Ponds are listed as a priority habitat in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan. Ponds and small lochs are essential for amphibian breeding and for the young to develop they are also used by grass snakes for swimming and hunting. They support an enormous amount of biodiversity including aquatic invertebrates, plants, small mammals and birds. Unfortunately over the last couple of centuries we have lost over 50% of our pond habitats and of the remaining habitats 80% are in poor condition (Freshwater Habitats Trust research).