2. Sandy Beaches

Available for over a year

The attractive sandy beach is actually one of the most hostile habitats on our coastline. To survive the driving wind, abrasive sand and predation by sea birds, animals either spend much of their lives below the surface or have evolved some very clever adaptations - as Brett Westwood discovers when he joins naturalist Phil Gates on the Northumberland coast. With the help of recordings by wildlife sound recordist Chris Watson, they offer a practical and entertaining guide to the wildlife which you’re most likely to see and hear on sandy beaches. On the lower shore, they wander amongst the lugworm burrows in search of razor clams and pogoing cockles. At the top of the beach at the front of the sand dunes, they discuss the remarkable abilities of marram grass not only to avoid drying out, but also to hold back the sand and create stable areas where communities of other plants can take root and grow. Producer: Sarah Blunt First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2016.