Massive undertaking - 3 acre garter habitat

[infernalis]

I have had this plan going on in my mind for a long time, and it's finally underway.

Think of it as a 3 acre vivarium.

Phase one, removal of some trees.



the next step will be stump removal and excavating a large deep pond..



I will also be leveling the ground surrounding the pond and planting grass & blue spruce trees. I like blue spruce, a very pretty species of tree.

made progress today. The wall of debris at the back end will be covered with the soil displaced excavating the pond forming a dike that will be about six feet high with countless air gaps inside it.

to the left is the side of my hill and to the right is an existing dike with a creek on the other side.

Spent most of today having the area leveled, the spot where the pond is going to be is already getting wet. There is a natural spring located there, combined with the snow melt and spring rains, the pond will be perfect for the local frogs to breed by spring 2011.



My son just had to get in the picture.. Anyhow, the clay base will retain water really well.



once the pond is completely dug out the whole surrounding area will be planted with grass and then fenced off to keep trespassers out.

Lake Thamnophis will be a reality in just a few short months.

I should be seeing a lot more of this next summer..

[guidofatherof5]

Lake Thamnophis.
Sounds like a retirement community for old garter snake keepers.

[infernalis]

You just want a cabin on the shoreline, so you can spoil your Radix even more Steve.

[Mommy2many]

As Steve has hinted, can we put down $$$ now for our cottages along Lake Thamnophis? They did this along Lake Candlewood up here. Bigger lake and mucho bucks for lakefront property now! I want one next to you and Steve; nothing big, just someplace to come and hang out with the snakes and frogs!

[charles parenteau]

Fantastic!!

[HazAnga]

lookin sweet Can't wait to see the final pic. I guess that's one way of getting them to come to you. and the mounds of dirt or dike as you called them would and could be perfect brumation dens.

[infernalis]

lookin sweet Can't wait to see the final pic. I guess that's one way of getting them to come to you. and the mounds of dirt or dike as you called them would and could be perfect brumation dens.

That's the general idea, the wall of clay will have countless air gaps, and as the pine wood inside decomposes it will leave hollows inside perfect for snakes.

My property is already very well populated with eastern garter snakes, water snakes, milk snakes and Storeria (brown snakes)

sometimes after it rains it is nearly impossible to walk ten feet without spotting a snake.

As an example I lifted this board up last summer and look what was under it.

[zooplan]

you have so much space

Lake Thamnophis would be an unbelievable expensive project in Germany.

@Steve would you lend out some of those boards to me?

[infernalis]

Believe me Udo, this is not cheap here either.

I sold the trees to a lumber mill to pay for it.

They were in my way

[gregmonsta]

Looking forward to seeing this progress . Good project!!!!!