Ponds

Sunnyside has a total of nine ponds, all of which are man made. Most were built  to provide permanent water for orchard and vegetable irrigation. Currently, only three are used  for this purpose. All are fed by seasonal streams and springs as well as rainwater. These  ponds attract a wide range of species not otherwise found on the property.

Conservations Practices: We implement a variety of practices to maximize biodiversity in our pond habitats.  A major emphasis has been adding native aquatic plants and shrubs, which provide cover and forage for birds, insects, amphibians, reptiles and mammals.  Vegetation management around the ponds aims to create migration corridors to surrounding forests, streams and production fields and to provide shrub and tree buffers around pond edges. Selected fish removal (from stocking efforts of previous ownership) in ponds favored by amphibians increases survival of breeding frogs, toads and salamanders. Adding basking habitat (i.e., logs and exposed rocks) favors turtles and provides increased hunting opportunity for herons, raccoons and other species. Artificial nest boxes attract wood ducks and screech owls. Fencing of individual trees, regular cleaning of pond drains and construction of “flow devices” allow co-existence with beavers that might otherwise need to be trapped and relocated. Finally, we make every effort to be maximally efficient in withdrawing water for crop irrigation.

Indicator Species: beaver, green heron, wood duck, red-winged blackbird, pickerel frog, green  frog, American toad, Eastern newt, painted turtle, snapping turtle, Northern water snake,  Eastern ribbon snake, dragonflies (multiple species), pickerelweed, lizard tail, buttonbush, blue  flag iris, swamp milkweed, cardinal flower, boneset

Goods and Services: Three of our ponds provide irrigation for our vegetable operation. Ponds  also offer recreational opportunities.

Explore Other Ecosystem Features

Orchards
Production Fields & High Tunnels
Hayfields & Pastures
Relic & Existing Farm Infrastructure
Native Meadows & Savannas
Ponds
Stream Corridors & Hedgerows
Forest
Manicured Areas