The first event of our Mega Shoresearch weekend was a survey and public event at Long Rock near Penzance.
Here an extensive reef of Mylor slate lies just outside the current boundary of the Mounts Bay Proposed Marine Conservation Zone. We were joined by Local marine expert David Fewick and Rob Seabold of Natural England as well as a host of keen volunteers and the slippery rocks of this impressive reef were surveyed!
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Holes bored in Mylor slate by Piddocks - photo by Margaret Gardener |
The slate is bored in many places by burrowing bivalves called Pidocks, themselves a rare speices to find on our coasts which have very particular geological requirements! Just to the West of the reef lies a fantastic eel grass bed which although taking a beating by our winter gales is still hanging on in there!
the tide rapidly came in and sadly I didnt make it out to the piddock holes so will definately need to visit again soon!
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Cat worm Nephtys hombergi found in mud |
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Cat worm Nephtys hombergi Proboscis extended - Fearsome! |
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Thin Tellins were common in the mud |
Despite a windy and wet afternoon we werent deterred and thanks to a fantastic new waterproof heavy duty gazebo, and the loan of Lawrence Smiths fantastic luxury gas bbq we were able to feed and water all the shoresearch volunteers and our PANACHE seasearch divers who carried out an evening shoredive near the causeway.
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Sarah and the food!! - thanks to Loz from Ocean high Paddleboarding for lending us his EPIC GAS Barbecue! |
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PANACHE Shoresearch and Seasearchers at Mounts bay |