23 Year 1 children from Llanfoist School enjoyed a late June morning of pond dipping and minibeast hunting in Castle Meadows with their teaching staff and parents, volunteers from the Friends group and Mon Life’s Countryside Warden. Using their long net poles, sample trays and identification cards the young pupils discovered 13 different species in the meadows pond including:

• Three Spined Sticklebacks
• Whirligig Beetles
• Leeches (very popular with the children!)
• Pond Snails
• Pond Skaters
• Dragonfly Larvae
• Dragonfly Nymphs
• Swimming Mayfly
• Hog Lice
• Lesser Water Boatmen
• Caddis Fly Larvae
• Ramshorn Snails
• Water Beetles

One of the Friends also noticed a frog near the bank but he hopped it before the children could get across to see him!

This summer, for the first time, the schoolchildren had to do their pond dipping well to the left or to the right from their usual central pond location. The reason for this has been the increasing and repeated disturbance caused by dogs running in and out of the area which has resulted in the erosion of the bank. In the process this has damaged the plant life and released sediment into the water. This activity clouds the water and blocks out light for the plants and animals living below. It was noticeable to everyone that the central area was very shallow and clearly devoid of much in the way of pond life. Scientific studies have further revealed that certain flea treatments added to the back of dogs necks contain pesticides that can kill freshwater invertebrates. This treatment is very soluble and washes off when dogs swim and can, therefore, potentially harm animals such as dragonfly larvae, beetles and mayflies. This is such a shame because, as well as being fabulous creatures in themselves, freshwater invertebrates are a key food source for fish, birds and mammals. It also shouldn’t need to be pointed out that the contents of the pond might not always be good for the dog’s health, either internally or externally. The Friends, and Mon Life will be looking soon to put in a protected dipping platform to the right side of the pond amongst the thicker reeds, and this should provide a more protected area for our pond creatures to thrive and be safely viewed.

The minibeast hunt produced all the usual suspects, the slugs, snails, beetles, woodlice etc. The children also discovered a millipede although they didn’t have the time to count the number of legs this one had!

The attentiveness and behaviour of the young Llanfoist pupils was exemplary, a credit to themselves, their teachers and assistants, their parents and the school. The Friends look forward to welcoming them back for future visits and activities at any time.