball and 5-a-side goals and the grassed field also has 5-a-side goals.

• An old compound has been transformed into a base for Baffins Pond Association who involve the local community in organised events and projects.  See the ‘External Link’ for their website.

 

Further Information

Considerable efforts have been made to improve and maintain Baffins Pond. Works have included :

• De-silting the pond, 1996
• Reed bed planting, 1996
• Extensive re-turfing where over grazing by wild fowl had destroyed the grass, 1998/99
• Pond edge rebuilding on the Tangier Road side, 2000
• Introduction of oxygenating plants, 2000

The Parks Service has gained an understanding of water management in recent years and efforts are being made to maintain the water quality. Regular 'visual checks' and water monitoring tests are carried out. This is especially important when controlling two natural phenomena that can occur when the weather is hot and sunny. Algae can 'bloom' and grow rapidly in a matter of hours turning the water green and affecting its quality. Avian Botulism (a type of food poisoning for ducks and geese) is a bacteria found in mud and soil, thriving where there is little oxygen.

Visitors to the area can help maintain a healthy pond for the Ducks and Geese by the type of feed they choose. Bread is not good for the birds and excessive feeding adds considerable nutrients to the pond, creating ideal conditions for algae to grow. They should only be fed with grain (wheat) that can be purchased from shops in Tangier Road.