This summer we have had some particularly warm and calm days. On afternoons when it was too hot to garden, seeking just a zephyr of a breeze, I spent my time exploring the pools and rocky shore of the headland. I can devote hours to watching the movement of the seaweeds in the clear water and I’m totally entranced by the vibrant colours. Beautiful sea gardens created by nature.
With the increase in sea temperatures the marine fauna and flora around coasts is starting to change – as creatures from the south move northwards and those which prefer cooler waters retreat north. This summer gave me just a hint of this process in action as we had unusually large numbers of jellyfish in the coastal waters; including the compass jellyfish (Chrysaora hysoscella) which is normally found off the south west coast of Britain. When stranded on the beaches there is no hint of their delicate beauty, but when afloat they become almost ethereal.
The summer days pass too quickly and the autumn equinox approaches. When the pressure drops and the wind whistles in from the west, the local bird watchers start to twitch with excitement, anticipating the arrival of migrating birds blown off course as they move south to their wintering grounds. Leaving the twitchers to dash around after rare birds, I prefer to meander along the beach to see what the tide has washed in. Amongst the debris of plastic bottles, fish floats and mangled lobster creels, tangles of seaweed and crèches of bleached limpet and whelk shells, there is always something interesting and a potential addition to the cabinet of curiosities. Sometimes it is just a piece of driftwood, which if interestingly sculpted by time and tide is a destined for the garden, or a sheep skull or bleached crab claw. On other days, and usually when you least expect it, there will be a piece of whale bone, a perfectly polished piece of quartz, or an otter eating a fish.
This August we are having a foretaste of autumn as the tail of hurricane Bertha has been followed by blustery winds and squally showers. Too early to deliver rare birds, but the westerly winds brought some exotic creatures to our shores. Buoy barnacles (Dosima fascicularis) and by-the-wind-sailors (Velella velella), more commonly seen off Cornwall and the west coast of Ireland, have been washed up on our beaches. These are pelagic species usually found in the warm waters of the Atlantic and the Pacific. Millions of Velella have been stranded on the coast of North America this summer, not an unusual event, but much earlier in the year than expected, perhaps due to the early arrival of strong westerly winds. Indications of a strengthening El Niño or climatic oscillations associated with long-term climate change? I can only watch and wonder as these beautiful creatures appear and perhaps try to minimise the size of my footsteps on the planet.
That was a really interesting post – thanks. Think I will try and fit in a walk along the beach at Balmedie this weekend. The jellyfish though beautiful are not good for people doing water activities. One of my son’s friends got stung a few weeks ago. Not something you used to worry about.
I love having the sea at the end of my garden and walking the beach can be both therapeutic and stimulating.
Never a good idea to get too close to a jellyfish and you have to be very hardy to risk our chilly waters without a full wetsuit.
Fascinating. You are on the front line Christine, and in a unique position to observe. I hope we have a less stormy winter than last but worry that we may have to get used to more of it in the future.
I have grown used to our stormy weather, but could do without the continuous deluge which we had last winter. Out weather seems to be more unpredictable, so we just have to make the most of the fine days.
Lovely post. Our beach at Stone Bay in Broadstairs was covered in whelk shells last weekend, which I have never seen there before. It’s lovely to make time to study the chalk rockpools, but somehow we only seem to do this when there are children in tow. I am trying not to think about the approach of autumn, it’s too soon!
I am guilty of not walking the beach as often as I should, but the rock pools fascinate me, must be the child within.
Autumn is not far away, there is definitely a chill edge to the breeze despite sunshine. I don’t really mind as there are always good things to look forward too.
beautiful images. I miss the sea. You’re so lucky to have it on your doorstep
I’ve always wanted to live by the sea and was fortunate to find the prefect location. Probably a good thing, otherwise we might have been neighbours.
That would be a GOOD thing! Dream of a neighbour like you. Mind you, we’d gossip and not get much done 🙂
Not to mention the eating! Oh well we’ll have to do it virtually and share our conversazione!
What a beautiful post – thank you.
My pleasure, you’re always welcome.
Beautiful colours and shapes in the sea pools!
Here I have seen the geese and cranes are gathering for the moove south.
Thank you I really appreciate your comment as your photographs inspire me. Unfortunately the cranes rarely come our way, but we’ll be expecting to see the geese before too long.
This post had disappeared in a sea of emails – your sea is far more interesting! I don’t think I was really aware of the movement of marine flora and fauna that you have outlined so again thank you for improving my education 🙂
Until I moved here I’d not taken much of an interest in matters marine (part from seafood) but things have changed.I’m having to become more informed as the soapbox is out again and we’re busy try to persuade the local populace that marine protection areas really are a good idea.
What an outstanding post… Remarkable photos !.
Thanks a lot for sharing!, best wishes, Aquileana 😀
Welcome and thank you for your kind comments