Dip into a new underwater world this summer at WWT Llanelli Wetland Centre
Families Can Dive into a World of Wonder at WWT Llanelli Wetland Centre This Summer
The summer holidays are in full swing, and whether you're pond-dipping with backstroking beetles, running through wild outdoor playgrounds, enjoying close encounters with otherworldly creatures, or sharing a picnic feast with family, WWT Llanelli Wetland Centre offers plenty of reasons to keep visiting.
Running throughout the school holidays, a full programme of fun has been designed for families to explore and enjoy wetland nature during the long summer days. Activities include canoe safaris, walks with wardens, a summer postcard trail, and talks about some of the animals that call WWT Llanelli Wetland Centre their home, including flamingos, storks, cranes and nenes.
One of WWT’s most popular activities for families is pond dipping. A fun way to explore the hidden world of creatures that live in ponds, our ranger, Sarah, shares how families can connect with the amazing water-loving creatures in WWT Llanelli’s specially designated dipping ponds.
WWT Pond Dipping Tips by Learning Manager, Sarah Mitchell
- Use only equipment provided by WWT and only at our guided pond dipping sessions. There is everything you need at the centre – nets, magnifying glasses, trays, microscopes and identification charts. Our little creatures want to keep unwanted bugs and weeds out of their homes, so it's important to follow the rules.
- Kneel or keep low by the dipping pond. It keeps you safe and prevents casting a big shadow over the water and scaring away the otherworldly creatures living beneath the water.
- Use a figure of eight. Dip the net just below the water surface and make a nice and steady sweep in a figure of eight with your net. This keeps the net moving without losing all the hidden treasures you’re about to discover.
- Gently remove the net to uncover the creatures. Gently lift the net out of the water and carefully lift it to your tray where you can put the net into the tray water and gently wash out the contents to see what underwater inhabitants are staring back at you.
- Take a closer look. Remove the net from the tray. Now take a closer look at what you’ve uncovered, being careful to keep the animals and insects in the water so as not to harm them. They’ll be oh so grateful for your sensitivity.
- Return pond life to its natural habitat. Don’t forget, we all like an adventure, but there’s no place like home. Do return all animals, insects and plant matter to the water where you found it. We've numbered our dipping ponds so you can remember which pond is home.
- Record what you’ve seen. Whether it’s taking a quick pic, scribbling a note or writing a line or two for a poem, now is the time to capture this connection with nature. Share on social and tag us at @wwtllanelli to get a smiley face from us.
Great for all ages and abilities, pond dipping sessions take place every afternoon, and there are easy pathways for wheelchair and pushchair access. Animals and insects you can hope to see include dragonfly nymphs, sticklebacks, water spiders, diving beetles, pond skaters, and so much more.
Other activities happening at WWT Llanelli Wetland Centre during the school holidays include:
- White Stork talk
- Meet the Flamingos talk
- Marvellous Minibeasts and Majestic Moths
- Crafts and colouring
- Wild play areas, den building, and a giant maze
Participation in any of WWT Llanelli’s summer activities, including pond dipping, is included with an admission ticket and is free to WWT members. Activities run until the end of the school summer holidays (Sunday 1 September).
WWT Llanelli is open 7 days-a-week and more information and a full what’s on calendar can be found here.
