Keeping an EYE on pond life

17/04/2008

ALL that lies beneath the murky waters of the town's ponds will be revealed at a number of events this week.

Hartlepool Borough Council and the Tees Valley Wildlife Trust have teamed up with the EYE project, to try to gather as much information as possible about ponds.

The EYE project provides opportunities for people to get to know the North East of England through recording the wildlife they see around them.

A successful pond-dipping event has already been held earlier this week at Summerhill Country Park, in Hartlepool, and another is being held on Friday.

Families are invited to go along to the sessions and discover the mysteries of the deep during studies of the watery habitats.

And they are also being encouraged to explore smaller ponds in private areas, such as their own back yards, to help monitor the number of local ponds and their wildlife, which is declining.

Northumbrian Water has produced a survey leaflet that includes a useful identification key and people are encouraged to complete one to help gather results.

Hartlepool countryside warden, Steve Cooper, said: "Ponds are disappearing at an alarming rate because of various reasons, including pollution, building development and neglect.

"Many plants and animals that make ponds their homes are now on the decline including newts, toads, dragonflies and many other creatures. By people filling and returning these questionnaires, we will have a much better understanding of where the ponds are located and what condition they are in."

The next event is being held at Ward Jackson Park, on Friday, at 2pm. Places are limited, so to book your place or to receive your free copy of the pond survey leaflet, contact the Countryside Wardens on (01429) 853325.

Extra information on the pond survey can be found at www.eyeproject.org.uk

The full article contains 307 words and appears in n/a newspaper.Last Updated: 17 April 2008 11:38 AM

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