Tuesday 21 August 2012

Family Activity Session - Rockpooling

Around 20 intrepid explorers set out for the final rockpooling session this afternoon. The rain arrived on cue as we clambered over the slippery rocks, but it was well worth it. The highlights were plenty of 3 spined sticklebacks (nearly 30 of them), ragworms, baby shorecrabs and shannies, and a worm pipefish. Plenty of lion's mane jellyfish have been reported washed up on the shore, and today they were indeed lining the rocks. We also delighted in the breadcrumb, and estuary sponges, comparing textures and 'squidgyness'. Thanks everyone for spending your afternoon rockpooling with the INHT!

Looking for shore crabs

Brilliantly coloured breadcrumb sponge (left) and estuary sponge (right). Sponges are one of the world's simplest animals as they lack internal organs such as a brain, heart or lungs! However they do have a skeleton, which when washed up, finds its way into our bath tubs.

Species List

shanny
hermit crab
shore crab
3 spined stickleback
worm pipefish
prawn
breadcrumb sponge
estuary sponge
beadlet anemone
flat winkle
periwinkle
rough winkle
topshell
limpet
ragworm (possibly estuary or nephtys caeca)
kelp
egg wrack
spiral wrack
bladder wrack
lithophyllum incrustans
Lorna

1 comment:

  1. Good to see so many smiles on faces despite the rain! Well done, Lorna! xx

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