The have-a-go surveys visited the Penmon, Llanfairfechan and Nefyn shores this month. The group Shoresearches were carried out at Menai bridge (Menai Strait & Conwy Bay / Y Fenai a Bae Conwy SAC; Glannau Porthaethwy SSSI), and North Shore Llandudno (Creigiau Rhiwledyn SSSI).

Surveys completed: walkover area 72m²; number of quadrats 21, timed species searches Slipper limpet – 50mins.

Number of volunteers: 12, number of new recruits coming to group surveys: 3; Have-a-go attendees: 10

Seasonal findings – Greenleaf worms (Eulalia viridis) were seen out and about on rocks, apparently feeding on the new barnacle larvae and spat that’s just landed on shore. These were found on both the group surveys, but those took place all on the one day, so is this a sight which is very limited in timing? This species is one of the paddleworm species to lay those green (sometimes flesh-coloured) eggsacs found on weed, and in sand pools etc and mentioned in March’s blog.

Species feature: Sagartia anemones – we’ve been finding a lot of anemones which we’ve been terming Sagartia anemones, as they can be tricky to decipher beyond that wider grouping. Coming across one recently, which was showing more of itself than many we’ve come across recently, Emma, with help from the wider Shoresearch group attempted to decipher. The agreement was elegant anemone (the spotted, but not warty column, the striped, but slim tentacles and the tentacle pattern on show).

To a degree, we’ve been right in saying it’s a Sagartia anemone because it was once called Sagartia elegans. It is now called Cylista elegans. However, we now need to be better at getting closer to an ID of these anemones (another tricky shout, as they can sit in holes in the substrate, completely hiding their column which is helpful as an ID feature) as Sagartia has been questioned as a genus. A few species within the genus have changed names or have been found to be more than one species, so the group name we were relying on to at least attempt to describe these animals is “in development” right now. We’ll try to keep up.

Common Brittle stars/seren frau (Ophiothrix fragilis) are brittlestars with bristles as well as coloured banding along the length of their arms. Intertidally they can be found as individuals or in small groups, but lower down in the water these animals can form large amalgamations to the point they’re termed “beds”.  These beds can form habitats themselves providing homes for other species and are common around the UK, but not worldwide. Apparently, this is a more recent distribution and they were much more common, globally in the geological past. For a mini view from the past see this beautifully preserved fossil described as having been in a flowing current when it died.

Another find by Emma, the Bristly or hairy crab/cranc blewog (Pilumnus hirtellus) has similar features as the common shore crab (carapace shape and 5 spines to the sides of the eyes). However, covering its entire body you will also find hairs. It doesn’t grow large and the hairs can gather sediment making the animal more difficult to see. It commonly has one larger claw and it can as in the picture of Emma’s second find (on the same day) have a marbled, purple-ish colouration, as can the carapace, under the hairs.

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 us 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 by heading to your local Wildlife Trust website. Thank you.

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