Bringing the Seashore Indoors

Paul tells us about his recent seashore explore with a difference

Rockpool studies are one of my favourite activities to undertake with both kids and adults alike. The excited anticipation of what will be in my net this time never fails to thrill me, just as it did when I was a child. All rangers feel the same and this ‘feeling of wonder’ is what we try to pass on through our work, to anyone joining us for such activities.

But we pondered..what if you can’t get to the seashore? What then? So we decided, well, we’ll just bring it to you, and what better day to do this than as part of Silver Sunday!

Age UK’s Silver Sunday is a national day where people of all generations can come together by hosting fun and free activities for older people.

So it was with this ethos that the local residential care homes, Pulteney House in Wick and Bayview House in Thurso enjoyed a visit from the High Life Rangers with the theme of rockpools and sea creatures.

The previous evening, plenty of living creatures from the rockpools at Thurso east were safely captured. Sand was collected along with seaweed, shells and plenty of fresh sea water. The creatures were carefully kept in oxygenated tanks at the right temperature ready for our visits the next day.

At the care homes we safely showed and described examples of fish such as blenny, sea sticklebacks and sea scorpion. The shore crabs are always a favourite, along with the prawns. Periwinkles (or whelks as they are often known locally) were on show and several residents remembered when they were much younger, collecting them in buckets to sell. We also discussed the importance of seaweed in the shore environment and how some seaweed species can be easily prepared ready for us to eat.

sticklebacks, scopion fish, crabs, prawns and perriwinkle

Questions ranged from “how does a crab grows bigger?” To “what does an anemone eat” and “how does it catch it’s food?”

Our seashore puppets proved very popular, with more than one resident imitating their movements to a tee. Stories of catching and eating large crabs and lobsters were remembered. Some folks really enjoyed making sandcastles again (who doesn’t really?). We also played a sea shore fishing game to imitate the excitement of using a net at the seaside.

The mystery object quiz was fascinating. A long single strand of bowhead whale baleen was apparently a tail from a sea monster. The porpoise skull was from a fanciful bird and a sperm whale tooth a horn. It’s not just kids with vivid imaginations!

The Crab puppet is compared to the live crab

Guddling around in rockpools makes us all children again and this was clear in the faces of the residents. Stories of past seashore adventures were gladly shared with us, along with tales of more exotic creatures from a couple of residents who previously lived in Africa and beyond.

Any time spent at the seashore is a special time and we will all do well to remember that. The sheer variety, complexity and beauty of these habitats are truly magical. We all have a responsibility to protect and cherish our seas and oceans.

Sea Scorpion Fish

It was an absolute pleasure to share some of this wonder with the residents (& staff) of the two care homes. Our thanks go to the kind staff and keen residents at both Pulteney House and Bayview House.

Other activities are programmed by the High Life Highland Countryside Rangers as part of the Silver Sunday initiative and beyond.

Whether you are young or old or somewhere in between check out our website for upcoming events.

Paul Castle is the dedicated Countryside Ranger for North Sutherland and North Caithness with High Life Highland. Paul has devoted over two decades, to the ranger service of this area. His commitment reflects his love for the area, marked by its breathtaking landscapes, diverse wildlife, friendly communities and rich natural heritage. Paul's work plays a pivotal role in promoting and protecting the wildlife, flora, and fauna that make this part of Scotland so extraordinary.