Rockpooling at Jackie's Beach, Whitburn

So, there has been a huge lack of photos and adventures in general from Jackie's beach this year. With my health issues, we just haven't been to many places at all, including one of our favourite little bays where we were a part of the Nesting Ringed Plover Project 2023*, however as I emerged from my aestivation (and the schools had returned) Mr H and I ventured down for a slow walk on September 9th. 
I'd failed to check the tide times before arriving and as you'll see from the photos, the sea was very far away from the shore. This did give us the opportunity to explore the life within the rockpools though! A common activity when I was a child, I've always loved rockpool hunting but in recent years the number of creatures has been noticeably less, however on this trip I was pleasantly surprised with our findings...

*We were meant to be volunteering this year too, but evidently couldn't and I'm gutted because it was an incredibly successful season and I missed out on seeing all the babies!

 

From birds and bugs to crustaceans, fish and more I was over the moon with our findings. It was a wonderful day back at Jackie's Beach, we're so lucky to have such a special area so close to us. 

Healing Myself at Whitburn Beach

 

In mid-February I had a hospital appointment and leading up to it my anxiety and other mental struggles became completely overwhelming.
I've struggled with mental health for well over 18 years now and live life in varying levels of turmoil but this was a particularly bad time.
There is little that can calm or soothe me at all during these times, but going to the sea helps.

So we went to the sea.

Here are a collection of photos I took on February 14th at Whitburn Beach.
Feeling the water and earth on my feet, exploring rock pools, wildlife hunting and doing a rock maze.

There weren't as many birds on this day as there has been on previous visits here, however, we were lucky to see some awesome rockpool life. The rockpools aren't as full of life or diversity of life as they were when I was a child, and this is the first time I've seen so many Hermit Crabs in one place in at least 20 years. 

It may have not taken all my cares away, but this walk did help. 
Never underestimate Mother Nature.