Equipment Checklist

 

What you need:
  • One of the most useful pieces of equipment is a good pond net. You can buy a reasonable net from any pet or aquarium store. Alternatively, you can make your own.

  • Another piece of kit no serious pond explorer should me without is a Lobster-pot trap.

  • To view your catch you'll need some inspection trays. I use old washing-up bowls, ice-cream and margarine tubs.
  • Take a selection of spoons with you for moving and sorting animals and a hand lens for viewing them.

  • Waterproof clothing and boots are a good idea too, as are disposable rubber, or plastic, gloves (no-one likes getting too soggy!).

  • If you've never been pond dipping before, then you'll need some help to identify the underwater critters you discover. A field guide to freshwater life is pretty essential here.
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    Should you get bitten by the Explorer bug you might want to splash out on some professional sampling equipment.  A good UK company that allows online ordering is Alana Ecology.
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