Author Archives: solwayshorewalker

Boring molluscs and bevelled edges

Posted on June 9, 2014 by solwayshorewalker

Dog-whelks, Nucella lapillus, were clustered on the mid-shore rocks in late April; singles, twos and threes, they were apparently uninterested in the barnacles beneath their feet, but were there to socialise or, more specifically, to meet partners of the opposite … Continue reading →

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Sculpting sand

Posted on May 15, 2014 by solwayshorewalker

Sand is naturally sculpted by wind and water: lifted and swirled to create ever-changing dunes, or washed to and fro and compacted in a shifting pattern of ripples. If the topography and environment change over geological time-scales, the sculpting, the … Continue reading →

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What’s an AONB?

Posted on May 9, 2014 by solwayshorewalker

“Most people don’t know what an AONB is – but it’s exactly what it says, it’s an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.” The important word is ‘beauty’, of the outstanding and natural type. Graeme Proud is the Ranger/Volunteer Co-ordinator for … Continue reading →

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Tidelines

Posted on April 10, 2014 by solwayshorewalker

At its highest point on the shore, the turning tide writes a description of the day. Tidelines are historical records: of the lives of plants and animals, and of their deaths; of weather – storms and floods – local and … Continue reading →

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Loom-stones and fish-traps

Posted on March 21, 2014 by solwayshorewalker

“It’s a loom-stone. A warp-weight.” We were standing by the cars, at the end of a couple of hours’ walking, talking and guddling in the pools near Allonby, and one of the walkers had been showing us some objects that … Continue reading →

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