Macroinvertebrates

Next time you visit the river, bring a net for catching "macroinvertebrates" and bucket. Macroinvertebrates are animals that you can see with your bare eye and that lack a back-bone. 

You can make a "dip net" by attaching a kitchen strainer to a long stick. 

Once you're by the water, fill the bucket with water from the river. This is where you'll put the macroinvertebrates once you catch them. 

Make sure that you're very careful with these animals; they're fragile AND they need to be in the river water in order to breathe and to live. Try not to touch them. Return them to the water after you've looked at them.

Most of the invertebrates you will find will be baby insects. Their bodies will change shape as they grow to be adults, and many will end up flying around in the air! You might find baby dragonflies, darners, mayflies, midges and mosquitoes, for example.

Other invertebrates that you'll see will probably be young shellfish, like clams. You may even find a leech or a crayfish!