Heysham to host marine sea life events

The Wildlife Trust will hold a series of events during National Marine Week to celebrate UK sea life.
Black brittlestars. Picture by Paul Naylor.Black brittlestars. Picture by Paul Naylor.
Black brittlestars. Picture by Paul Naylor.

From July 23 to August 7, the North West Wildlife Trusts will be encouraging people to spend some time by the sea, to find out more about the creatures – both great and small – which can be found living along the coastline.

Dr Emily Baxter, Marine Conservation Officer at the North West Wildlife Trusts, said: “We want to inspire people to find, enjoy, learn, and value more of the fantastic marine life in our seas – not just the amazing mammals such as dolphins and porpoises but also some of the smaller, unsung heroes found in our muddy habitats.

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“The muddy plains that we see along much of the coast may look like uninhabited deserts, but they are in fact teeming with life and are home to some wonderful species.

Arctic or Icelandic Ciprine, Ocean Quahog, Mahogany Clam, Mahogany Quahog, Black Quahog, or Black Clam (Arctica islandica) Loch Fyne, Scotland UK. A very long lived species which may be able to live for up to 400 years. Picture by Paul Kay.Arctic or Icelandic Ciprine, Ocean Quahog, Mahogany Clam, Mahogany Quahog, Black Quahog, or Black Clam (Arctica islandica) Loch Fyne, Scotland UK. A very long lived species which may be able to live for up to 400 years. Picture by Paul Kay.
Arctic or Icelandic Ciprine, Ocean Quahog, Mahogany Clam, Mahogany Quahog, Black Quahog, or Black Clam (Arctica islandica) Loch Fyne, Scotland UK. A very long lived species which may be able to live for up to 400 years. Picture by Paul Kay.

“There’s the ocean quahog, which buries itself in the muddy sand but which amazingly can live up to 500 years! Brittle stars look like skinny starfish, with long, spindly arms and fireworks anemones, as their name suggests, bring a real burst of colour to the sea, with their beautiful, brightly coloured tentacles.”

During Marine Week there will be a range of events to celebrate seas, spread over 16 days. All around the coastline, staff and volunteers will be sharing their knowledge.

Events are as follows: rockpool ramble, Half Moon Bay, Heysham on July 24, whale and dolphin watch, Heysham Port on July 25, rockpool ramble, Half Moon Bay, Heysham on July 27, marine mudness activity day, Morecambe beach on July 28, life on the shore, Half Moon Bay, Heysham on August 4.

Visit www.irishsea.org/whats-on to find out more and tweet your muddy photos to #MarineMudness.

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