#PondWatch 2023 will take place online on Saturday 17 June and Sunday 18 June.
We are encouraging everyone to get out and explore their local ponds whether they are lucky enough to have one in their garden or have some in their local park or nature reserves. Share your photos and stories on social media!
#PondWatch Soundtrack – Snail Lake – Click to watch
Created to celebrate #PondWatch, delve in the pond and watch the premiere of Snail Lake! A short underwater Timelapse film by Steve White with a soundtrack by Bristol’s Murmuration Choir
We want to hear from you!
For #PondWatch 2023 you and your ponds are the star of the show!
This PondWatch weekend we are showcasing your ponds over our social media channels, providing excellent pond-spiration!
Take a look at the latest pond stories on our Pond Ponderings blog
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Saturday 17th
Pond Creation Top Tips
We will be sharing content across our social media channels, jam packed with advise for creating and maintaining your pond!
Discovering Dragonflies at Llangorse Lake
In collaboration with Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority and Biodiversity Information Service for Powys & Brecon Beacons National Park, we will be celebrating dragonflies at Llangorse Lake.
Join us for pond dipping throughout the day and a guided walk with Breconshire recorder Keith Noble. Discover what inhabits the lake, how to watch and identify dragonflies and how to record them.
Find out more about the event here
Additional Events:
Dragonflies and Butterflies of Fenn’s Whixall and Bettisfield Mosses
Introduction to Dragonflies and Damselflies Course
Yardley Chase Field Meeting (Northants)
Dragonfly guided walk- Kinlochewe, Highland
Black-tailed Skimmer larva by Christophe Brochard
Sunday 18th
Showcasing your ponds!
Throughout the day we will be posting your pond stories on our wesbite and social media.
Prepare to be inspired!
Teaming up with #WildflowerHour!
Join us and the WildflowerHour team at 8-9pm – watch this space for more information
WildflowerHour Website
Twitter
Instagram
Get Involved
30 minute challenge
With busy lives and so much going on in the world it can be hard to find time for ourselves to unwind. Try and find half an hour on PondWatch Saturday and Sunday to spend time outdoors, no matter the weather, alone or with friends/family. If your can, visit your local ponds and enjoy the wonderful spring wildlife you encounter.
To find out more about the benefits of being outdoors and how to look after your mental health visit Mind.org.uk
Learn along the way
Freshwater wetlands are some of the most diverse place in Britain!
Take a closer look and you’ll be surprised by what you find; for example, did you know that the largest British Dragonfly, the Emperor, lays its eggs in garden ponds, or that there is such a thing as a Water Stick Insect?!
Please share your stories and photos with the BDS and our fellow freshwater charities.
Want to know more about a species? Let us know and we’ll do our best to help!
You can find us on:
Some of our wildlife friends who can give you information on . . .
Invertebrates: Buglife
Mayflies, Caddisflies and Stoneflies: Riverflies
Butterflies and Moths: Butterfly Conservation
Amphibians and Reptiles: ARC
Birds: RSPB
General wildlife: Wildlife Trust
Image: Four-spotted Chaser by Pete Beard; Frog by Natural England
Dragon Spotting
Want to identify the dragonflies visiting your pond? Our website has lots of great resources to help you on your identification journey.
Take a look at the great video by Wildlife Garden Project, which is a great way to get started with some of the most common pond visitors.
Meet our #PondWatch Partners
Our partners will be sharing their pond insights and stories over the weekend so make sure to follow them.
Green Fingered George
Our Youth Ambassador George has a passionate for wildlife garden- check out mega pond and you’ll see what we mean!
Joel Ashton
Joel is an expert pond creator and has been featured on BBC Springwatch and BBC Gardeners’ World.
Steve White
A wildlife film maker and dragonfly enthusiast, Steve has been supporting #PondWatch since it began, sharing underwater footage from his garden pond.
Previously on #PondWatch . . .
Pond Doctor
Watch our Pond Doctor Daniele Muir tackle pond conundrums and questions in this online surgery from 2020-2021.
Watch the whole series on our YouTube Channel
Garden and Pond Guidance
We have a range of advice and leaflets on managing your garden for Dragonflies, including digging a pond.
You can also read our Pond Ponderings blogs from fellow gardeners on their journeys to creating Dragonfly Gardens.
Pondcast
Our volunteer Steve White has produced a mini-series of Pondcasts for PondWatch 2021. Let’s go on an underwater tour of his pond!
Childrens' activities
We have a range of learning and craft activities to keep you entertained over the #PondWatch weekend.
