--- title: "Freshwater Invertebrates: Survey notes from the field" description: Species accounts notes from RSPB Montiaghs Moss image: https://dgpix.org.uk/hubfs/DW6A1100-Edit.jpg --- [Skip to content](https://dgpix.org.uk/blog/freshwater-invertebrates-survey-notes-from-the-field#main-content) [![](https://dgpix.org.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/DGPix%20Wildlife%20%26%20Nature%20Photography--1.png?width=400&height=400&name=DGPix%20Wildlife%20%26%20Nature%20Photography--1.png)Homepage](https://dgpix.org.uk/blog/dgpix.org.uk) - [Blog](https://dgpix.org.uk/blog) - [About](https://dgpix.org.uk/about) - [Gallery](https://dgpix.org.uk/image-gallery) - [Microscopic Mycology](https://dgpix.org.uk/microscopic-mycology) - [Resources](https://dgpix.org.uk/resources-reading) - [Moth Recording](https://dgpix.org.uk/moth-biodiversity) - [Blog](https://dgpix.org.uk/blog) - [About](https://dgpix.org.uk/about) - [Gallery](https://dgpix.org.uk/image-gallery) - [Microscopic Mycology](https://dgpix.org.uk/microscopic-mycology) - [Resources](https://dgpix.org.uk/resources-reading) - [Moth Recording](https://dgpix.org.uk/moth-biodiversity) ![](https://dgpix.org.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/DW6A1100-Edit.jpg?width=6175&height=3830&name=DW6A1100-Edit.jpg) data citizen science wildlife # Freshwater Invertebrates: Survey notes from the field ![Danny Gibson](https://7528315.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/7528315/hubfs/raw_assets/public/mV0_d-cms-elevate-theme_hubspot/elevate/images/avatar-placeholder.jpg?width=48&height=48&name=avatar-placeholder.jpg) Danny Gibson July 11, 2025   This entry marks the beginning of a series documenting freshwater invertebrates as part of a broader initiative in biological recording across various sites in Northern Ireland. Beyond serving as a blog post, these journals will provide an ongoing log of species observations and their specific locations. The project is kindly funded through Centre for Environmental Data and Recording (CEDaR) with a permit issued through the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) for specific access to sample and photograph species in ASSI’s – Areas of Special Scientific Interest.   #### Methodology - Sampling: Field collection with nets, tank photography, and plankton nets. - Analysis: Lab identification using microscopy and high resolution imaging; macro photography for larger invertebrates. - Data: All records logged in Cedar, with expert verification, geo-tagging, supporting images and field notes   #### Expected Outcomes - Increased understanding of freshwater biodiversity in local water bodies. - Identification of indicator species for ecosystem health monitoring. - Participation in environmental monitoring and conservation. - Provision of data to support environmental policies, habitat protection, and restoration initiatives.   #### Locations - Brackagh Moss ASSI - Peat bog, fen and wet woodlands - River Cusher at Clare Glen - Freshwater ponds at Oxford Island, Lough Neagh basin #### Preliminary Session - 28/06/2025 An initial session was carried out at Brackagh Moss reserve on designated ponds at the below locations: ![Screenshot 2025-07-11 175014](https://dgpix.org.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Screenshot%202025-07-11%20175014.png?width=419&height=222&name=Screenshot%202025-07-11%20175014.png) "As this was originally a raised bog, over 300 years of turf cutting, have left this area a maze of pools, drainage channels and peat ramparts. Most of the reddish acid bog peat was removed which left an older, black, base-rich fen peat underneath. This variety in soils has resulted in an extremely varied range of flora available at this site." - NIEA Standard pond dipping techniques were used with samples measured in specialist measuring tanks, before being transported to a tank for identification photography, and then safely returned to the original pool.  This will be the process for the future surveys on this project. ![IMG-20250629-WA0020](https://dgpix.org.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/IMG-20250629-WA0020.jpg?width=610&height=440&name=IMG-20250629-WA0020.jpg) ***Photography tank setup with overhead flashgun, natural background and substrate*** #### Species - Odonata - Black Darter *Sympetrum danae* larva  x2 **First Records for Brackagh Bog Confirmed by Damien McFerran** - Hemiptera - *Notonecta glauca* - Non invertebrates - Nine Spined Stickleback *Pungitius pungitius *x2   ![DW6A0222-Edit](https://dgpix.org.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/DW6A0222-Edit.jpg?width=4257&height=3257&name=DW6A0222-Edit.jpg)***Black Darter larva*** ***![DW6A0229-Edit](https://dgpix.org.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/DW6A0229-Edit.jpg?width=3404&height=2738&name=DW6A0229-Edit.jpg)****Black Darter Larva***   ***![DW6A0261-Edit](https://dgpix.org.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/DW6A0261-Edit.jpg?width=689&height=685&name=DW6A0261-Edit.jpg)**Notonecta glauca with prey***** *****![DW6A0186-Edit](https://dgpix.org.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/DW6A0186-Edit.jpg?width=5319&height=3333&name=DW6A0186-Edit.jpg)Nine-spined Stickleback, ubiquitous at the site*****   ## Share this post [mailto:https%3A%2F%2Fdgpix.org.uk%2Fblog%2Ffreshwater-invertebrates-survey-notes-from-the-field](mailto:https%3A%2F%2Fdgpix.org.uk%2Fblog%2Ffreshwater-invertebrates-survey-notes-from-the-field) ## Keep reading ### [![](https://dgpix.org.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/55231649918_aba43e3665_o.jpg?width=2615&height=1333&name=55231649918_aba43e3665_o.jpg) data nature science Brackagh Moss Moths April/May 2026](https://dgpix.org.uk/blog/brackagh-moss-moths-april/may-2026) ### [![](https://dgpix.org.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/20260606_200801(1)-1.jpg?width=2252&height=1648&name=20260606_200801(1)-1.jpg) data insects moth Testing out the Watkins & Doncaster 30W LED 12v Heath Trap](https://dgpix.org.uk/blog/testing-out-the-watkins-doncaster-30w-led-12v-heath-trap) [![](https://dgpix.org.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/DGPix%20Wildlife%20%26%20Nature%20Photography--1.png?width=400&height=400&name=DGPix%20Wildlife%20%26%20Nature%20Photography--1.png)](https://dgpix.org.uk) - [Blog](https://dgpix.org.uk/blog) - [About](https://dgpix.org.uk/about) - [Gallery](https://dgpix.org.uk/image-gallery) - [Microscopic Mycology](https://dgpix.org.uk/microscopic-mycology) - [Resources](https://dgpix.org.uk/resources-reading) - [Moth Recording](https://dgpix.org.uk/moth-biodiversity) --- Privacy Policy · Legal · © 2026 DGPix Wildlife & Nature Photography. 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