You can find most of the equipment you need for pond dipping around the house or it can be made simply or cheaply. The following tips will help you pond dip responsibly and teach children the value of conserving the natural environment.
Before you start. Approach the pond slowly and quietly. Before you dip, look closely at the surface. Can you see pond skaters, whirligig beetles or water measurers? Look out for fish or amphibians close to the surface. Fill your white tray with water from the pond, ready to receive your netted catch. Start dipping. The first sweeps of the net should be made in the open water with the whole of the net bag beneath the surface. Push the net bag through the water making a figure of eight.
Quickly lift the net out. Move away from the edge of the pond and immediately turn the contents inside out into your white tray half filled with water.
Wash the net bag in the water tray and look closely. You might not be able to see anything straightaway. Repeat the process, observe and record. Sweeping through the submerged stems of emergents can be rewarding, but take care not to uproot the plants. Any animals you want to examine further should be transferred carefully to another tray, making sure they have enough water and are not in direct sunlight. Search the bottom mud.
Fill your white tray with water from the pond again. Scoop up a sample of mud from the bottom. Which are the predators, prey and producers? When you are safely set up and ready, slowly lower your net into the water. To keep the water flowing through the net, move it gently in a figure of eight motion.
After a few loops gently lift out the net, place it in the water in your tray and turn it inside out, dipping the mesh into the water. The catch is then ready to be observed. Use the pond ID sheet to work out what animals you've caught. When you've finished dipping, carefully lower your tray nearer to the water surface and pour the contents of your tray back into the pond, then give the tray and net a gentle rinse to make sure all the creatures are back in the pond.
If you're planning to use your net in a different pond, get a grown-up to soak it in fresh, hot water to avoid transferring any nasties from pond to pond. Don't forget to tell us when you have completed the activity!
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Watch some pond explorers Pond dipping in the garden Read video transcript A family spend the afternoon pond dipping. Print this activity. Completed an activity? Share your picture Share using wildchallenge. Twitter Pinterest. Other activities you can do Go birdwatching. Wild sleepout. Signs of spring. See all activities. Cookie Preferences. Accepting all non-essential cookies helps us to personalise your experience.
Edit settings. Bend the coat hanger into a circle to make the rim of the net. Wrap the waistband of the tights over the wire and staple them into place. Cut the legs off the tights and tie up the holes. Finally, straighten the hook of your coat hanger and wind it around a stick, then secure it with sticky tape. Make sure it's firmly attached so it doesn't fall in the water.
Make sure you are always supervising your child while pond dipping. Ensure children exercise caution around the water and don't lean too far over. Never enter the water if you drop something — the pond may be deeper than it looks. Pond water contains bacteria, so make sure any cuts are covered by watertight plasters.
Always wash hands thoroughly after this activity. Start your family's adventure Discover nature together with family membership and help us protect trees, woods and wildlife. Search our site.
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