Wild About Cumbria

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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45. Short Spined Sea Scorpion (Myoxocephalus Scorpius) Wildlife of the Solway

The Short Spined Sea Scorpion  Myoxocephalus Scorpius by Mark Vollers   This fearsome looking and threatening sounding fish is found all around the British and Irish coastline wherever there is rocky habitat from low water mark down to 100m, but it is not venomous and its only threat to anglers are it’s sharp spines and strong […]

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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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Solway Firth

41. The Goose Necked Barnacle (Lepas anatifera) Wildlife of the Solway

Wildlife of the Solway Firth by Mark Vollers The Goose Necked Barnacle  Lepas anatifera This curious and unusual  ocean living crustacean is found in tropical and subtropical seas worldwide,  attaching itself in sometimes  large colonies to pieces of flotsam like wood, bottles and even the hulls of slow moving ships.  The shell may grow to […]

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