22nd February 2010: Thank you to everyone who has submitted information using our Big Pond Thaw form. The survey is now finished and we are analysising the data. The results will be published in March.
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Following the big freeze of December 2009 and January 2010 we are launching a short term special survey called the Big Pond Thaw to find out more about the effects of the freeze on pond wildlife.
The simple information that we are asking you to collect in the Big Pond Thaw survey will help us to improve advice on pond design and management. As with the Big Pond Dip there's an online form (see the links on the left) to submit the data and a downloadable paper form to take with you to the pond.
SAFETY: NEVER WALK ON AN ICED UP POND UNLESS YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN THAT THE WATER BELOW IS SHALLOW ENOUGH THAT, IF THE ICE BREAKS AND YOU FALL THROUGH, YOU ARE IN NO DANGER.
You must take care around water. Children: never go pond surveying on your own and make sure you have a parent or guardian to help you.
Parents and guardians - make sure that children are supervised around the pond at all times. Always remember to wash your hands after pond dipping, especially before eating.
DOWNLOAD THE BIG POND THAW SURVEY FORM.
ENTER YOUR DATA ONLINE HERE - we have now finished collecting data for this year, thank you for your help.
The Big Pond Dip for 2009 has now finished.
THE RESULTS OF THE BIG POND DIP 2009 WILL BE COMING SOON IN 2010.
If you want to know if your garden or school pond is in good shape for wildlife, and can't wait until we relaunch in May 2010 with the OPAL project, you can still do the Big Pond Dip to find out!
Enter the results online, and we will anayse them with the 2010 data.
The survey is quick and easy to do!
Before you start - be safe
You must take care around water. Never go pond dipping on your own and make sure you have a parent or guardian to help you. Parents and guardians - make sure that children are supervised around the pond at all times. Always remember to wash your hands after pond dipping, especially before eating.
NOW DO THE SURVEY
STEP 1. Get your dipping kit together
To do the Big Pond Dip all you need is an ordinary kitchen sieve and a white tray - you can either make your own dipping tray by sticking a sheet white paper to an ordinary plastic or metal dish, or you can buy a specially made tray.
STEP 2. Download the Big Pond Dip form
Download the Big Pond Dip form - take the form with you to the pond to remind you what to record.
STEP 3. Survey your pond
You've got your sieve, tray and survey sheet. Now get dipping - check what animals you've got, and record some simple information about the pond.
STEP 4. Enter your results on the website
Now you've dipped the pond, enter your results on the website - click the box below!
Happy dipping!
The Big Pond Dip is run by Pond Conservation and supported by the Environment Agency and Natural England
