Bug Hunting
Kate’s Place Community Day, 3rd August 2024
It was publicized as a ‘drop in’ event for families open to all.
Our team was Laura, Annie, Maxine and myself and we were delighted to be joined by Kate’s husband Ivon.
The set up included paper and crayons for drawing by our ‘future Picasso’s’, water for drinking and cleaning up hand and activity ‘invitations. ’ Photo consent form where available and completed by parents
One of the pond’s covering grille panels was removed to make it more accessible to the curious little aquatic biologists.
For our budding Entomologists, Laura had arranged all the insect collecting kit, trays, magnifying observation containers readily available. For all the discoveries: books and charts were made available for referencing and confirming the wonders & discoveries at Kate’s Place.
Community life and care of Kate’s place continued during the event. We spread some chip bark that had been delivered by the city council to the ‘fire area’ – which will come into its own in autumn and winter. A few stray tennis balls returned to the court next door: we all co-exist.
Ivon lifted up the organisers with some arrays of coffees from Flo’s Hatch. One of the team walked around the park letting people know the event was on, which brought in over 30 visitors of all ages – reflecting the diverse social and ethnic backgrounds of communities that use the park.
The most popular was the ‘Water’ Element, the pond, all children and adults alike were fascinated to fish something, live from the pond and identify
Scooping through the long meadow grass and all greenery elicited excitement, more awareness of what can be found in nature for both children and adults alike from the photos captured and the biodiversity already inhabiting this special place.
The children were deeply fascinated and absorbed in finding creatures around the pond including a female Southern Hawker Moth, Great Ramshorn Snail, Hoglouse, Pond snail, tadpoles, and lots of small animals. In the long grass they found spiders ranging from Garden Spiders, Comb-footed spider, Long-jawed Orweb spider, Green Crab Spider, Money spider, Gatekeeper Buttefly, Large White Buttefly, Miliepedes, Woodlouse, Sycamore moth, Common Sun Beetle, Slugs and Snails.
It is also a great opportunity for all to learn and catch up
We are planning regular events for different groups over the coming year – some more for volunteers and stewardship of the space and others more social, drop in, creative and mindful.
Look out for our posters and notifications on our website, newsletters and social media.
Mabvuto Hardy – associate
