On Sunday 16th August we're inviting families to enjoy a day of pond dipping and come face-to-face with a wide variety of weird and wonderful watery creatures.
Visitors will be able to search through trays of water taken from Fradley Pool, looking for species such as water boatmen, water fleas, pond snails, water lice and even tadpoles and shrimp.
The event is being held in the beautiful surroundings of Fradley Junction with its nature reserve and historic canalside buildings.
The event, which runs from 11am until 2pm, is being organised by the Trust's ‘Explorers' education programme aimed at teaching kids all about the wildlife of their local canals. The event is run by volunteers and is part of a monthly programme of things to do at Fradley Junction.
Sarah Cook, education coordinator for the Trust said; “Fradley Junction is bursting with wildlife but this event is a lovely opportunity to show that it's not just about the bigger species you can see or hear.
“Look below the surface of the water and you'll discover a fascinating world with tiny insects zipping about, hungry larvae hunting for food and pond snails gliding around, looking for somewhere to lay their eggs.
“It's a great chance for youngsters to get an appreciation of the wildlife that's on their doorstep and the important role these tiny, unseen creatures play in attracting some of the waterways' larger, more well-known species. We look forward to welcoming people along.”
Popular visitor destination
The junction marks the meeting point of the Trent & Mersey and Coventry Canals and has supported a hive of activity on the canal over the past two centuries. Nowadays, with Fradley Pool, it has become a haven for wildlife and a popular visitor destination.
The activities take place between 11am and 2pm on Sunday 16th August. All activities are free although parking is pay and display. The meeting point for the pond dipping is the Welcome Station in the courtyard area.
The Fradley Education Volunteers lead visits where children can learn all about their local canal and the wildlife which lives around it. The volunteers can also provide cub-scout and brownie visits to Fradley in the Spring/Summer months. For more information on school or event activities, please email [email protected].
For further resources and activities for schools, group leaders and children go to www.canalriverexplorers.org.uk.
