South Coast Seashell Survey

Home , Buccinum undatum, Common cockle, Common periwinkle, Ensis ensis, Patella vulgata, Razor shell

Next time you visit the coast, look out for these shelled seashore creatures and let us know what you find at: www.buglife.org.uk/seashell-survey.

(Littorina littorea) (Littorina obtusata) (Littorina saxatilis) Common periwinkle Rough periwinkle Shell spired into whorls at Rough plump shell with deep side, dark grey-greenish colour grooves

(Buccinum undatum) (Nucella lapillus) (Trivia monacha) Common whelk Dog whelk Ridged surface Small whelk most commonly white, although colours do vary

(Turritella communis) (Calliostoma zizyphinum) (Gibbula cineraria) Tower or Auger shell Painted topshell Grey topshell Sharply pointed shell in the Perfectly conical shape, usually Ash grey colour with greyish- shape of a narrow tower pinky-orange colour brown bands

(Patella vulgata) (Patella pellucida) (Crepidula fornicata) South Coast Seashell Survey

(Chamelea gallina) (Cerastoderma Edule) ( Mytilus edulis) Common cockle Common mussel Striped venus Oval white shell with around Dark bluish - purple colour Pale colour typically with three bands radiating out 24 ridges

(Aequipecten opercularis) (Ostrea edulis) (Ensis ensis) Queen scallop Common oyster Curved Razor shell Pinky-red in colour with Large round clam with oval/pear Evenly curved at each side around 20 ridges shape and rough surface

Covered in

fine spines and hair when alive

(Sepia spp.) (Lepidochitona cinerea) (Echinocardium cordatum) Grey chiton Cuttlebone Sea potato shell Oval flattened creatures with Internal shell of a cuttlefish Shell of the Heart urchin eight armoured plates How to take part: Please send us records if you see any of these species and upload photographs via our website: www.buglife.org.uk/seashell-survey.

The Seashore Code Take care! The seashore can Observe and record seashore Always leave the seashore as be a slippery, rocky place - creatures, but leave them and their you found it. Carefully watch your step, and check the habitat as you found them. Only replace rocks and seaweed in tide times before exploring! collect empty shells and leave rockpools. Make sure you plenty as homes for hermit crabs. take your rubbish home.

Photo credits: Common periwinkle, Common whelk , Dog whelk, Grey topshell, Tower/Auger shell, Common limpet, Common cockle, Queen scallop © Rebecca Cairns; Flat periwinkle © Sue Daly; Rough periwinkle © Jan Delsing; Spotted cowrie © Steve Wilkinson; Painted topshell © Calrosfking; Blue -rayed limpet © Keith Hiscock; Slipper limpet © GBNNSS; Common mussels © EmÕke Dénes; Striped venus, Common oyster, Curved razor shell © Hans Hillewaert; Grey chiton © Paul Brazier, Cuttlefish bone © Christine Matthews; Sea potato shell © Cwmhiraeth. With thanks to MarLIN website, GBNNSS, The Conchological Society & Wikimedia Commons.

Buglife – The Invertebrate Conservation Trust, Bug House, Ham Lane, Orton Waterville, Peterborough, PE2 5UU. Registered charity number 1092293, Scottish charity number SC040004, Company number 4132695. Office telephone no. 01733 201210. Follow us on Twitter @buzz_dont_tweet