From dramatic wave-battered rocky shores to gently flowing brackish creeks and lagoons. Britain’s coastline provides over 5000 miles of varied habitats for a huge assemblage of animal and plant life, as well as an unrivaled hunting ground for the naturalist. And whatever the interest of the naturalist,.
It seems the seashore can cater to its birds, mammals, fish, and a myriad of worms, shellfish, and other invertebrates, all of whom find rich pickings on the seashore. Geological upheavals in the past have determined the overall nature of our coastline. But the sea is a constantly modifying driven by a relentless program of erosion on the one hand and deposition on the other.
On the other hand, we’re witnessing long-term reshaping by the action of water. Nevertheless, whatever the forces of nature, animals, and plants seem infinitely adaptable,. There is scarcely an outcrop of rock or a patch of shifting shingle that is not inhabited.
Unlike several other habitats, the seashore supports a constant community of plants and animals that are always on view. There are some seasonal variations, but overall, the seasons are of less significance than the tides. At times of low tide, the naturalist can pick among the seaweeds and rock crevices for molluscs, worms, echinoderms, and other small animals, or wait quietly by rock pools for the inhabitants to show themselves.
The cliffs are often rich in wildflowers and provide superb vantage points from which to watch seabirds such as gulls and fulmars wheeling and soaring on the thermals. Estuaries, too, can provide many hours of rewarding investigation, especially when the tide is out and the wading birds flock to feed.
