This winter, records of your beach finds are sought by the ‘Big Beach Biodiversity Survey, ‘Explore Your Shore!’ — a national citizen science survey run by the National Biodiversity Data Centre. Everyone visiting an Irish beach this winter is invited to participate by recording marine species found cast up on the beach by tides and storms. Over time, this can even assist in monitoring changes in the distribution and occurrence of marine species linked to climate change and water quality. In practical terms, participating in the Big Beach Biodiversity Survey simply requires that you go to a sandy or cobble beach about one or two hours before low tide, and particularly in the days after a storm. Walk the beach with an eye out for shells, seaweed, and marine creatures, whether dead or alive, and your phone camera ready to photograph your finds.

Source: Irish Examiner December 24, 2025 18:10 UTC