water oddities
- Oscar Boatfield
- Jul 21
- 2 min read
There are ponds, rivers and streams all around us, sometimes in surprising places, and at this time of year they’re teeming with life. Take an afternoon to see what creatures - creepy, crawly, or wriggly - you can find in a watery spot near you.
You will need:
Access to a pond or river
A large, shallow tray or container - ideally white or see through
A small net (if you don’t have a net you can use a clear plastic tub or jar)
Some small glass jars, like jam jars
A towel or old cloth, just in case
Magnifying glass (optional)
Gather your items in a large bag and head to your local river or pond. You might want to take a drink and some snacks, especially if it’s hot.
Find a spot where the water is shallow. If you’re by a river, look for a place where the water flows more slowly.
Place your flat tray on the ground and half fill it with water from the pond or river.
Using your net, jar or tub, scoop through the water close to the bed of the pond or river, then empty it out into your tray.
Look closely to see if you can see any interesting plants or creatures wiggling about. You can use a magnifying glass to take a closer look, or transfer your discoveries to a jar.
When you’ve finished, gently tip everything back into the pond or river.
Looking at what lives in a pond is a great way to see how healthy the pond is. If you don’t have any rivers or ponds nearby, you could try creating your own mini pond in a garden.
For more things water ↓
Our "Water" Coffee ↓
Comments