Yesterday Village Leader Helen, asked for some help in auditing the wildlife at the pond. Fourteen of us turned up , just enough to scare most of anything brave enough to show its face, but I was happy to grab the net on a stick first and revisit those childhood memories of playing in water.
It was rather fun identifying the monsters of the deep.
I enjoyed it so much that I returned to the pond on my own this morning to continue to root around like a fat old Gerald Durrell ,
And I saw meadow brown butterflies, a large white butterfly. Black beetles, ponds. Ayers, water slaters, and a whirligig beetle.
Beers and storytelling followed the initial audit
I loved hearing all the birds on your video! A peaceful and delightful spot, your village pond.
ReplyDeleteI spent a very mindful hour there this morning trying to count bugs and birds
DeleteDid you identify the birds, too? What a wonderful way to spend some time.
ReplyDeleteWe were asked to but I only saw blackbirds
DeleteI always love the way you use metaphors (I hope I have the meaning correctly here). When you compared yourself to Gerald Durrell, I had to smile. I loved that series. Lovely pond and surrounds.
ReplyDeleteI like flowery talk lol
DeleteWhat a delightful, peaceful spot. Oh, fishing with a net - that takes me back! Well done to all the volunteers for creating a haven for all. xx
ReplyDeleteI’ve even bought new wellies for next time lol
DeleteYou do a good job of staying involved in your village, John. What a peaceful pond to visit!
ReplyDeleteI cannot quite understand that some people still don’t know we have one, so wrapped up in their own life bubbles
DeleteI’ve advertised the video on the village website
Don't drink too many Anything alcohol related John x🍺 .🍻
ReplyDeleteI only had one beer
DeleteThe pond and surrounding greenery are beautiful. Will you compile a detailed list of the observations? Concluding the effort with beer and storytelling sounds like good fun.
ReplyDeleteI have already ….and Helen has the list
DeleteYour video reminds me of “Granchester Meadows” Hear the lark and harken to the dog fox gone to ground. See the splashing of the kingfisher flashing into water. I so love that song.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2DAdWcsM7Po
DeleteThe village pond looks & sounds lovely and so very calm and peaceful. What mini-beasts did the group record yesterday?
ReplyDeleteNot much , pond skaters , a water boatman, pond lice and snails a frog , I so want us to have newts
DeleteNice variety of mini-beasts, and I suspect there are more to be observed & recorded as spring turns into summer. If you have frogs in the pond, you may have newts as well. Newts will eat frog eggs & tadpoles. Don't give up on finding/seeing newts, especially in weedy margins of the pond during the breeding season, and later in the summer beneath damp rotting logs nearby. Newts can be tricky to spot and will take a bit of patient, silent watching. Enjoy time at the pond!
DeleteIan and Helen have them in their pond in the village would it be worth catching a few and transporting them
DeleteI wouldn't attempt to move newts from one pond to another (especially during breeding season) because the newts could simply decide to head "home" which would put them at risk of predators, road crossings, etc. Since you know there are newts in Ian & Helen's pond, I suspect there may be some in the village pond already and/or the village pond will soon have some. Remember, newts aren't year-round inhabitants of ponds.
DeleteThank u x
DeleteNothing, absolutely nothing as much fun as messing about with a pond.
ReplyDeleteI haven’t done it since I was a child
DeletePoor critters! Hopefully they weren't too bothered by the trauma!
ReplyDeleteScared off more like
DeleteAll I ever seem to find is mosquitos!
ReplyDeleteNow you don’t want them , they hate fresh water
DeleteGood to see progress...more wildlife and humans being sociable, can't fault that
ReplyDeleteIt was lovely, an impromptu get together growing bigger as people disappeared home for seats and wine
DeleteWhat a lovely and serene place for wildlife and not so wild people! A worthy endeavor, indeed.
ReplyDeleteNext time, a whold picnic might be in order?
Hugs!
Good idea babs xx
DeleteI think it is good for us to narrow our focus enough to take in the smaller things that inhabit our world but that we almost never notice.
ReplyDeleteI loved my hour alone there this morning
DeleteI love your self description about Gerald Durrell who is one of my favorite writers.and you are another. Lini from Petaluma
ReplyDeleteThank you DeArheart
DeleteA pond audit is a great idea to identify species and see how they may alter year to year. A subtle information board could be useful.
ReplyDeleteWe have one
DeleteAlso great science for the school children.
ReplyDeleteBridget is bringing the kids from school this week
DeleteIt would be nice to have some Ducks there. Maybe some wildlife sanctuary could provide the necessary.
ReplyDelete