Coastwise revisits Barricane BioBlitz survey.....

On 28^th May we returned to Barricane for the first time after September’s successful bioblitz to put the data gathered then to use. Using forms pre-printed with the commoner seaweeds & animals found  during the blitz, we undertook a walk-over survey of the lower shore to test a new beach survey protocol.   The information is to be forwarded to Sue Austin who has volunteered to transfer the data onto spreadsheets so that we can start to build a more systematic picture of life on our shores.

Drizzle greeted the 15 members who volunteered for the task, and threatened to dampen our enthusiasm as well as the survey cards, but the weather brightened up and sunshine eventually rewarded our efforts.

The beach had undergone a significant transformation over the winter, storms having brought in extra sediment, raising the beach height by up to a meter and filling the lower pools. With low pressure prevailing the tide did not go out far but even so with a need for careful identification to focus us, there was sufficient of interest to keep us busy for an hour or more.  Ecologist Pip Jollands was with us and helped with algae ID.  We were recorded some  23 seaweeds and 34 animals.  All the usual anemones were found, including, abundant Gem and large Strawberry Anemones,  2 Common Starfish, a few Shore Crabs, a dozen Blennies,  but few other crabs or  fish, perhaps not surprising given the poor tide.

Though we were disappointed not to find more animals including cowries, usually quite numerous, and sea hares, commonly found every year in particular low shore rocks pools, we enjoyed our new more purposeful beach foray, and look forward to the next at Lee, Ilfracombe on 15^th July.