We’re into 2022 and kicked off the New Year with some early Shoresearches at Llanddulas and Trearddur Bay before inviting some newcomers to help us carry out surveys by way of the have-a-go sessions at North Shore, Llandudno (Creigiau Rhiwledyn/Little Orme SSSI), Rhosneigr (Rhosneigr Reefs SSSI) and Porth Meudwy (Glannau Aberdaron SSSI). Plenty of takers and hopefully many are keen to join in with our regular surveys and their own to make their way through the Level 1 Shoresearch Cymru training.

Welcome and thank you to those established Shoresearch volunteers who came to help show everyone the ropes. It was very much appreciated.

Surveys completed: walkover area 149m²; number of quadrats 19

Number of volunteers: 7, have-a-go participants 20

Seasonal findings – Now the weather’s icy, you might find a lot of the intertidal wildlife retreating to pools and crevices. Surveyors right now might expect to find the majority of the wildlife hidden under a rock. Rock turning is an important part of Shoresearch. Before introducing a few common dwellers, there is a need to take a moment to point to the rockpooling code guidance, which will keep you and the wildlife safe. See the main points in a video here.  

Under rock communities consist of both attached and clinging organisms. You might need to be quick to spot the various sand hoppers, crabs, fish, prawns which might move quickly out of the way from the underside of the rock itself and/or from the space left in the substrate. It’s worth taking a methodical look across the rock, as many organisms can be missed easily for various reasons (they’re small, camouflaged, transparent, unknown to you). Don’t have the rock exposed for too long, as the creatures need to maintain moisture to survive.

An important point to note on your recording forms for the site description is whether rocks have been left unturned in the area. Some might show clear dying off of life, but sometimes the species you see on top of a rock are those which should be found under, so please take note.  

Species feature: We’re going mostly red for the species features this month. First off is the dark red/burgundy-coloured algae which, when viewed in water can exhibit some lovely iridescence. Irish Moss/lafwr piws (Chondus crispus), has a flat frond which splits into branches evenly, producing a fan-shape. It has a 2-D, flattened-look to it, giving an overall impression of neatness. False Irish moss/lafwr piws (Mastocarpus stellatus) can look similar, but it is a bushy, more chaotic-looking plant. To ID you can also look for a channel at the back of some of the fronds (especially towards the base). This species also develops extra growths on the ends when it’s in its reproductive state. These species can change colour as they become bleached by the sun or age. A hint for ID is to look towards the roots to see the original colour. Both these short-ish growing species are also a good source of the carrageenan used as a thickener in food products etc.

Beadlet anemones/buwch goch (Actinia equina) are the most commonly found intertidal anemone, but they’re not all the lovely rich red colour which looks like a blob of jelly or a wine gum tucked into a crevice. They come in browns, oranges, greens too, which can put you off your ID at times. Beyond ID, these creatures are fascinating. They’re called Beadlet after the blue blob (acrorhagi) at the base of their tentacles (not always seen – but something to look for) which is filled with toxic harpoons. These anemones are territorial and will fight, flinging these harpoons at other anemones, ripping flesh to keep their spot at the rockpool side or on a patch of rock. What’s more, they’ve been shown to have bold or shy personalities, and whether they’re bold or shy can predict how well they scrap over their patch. You won’t be looking at those red blobs in the same way again.

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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