Secrets of the Shore: Exploring the Strandline This Summer

When the summer sun coaxes us outside, there's no better time to explore one of nature’s most fascinating frontiers: the strandline. This summer, why not do some searching and uncover the stories the ocean leaves behind?

What is the Strandline?

The strandline is the line of debris and natural material left behind as the tide retreats. It’s nature’s version of a pick 'n' mix, and depending on the day, it might serve up shells, driftwood, feathers, mermaid’s purses, and if you’re lucky (or unlucky), the odd recognisable plastic object. Beyond being a source of seaside curiosities, the strandline is an important habitat, providing shelter and sustenance for insects, birds, and other coastal wildlife.

To look out for:

---

---

Natural finds:

• Keep your eyes peeled for the tough, leathery egg cases of sharks (1) and skates (2), also called Mermaid’s Purses, often disguised among the seaweed. The Shark Trust runs the fantastic "Great Eggcase Hunt", a citizen science project inviting beachcombers to record their finds. By submitting data, you can help marine biologists monitor species distributions, breeding grounds, and even the impacts of climate change. The Shark Trust have even made a handy app which allows you to record your data easily. You can find more information on The Shark Trust website.

• From tiny periwinkles to robust razor clams (3), and elegant scallop shells, you will find many different seashells along the strandline. Each tells a story; some show tiny boreholes from predatory snails, others are polished smooth by tumbling in the surf.

• Lightweight and chalky, cuttlebones (4) are internal shells that help cuttlefish control buoyancy. The cuttlebones oval shape is covered in small ridges making for a very distinctive texture. Cuttlebone is often used as a cast in Scottish silversmithing, due to its texture and ability to withstand high heats.

• Pieces of driftwood, salt-sculpted and bleached by the sun, are often beautifully shaped and smooth, there are plenty of crafts you can do with driftwood or just admire it as is!

• Kelp, bladderwrack, and dulse are common seaweeds you can find washed up, each with unique textures; some rubbery, some slippery, some crisp (depending how long they’ve been in the strandline!).

• Look out for whelk egg cases (5), they feel oddly rubbery and light, and are usually a pale yellow colour.

• Gulls, terns, and other seabirds often shed feathers near the shore. Look for flight feathers which are stiff and streamlined, or softer body down that help to keep the birds warm.

Animal Evidence:

• When crabs moult, they leave behind their exoskeleton (6), perfect casts of themselves. Sometimes looking startlingly alive!

• Natural decomposition and seabird predation scatter skeletal remains; a fascinating find for those interested in marine anatomy.

• Sometimes the test of sea urchins (7) wash up intact, though usually broken as they are very fragile.

Man-Made Items:

• Sea glass, shards of old bottles and glassware, glows like jewels, a rare "treasure" of human origin given back to us by the sea.

• Fragments of ghost nets (8) often tangle with seaweed - important reminders of marine litter issues.

• Bottles, straws, toys, there’s lots of plastic items you can find. Despite it being interesting to see what washes up, plastic shouldn’t be making up part of the strandline! You can help by picking up plastic litter and disposing of it correctly.

• If you’re very lucky you might find curiosities such as messages in bottles, bits of lost cargo (like the famous rubber duck or Lego spills), or historic items like weathered ship fragments.

Every find tells a story: a journey taken, a life lived, or a new one just beginning. Exploring the strandline is a bit like a beach-themed treasure hunt!

How to Explore Responsibly

Always leave living creatures where you find them. Collect only what’s safe and appropriate (photographs are the best souvenirs!) and consider taking a spare bag to collect any litter you come across. Every small action makes a big difference, and you can wear the title "Strandline Superhero" with pride.

This summer, make a date with the tide. Every visit to the strandline promises new surprises and interesting stories just waiting for a curious mind. Grab a friend, a bag, and your sharpest set of seaside eyes — adventure is only a few sandy steps away.