National Marine Week - 5 Species To Find in the UK

To celebrate National Marine Week, it’s time to talk about 5 species that are abundant along our shores but are truly incredible none the less. It’s no secret I love UK marine life (essentially the whole reason behind the Ocean Lover’s Guide), so what better way to celebrate just how beautiful and incredibly diverse our ocean is. Whether it’s heading out for a rockpool, a snorkel or even for a little boat adventure. There are so many species for you to discover. So let’s dive into 5 amazing species you can find here in the UK (yes it was very hard to just pick 5!):

1.Cushion Star

If you follow my instagram you’ll know that the Cushion Star is a firm favourite species of mine, so of course this had to be included on the list. They are one of the cutest rockpool finds out there, a tiny starfish with five short little arms. You can find these little cuties by lifting up rocks where they can be found stuck underneath, or by looking in crevices. They are a very small species and only grow up to about 5cm, but they can be found as teeny tiny as just 1cm. Their appearance is slightly puffy, (hence the cushion name) and their colour can vary from pale orange to green, brown or even cream. The Cushion Star’s body is quite rough with short spines!

2. Wrasse

Okay, so Wrasse have to be one of my favourite species to see snorkeling. They are truly such a beautiful fish, and they absolutely rival the idea that we don’t have colourful fish here in UK waters. We have several species of Wrasse here in the UK, but some of the most common you will see when snorkeling are the Rock Cook Wrasse, Corkwing Wrasse and Ballan Wrasse. As a species they feed predominately on molluscs such as limpets and mussels, but they will also eat small fish. The Corkwing Wrasse is a rocky reef species and is one of the most stunning fish species you’ll come across in the UK… and luckily, it’s often one of the first fish you’ll come across when snorkelling in shallow waters. The Ballan Wrasse is the largest of our wrasse species here in the UK, these fish can reach up to 60cm in length.

3. Common Dolphin

An absolutely iconic species, that is a friendly visitor to our shores in the summer. Common dolphins are an offshore species, but they often come in shore to feed. They are a highly social species and are normally found in larger groups. They travel at speed (they can get up to 30 miles per hour) and LOVE to leap out of the water, so if you’re lucky enough you may get to witness this. Common Dolphins are very active on the surface and feed on fish, they work together to herd fish into one big ball for them to feed on. If you’re out on a boat looking for them, and see a large group of birds above the water or diving down, then this may be a strong sign that dolphins are there. I truly believe there is nothing more magical than seeing the beautiful fin of a dolphin on the water, and the gentle sounds as they glide through the sea.

4. Velvet Swimming Crab

I am obsessed with finding these crabs when rockpooling, mainly because it is incredible to see how quickly they can swim (I mean it is in their name). Their legs resemble that of any swimming crab, flattened like paddles which helps them to swim so quickly in the water. While their body is covered in short hairs, giving the look and feel of velvet. The Velvet Swimming Crab is most common on rocky and stony seabeds, but they can also be found on sandy and muddy habitats where they can bury themselves. These crabs have a very striking look that makes them easy to identify, from their bright red eyes to the blue lines on their legs and the tips on their claws. This gives them a very striking appearance!

5. Common Blenny

Rockpool fish are absolutely fascinating as they often have to overcome some of the toughest conditions. The Common Blenny (or Shanny) is a very common sight in rock pools, meaning you really won’t have to linger for long to try and find one. This species has a very striking look with their large head and big eyes, as well as their large mouth. This species is common in rock pools as they prefer shallow waters and barnacle covered rocks. Their mottled coloured skin means they camouflage perfectly into the rocks, so sit still by a pool and look for a few minutes and this is when you’ll start to spot them. One of the most fascinating thing about this species is just how much they have evolved to adapt to their tricky rockpool environment. They are able to survive out of the water at low tide by keeping their skin moist, how incredible!

All of these species are quite common finds along the shore, and species I really hope you get to see this summer! If you want to learn more about our UK species, you can purchase the Ocean Lover’s Guide here. Full of over 80 UK marine species! Or if you want to come and see some wildlife for yourself, then you can join one of my workshops this summer. Spaces are limited, so make sure to grab your ticket now!