Roz Wade, Learning Officer at the Museum, writes:

I do love all things aquatic, so watching of the wildlife in our garden pond has been a real treat. On warm afternoons, the newts have been active and almost posing for me in the middle of the pond. And there is exciting newt news this week: baby newts! They may be small but they are beautiful, with their frilly external gills. A bit of pond dipping also yielded lots of aquatic invertebrates – the pond is teeming with life.

Interested to know who else might be visiting the pond, I set up a camera trap to capture film of passing animals. It has been wonderful to see how many animals are coming to the pond to take a bath or have a drink. Lots of woodpigeons, but not all! I hope you enjoy this moment of calm watching some fascinating animals right here on the doorstep.

Want to see more of the newts and how best to see them? Check out Pondwatch Episode 3 where you can see my first glimpse of these wonderful amphibians this year, and in Pondwatch Episode 4 their balletic courtship behaviour is on show. You can also found out about pond dipping in Pondwatch Episode 2, and find out about ramshorn snails and tadpoles in Pondwatch Episode 1. Want to know how to create a pond for a small space? We have a handy how-to guide.

Want to find out more about newts and other amphibians? The Froglife website is full of information and top tips for seeing and protecting these wonderful creatures, and there are handy ID guides on the Woodland Trust website and Amphibian and Reptile Conservation website.

What have you seen in your garden or from your window this week? Have you spotted any amphibians or had a go at pond dipping? Share your nature lockdown sightings or Crafty Creature makes with us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram by tagging us or using #OpenYourWindowBingo and you could feature in our community gallery!