For fun family days out, here are a few essentials to ensure the trip is rewarding and fun:
- Waterproofs, warm clothes and wellies
- A shallow tray or container
- A net (like the ones we use at the seaside, or you can make one with a coat hanger and pair of Mums tights).
- Magnifying glass can be very useful if you have one.
- An ID guide (which can be found online).
- A camera or phone can be helpful for identifying tricky ones later!
Here’s what to look out for…
Amphibians -The time to look out for frogspawn is around February-March. Frogs can lay over 5000 eggs in one go! Also look out for toads around the pond margins and newts in the water! Can you tell the difference between toad and frogspawn?
Minibeasts – You should find a wide range of snails, beetles and other insects in the water. How many can you identify?
Fish – Sticklebacks or minnows are the most likely fish that you will see.
Where to pond dip?
The UK has literally thousands of ponds; they could be ornamental ones in the garden, the local duck pond or out in the countryside. A good place to look is at your local nature reserve. Often ponds are created to encourage wildlife and there may even be staff on hand to help!
Take care!
