The shores visited this month for the group surveys were Llanddulas (Liverpool bay SPA), Rhosneigr (Rhosneigr Reefs SSSI) and Nefyn (Porthdinllaen i Borth Pistyll SSSI). The have-a-go sessions utilised shores at Llanfairfechan, Cricieth and Trearddur Bay.

Surveys completed

Number of quadrats: 25

Time spent on species searches: Slipper limpet 20mins

Walkover area surveyed: 25m

Number of volunteers: 16 (of which new volunteers 5) and those helping at the Have-a-go sessions: 10

Attendees at have-a-go surveys: 24  

Seasonal findings Although our shores have many seasonal sights/happenings and that’s what we usually introduce here, there are plenty of species which are in situ, relatively unchanging across the year. These form the environment within which species move in and out, lay eggs, mate, moult, fight, feed etc. As well as algae species some of which can be seasonal, there are sponges, barnacles and molluscs which can be found throughout the year. These are not unaffected by various changes in their environment, but they are less seasonal in their presence. They can provide the most luscious and colourful backdrop as well as providing attachment, food, hiding places etc.

Species feature – Sea toads were, unusually, seen twice on our recent group surveys in two different places. Camouflaging themselves with algae, you can imagine these are tricky species to find anyway. They’re also quite a difficult group to ID to species as there are several spider crab species (e.g. from Genus groupings: Pisa, Hyas and Maja), many of which are a similar size, shape and also titivate their tops.

Pink encrusting algae are an important set of species to note for our Shoresearchers, as they’re Climate Change indicators. Climate Change will feed into and impact on many different systems on the planet one of which is the pH level of our marine environment. With a higher ocean pH, the calcium carbonate used by some algae and mollusc species to build their form will be less available. Pink crust, as well as coral weeds, are therefore important to document, when found on our surveys on shore.

Whilst collecting water to encourage a sea slug to show the features we can use to ID, we accidentally collected a chameleon shrimp in the same tub. Adding the algae the slug was on into the pot, provided the chamaeleon shrimp an opportunity to do what it does best – take up a position and look like its surroundings. It’s doing so, beautifully in the picture below and was a wonderful thing to witness as it acted immediately the algae was immersed. These enigmatic creatures can take on the colour of their habitat and have been seen in many different (sometimes bright) colours on our Shoresearch surveys over the last couple of years, too. 

A nice surprise, given our new marine project Seagrass Ocean Rescue. We also found some sea grass on the post-survey walk home across the intertidal area at Nefyn. Perhaps not totally surprising, given the largest seagrass bed in North Wales is in the next bay from Nefyn at Morfa Nefyn. However, it was still unexpected to see it as lush and as high on shore. We hope it’s doing well in the subtidal area too. Sea grass is important to document where found, as it’s a vital habitat for biodiversity. A big player in Carbon sequestration too, it’s experienced a 90% loss in the UK over the last century. You can find out more about it and how to get more informed and involved on the project page here.

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 on a regular basis.

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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