“Wildlife along the Seashore”
Julian Cremona retired Head of Centre, Dale Fort Field Centre, Pembrokeshire gives a talk about the wildlife around the seashore.
The monthly meeting for March was very well attended in anticipation of the talk to be given by Julian Cremona who, before, retirement, was Head of the Dale Fort Field Centre.
The members were certainly not disappointed. Julian’s enthusiasm for his subject – marine biology, was most infectious, as he took us, with the aid of photographs, along the Pembrokeshire Coast line. Explaining how the different types of foreshore, rocky and dramatic headlands or shallow sandy beaches impacted upon the wildlife that inhabits the areas.
It was fascinating to learn that some of our most useful aids to modern life have their origins in marine life. For instance, superglue. Who would have guessed the lowly barnacle brought this to our attention as it clings steadfastly to rocks unmoved even by the most ferocious waves. How is it that gannets, who dive into the ocean at tremendous speeds, survive the impact, simple, it’s the bags of air which expand inside their bodies, sound familiar – motorists?
We saw a marvellous array of photographs of variety of seaweeds, which, strangely, is not the diet of marine life. Only we humans consume this, what a strange race we are.
From seaweeds we were introduced to crustaceans, going about their business, as well as limpets, barnacles and periwinkles, some with teeth that looked truly terrifying but perfect for extracting food from beneath the rocky surfaces.
This talk was delivered with such enthusiasm it made one feel. How fortunate we are to live in such a beautiful and diverse county, but I shall keep out of the sea when its inhabitants embark upon reproduction!.
Penny Thomas
Julian’s latest book:
