Reddish Vale Country Park
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Reddish Vale Country Park
Pond Scater
This is the commonest and most widespread of several very similar species that skate over still and slow moving water. They use their short front legs to capture prey, usually other insects that fall on the water surface. There are winged and wingless individuals and the winged ones fly well.
Pond skaters can be seen all year, but are dormant in coldest months, usually in leaf litter and other debris.