Pond Day at WWT London Wetland Centre
Saturday 6 April
See a magnificent display of giant models of underwater life, sow a mini meadow and try a spot of pond dipping at WWT London Wetland Centre.
Fancy getting to know some of our aquatic wildlife or dabbling in a little pond science?
WWT London Wetland Centre will be launching the Life Under the Surface exhibition with Froglife on Saturday 6 April: a magnificent display of giant underwater plants and animals created by young visitors to the Centre.
See what’s under the surface of the Centre’s real ponds too. Take part in pond dipping: grab a net and see what you can find swimming around in the pond. The Centre’s team will be on hand to help you see amazing aquatic animals up close using an underwater camera and microscope. You might also be lucky enough to spot a friendly giant newt walking around.
Shayna Barby, WWT London Wetland Centre Learning Manager, said:
“Creating a garden pond is one of the easiest ways you can help wildlife, and the results can be amazing. Come and find out about some of the extraordinary animals and plants that live beneath the surface of the water. You won’t look at a pond the same way again.”
The team of experts from Froglife will be stationed in the Centre’s Pond Zone to help you learn more about life in ponds with games and quizzes. And you can meet more amazing aquatic animals at the Centre: otters. Why not join them at feeding time, 11am or 2pm, when you can see them playing and foraging, and hear about them from one of the Centre’s wardens.
As well as finding out more about pond life today, come along and discover more about helping wildlife in general. Sow your own mini meadow with the River of Flowers project. They will show you how to plant your own seedball containing a selection of seeds from pollen rich native wildflowers which are sure to get your garden buzzing with insect life, so go along and sow a seed tray to take home (£2 for materials).
Do you want to encourage hedgehogs to come into your garden? People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES) will also be on hand to tell you all about their new Hedgehog Street project.
The Centre is also running fun wildlife themed activities throughout the Easter holidays. Egg-citing activities include an egg and spoon race, lifecycle relay race and egg rolling. Then there’s the scrap cheep challenge where families can build vehicles using recycled materials ready for a race where you can see which will come first: the chick or the egg!
See timings and details for all Pond Day activities
