Pond Dipping at RSPB Fen Drayton

This will be our May social at RSPB Fen Drayton.

We tried this last year, at the end of summer, and found many interesting inhabitants of the Lakes - see https://www.meetup.com/cambridge-nature-lovers/events/310269032.

This time I'd like to try in late spring - I've already seen the first few Damselflies around, so there should be more mature larva hunting at the borders of the lake, looking for reeds and places to pupate. If we get lucky, we may even catch a dragonfly larva! I'll run the event for for about 2 hours, but you are welcome to leave earlier: we'll never be far from the car park.

Please bring hand sanitiser: it's important to clean your hands after contact with the lake water. Children are welcome at the event, as long as parents take responsibility for keeping them safe near the water. We'll limit the number of people on platforms at any one time to reduce the risk of accidental immersion.

No dogs for this event, please, to help protect anything we find.

I'll keep an eye on the weather, which currently looks promising, and may reschedule if there's a change to heavy rain. If you have binoculars, please bring them as we'll also be looking at any birds that are around.

I know some wild flowers and can ID a fair range of birds but I am not a wildlife expert: and in particular, not experienced with pond life. I'll bring some books/charts, but I'd really love everyone to be pitching in what they know: the world is full of things to understand and explore, and the more you look, the more you see! If anyone with a bit of expertise in water weed, beetles and creatures wants to come along and share what they know, you will be very welcome!

Directions here: https://www.rspb.org.uk/days-out/reserves/fen-drayton-lakes/location

NOTE THAT the lane to the car park is quite rough, and if coming from Fen Drayton has quite deep potholes, so if you are coming by car please do take care. You may find the road from Swavesey easier.

The reserve is easily reached from the guided busway. If you are coming on the bus, you will find us at the car park about 100m North from the busway stop.

During the event I will take a voluntary donation (£5 / attendee suggested, cash only) to cover the running costs for the Meetup group. It's unlikely there will be anything left over, but if there is I'll put it into a pot for a special event with a real (paid) expert to talk us through something interesting.