Rockpooling, a great autumn activity
Post categories: Autumnwatch
|14:44 UK time, Friday, 21 October 2011
As you can see on tonight's Autumnwatch, Chris and Martin had a very productive time rockpooling on Lee beach, on the outer edges of Exmoor. We really hope it's inspiring you to take the kids out this half term and do the same. It's a great way to discover the wide biodiversity to be found on our beaches. There's quite a few guides to the best rockpools, such as here, here, and here.
Before you go, have a read of our guide to some of the some of fantastic characters you can come across in rockpools, like the dog whelk or the sea scorpion.
The number one rule for rockpooling is to not get stranded, so check tide times before you set off. Follow the Seashore Code to stay safe or join a walk with an expert guide.
BBC Breathing Places has a guide [pdf] for tips on what to take. We'd recommend a white tub or tray to make identification easier. If you want help identifying your finds why not ask the ispot community or you can help out scientists by recording your sightings.
But enough of our tips, what about you? Any great rockpooling places you can recommend? Any extraordinary animals you've found hidden deep in pool. We'd love to hear, so post a comment below and let us know.
Watch Martin and Chris's rockpooling film on Autumnwatch, Friday 21 October 8.30pm BBC Two.
Update 25 October: There's loads more fabulous recommendations of places to go rockpooling on our Facebook page.
Comment number 1.
At 20:25 21st Oct 2011, Anemone_lover wrote:Hi Autumnwatch!
Some of my recent rockpooling photos are on flickr if you want to see them! I'm going rockpooling next week with my camera and recently purchased macro lens so I'll upload my photos after that for you to see!
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Comment number 2.
At 20:37 21st Oct 2011, Tina wrote:During the summer, we went to the Isle of Mull, we went on a really tough coastal walk
to see some amazing arches, just near them were the best rockpools, I have ever seen. They were crystal clear, and were heaving with sealife. I have got photos but don't know how to upload them.
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Comment number 3.
At 21:34 21st Oct 2011, Ash Bennetts wrote:Hi AW!
I went rock pooling where I live near Padstow, North Cornwall, I went with local expert Dom. I was brilliant, I found sea scorpions, Cushion starfish and a cornish cling fish! I would recommend it to anyone! I really didn't know there was that much out there! I went with these guys who had expert knowledge www.exploretheshore.co.uk and would throughly recommend it!
Enjoy,
Ash from Padstow
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Comment number 4.
At 21:47 21st Oct 2011, AlaineNiLaoi wrote:Hi Autumnwatch,
This ones for Chris. I have five garden spiders in my back garden their wonderful abdominal colours have faded now. I know they dont die until the first ground frost when the actually crack open will climate change have an impact on their lifespan?
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Comment number 5.
At 21:47 21st Oct 2011, Emmie-Lou wrote:Hi all, it's our daughter's 5th bday on Tues & she would love a surprise rock pooling day out. We live in Belvedere, Kent so we're only a couple hours from the coast. Can you suggest any great rock pools for us to go please. Thanks :o)
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Comment number 6.
At 21:59 21st Oct 2011, Martin Baker wrote:I know why the Snipe bobs.....it's been watching the TV through Chris's window.....Last Night of the Proms!
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Comment number 7.
At 23:09 21st Oct 2011, stephen eales wrote:Hi all. First great show thank you all, tonight there was some hesitation about the difference between a dogfish / Catshark, as a keen Sea Angler this was news to me so thought this may help you. Cheers Steve.
https://www.elasmo-research.org/education/shark_profiles/dog_or_cat_g.htm
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Comment number 8.
At 11:58 24th Oct 2011, ffotofinish wrote:Dear Team
With reference to Chris’s remark regarding the Hummingbird Hawk Moth breeding in this country, in 1948 when I was still at school we had a competition in the class collecting as many different wild flowers as possible. One classmate brought in Ladies Bedstraw on which Hawkmoth caterpillar was feeding, I claimed the caterpillar, being very interested in all bugs, the caterpillar pupated and approximately six weeks’ later (from memory) the moth emerged and to my delight and it was a hummingbird hawk moth.
I live in Southbourne close to Hengistbury Head but I believe the caterpillar was found in Christchurch.
Regards, Alan (now 74 years of age and still interested in all wildlife).
P.S. Love the programme.
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