I've been taking advantage of this month's heatwave by spending a lot of time snorkelling in Portland Harbour, mostly in the shallows just off Sandsfoot Castle. I've always worn shoes on my feet when in the water here as I have heard that Weever Fish inhabit the sandy areas. This week I confirmed that this was true. Even though this fish was very tiny apparently they can still give a very painful sting.
This next sequence feature more wildlife that lives on the sandy substrates, including a Hermit Crab, a Sand Goby, a Common Prawn and a tennis ball.
The rocky areas immediately below Sandsfoot Castle look quite different, and have species such as this very aggressive Velvet Swimming Crab.
The next video includes rocky areas at Sandsfoot Castle and also just outside of the harbour at Newton's Cove.
Between the shallow sandy areas and the rocky reefs are the Eel-grass beds.
At low tide the rocky shelves are covered in the brown seaweeds. Just below this is an area never exposed at low tide, dominated by the short, bushy growths of red algae.