Wildlife of the Solway
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56. The Red Mullet (Mullus Surmeletus) Wildlife of the Solway
The Red Mullet (Mullus surmeletus) is, for the Solway Firth, an unusual fish that can grow up to 40cm long and weigh 1.5 kg, as it is found mainly in The Mediterranean and warmer Southern UK waters. It has nevertheless been recorded around most of the British Isles. It is a member of the Goatfish […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 ( […]
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 […]
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 […]
