Rockpooling report from Devon

[Marineboy]

Taking advantage of the low tide I visited Meadfoot Beach near Torquay, Devon. A good day, sunshine and blue sky, and the usual rockpoolers scratched legs and shredded fingers!
Hopefully following are a selection of photos of whats there.
They include:

Broad Clawed Porcelain Crab, Porcellana platycheles
Long Clawed Porcelain Crab, Pisidia longicornis
Green Shore Crab, Carcinus maenas
Edible Crab, Cancer pagurus
Velvet Swimming Crab, Necora puber
Common Hermit Crab, Pagurus bernhardus
Hairy Crab, Pilumnus hirtellus
Squat lobster, Galathea squamifera

Butterfish, Pholis gunnellus
Cornish Sucker/Clingfish, Lepadogaster lepadogaster

Green Sea Urchin, Psammechinus miliaris
Common Starfish, Asterias rubens
Brittle Star, Ophiuroidea sp.
Cushion Star, Asterina gibbosa

Strawberry Anemone, Actinia fragacea
Snakelocks Anemone, (green and brown), Anemonia viridis

Also included is a Squat lobster with a white stripe - all sizes of Galathea squamifera seem to be the same dark green, so this may be something different.

These were the most notable species found, and photographed, but obviously doesn't include many of the common rockpool species. A little further round the coast I also saw the Plumose anemone, Metridium senile.

[htcdude]

That's awesome! How long were you doing it for? I haven't got round to doing any rockpooling yet, but would love to some time.

Thanks for sharing

Nige

[pammosley]

Brilliant finds Marineboy (do you remember the cartoon Marine boy many years ago?)
We looked in vain for Starfish this year, I`d love to see one

[Billabong Karen]

Wow - that's amazing!

[Marineboy]

Pammosley - yes I do remember the cartoon! I grew up watching that. See it on Youtube! Still wish I had the Oxygum.

For those interested in Meadfoot, there is a large outcrop of rock in the middle of Meadfoot Beach and some promising rocks to either end of the beach. Parking is easy just along Meadfoot Sea Road that runs above the beach, or use the carpark. Toilets nearby too.

[ChrisJB]

What a tremendous selection of goodies. You have a great deal more success at rock-pooling than I ever do. I think it's time you shared some of your strategies and tips for success on here! I've clearly a lot to learn.

Regards, Chris

[Marineboy]

Rockpooling is about more than looking in rockpools.

Always - Point One - always know what the tide is doing. Opportunist rockpoolers tend to be those visiting the coast for the day - the tide may be in, it may be out - who knows!
Organised rockpoolers are those who choose their tides and choose their hunting grounds. There are good sites on line that can identify the years good low tides and the extra low tides, like Tidal predictions - the lower the tide the better. Try to follow the tide as it goes out, and know when it is going to turn so check tide times as well, with, for example EasyTide - on-line tidal predictions from the UKHO - taking into account British Summer Time.

Weather is all important too. Clearly a sunny still day is better than a windy overcast day. Occassionally, the British weather coincides with a low tide and can offer some good rockpooling.

The location is important. Hard rock offers better hunting grounds than soft rock, as there will be more boulders and ledges to explore and more stones to turn over. You don't want too much sand amongst the rocks either as it just beds down the stones too much and the exciting stuff just won't be there. There has to be living space under the rocks. Don't go for the deep pools - turn over stones in shallow water only unless you are IN the water with mask, snorkel and a small net. Consider getting into the water even if it is only shallow; use a face mask and snorkel and I am sure you will see more than you did from above. Good varied seaweed growth, especially with the coralline seaweeds is a good indication of a good hunting ground too. Take the different seaweeds as markers down the beach - each has a particular position down the seashore. By all means explore the whole section of beach to see how different creatures inhabit these different zones, but ideally you are looking to get into the laminaria zone. This is exposed at these very low tides and offers some wonderful rockpooling opportunities to find things not usually accessible without scuba.

Wear sturdy shoes that can get wet and still offer good grip. Wear something that allows you to get right down to look under rock ledges and forget about keeping your knees and bum dry! Look for small spoil heaps under rocks too as it is often an indication that something has been digging there.

Its about taking time to notice movement in the seaweeds. Move weeds to the side and see what is hiding amongst them. Examine the weeds too, close up, as it will all be full of life.

Its about carefully turning rocks over - in one smooth movement. So choose stones that are not too big, that you can get your fingers under. In one lift it needs to be over, or at least on its edge. If it falls back it can crush creatures disturbed beneath, and of course create lots of disturbed sediment under which creatures can disappear. Watch your feet and hands with these large stones as they are very heavy should they fall back.
Make sure to examine what's on the underside of the rock, as well as what was underneath it. And please, take care to return the rock the same way you found it. Don't ignore rocks on the lower shore that appear to be completely out of the water. Many shore living fish, crabs, starfish etc can survive periods of being out of water on a low tide without coming to harm so long as they are cool and moist under a stone.

Just a few other suggestions - take a camera, and keep it dry! Be careful of walking on seaweed covered rocks as they can be incredibly slippery. Sensible footwear is really important. If you are going serious rockpooling on your own - tell someone where you will be, and maybe set the alarm on your watch to remind you of the turn of the tide. Be sure to have an exit back off the rocks you are on. Take a charged mobile with you, ideally in a waterproof case. A small selection of plasters might be worth considering too. Expect the odd graze and scratch - if you don't get them your'e not rockpooling properly!

[operanut1972]

Wow, great finds,

Reminds me of childhood trips to see my GrandParents. We always ended up on the seafront and looking for anything the crawled/swam or burrowed out of the suns glare!

Being in a wheelchair, means I miss out on this fun activity, but worse still, I can't pass on the joy to my sons. Still, I've got them hooked on birdwatching and other areas of nature & conservation. Being a qualified scuba instructor, the pictures evoke memories of Poole harbour near the jetty!

Keep posting the pics Marineboy and thanks for sharing!

[Marineboy]

Hi operanut, maybe the answer might lay in another post we've had on here - keeping a native marine fish tank. Think about getting one going; its easier than you think, especially for the hardy creatures that even a moderate low tide would uncover. What child hasn't thought of taking home a little critter found under a stone at the beach. Get a tank set up, and get your sons to find something to put in it. A hermit crab, or a blenny and a prawn, easy to find - I reckon a partnership like that would open up rockpooling to all of you.

[operanut1972]

Hi Marineboy, that sounds like a good idea. Will have to check with management to get permission, but yeah sounds like all of us could well start to enjoy the marine nature.

Cheers