Storm Watch

Storm Watch

Storms can be spectacular forces of nature which are becoming more intense and frequent due to Climate Change. Though destructive, storms can provide unique opportunities for biological recording. After the passing of a powerful storm, you might find a number of species you would not otherwise see on the shore. Storm Watch aims to capture records of sublittoral species that have been stranded on our shorelines after strong storm events.

 

Coastal storm photo: D. Wilson CC BY

Storm photo: D. Wilson CC BY

 

What to look out for

Tunicates, sea stars, skate eggs, scallops, seaweeds and other marine species are frequently stranded on the shoreline after strong winds and rough seas. Wearing protective gloves and weather appropriate gear, take a look through some of the flotsam and jetsam to see what species washed up. 

 

Galathea strigosa Spiny Squat Lobster © Matty Munn

Galathea strigosa Spiny Squat Lobster © Matty Munn

 

Caution

Storms are dangerous, especially on the coast! It is important to wait for weather warnings to pass, conditions to before venturing out onto the shore. If you find a seal, dolphin, whale, shark or sea turtle stranded after a storm do not approach them and keep any pets with you under control. Call DAERA Marine and Fisheries Division: 028 70823600, or for a live or injured seal call Exploris 07701372623 or 028 4272 8062. 
DAERA Stranding Protocols

 

Important: if you use this site regularly, please remember to login.

This will give you access to the My Records report which allows you to manage your data.

If you've got lots of records to submit, then we recommend breaking the records up into several batches as it is very easy to accidentally click the back button on the browser and lose the data entered so far.

Please enter the species you saw and any other information about them.

The Species field will autocomplete as you type.
Tip: add an asterisk (*) before the species name if you want to search for part of the name e.g. *porpoise will return both common and harbour porpoise. If you can't find the species using the common name, try using the scientific name. Click on the species you want to choose.)

Determiner: if you have had an expert confirm the identification of a record please add their name in the 'Determiner' field. This will help when the record is being verified.

Sensitivity: It is recommended you only use this facility if you want to protect the location of the species.

Step 1
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Select a species first
SpeciesDeterminerCertaintyAbundanceP/ASACFOR/PSensitivityPhotos
Please provide the spatial reference of the record
*

By clicking on the map the spatial reference will autofill. The more you zoom in, the more accurate the grid reference.

 

For example the nearest town, village, park, nature reserve etc.
Please do not enter a postal address as the information you provide will be visible to others.

Notes about using the map:
  • use the + sign on the right hand side of the map to change the base mapping used from Google to OpenStreetMap.
  • To create an accurate and useful record, use your mouse to drag the area of interest to the centre of the map window and use the zoombar on the left hand side to zoom in tight to the area where you made the sighting. When you have zoomed in, click on the location - this will autofill the Spatial Reference box above.
Please use the Marine Habitat Classifications described here.

Was marine litter observed on the site? (plastic, fishing gear, garden waste etc)

Please provide a date for your sighting(s)
*
Please provide your contact details (note: this information will be used for record verification purposes).
Your contact details
 *
 *
 *
 
Any additional recorder(s).