A pond can be made attractive to wildlife with some planning. Quail, rabbits, raccoons, songbirds, and other animals that are attracted to a pond will enrich the hours you spend there. The more secluded the pond, the more likely it is to attract wildlife.
You can increase wildlife use of your pond area in several ways. Plant and protect wildlife nesting cover such as grasses and legumes; plant fruit-bearing shrubs (dogwood, cranberry, autumn olive, bush honeysuckle) for food and landscaping; plant evergreens in clumps of 10 to 15 for winter cover and landscaping. Do not plant these trees close to the edge of the pond if you want to attract ducks. Cover that connects the pond area to cropland and woodland (travel cover) will also increase wildlife use of the pond area.
Fertilizing and liming the area will improve cover conditions as will the construction of a brush pile for additional cover. Predator-proof nesting boxes may also be erected for wood ducks.
Your county Extension agent, county wildlife officer, or NRCS/SWCD office can help you plan the wildlife area and tell you how to get shrubs and trees.