Portmahomack is focus of seashore life identification and survey workshop.
The Highland Seashore Project is running the first of two free 'Seashore Life Identification and Survey' workshops in Portmahomack on 17 August.
The workshop will run between 10am and 5:30pm. It is a great opportunity for people to learn how to recognise different species living on the shorelines of the Highlands: on the rocks, in rock pools, buried in the sand and amongst the seaweeds.
The session is designed to give individuals the skills and confidence to take part in the Highland Seashore Survey Network, where surveys of seashore life can be submitted to a Highland database. Dr Mike Kendall, a Marine Biologist with 40 years of experience studying shoreline ecology, and one of the Highland Seashore Project's Specialist Advisers will be leading the sessions.
Portmahomack has been selected for the workshop as it is a prime example of one of the rich and varied coastal habitats in Easter-Ross. It follows on from two previous successful survey workshops at Broadford, Isle of Skye and Gairloch, Wester-Ross.
The workshops are run by the Highland Seashore Project, one of the aims of which is to encourage local people to take an active role in finding out what lives on the Highland coast. The project was launched in February 2013 and is managed by the Highland Council on behalf of the Highland Biodiversity Partnership. It is funded by the Highland Council, the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Crown Estate Marine Stewardship Fund and Scottish Natural Heritage.
Janet Ullman, Highland Seashore Project Coordinator said: “Everyone on the Surveyors network will receive a free surveyors kit, be supported by a Local 'Seashore Expert', and have the opportunity to chat to other surveyors through the project’s Facebook page. The coast consists of habitats under pressure from climate change, beach litter, pollution, coastal erosion and development. Never before has monitoring been more important and individual contributions of records been more appreciated. Mapping where species are, even the common Dog Whelk, we can see how our coasts are changing.”
To book a place on the workshop, please contact Janet Ullman on janet@highlandseashore.org.uk. Places are limited and participants must be over 16 years old. The workshop will take place at the Carnegie Hall, Well Street, Portmahomack, IV20 1YD.
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