Pond Study

As well as our tree study, which I posted about previously, I decided to add a pond study this year too as Bear has shown an interest in frogs and tadpoles recently.

So, as another study and set of journal pages, we are going to do a seasonal pond study.

We headed out in the last week of August to a couple of different places to check out potential ponds, one being more of a lake, one being a fishing pond so not very accessible and finally, the one we've chosen, being perfect. Only small, and no guarantee of frogs, but accessible and perfect for the boys to investigate all year round.

We took some bits with us when checking it out and Bear had me catch a pond skater for him to look at, and then promptly decide it was too icky and not want to be anywhere near the bug jar. It wasn't an easy bug to catch I can tell you, but as soon as I'd thrown the little bugger back did The Cub decide he wanted a closer look so I had to do it all over again!

He was much happier to look, and two little boys passing by were more than excited to take a look too! My hard work was appreciated, even if Bear didn't want to get close enough to take a proper look.

They had the other bits and bobs out of their explorer's bags, taking a look at the water, using Bear's handheld mini microscope to look at the leaves that were falling from the trees, and their magnifying glasses to look closely at some sticks that had fallen in, and a lily pad that I'd noticed was floating near the edge instead of rooted in the middle with the others.

We had a chat about how we weren't going to harm the pond and the things living in it, but because this one was already detached, I would catch it in his net for him to have a closer look at.

With our decision made, we will be heading back there at some point mid Autumn to see what it looks like and what's living in it and then record our findings in his nature journal, a great way to encourage Bear's creativity and get some writing practice in.

Till next time,

Mama Bear