Page 8 - Issue 69 Online

EXPLORE WETLAND

WILDLIFE THIS SUMMER

ildlife gets that little
bit closer throughout
Wsummer as many of the
species to be spotted include the
thousands of insects that call our
wetlands home. Bug hunting and
pond dipping are fantastic ways
to get a closer look at creatures
below the water, amongst the
grasses and flowers and zipping
through the air. If you visit Manea
Pit for pond dipping, maybe make
a list of creatures you see there
and then compare to the ones
at Welney. The two pond dipping stations at around. Kneel or sit by the water’s edge so
Welney, are ready to use self-guided all the time as not to cast too much of a shadow over the
with equipment and safety measures provided. water. With the net in the water, sweep in a
You may well have your own net and tray, but figure of 8 shape a few times. Gently place your
it is best not to use them on different sites so net into your tray and wash the contents out.
that you can make sure you are not transferring Give it a few minutes for the creatures to reveal
creatures or their diseases. Ideal for weekend themselves, some will be fast and some will be
days out, holiday fun or when the kids are back slow, check the water and any plants you catch.
at school, for home-schoolers’ education. Don’t forget to carefully return everything back
into the ditch once you have finished.
Some top tips for pond dipping are to fill the
tray with water before you even dip a net in the During the summer holidays we will have
water, that way your creatures can easily move activities on offer as part of our wetland
explorers event – pond dipping, bug hunting and
extra special activities including meeting moths.
Our explorer backpacks will provide you with all
the kit you need, these are available to borrow
during the holidays and on weekends. Getting
closer to nature has many benefits for us from
the physical wellbeing of walking around a
site to the calm it can bring our mental health.
Allowing yourself to be in the moment and to
share experiences like these as a family is well
worth it, whatever your ages.

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