Family Activity Rockpooling

Summer has truly arrived with soaring temperatures, and the sun ever shining down on Islay. On Tuesday I was treated to leading  the second of this year's family activity sessions for the rockpooling. There wasn't a slippy rock in sight (almost) and we delighted, adults, children and all, in discovering Chitons, Prawns and one seriously abundant Shore crab city! It was such a joy to see so much enthusiasm for the abundant Beadlet anemones as well. We also caught more 15 Spined sticklebacks than ever and 2  Father lashers. Thanks to all who came - keep up the great rockpooling!

Lepidochitona cinerea

Lorna

News from the Visitor Centre

It's always exciting to come into the Centre and see that some of the chrysalises have turned into butterflies. Altogether I have released seven Small Tortoiseshell and there are still a lot to go. I leave them for several hours in the pavilion to give them a chance to dry their wings and then release them. You never see them better than when freshly emerged from their chrysalis; they are so beautiful and pristine.

Our Sea Hares are breeding like their land counterparts and new eggs keep appearing in their tank. They graze ever so elegantly on a variety of seaweed.

Meanwhile in the big tank, one Beadlet Anemone has found a way to stop being pestered by the Piecrust Crab at feeding time - stick to its back!

Small Tortoiseshell in the pavilion

Beadlet Anemone on a Piecrust Crab

Becky

Snakelocks Anemones

The greenish coloured anemones on top of the pipe are Snakelocks Anemones, a different species than the red Beadlet Anemones. I added them to the tank today and took advantage of the rare prowl of the Wrasse and appearance of the Squat Lobster to take a photo of our big tank today.

Becky