Go Mad for Marine Life

Somerset Wildlife Trust encourages people to explore and discover some of Somerset's coastal gems this Summer.

Somerset Wildlife Trust is joining the celebration of marine life that will be taking place across the UK from Saturday July 29th to Sunday 13th August, as part of National Marine Week, to inspire everyone to show a little love for the county's little known, unique marine wildlife and habitats.

Somerset has nearly fifty miles of coastline which includes a variety of habitats such as sand dunes, rocky shores, tidal estuaries and the longest continual stretch of coastal deciduous woodland in England -- all home to a wealth of captivating species, world class geology and fascinating history and heritage.

National Marine Week is the perfect opportunity for families to get out explore some of Somerset's natural coastal wonders. Try the rocky shore around Brean Down where you can find Beadlet Anemones, Green Shore Crabs, Common Periwinkles and Limpets, and, at Minehead beach at low tide you may see starfish like the Common Sunstar and Common Brittlestar! Weston Super Mare and Burnham is a great feeding ground for several coastal birds like Oystercatcher and Curlews, when the tide is out they can be seen using their long bills to probe the mud to catch worms. In August look out for the small wading birds, Sanderling and Dunlin, as they start to arrive on our beaches having made their journey from the Arctic in search of warmer climes. Read More