Species Information added

We have developed a new section of the blog which will feature information on the species we see in Strangford Lough. This week its is the Leach's Spider Crab.

Ringhaddy Sound 16/03/13

Observer Name: Kerri Clarke

Observation Start Time: 16.00
Observation End Time: 16.30
Weather Conditions: Wind and snow
Depth of Observations (indicate meters or feet): 10m

Water Visibility: Poor

Water Turbidity: (high, medium, low): Low

Water Current Speed (high, medium, low): Low
Water Temperature (indicate C or F): 6c

Notable Flora: Very little at depth. Seaweed close to shore

Notable Fauna: 1 Painted Goby,  2 Leach's spider crab, 2 shore crab , 8 common hermit crabs, 4 common starfish, 1 spiny spider crab, 2 squat lobster, 1 common prawn, 1 dog whelk, 1 juvinelle dab, 4 football jersey worm. 

Human Activity at Site: Lots of boats moored at site, some boating activity. 

Rubbish/Pollution: Bottle and plastic sack removed from site. 

Other Observer Comments: 

MY Alastor 18/03/2013

Observer Name:  Kerri Clarke, Andrew Clarke, David Mellon

Observation Start Time: 13.00

Observation End Time: 13.55

Weather Conditions: Cold, overcast, rain and wind.
Depth of Observations (indicate meters or feet): 22m
Water Visibility: Excellent

Water Turbidity: (high, medium, low): Low
Water Current Speed (high, medium, low): low

Water Temperature (indicate C or F): 6C

Notable Flora: Dead mans fingers, Ascideiella Asprsa, Sagartia Elegans, feather stars and in some areas of the wreck. Areas of sea orange and Esperiopsis fucrum sponges are increasing. Some boring and breadcrumb sponges

Notable Fauna: 1 tompot blenny (at winch), 8 edible crabs, 4 sea urchins, 20 common starfish, 1 actinothoe sphyrodeta (anenome),  15 spiny spider crab, 1 purple sunstar (in hole in bathroom floor), nubibranch egg ribbon, small purple nudibranch on pipe at stern (ID to be confirmed).

Human Activity at Site: None
Rubbish/Pollution: Sardine tins, plastic and metal removed from the wreck.

Other Observer Comments: Best visibility in a long time. Increasing numbers of large crabs 

MY Alastor - 02/03/2013

Observer Name:  Kerri Clarke, Andrew Clarke, David Mellon

Observation Start Time: 13.30
Observation End Time: 14.30
Weather Conditions: Cold but sunny.
Depth of Observations (indicate meters or feet): 22m

Water Visibility: Good
Water Turbidity: (high, medium, low): Medium

Water Current Speed (high, medium, low): low

Water Temperature (indicate C or F): 6C
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Notable Flora: Dead mans fingers, Ascideiella Asprsa, Sagartia Elegans, feather stars and in some areas of the wreck. Some areas of sea orange and Esperiopsis fucrum sponges. Some boring and breadcrumb sponges

Notable Fauna: 3 goldsinny, 1 tompot blenny, 5 edible crabs, 4 sea urchins, 10 common starfish, 1 actinothoe sphyrodeta (anenome),  5 spiny spider crab, 7 leach's spider crab.

Human Activity at Site: None
Rubbish/Pollution: Sardine tins and plastic removed from the wreck.

Other Observer Comments: Good visibility for this wreck. Areas of wood decking remain silt free. Unusual numbers of spder crabs on the wreck itself.

The Inner Lees - 23/02/13

Observer Name: Kerri Clarke

Observation Start Time: 12.00

Observation End Time: 12.45

Weather Conditions: Cold and Overcast

Depth of Observations (indicate meters or feet): 9-11m

Water Visibility: Medium (3-6m)

Water Turbidity: (high, medium, low): Low

Water Current Speed (high, medium, low): Medium

Water Temperature (indicate C or F): 6.5C

Notable Flora: Some dead mans fingers on port side of the wreck

Notable Fauna: 5 Burrowing Anenome, 25+ Common Prawns, 3 very small Painted Goby, 6 Common Starfish, 3 Spiny Starfish, 1 Common Sea Urchin. Occasional featherstars to port side. No fish life noted.

Human Activity at Site: Other divers. Mussel raft moored to wreck, some boating activity around wreck.

Rubbish/Pollution: Ropes and wooden poles lying on starboard side of wreck.

Other Observer Comments: Dramatic decrease in life over winter months. Several pieces of wreckage lying at the back of the wreck that have broken off. Also more wreckage has broken away at the tear.