The underwater reefs and ledges of Kimmeridge Bay home to the Purbeck Marine Wildlife Reserve. …and immediately above – next to the MOD firing range the oldest working oil pump in the UK. Pumping continuously since 1961 its not the first thing that most people Read More …
Category: Seashore
Brownsea Island
Thought I’d seen it all but this is a new one. 28C and gloriously sunny. Next year it’ll be Pimms and Iced Teas. More unexpected cargo being transported across the Millionaire’s playground of Poole harbour. White Admiral Again, another unexpected sighting. I didn’t really expect Read More …
More from Italy
Ivy Broomrape, Sorrento The parasitic Ivy Broomrape in the hills above Sorrento. Amazing how common this particular Broomrape is. It can even be found growing within the centre of Sorrento outside one of the more exclusive hotels. Naturalised Prickly Pear and Morning Glory, Capri Prickly Read More …
More from Ainsdale
Dark Green Fritillary Dark Green Fritillary nectaring on Hawkbit at Ainsdale Dunes Kidney Vetch A classic plant associated with dry grasslands. Although more common on the chalk downs and cliffs the high lime content of the sand dunes allows it to thrive at Ainsdale. Meadow Read More …
Orchids from Ainsdale
Pyramid Orchids, Ainsdale NNR Great to see several large drifts of Pyramid Orchids amongst the dunes. At this time of year by far the most common of the various Orchids living within the National Nature Reserve. Pyramid Orchid, Ainsdale NNR Bee Orchid, Ainsdale NNR A Read More …
Mud glorious mud
Peacock butterfly nectaring on Willow catkins. In contrast to last month’s trip up north to Silverdale and Arnside on this occasion it was gloriously sunny. In fact, after 6 hrs in the sunshine I even managed to get slightly sunburnt. Great to see plenty of Read More …
Spring tide rising….
Seems like ages since we watched a decent high tide come rolling in. February’s spring tide in Southport was too good an opportunity to miss. Peewits – the first of the waders to flee the oncoming tide. One of the dozens of flocks of Read More …
Crabbing at Kimmeridge
Over the years we’ve been fortunate to visit Kimmeridge Bay marine nature reserve on several occasions. Despite the reef being a stronghold for Spider crabs so far we hadn’t seen any. On this occasion inspired by a group of children crabbing from the end of Read More …
Beneath the Waves
A return to the wonderful DWT marine nature reserve at Kimmeridge. Shanny Peacock Worm Fountain Anemone No idea. Initial impression was perhaps some type of Brittlestar or Starfish but after reviewing the photo they look more a peacock worm or perhaps even an anemone. Read More …