Ponds, whatever their size, are a real magnet for wildlife of all kinds.

At this time of year you can’t miss the electric red, blue, gold and green colourings of damselflies and dragonflies, speeding around in search of food and mating partners. Birds are frequent visitors, coming down for a drink, bathe or a feed and you might be lucky enough to see a frog, toad or newt. In the evening, look out for bats, attracted by the many insects flying over the water; the perfect food source for them.

Why not spend some time exploring who lives on and under the water? Pond dipping is fun for all ages and reveals all sorts of interesting creatures that live in even the smallest of ponds. It’s a simple, inexpensive activity, ideal for the summer holidays.

For the basic kit you’ll need a net and a white-bottomed container such as a clean, empty margarine tub or a small, see-through, bucket. A magnifier and pond creature identification guide will help you to name and learn more about your finds.

Always take care around water and ensure children are closely supervised. Start by observing what is living on the surface. Pond skaters are very common and ‘skate’ across the surface hunting for small insects which they detect through vibrations on the water. You are also likely to see some aptly-named whirligig beetles which are small, black and shiny and whizz around in circles on the surface hunting for food.

But what can be found lurking beneath the surface? To find out, scoop some pond water into your container or bucket then sweep your net through the water in a figure-of-eight shape, taking in different levels but avoiding churning up mud at the bottom. After a few loops gently lift out the net, place it in the water in your container and turn it inside out, dipping the mesh into the water. Your finds are then ready to be observed. What size and colour is it? How many legs does it have? How does it move through the water? Could it be a water boatman, a dragonfly nymph or a water snail? What can you learn about its lifecycle, the food it eats and its main predators?

When you've finished observing the creatures, carefully pour the contents of your container back into the pond close to the surface and in the same area from where you removed them. Give the container a gentle rinse to make sure all the creatures are back in the pond.

There’s plenty of pond dipping tips and advice available online including on YouTube and the websites of the RSPB and the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust.

Spending time by ponds is endlessly fascinating. There’s so much activity in and around and such a diversity of wildlife to observe and learn about. Despite all this activity, sitting by a pond is one of the most peaceful and relaxing things you can do. Yet another way that taking time out to connect with nature is good for the soul.

We’d love to hear about what you spot in and around ponds this summer. Please email your words and images to - sidvalleybiodiversity@yahoo.com

To learn more about our group, check out our website www.sidvalleybiodiversity.org.uk and Instagram account @sidvalleybiodiversity