Amphibian adventure is a treat for Cambuslang kids

It was a case of water delight for a group of Cambuslang children recently.

The youngsters were at Holmhills Wood Community Park to take part in a family fun pond dipping afternoon, hosted by the Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Trust’s Saving Scotland’s Amphibians and Reptiles Project (SSAAR), along with Clyde Amphibian and Reptile Group (CARG) and the Friends of Holmhills Park group.

Nicole Digruber of the Friends group said: “The pond is a very important home for amphibians, attracting mating frogs and toads. In early spring the water seems to boil with the activity of so many frogs, the male frogs’ croaking is powerful enough to vibrate through the ground.

“It is also well known for attracting the less well known smooth and palmate newts, which on quiet days can be seen gliding between the pond weeds.”

With guidance from the SSAAR education officer and volunteers, CARG’s Emma Downie and volunteers from the Friends group, everyone was shown how to pond dip safely and how to treat all the animals caught with care and respect.

Throughout the afternoon more and more people joined in and by 4.30pm over 50 people had seen smooth newts, tadpoles, caddis fly larvae, damselfly nymphs and whirligig beetles.

The afternoon also marked the launch of the new monthly nature photography club at the park.

Glasgow based photographer Hannah Absalom had been booked by the SSAAR project at the invitation of the friends of Holmhills to lead a nature photography workshop, which saw 20 participants photographing the animals caught by the pond dippers.

Hannah then led the group off to explore the natural vistas and views across to the Campsie Fells.

And Hannah said: “I’m really delighted to have led last weekend’s photography workshop at Holmhills.

“It’s lovely to see such a tight knit and supportive community come together to celebrate the beauty of their park and learn more about their wildlife neighbours.

“It was especially wonderful to see the younger members of the community really engage with the photography tasks and show an eagerness to experiment with their own smartphones and the class DSLR.

“I can’t wait to see the group’s development and their culminating exhibition in the autumn.”

Friends of Holmhills Park, along with Friends of Fernbrae Meadows, are planning further nature and photography walks and hope to arrange an exhibition showcasing the photographs this Autumn.’

Janet Ullman, education officer for SSAAR’s added: “I am very lucky to work with and support fantastic local community groups across Scotland, such as the Friends of Holmhills.

“To be able to see the wonder of a tadpole reflected in the face of a person of any age and to be able to help local people understand and connect with how amazing our local amphibian life is in our cities and towns, is a privilege.”

Vist https://www.arc-trust.org/ saving-scotlands-amphibians-andreptiles for more details about SSAAR, CARG or the Friends of Holmhills.