ON A RECENT Sunday, thirty-two adults and children, of all ages from three to over seventy, enjoyed a fascinating afternoon pond dipping at Brandis Corner, organised by the Brandis Corner Wildlife Group, all in glorious sunshine.

It was good to see the excitement generated by children and adults alike as they eagerly examined their nets for the latest finds, which ranged from dragonfly larvae to the fascinating water stick Insect (35 mm long) and included many froglets and young newts or newtpoles — an impressive 11 species in all, making the pond 'brilliant' on the pond conservation's scoring system in its Big Pond Dip 2010.

Also seen were lots of azure damselflies and both emperor and broad bodied chaser dragonflies, with a buzzard overhead and even a grass snake as group members were setting up.

The afternoon was rounded off by a barbecue with everyone commenting on what an interesting and absorbing time they'd had.