Making a Pond Net

 

A net is an essential piece of equipment for capturing both pond and rockpool animals for study.  You can always buy one of course, but a good one costs around £35, and besides, they're fun to make, so why not have a go?

To make a net you will need:

  • 1 metal coat-hanger.
  • 1 pair of wire cutters.
  • 1 piece of netting (net curtain material or dress netting) approximately 0.5m square.
  • 1 ball of fine garden twine.
  • 1 blunt, large eyed (carpet) needle.
  • 1 roll of plastic adhesive (insulation) tape.
  • 1 stick (garden cane).

Method:

 

Graphics by Barry Jarvis from an original design by Howie Watkins.

RSPB Wildlife Explorers is the junior membership of the RSPB. 

Check out their website.
Cut the hook off the coat hanger and bend the hoop into a diamond shape. Take your square of netting, fold the edge of one side over the hanger and sew with big stitches.

Repeat this for all four sides - this net has no seams.

 Fix the net to the pole using the insulation tape.

 

Using your net:

  • From a safe position on the bank, sweep the net gently through the water.
  • Remove from water and empty contents into an observation tray containing water.
  • After studying your catch, return to the water.

 

Notes:

Different animals live in different parts of the pond. After skimming the surface, try aiming your net lower down until you reach the muck and gunge at the pond's bottom (usually the best place for finding pond monsters). When handling pond animals, please take care and try not to use fingers. This is for your comfort as much as the animals, some of them bite!
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