SOME of my happiest holiday memories are to do with shells. Gathering up empty cockles and limpets with my nephews to stick on sandcastles on Holkham beach in Norfolk, looking for the smoothest oyster shells on the beach at Whitstable in Kent after a jolly seafood lunch and spending glorious afternoons on the Cor- nish coast seeking out whorled, thick topshells, glinting with mother-of-pearl where they had been worn down by the waves. It’s estimated there are about 600 species of marine mollusc around the UK and, although some places—Barricane Beach in Devon; Shell Island in Gwynedd; the Solway Firth in Scot- land—are famed for their molluscs, it is rare to find a strand in the UK that doesn’t offer something of interest for an eagle-eyed beach- comber. Here are a few of my favourites to look out for.
Painted topshell
Calliostoma zizyphinum; up to 1.2in (3cm)
OLD-FASHIONED spinning tops gave this brightly coloured conical shell its name and it’s easy to see why. Widely distributed, it is relatively delicate and cannot tolerate long periods above the tideline, so it dwells on the lower shore, feeding on algae that live on the rocks there. Its shell is kept clean by a twice-daily wipe with its mantle (a layer of tissue between the shell and the body)—which also acts as a handy foraging exercise, delivering the accumulated detritus as an additional snack.
Common wentletrap
Epitonium clathrus; up to 1.6in (4cm)
Denne historien er fra August 09, 2023-utgaven av Country Life UK.
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Denne historien er fra August 09, 2023-utgaven av Country Life UK.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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A leap in the dark
The primal play of light and shadow, whether in Leonardo's ever-so-subtle sfumato or Caravaggio's dramatic contrasts, has shaped Western art, as Michael Hall reveals
Beauty and the blimp
Inflammable airships may be gone, but a new hybrid aircraft, capable of delivering eco-friendly aviation, is set to take to the skies with a bang, finds Charles Harris
Three wishes for food and farming
Royal hedge planting, the terrible toll on Ukrainian farming and a maiden speech
Seeing the wood for the trees
Scotland's much-evolved forestry industry has become a focus for clever investors
Let's fall in love
Birds do it, bees do it, even educated fleas do it. Laura Parker finds that, when it comes to creatures mating for life, persistence, patience and a little dad dancing are key to success
Back from the dead
THREE Wentworth elm saplings have been planted in the grounds of the Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh, and on the Highgrove estate in Gloucestershire-29 years after what was thought to be the lastknown Wentworth elm died.
A man among men
What makes a master? Beloved of the commercial art world, handled warily by art historians, the word has long been opaque. Michael Prodger investigates its many meanings-and discovers that being male confers an unfair advantage
Unearth one of life's luxuries
Black diamonds are a girl's best friend this Valentine's Day, with Périgord truffle-based skincare from TRUFFE
Adventure awaits
Spend an unforgettable family holiday on the Benmore Estate and experience some of Scotland's finest wildlife and sporting activities
Let the art rule the head
Despite being a world leader in everything from jewellery to fashion and music, the UK is failing to nurture creativity at school and in regional centres. Tristram Hunt, director of the V&A Museum, calls for an urgent review
