I sloped the edges about 30 degrees (from horizontal) for the top 4 inches
of depth & over-lapped the edges with turf (rolled into the pond). I also
added a few piles of gravel from the margin up to the edge to allow easy
access for the newts etc. They all seem to get in & out alright. My cats get
their far share of frogs & toads but I guess they get them from the long wet
grass rather than the pond itself.

"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?