Slope advice for wildlife pond please

"Broadback" wrote in message
...
I am in the UK and am building a wildlife pond. What is the maximum slope
desirable for creatures to get in and out, well out mainly, I guess they
can jump in ? :-) Also should I plant around it for protection or leave it
bare so that domestic cats can't lie in wait?

If you use a pond liner, put some flat rocks along the shoreline so the
critters can get some traction as they walk in and out. Birds, rodents and
other mammals will come to the pond to drink some water, maybe bathe,
amphibians will come by run their lifecycle.

You will probably want some trees or fence posts near the pond so birds can
check out the area before they come in. Also plant things like water lilies
and aquatic grasses to provide a safe haven for fry, tadpoles and other
small things. If you add aquatic plants, you almost always get a few aquatic
snails.

The snails provide food and help keep the pond clear.