Seashore life identification and survey workshop at Dunnet Bay

25th August 2013

The Highland Seashore Project is running a free 'Seashore Life Identification and Survey' workshops at the Seadrift Centre, Dunnet Bay on Saturday 7 September.

Running between 10am and 5.30pm, the day will be a great opportunity for anyone with an interest in what lives on the shore, whether they are a natural history enthusiast or someone who loves their shore, to learn how to recognise different species on the rocks, in rock pools, buried in the sand and amongst the seaweeds.

Dr Mike Kendall, a Marine Biologist with 40 years of experience studying shoreline ecology, and one of the Highland Seashore Project's specialist advisers will be leading the workshops. The sessions are designed to give everyone coming along the skills and confidence to take part in the Highland Seashore Survey Network, where surveys of seashore life can be submitted to a Highland database www.highlandbiodiversity.com/seashore-life-survey.asp.

Dunnet Bay has been selected as it is a prime example of one of the rich and varied coastal habitats in Caithness and it follows on from previous successful survey workshops held this summer at Broadford, Gairloch and Portmahomack. The Highland Council Rangers are supporting the workshop and their knowledge of the coast will be important to support the event.

The event is run by the Highland Seashore Project, with the aim of encouraging local people to take an active role in finding out what lives on the Highland coast. The project was launched in February 2013 and is managed by The Highland Council on behalf of the Highland Biodiversity Partnership. It is funded by The Highland Council, the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Crown Estate Marine Stewardship Fund and Scottish Natural Heritage.

Janet Ullman, Highland Seashore Project Coordinator said: �Everyone on the Surveyors network will receive a free surveyors kit, be supported by a Local 'Seashore Expert', and have the opportunity to chat to other surveyors through the project�s Facebook page. The coast consists of habitats under pressure from climate change, beach litter, pollution, coastal erosion and development. Never before has monitoring been more important and individual contributions of records been more appreciated. Mapping where species are, even the common Dog Whelk, we can see how our coasts are changing.�

To book a place on the free workshop, please contact Janet Ullman on janet[AT]highlandseashore.org.uk or give her a call on 01599 566350. Places are limited and participants must be over 16 years old.