The shores visited this month for the group surveys were Llandudno pier (Pen y Gogarth -  Great Orme’s head SSSI), Penmon area (Glannau Penmon – Biwmares SSSI). Our Cricieth visit was cancelled due to forecasted gales.

Surveys completed

Number of quadrats: 15

Time spent on species searches: pacific oysters 140mins

Number of volunteers: 11 

Seasonal findings we find ourselves back in Spring on shore with eggs being laid and breeding occurring under the algae, on the algae, under and around rocks – all over. It’s a busy time. Many of these species will be timing their breeding with the plankton bloom. Many of the species’ youngsters will be part of it and feeding from it before settling. We also discovered a lovely sight whilst out on shore this month and that was the moment the spores were being released by the fruiting bodies of both egg wrack/gwymon codog bras (Ascophyllum nodosum) AND serrated wrack/gwymon danheddog (Fucus serratus). The latter oozing out into shallow rockpools, looking like rust on the bottom waiting for the dispersing powers of the next-coming tide. A joy to behold for us all, this is actually a regular occurrence over the spring and summer months for both species. Its onset is triggered by the warming air temperatures.

Species feature – Sea lemon/mwsg môr (Doris pseudoargus) are one of our bigger slugs, the common name pointing to the texture, rather than colour of the fruit and although they can be seen in yellow, they can also be very blotchy oranges, reds and browns. As with all sea slugs they’re at their most glorious when in water. These have an especially fancy fascinator to their rear, which are actually their gills and two protrusions at the front, their “rhinophores”. These provide chemical information about their environment; used to find food and mates – two of the most important features of wild lives.   

Purse sponge (probably Grantia compressa). Found on the low shore and sub-tidally, we have had a few glimpses of this species, this month with the combination of low spring tides on the right shore, but also an ability to sample the Prince Madog dock on the Menai strait. Lower down the shore these can grow into large organisms. Described as looking like a hot water bottle, they’re flat, tubular, with one opening and smooth surface.

Egg wrack - the habitat. Much of our algae, despite not being plants, provides many of the functions plants do on land. Food, safety and, for some, housing and attachment. We regularly find the particular red algae which is very much associated with egg wrack particularly. Polysiphonia lanosa is a bushy, much-branched, short-growing epiphyte, using the fronds of egg wrack as a suitable substrate. Allowing it attachment high up in the water body when the tide is in.

This month, however, we found out about and witnessed two more species associated with egg wrack. The Club-headed hydroid (Clava multicornis) can be found on particular shores at some points dripping all over the place. Looking gelatinous and orangey-pink, it doesn’t look much until immersed in water. Close up, you can see the tiny polyps spread their tentacles out into the water. Working with members of the Porcupine Marine Natural History Society who were running their annual conference in North Wales in March, we were able to get some great pictures of the polyps under magnification. Finally, one of our volunteers, a botanist, discovered some information about the strange swellings we’ve seen occasionally on egg wrack. They are, in fact a gall, much like those on trees, but this is created by an nematode worm. A post on Facebook shared research from a 1958 article describing the phenomenon “Nematodes parasitic on seaweeds of the Genera Ascophyllum and Fucus” by John Coles. Utterly fascinating.

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. 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.

 Membership     Donation