Rockpooling in Northumberland (Day Trip)

Summary

Much of the Northumberland coast is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and a Marine Protected Area. It is therefore not only very beautiful, but very important for its wildlife. We will be exploring the rich array of life found in rockpools at low tide, but also the many natural objects associated with sandy beaches. This is not just shells, but also the egg cases of marine animals and the various types of seaweed washed up on the shore. As we do all this, we will keep one eye on the sky and out to sea, for feeding terns and gannets, and perhaps even cetaceans.

We will be starting our visit in the little seaside village of Boulmer with its wonderful mix of rockpools and rocky outcrops interspersed with sandy coves. We will examine the various rocky outcrops with their rockpools full of beguiling creatures, then work our way along the coast to also explore the sandy areas. Where dunes abut the shore we will look out for some characteristic dune plants as well as Stonechats and other local birds. Out to sea, we will undoubtedly be distracted by the comings and goings of the five species of tern which nest in Northumberland, including the rare Roseate Tern, as well as diving gannets, etc.

We will explore these habitats on gentle walks, of no more than 6 miles in total, possibly interspersed with short drives to maximise the number of habitats explored.

• Sea anemones, crabs, etc – the microworlds of rockpools
• Wide variety of shells and other mysterious objects, like ‘mermaids purses’, washed up on the beach
• Look out for terns, gulls, etc also using the coast
• Plants of the adjoining dunes