As we trudge along the rocky shore our eyes are often drawn down to the glittering pools hidden amongst the rocks. Many people see the pool and think nothing more of it, but they are actually tiny ecosystems supporting an abundance of marine life. 

From scuttling Hermit Crabs (Pagurus bernhadus) to swaying seaweed like Bladderwrack (Fucus vesiculosus), the pools offer a haven for so many unique species. 

So much life can be found in these strange habitats! 

Whether you are a rockpool enthusiast or an occasional toe dipper, I can guarantee that we all underestimate the importance of the pools. Some are shallow where some can be deeper than you think. 

On a recent trip to our spectacular coast, I had the pleasure of spending several hours investigating the rockpools. And what I found was like an alien world!

Just under the surface of the water there was a pair of red eyes staring back at me, the eyes of the Velvet Swimmer Crab (Necora puber). It was hiding under a rock and in amongst some Saw Wrack (Fucus serratus) a type of seaweed commonly found on the Northumberland coast. 

Moving to a pool that was slightly smaller, and I found even more marvellous things. Clusters of Common Rock Barnacles (Semibalanus balanoides), Common Limpets (Patella vulgata) dotted around, above and below the water, squishy red Beadlet Anemones (Actinia equina) with their tentacles swaying and searching for food, and a variety of different seaweeds providing shelter and moving with the water.

Some things are a lot less common but can still be found in abundance. Common Sea Stars (Asterias rubens) are beautiful creatures that cling to the rocks, and whilst they look stationary, they are actually very active little beings. You may even find some jellyfish that have been trapped by the low tide, but not to worry when the tide comes back in, they will happily rejoin their friends in the sea. Some jellies look like blobs of clear gloop, whilst others have blue or orange hues to them. The most found species on the Northumberland coast are the Moon Jellyfish (Aurelia aurita), the Bluefire Jellyfish (Cyanea lamarckii) and the Lions Mane Jellyfish (Cyanea capillata). 

One of my favourite things to find in a rockpool are Nudibranchs (or sea slugs)! Now I know they sound dull, but they are brightly coloured and have a variety of patterns. Some are no bigger than your pinkie fingernail, but some can grow to a few inches long. Although beautiful they can be quite difficult to spot.   

Here’s a list of rockpool creatures that you might find:

• Green Shore Crab (Carcinus maenas)
• Edible Crab (Cancer pagurus)
• Spiny Squat Lobster (Galathea strigosa)
• Common Prawn (Palaemon serratus)
• Common Brittle star (Ophiothrix fragilis)
• Sea Lemon (Doris pseudoargus)
• Dogwhelk (Nucella lapillus)
• Edible Periwinkle (Littorina littorea)
• Blue-Rayed Limpet (Patella pellucida)
• Edible Urchin (Echinus esculentus)

But we must remember to be respectful when investigating any marine habitat. When rock pooling, if you lift any rocks remember to place them back exactly where you found them and gently, any creatures you find leave them in the same pool and handle them with care and delicacy. Rocks can sometimes be slippery so care must be taken when walking around, and keep an eye on tide times, the tide can come in very quickly when you aren’t paying attention!

We are so lucky in Northumberland to have so many fantastic marine habitats. The deep sea, kelp forests, rockpools, estuaries, salt marshes, mudflats and sandy and rocky shores. 

This marine week how about going out and seeing what you can discover!