Nineteen people shared the discoveries on the Sorrento Beach on Sunday 22nd July 2012. Although cloudy, with north-west winds, the weather was fine throughout. Using the hand-out sheet, the group walked three areas of dune plants, recording both the male and female plants of the Beach Spinifex [Spinifex longifolia], Westringia dampiera, Knotted Club Rush [Isolepis nodosus], Pigface [Carpabrotus virescens], and the Thick Leaved Fanflower [Scaevola crassifolia].

Very few marine birds were recorded, but the common Silver Gull, Crested Tern and one Pied Cormorant were seen. It was surprising to see Mudlarks and Willie Wagtails feeding on the grassed areas near the beach shelters. Several Galahs were later seen in the same area. A dead Barn Owl was found washed up on the beach. What a surprise! Later, two of our members witnessed several Dolphins frolicking in the water close to the beach

Very little seaweed was seen washed up on the beach here, but on the rocky groyne, Sea Lettuce [Ulva lactuca], and the green Enteromorpha were found in the splash zone. Among the brown seaweeds washed up on the beach, were the common Kelp [Ecklonia radiata], two species of Sargassum, and the wide spread Scaberia agardhii.

The children with the group were great at finding shells among the weed on the beach. Among the shells were various scallops, mussels and tapes. Cuttle-bone and the strange Ram’s Horn were also found

Eric McCrum OAM