Much to pond-er after a dip into the watery mysteries of Wimbledon Common
Children from the Wimbledon Common Nature Club spent a lovely morning pond-dipping on Wimbledon Common.
They learnt that ponds support two thirds of all freshwater species, including many of our most endangered, and are a crucial habitat for a great diversity of plants and animals, while having a role in fighting climate change, flooding and pollution.
The families then went to Queensmere pond on Sunday with trays, nets, hand lenses, pond charts and special paper strips to test the water quality, which they found to be good.
The aquatic creatures they found were a toad, tadpoles, water boatmen, diving beetles, pea mussels, pond snails and pond skaters.
Club leader Auriel Glanville said: “We had a great morning discovering the pond life on Wimbledon Common, the children very excited by all that they found. Many had not pond dipped before and were eager to do more exploring of this new aquatic world in the future.”
The monthly club’s next session will be on Sunday, June 1, when “Bees” will be the theme. Alison Pelikan, a local beekeeper, will be there to offer insight into the life of the honeybee and to make a beeswax candle.
If you’d like to go, meet at the Information Centre, Wimbledon Common. It takes place from 10am to 12 noon (newcomers 9.45am to register) and is aimed at 6-14-year-olds. It’s free but donations are welcome.
You can contact on: 07837 910072 or: 020 8669 5781. E-mail: auriel.glanville@btinternet.
Pictured top: Families around a pond-dipping tray examining their finds (Picture: Auriel Glanville)
