Lyme Regis Rocks...

After the success of our rock pooling session at Lyme Regis recently, I returned with my son on Bank Holiday Monday to try our luck once more. I wouldn't normally venture out onto the roads on a Bank Holiday in the summer but as low tide was quite early we decided to be there two hours before its peak to catch the pools left by the retreating sea. It was a good decision, the car park was mostly empty, it was a beautiful sunny morning and we got to see the pools before the masses descended.

Highlights included...

Stranded Barrel Jellyfish - seen better days

Two more Hermit Crabs...

Hermit Crab, Lyme Regis

Hermit no. 2 - both quite large individuals

Brown Shrimp Crangon crangon

Shanny Lipophrys pholis

Snakelocks Anemone Anemonia viridis

Must admit, apart from the more easily identifiable seaweeds I find them a little difficult to put a name to. There are so many of them and few good sources for ID'ing them - so here are some of the common species:

Gutweed Ulva intestinalis

Sugar Kelp Saccarina latissima

Irish Moss Chondrus crispus

Oarweed Laminaria digitata

Cuvie Laminaria hyberborea - similar to Oarweed
but with a rough stipe that snaps when flexed

Flat Top Shell Gibbula umbilicalis

Acorn Barnacle Semibalanus balanoides

Common Limpet Patella vulgata

Common Periwinkle Littorina saxatilis

Common Piddock Pholas dactylus

Also a couple of hoverflies that posed for pics:

Eristalis tenax

Syrphus sp.