The Great Eggcase Hunt

In recent times, the numbers of some of the skates and rays found around our coast have fallen.  Their empty eggcases wash up on to our beaches all year round and can help give really important information on where the animals are and where they breed.  This information helps organisations like the Shark Trust to come up with measures to help conserve them so we need your help!

Take a look at this guide from the Shark Trust to help you identify any egg cases you find. If you would like to take your new guide down to the beach why not print it out, cut it as shown and make a handy pocket sized book you can carry with you? To find the egg cases you are best looking in the strandline (the bit at the top of the beach where you will see a line of seaweed) though you have to keep your eyes peeled as they can be very difficult to spot. Once you have found and identified them you can go on to the special egg case website and record your findings.

What to take

Warm clothes, including a hat as it gets very cold at the beach if you are sat still for a long time

Waterproof jacket

Binoculars and camera if you have them

A notebook and pencil to write down and draw what you have seen

Lunch (very important)

Just remember the golden rules of the coast;

-always go with an adult

-do not touch the plants and animals as many rock pool animals can sting, bite and pinch

-always carefully replace all overturned stones

-do not pull seaweed off the rocks-it can take years to grow back

-if you take any shells home make sure they are empty first, you never know what might be lurking inside!

-tread carefully to avoid slipping on the wet rocks

-wash your hands well or use the special wipes you can get before eating

-please take your litter home with you or put it in a bin

-keep an eye on the tide and last but not least

-HAVE FUN