Low
Tide Wonderland
On
Wednesday 16 May, to celebrate one of the lowest tides
of the year, Morecambe Bay Partnership ran a low tide
discovery walk to Scar Head in the Walney
Channel. Despite persistent drizzle, 26 people joined
staff and
colleagues of the Partnership and enjoyed a
fascinating insight to life below the waves.
David
Carpenter, Harbour Master at Associated British Ports,
Barrow (ABP) said " I saw things that I'd never
seen before and found out about things that I'd seen
but not realised what they were or were up to! Pity
about the weather, I could have spent another couple
of hours otherwise."
Chris
Lumb of Natural England led us in identifying the
usually unseen creatures. His enthusiasm was
infectious ensuring that everyone went home excited by
something new. We found several species of sponge, sea
slugs including sea lemons, spider crabs, edible
crabs, peacock worms, oysters, anemones and a small
shy lobster.
Betty
Green a local enthusiast, very knowledgeable about
marine life, said, "I think we identified over 30
species in all, the peacock worms astonished me by
their profusion."
Matt
Sanderson, of Associated British Ports, who came along
with his wife and son William said "Cold and wet
though it was, we all had a thoroughly enjoyable time!
William was especially pleased to find that huge whelk
all on his own and we all enjoyed hearing Chris and
Betty explaining what we were seeing out there. I was
surprised to learn that we had so many sponges
living
in the Walney Channel."
© river ocean foundation - national low tide
champions
www.riverocean.org.uk
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