Harbour Porpoise Photocoena phocoena | photo:M.E. Baines
Would you like to be able to tell a common dolphin from a bottlenose?
Or a beadlet anemone from a dahlia anemone?
Or a compass jellyfish from a lion's mane?
There is a rich and varied range of marine life in the waters off Cumbria, which most of us aren't even aware of.
Cumbria Wildlife Trust is organising a series of talks, training courses and guided walks for those interested in learning more.
This is part of a new project called Shore to Sea, because you are
'sure to see' all sorts of creatures from periwinkles and lugworms to harbour porpoises and grey seals.
If you are interested in more information on these events, or if you have the time and enthusiasm to get involved in surveys to build a fuller picture of Cumbrian marine life, please contact
Kay Foster on 01768 212522 or kayf@cumbriawildlifetrust.org.uk.
Lion's mane jellyfish - Cyanea capillata | photo:Marine Conservation Society
Kay is also interested in any reports which could add to current marine records. If you see any of the following, please contact her with the date, time and location of your sighting. (If you have a photo, even better):
- Anything big, like whales, dolphins, porpoises or basking sharks.
- Anything rare, like sunfish or turtles.
- Jellyfish (in the water or stranded).
- Unusual species that might be moving into the area. These could be 'alien' animals 'invading' from other parts of the world, like the Sargassum seaweed or mitten crabs. Or they could be triggerfish and the like, which seem to be moving north because of global warming.
