Hints for hunters

Weathering the storms

Melting ice caps and warmer oceans - how will our coastline cope with a climate of change?

Millions of years in the making

Ice ages, inundation, periods of blistering hot weather - the British Isles have really been through it; and everywhere you can find the scars. Explore the nation's Natural History.

If you're going beachcombing, plan your trip, keep yourself safe - and respect the environment by following our hints for hunters

Be patient, go slowly and look carefully.
Look in rock pools, dig into the sand and mud and investigate the water's edge.
Leave organisms in their natural habitat.
If you turn over a rock to look for something, make sure you replace it when you are finished.
Be gentle when handling live organisms.
Be selective in the amount of (non-living) shells and organisms that you remove from the beach.
Do not remove pebbles or fossils for garden use; supplies are very limited and should be left where they are for the enjoyment of others.
Any suspicious objects, particularly metal canisters, must not be touched and should be reported to the coastguard.
Do not hammer any rocks or pebbles with anything other than a specialist geological hammer; ordinary domestic hammers are not designed for this purpose.
Stay clear of unstable cliffs and rock falls.
Always keep an eye on the incoming tide.
Wear sensible footwear when scrambling over rocks and boulders

Content last updated: 07/08/2006

About our expert

Glynda Easterbrook is a course manager in the department of Earth and Environmental Sciences at the Open University. She is the author, with Arlene Hunter, of The Geological History of the British Isles, published by the Open University. Glynda is also Award Manager for the Geoscience Award.