*** All permits and permissions have now been granted; two boat trips have been arranged for grab sampling, one provisionally on the morning of Tuesday 20 September in the Salcombe estuary, the second on the morning of Thursday 22 September in Plymouth Sound - both dates subject to change in the event of bad weather. ***
*** Please note corrected grid reference for meeting place on Thursday 22 September, and details for meeting on Friday 23 September. ***
The SW Devon coast is well-known as an area with a rich and varied marine fauna, with good rocky shores and rock pools, sandy bays, and deep estuaries, of which Plymouth Sound and the Salcombe/Kingsbridge Estuary are known to be particularly rich. The Salcombe/Kingsbridge Estuary is particularly interesting because there is little fresh water input, with Zostera beds and Atrina exposed at extreme springs. We plan to visit the less well-recorded Erme and Avon estuaries as well. The meeting is timed to coincide with the autumn spring tides;
Planned shores and meeting places:
Any changes will be posted on the website as soon as possible.
Sunday 18 September (LW 13:40 BST, +0.1m). Salcombe, North Sands Bay and rocky shore below Fort Charles. Good rock shore and rock pooling; possibility of good shell sand in bay; possible exposed Zostera beds beyond the fort. It is hoped that we will be joined by local divers. Meeting place: car park at SX 731/382, at 11:30.
Monday 19 September (LW 14:20 BST,, +0.1m). Salcombe, Snapes Point. Rich rock-turning, possibility of good shell sand. Meeting place: car park at SX 739/402, at 12:00 (10-15 minute walk in).
Tuesday 20 September am: Grab sampling, Salcombe Estuary; meeting point tba.
Tuesday 20 September: (LW 15:10 BST, +0.3m). Wembury Point. Wide rocky shore with some protection from Great Mew Stone. Meeting place: small car park at SX 503/486 at 13:00.
Wednesday 21 September (LW 15:50, +0.6m). Jennycliff Bay, E side of Plymouth Sound. :Sheltered rocky shore; live Tornus subcarinatus has been reported. Meeting point: car park at SX 492/523, at 14:00.
Thursday 22 September am: Grab sampling, Plymouth Sound; meeting point tba.
Thursday 22 September (LW 16:40, +1.1m). Bigbury and Avon estuary: Sandy bay and tombolo, rocky shores and estuary.. Meeting place: car park at Bigbury-on-Sea, SX 651/442, at 14:30. **Please note corrected grid reference!***
Friday 23 September (LW 17:30, +1.5m). Erme Estuary: Lower shores, W side of estuary (and E side if possible). Sandy estuary with rocky areas near the mouth. Meeting place: car park at Mothecombe, SX 612/478, at 15:30.
Logistics etc:
A group of participants will be staying in a rented house at Bantham, on the east side of the Avon A small working laboratory will be set up there; space, however, is limited.
If you would like to join this meeting at any point, or have any questions or suggestions, please e-mail Bas.
Bas Payne (01647 24515; bas.payne@gmail.com)