In September the shores visited were, Rhoscolyn (Glannau Rhoscolyn SSSI), Porth Meudwy (Glannau Aberdaron SSSI and Pen Llŷn A’r Sarnau SAC), Penrhyn Bay (Liverpool Bay SPA) and Porth Cwyfan (Anglesey Terns SPA). We also went to Cricieth for our first brief have-a-go session and discovered two families keen to get involved with two young people showing promise with ID skills and understanding.

We carried out Walkover Surveys and Timed Species Searches this series of surveys. The Timed Species Searches are focussed pockets of time spent searching for between 1 and 4 species, chosen for their importance. Our searches, so far, have been focussed on Invasive Non-Native Species and up to now, none of them have uncovered an INNS, although INNS have been seen elsewhere on shore.

Number of volunteers overall – 16

Walkover Survey area sampled – 164m² (6 transects in the midshore area of varying length).

Timed species searches – looking for Wireweed 60mins; Slipper limpet 150mins; Pacific Oyster 20mins.

Seasonal findings – it’s not really the right time to mention green algae, as a few are dying back now. However, there was a nice group of greens on the shore at Porth Meudwy, so it makes sense to give them a mention. Much of the green algae needs a wealth of experience and often a microscope to ID. However, you can get some to Genus (one above Species in the taxonomical grouping). Two Ulva species are common finds in the right season - sea lettuce/Letysen fôr (Ulva lactuca) and gutweed/gwymon Perfedd gwyrdd (Ulva intestinalis). Velvet horn or green sea fingers (Codium species) a genus which has a native species confused with a non-native in reports, so best reported as “Codium sp.” and a feathery green called hen pen best recorded as Bryopsis sp. are both rarer finds, but likely to be spotted, as they look a bit different. While we were at Porth Meudwy, Kim also spotted strange green-black blobs on the rocks. Al and Ann also spotted these on weed around the same time and after consulting British Marine Life Study Facebook page the conclusion was a cyanobacteria - Rivularia atra, possibly which is a blue-green algae.

Species feature:

The Snakelocks anemones/anemoni nadreddog (Anemonia viridis) were almost dripping from rock sides and coating rockpools on one shore this month. These common anemones like some light for their biosymbiotic algae within, although they can be found hiding under weed on shore, that’s just to keep hold of moisture until the tide lifts the weed to allow more light through. This anemone can be seen in a few common colours. The most spectacular being the unnatural green with pink tips, but it can be grey and pale dusky pink as well.

Sabellaria sp. (Honeycomb worm and Ross worms) are making in-roads all around our shores from pockets of mini colonies on manmade and natural rocky shores to full blown established reefs. S. alveolata the honeycomb worm/llyngyren ddiliau, is actually important for its habitat-forming nature as the individual worms build their tunnels together; the reef being a Section 7 habitat. Section 7 habitats are those deemed of "Principle Importance", helping to enhance marine biodiversity and are regular features of Marine Protected Areas. So, it’s good to keep an eye out on it and let us know when and where you find it.

Finally, Charlie and Dan may have found those weeny common stars found earlier this year (see June 2021 Shoresearch Blog). If we see them again, we’ll have to name them, I think.

The Shoresearch surveys are designed to help monitor some areas of shore by volunteers recording what they find using various types of surveys. Training is given to the volunteers who sign up to help us carry out these surveys.

We are liaising with other organisations to hone these surveys, so they become a vital tool in the help to monitor wildlife in our intertidal areas. Whilst they can also help to introduce volunteers to the species which live in this intertidal zone, the ideal is to build up some regular teams to regularly survey certain areas, building a clearer picture over the long term and in particular to keep an eye out for Invasive species and Climate change indicators.

If you would like to join us to volunteer your time at our repeated survey sites, then please get in touch. It is likely to be just one 2-3 hr session out on shore once every month at the least, as well as any time you can spare to do online training or website reading. 

Want to help with Shoresearch volunteering

Of course, feel free to help in other ways too via becoming a member, donating or buying a gift membership for someone. Thank you.

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