POND LIFE
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POND LIFE
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| The finds were many, However due to constraints such as the size of the specimens, the resolution of our photographic equipment and to keep the graphics at a manageable level only a few of the larger specimens are shown here. Hopefully in the future I will be able to expand on this section. | ||
 A common find in the nets are nymphs. These are the larvae of insect groups which include Dragonflies Damselflies Mayflies and Stoneflies |
 This rather ferocious looking pond resident is the Water Scorpion. The long sting-like object at the back is actually a breathing tube. |
 Unlike its land dwelling namesake the Water Scorpion is harmless - unless of course you are a pond dweller. |
 Witches Brew - A spoonful of newts - Young Newts were a common catch. Adults spent much of the year on land. returning to water for breeding. |
 A close up of the young Newts shows the feather-like external gills that they use to breath during the early stages of life in the pond. |
 Another fierce predator of the pond environment are the diving beetles. This one tries to hid itself under the weed. |
 The rather blurred object by the leg of the water scorpion is a Water Louse. Like the land dwelling wood louse, which it resembles, the Water Louse is a scavenger. |
 One of the most fearsome insect predators of the pond - The dragonfly nymph - They feed on many small insects and the larger nymphs have even been known to take small fish, and can be up to 5cm long. |
 CATCH OF THE DAY This catch by young Simon was most unexpected and it is not known how it came to be in the pond. Being too small for the frying pan :-) it was placed back into the safety of the pond. |
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The pictures above are just a few of the creatures that were found during the dip. We were unable to photograph many as their small size would not have made for a good image. Other species seen include.... |
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Pond Snails. |
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| As well of the many different species found in the water of the pond. Numerous animals and insects live around the edges of the pond. | ||
 Having completed the larval stage of its life under the waters of the pond the adult Dragonfly is nothing like the ugly nymph it once was. |
 Photographed while it took a brief rest to sun itself on a convienent stone. I am not a butterfly expert but I think it is a Speckled Wood. |
 Although not seen on the day of the pond dip This Mink was photographed on the pond a few days earlier. It is not a native British mammal, but an import from the U.S.A. which escaped into the wild. |
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I hope that this brief introduction to pond life has been of interest to you, and I shall be endevouring to expand on these pages in the future. Hopefully they have given you ideas for perhaps doing you own pond dips. On a final note let me say that before the children left the site of the pond, They made sure that All the animals, insect and plants were returned to their rightful places and that the site was left clean and tidy. This causes the least disturbance possible to the environment, and preserves the site for the future. |
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