Sand mason worm
This worm builds its own home out of bits of shell and sand. It can be spotted on the shore all around the UK.
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Chwilio
Beaches and strandlines
Skip the town beach and find an untamed shore to explore. Wild sand and shingle beaches are great places to see the variety of natural habitats and the amazing force of the elements that help…
Black sea bream
The black sea bream really is a fascinating fish. From sex changes to nest building, this fish is full of surprises!
Orange-clubbed sea slug
A small colourful sea slug that can be found grazing on sea mats on the rocky shore and beyond the low water mark.
Oystercatcher
The loud 'peep-ing' call of an oystercatcher is a recognisable and familiar sound of the seashore. Look out for it hunting on rocky and muddy shores for shellfish to eat. It can also be…
Types of development and planning applications
Planning permission is generally needed for any development. This means building, engineering, mining or other activity that makes changes to the use of land, or changes to existing buildings. There are exceptions that do not count as development, such as maintenance, changes to the interior of a building, agriculture, forestry and changes to gardens.
Bladder wrack
This brown seaweed lives in the mid shore and looks a bit like bubble wrap with the distinctive air bladders that give it its name.
Tope shark
This slender and elegant shark species is often found close to shore all around our coasts and can grow up to 6 feet long.
Wetlands
Healthy wetlands store carbon and slow the flow of water, cleaning it naturally and reducing flood risk downstream. They support an abundance of plant life, which in turn provide perfect shelter,…
Arctic cowrie
One of the UK’s smallest and most delicate sea snails and an absolute favourite find for avid shell collectors when washed upon the shore empty!
Sand hopper
Sand Hoppers really live up to their name, jumping high into the air when disturbed.
Star ascidian
One of the most eye-catching sights on the rocky shore, this mind-boggling species resembling a collection of beautiful pressed flowers is actually a colony of individual animals!