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 Flat periwinkle Rough periwinkle Shell spired into whorls at Flattened whorled shell, with Rough plump shell with deep side, dark grey-greenish colour bright colour variations grooves
(Buccinum undatum) (Nucella lapillus) Common whelk Dog whelk Ridged surface Small whelk most commonly white, although colours do vary
(Calliostoma zizyphinum) (Gibbula cineraria) (Gibbula umbilicalis) Painted topshell Grey topshell Flat or purple topshell Perfectly conical shape, usually Ash grey colour with greyish- Yellow-greenish colour with pinky-orange colour brown bands thick purple-red stripes
(Patella vulgata) (Patella pellucida) (Crepidula fornicata) Wales and West Coast Seashell Survey
(Euspira nitida) (Trivia monacha) (Mytilus edulis) Alder's necklace shell Spotted cowrie Common mussel Smooth, glossy with 5 rows of Small, glossy shell with many Dark bluish - purple colour brown markings ridges and three dark spots (Ostrea edulis)
(Chamelea gallina) (Cerastoderma Edule) Common cockle Striped venus Common oyster Oval white shell with around Pale colour typically with Large round clam with oval/pear 24 ridges three bands radiating out shape and rough surface
Covered in
fine spines and hair when alive
(Ensis ensis) (Lepidochitona cinerea) (Echinocardium cordatum) Curved Razor shell Grey chiton Sea potato shell Evenly curved at each side Oval flattened creatures with 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 replace watch your step, and check the habitat as you found them. Only rocks and seaweed in tide times before exploring! collect empty shells and leave rockpools. Make sure you take plenty as homes for hermit crabs. your rubbish home. Photo credits: Common periwinkle, Common whelk , Dog whelk, Grey topshell, Common limpet, Common cockle, © Rebecca Cairns; Flat periwinkle © Sue Daly; Rough periwinkle © Jan Delsing; Netted dog whelk © G.-U. Tolkiehn; Painted topshell © Calrosfking; Flat/purple topshell © Peter Barfield; Blue-rayed limpet © Keith Hiscock; Slipper limpet © GBNNSS; Alder's necklace shell © Erik Veldhuis; Spotted cowrie © Steve Wilkinson; Common mussels © EmÕke Dénes; Striped venus, Common oyster, Curved razor shell © Hans Hillewaert; Grey chiton © Paul Brazier; 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