Marine Biodiversity Data Portal - NI

Beddag, Rathlin Island.

[Site list for year 1985]

Survey number: 555 Event number: 19850503/21 Date: 1985-05-03 GPS: 55.28683,-6.18900. Depth: 3.5 to 0.2 m. [ View map ]

Site Description: The shore is extensive shallowly sloped limestone platforms with very shallow limestone ridges between which slight depressions occur. The tops of the ridges had no boulders, but the depressions had limestone boulders that were formed from breaking off pieces of rock from the platform. At the extreme low water and sublittorally, the whole shore was limestone boulders which provided attachment for an extensive laminarian belt. In one depression, basalt boulders predominated and a large wet area occurred. This probably had some freshwater influence as it was covered with Ulva instestinalis (originally recorded ar Enteromorpha intestinalis) and had some Fucus ceranoides around the edges. The actual transect was formed from both ridges and bouldered depression, although the boulders were not common. There were pools, crevices at all heights and overhangs at the low water. The surface of the rock was sharp, pitted limestone with many cracks which formed before the bits broke away. These tended to collect sand and formed sub habitats for amphipods and polychaetes. The transect had a basic fucoid zonation with a fairly exposed mid shore which was dominated by Patella. Black headed gulls and herring gulls and eider ducks were seen feeding, together with common seals. The latter was also hauled out on the location platforms.

No images for site.