KWT Shoresearch
Shoresearch is Kent Wildlife Trust’s project involving volunteers recording animals and plants and their habitats on Kent's shores. The aim of the scheme is to build a comprehensive baseline of data on the county's intertidal wildlife, to identify the most important areas, and assess where changes are occurring.
Kent Wildlife Trust's Marine Officer organises a programme of survey events throughout the year when we visit selected sites around the coast, and collect a full record of the species and habitats we find. These organised field survey events provide a good opportunity for building knowledge about marine life and marine surveys from the experienced leaders and other Shoresearchers.
Surveys and training
Shoresearch surveys take place roughly once a month throughout the year, and anyone is welcome to come along. Most are held at weekends or weekday evenings, with the timings being dependent on the tides.
We are normally on the shore for about 2-3 hours, and usually stay for a coffee afterwards to run through what has been found, and to complete a Shoresearch survey form collectively. We record a comprehensive list of all the species seen, estimate their abundance, and note the habitat in which they were found.
In addition to ongoing field training on the organised surveys, we also run a number of specific training events to help with identification and surveying.
Join in
All you need to join in with Kent Shoresearch is an interest in our local marine life. You do not need to have any prior knowledge, and you can usually simply turn up on the day without contacting us in advance (unless otherwise stated in the programme). The surveys are not suitable for young children or dogs. While a bit of rain and wind does not usually stop the surveys, very occasionally, severe weather may force us to cancel the event. Please check with us in advance before turning up if the forecast is bad.
Please e-mail
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if you would like to be included on the list to receive copies of the annual programme of events, and e-mail reminders before each event detailing any final meeting arrangements.
There are several potential hazards on the shore, so please be mindful of your safety at all times and do not try to tackle terrain you are unhappy with. We ask you to let us know if you have any medical conditions that may affect your safety on the shore.
Records
All the records gathered by Shoresearch are entered into the national ‘Marine Recorder’ database and passed on to the Kent and Medway Biological Records Centre, for uploading to the National Biodiversity Network Gateway on the internet.
We are very keen to encourage people walking out on the shore at any time to send us records of any interesting species they may find.
The full Shoresearch form can be used to record comprehensive information about habitats and associated species, or simply to list species found at a particular site on a particular day. For copies of the form, please e-mail:
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Key species of interest
Please tell us if you see anything unusual on the shore - you don't have to undertake a full survey or be involved in Shoresearch! We are particularly keen to know if anyone sees any of the following key species on the shores around Kent:
Purple topshell (Gibbula umbilicalis); Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas); leathery seasquirt (Styela clava); Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis); honeycomb or ross worm formations (Sabellaria sp.); channelled wrack (Pelvetia canaliculata); wireweed (Sargassum muticum); wakame (Undaria pinnatifida), green sea fingers (Codium fragile); peacock’s tail (Padina pavonica).
Our leaflet describes this selection of species, which are all important for one reason or another. Some are rare in south east England, some have been introduced from other parts of the world and are becoming invasive, while others are native to Britain but spreading because of warming sea temperatures.
Please let us know if you see any of these species, either by e-mail or post, including the essential information: species name, date found, location found (exact place name or map reference or GPS position), your name, address and telephone number, and if possible a photograph of the specimen. You can download a record form here.
Circulation List
Please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it to be added to the Shoresearch list to receive the programme of events, and a reminder e-mail before each event, together with any final meeting arrangements.
What to bring
When joining a Shoresearch survey, please bring along:
- Warm, weatherproof clothing, and wellies.
- Sun cream and water in the summer!
- A hand lens, if you have one.
- A notebook and pencil if you wish to take any notes.
- Some people use washing-up gloves in cold weather.
Collins Pocket Guide to the Sea Shore of Britain and Northern Europe is a useful field guide, and may be purchased from Kent Wildlife Trust's shop at Tyland Barn.
For more information, e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
