Rock Pooling: red mite on shore

Monday, 3 August 2015

Rockpooling Destination: Kilchoan, Scotland, May 2015

The cobble shore at Kilchoan may appear calm, but the shores' sloping angle and step, indicates that it experiences periods of high wave exposure.

The shore comprises a sloping cobble beach with a stepped profile and strandlines. Fauna are relatively sparse among the cobbles, with increased diversity within the decomposing seaweed of the strandline. Habitat classification: LR.HR (High energy littoral rock) EUNIS: A1.1 LS.Lsa.St (Strandline) EUNIS: A2.21.

The most striking fauna of the cobbles, are the red mites that scurry across the shore.

Rock Pooling Etiquette

Rock pooling is a fun and fascinating activity and it is important to respect the marine organisms you encounter.

The best time to go rock pooling is at low tide when the intertidal zone is exposed. The intertidal zone is the area of the shore that is covered and exposed by the sea as it rises and falls. It experiences daily fluctuations in environmental conditions and the creatures that live there will have
positioned themselves to reduce the extremes they must endure. Therefore it is important to return creatures to the place that you found them and to return any boulders or seaweeds you may have overturned in your pursuit.