Rockpool Time

A Rock pool Calls - Time to Discover Something New

Rockpool Season has started...wellies on!

After many months of cold weather and miserable days, it’s time to get ready for rock pooling again. So, wellie up and take a quick walk in the pools with us.
If you need guided rockpool experiences with the Aquarium, check out our Facebook page for upcoming events, we usually advertise at least two weeks in advance.
We ran 2 rockpool experiences recently and have spotted lots of species already. From anemones, blennies, shore crabs, limpets, gobies, and whelks.
There are several really cool things happening, like nursery season, blooms, and the news along the west coast is the arrival of Glass eels on beaches in Kerry. 

GLASS EELS - Reports along the Coasts

IMAGE SOURCE https://www.nature.com/articles/s42003-019-0619-8

WHAT DO I DO IF I SEE A GLASS EEL
There have been some sightings of these wonderful species along the coast, so we expect to discover them on Grattan soon. 
While it’s a really cool thing to see, its best practice to snap a quick photo or video and then leave it be (no handling etc).
There is some really cool info about these species here:
Inland Fisheries Ireland

BUBBLES mystery solved?

This phenomena has irked me for ages. A few years ago I was on the shore and all of a sudden I heard this mass of hissing? I was wondering what was going on and noticed masses of air bubbles appearing all over the shore. I remember videoing the phenomena and I could not get an answer. There were a number of theories put forward, like pipes, decaying matter, lugworm hollows and sand settling. 
MYSTERY SOLVED? PARTIAL
After the video was reviewed the growing theory is the sand settling and decaying matter theory. I think this is the most rational on, as the incoming tide weighs heavily on the sand. I am still open to other theories though.... 

While its good to go rockpooling we are hoping you can still find time to capture some egg cases too. This Citizen Science activity is really important and you can always do this when walking into the rockpool. 

Shore crabs and Butterfish!

Join us on the Shore

Our guides can share some interesting facts about the species in the Rockpools. All our events are advertised 2 weeks in advance, so plenty of time to plan ahead.

SUMMATION

Time to Discover Something New
There is no better time, to start your new hobby of rock pooling, we have some wonderful info in earlier blogs, but you are more than welcome to join us on the next adventure. Make sure you keep an eye on our Facebook page for news of events.  
​#KeepDiscovering