Rockpooling in winter

Ukwildlifeo · #1 (**permalink**) 25-01-2010, 06:28 PM

I popped down to Joss Bay, Kent today to try some rockpooling but after turning over number of stones and sweeping some sea weed with a net I found little other than a couple of shore crabs and some freshwater shrimp-type amphipods (along with limpets, periwinkles and barnacles). The sign at the bay says anemones, gobies and hermit crabs can be found there and Ive seen photos of starfish so is it the wrong time of year or did I get unlucky?

Force Eleven · #2 (**permalink**) 25-01-2010, 06:47 PM

Hi there sport

You are better off waiting for the low tides next weekend. They are very low, hopefully the weather will be kind.

You can find all sorts during winter. There are some absentees such as lumpsuckers and sand eels, but you should still find the common rockpool fish like rocklings and shannys, etc. Crustaceans should be widespread as well.

From my own experience at Scarborough, echinoderms do well in winter. We find upwards of 30 edible sea urchins at Scalby during the winter low tides.

Finally, I assume you rockpooled during the daytime? I advise you to check the tide times, as the best low tides up here next weekend are overnight.

Best go with someone though, and take a headlight or torch of course, so you don't die horribly.

We are going to let everyone know what we find next weekend here in Scarborough. A proper list and everything

F11

Mitty · #3 (**permalink**) 25-01-2010, 07:21 PM

heya,

think F11 is right, the low tide today seems quite high. It will be over a metre lower at the start of next week (but quite early in the morning. Anemones are usually below the barnacle line - but keep an eye out for dogwhelks, some interesting research been done on them in that area.

Don't know if you know a good tide predictor but these are my favorites: EasyTide, POL, or you can download WXtide.

Dogghound · #4 (**permalink**) 26-01-2010, 09:02 PM

Yes Rockpooling in winter is fantastic, just as good as summer here.

Ukwildlifeo · #5 (**permalink**) 28-01-2010, 08:22 AM

Thanks folks, I guess I was unlucky! Mind you Joss bay is unusual in that its a chalk cliff and rockpool shoreline, and it is basically flat with very little Fucus type brown seaweed. The rockpools were all very shallow with no holes/crevices to hide in and full of small rocks and stones which might be a bit hostile for many creatures. Perhaps this doesnt help?

Sadly im not in Kent next weekend so wont be able to look at this really low tide