The shores visited this month for the group surveys were Penmaenmawr (Liverpool bay SPA), Trearddur bay (Anglesey Terns / Morwenoliaid Ynys Môn SPA) and Porth Meudwy (Glannau Aberdaron SSSI).

Surveys completed

Number of quadrats: 13

Time spent on species searches: Pacific Oyster 90mins; Slipper limpet 20mins; Leathery sea squirt 20 mins; Volcano barnacle 10.  

Number of volunteers: 11 

Seasonal findings new growth of some algae was seen on shore. A particularly joyous sight is of buttons stuck to the rocks. The beginnings of a species of algae called thongweed/gwymon lledr (Himanthalia elongata). It’s not seen everywhere, as it likes living on pretty exposed shores. Much of life in the intertidal can be limited by being battered by waves coming in from the Atlantic, but this will leave space for those which can tolerate it. So, this thongweed (thin with no bladders to reduce the surface area exposed to the battering) is surrounded by another set of species able to cope with crashing waves and that’s by growing flat, coating the rocks creating a hard pink crust.   

Species feature – After a worm ID workshop over a weekend in Sept last year (by Staff from Amgueddfa Cymru), we’ve been shown how to handle worms safely. Gently using a paintbrush and white pot we need to position them in order to photograph well enough for ID. There are PLENTY of worm species out there and they like to move, so it’s a challenge. With confirmation from Amgueddfa Cymru we can now introduce this (badly) pictured worm is actually Pyllodoce mucosa! Its patterning and size help to ID it, but commonly there’s a need to picture smaller features such as hairs, tentacles and feet-type outgrowths etc to get close to ID. We will persevere with our worms.

You can learn about more worm species here. 

One species we need less of a close-up to see is the pretty large mollusc species the pacific oyster/wystrysen y môr tawel (Magallana gigas). In the UK it’s classed as an INNS (Invasive Non-Native Species), so we need to report our findings of FIVE found on the Penmaenmawr survey, via iRecord. Amazing shells, they are oval, frilly and commonly have purplish patches. In some areas of the UK these have taken over the intertidal area, making the area difficult to walk over. More importantly, they have changed the ecosystem of important sediment shores, impacting the condition of some Marine Protected Areas.

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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