Lake District Aquarium

Fishy Family Fun at the Lake District Aquarium

Mark Vollers, from the Lake District Aquarium, explains why the attraction in Maryport is still a big hit after 22 years. What qualities make a visitor attraction successful? As someone who has been involved in this business all my working life, I know that customer service is paramount.  If you can meet, and then exceed, […]

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45. The Sea Trout (Salmo Trutta) Wildlife of the Solway

The Native Sea Trout and the Brown Trout are the same  species,  a fact which was only really settled with the advent of genetic testing.  What they certainly have in common is the need to be in  fresh water to breed, using gravel beds in upper reaches of rivers to lay their eggs. Young brown […]

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43. The Native Oyster (Ostrea Edulis) Wildlife of The Solway

For some lovers of seafood there is nothing to compare with a plate of fresh oysters washed down with champagne , Guinness or another tipple of choice. They could certainly be described as an acquired taste and because supply is limited they are also relatively expensive, giving them the reputation of a food for the […]

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47. The Edible Sea Urchin (Echinus Esculentus) Wildlife of The Solway

The Sea Urchin as an adult has the shape and size of a small orange flattened football so is one of the most distinctive and easily recognised animals, but it is rarely seen intact on the shoreline as its home is in the seaweed kelp forests found off shore.   Occasionally on the beach you may […]

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46. The Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops Truncates) Wildlife of the Solway

It is now more than ten years since a Bottlenose Dolphin took up residence along the Solway Firth coast, then rapidly becoming a focus of national attention when she unwittingly became trapped for a while in Maryport Marina. ‘Marra’ as she was called, entranced everybody with her antics and her fascination with human activity for […]

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18. The Common Eel (Anguilla Anguilla) Wildlife of the Solway

Wildlife of The Solway Firth : The Common Eel by Mark Vollers Anguilla anguilla Of all the fish species found locally the Common Eel has one of the most extraordinary life cycles. This eel ( the only other eel found around the UK is the totally marine Conger) is no longer common, and for reasons not […]

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15. The Thornback Ray (Raja Clavata) Wildlife of the Solway

Wildlife of the Solway Firth  – The Thornback Ray by Mark Vollers Raja clavata The relatively shallow waters of the Solway Firth provide ideal living conditions for several species of Rays, of which the most common at present is probably the Thornback.  These fish are closely related to sharks, being cartilaginous, but are flattened laterally ( […]

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27. The Compass Jellyfish (Chrysaora Hysoscella)

Wildlife of the Solway Firth : The Compass jellyfish by Mark Vollers Chrysaora hysoscella Any of us that like a walk along the shore will have come across stranded jellyfish of one kind or another and the Compass Jellyfish is certainly found on the Cumbrian coast in summertime.  Recognised by the compass like markings on […]

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#20 The Grey Mullet (Chelon Labrosus) Wildlife of the Solway

Wildlife of the Solway Firth  – The Grey Mullet by Mark Vollers Chelon labrosus The Grey Mullet has to be listed as one of the most resourceful and difficult to catch of any fish in the Solway Firth, and as proof of it’s adaptability it can also be found on most Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts. […]

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The Lumpsucker Cyclopterus lumpus

Wildlife of the Solway Firth by Mark Vollers  The Lumpsucker Cyclopterus lumpus Who would have thought such an amazing looking fish could be found in the Solway Firth…..reaching a size of up to 50 cm and several kilos in weight. The lumpsucker is so called because it has specially adapted ventral fins that allow it […]

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