Pond Dipping

The pond dipping activities that take place on Slapton Ley are directed towards the younger groups of our community, many of whom have taken part in this activity in the past and enjoyed it immensely. The groups are supervised normally by two members of staff from the Field Centre, as well as the teacher and accompanying parents.

The event normally lasts around 1.5 hours, it includes a short introductory talk about the Reserve and the activities planed for the session, followed by a walk along part of the Nature Trail to where the pond dipping will take place. We provide the group with equipment; a dipping net, tray, plastic spoon, a specimen tray as well as an FSC Freshwater Name Trail guide to help identify the freshwater invertebrates caught in the net.

At the moment we use two areas along the Lower Ley for pond dipping, both vary in species composition due to the difference in habitat characteristics between the areas. The group is split in half and sent to one of the two sampling points, each half is accompanied by a member of staff.

Following a demonstration on how to sample with the net (using either a sweeping technique or a kicking technique, depending on class age/ability) the net contents are then emptied into a tray, already containing water, to identify the freshwater invertebrates caught using the FSC key and help from staff.

Following this the children are then divided into smaller groups, given a set of equipment per group and left to have a go themselves! Both groups are given the opportunity to sample both areas along the Lower Ley.

Risk Assessments available on request. For further details please contact the Reserve Office on 01548 580685.