The Essential Guide to Beachcombing and the Strandline

by Steve Trewhella, Julie Hatcher

Immerse yourself in the beachcombing experience; the wind in your face, the smell of salt spray, the roar of the ocean; it's an assault on the senses, the perfect tonic. From time immemorial people have been drawn to the beach to collect practical resources as well as mysterious objects that have fuelled myth and folklore - it is our inherent hunter-gatherer instinct.

The beach strandline is also a wildlife habitat, home to a unique community of plants and animals,
many found nowhere else. They create a rich and ever-changing oasis of life in the otherwise harsh environment of the beach.

Whether you are a seasoned beachcomber, a casual visitor or an enthusiastic naturalist, this book is for you. It will satisfy your curiosity about each treasure found cast up on the beach, be it a pretty seashell or an exotic ocean voyager.

​​​​​​​- Descriptions of common and rare beach finds, both natural and man-made
- Clear photographs showing objects and species as found on the strandline and in their natural habitat
- Suggestions for family activities related to beachcombing
- A comprehensive account of the living flora and fauna of the beach strandline
- Information on threats and conservation measures for the marine and coastal environment

304 pages, Paperback

Published September 30, 2015

Reviews

[John Mill · Rating 5 out of 5]

You may think this is another nothing book, there are some pictures of the author's children holding up finds from the beach. But this is certainly something, even for a marine biologist, even for someone with a keen interest in nature (not just a casual autumn watch watcher). A wealth of information and useful tips for identification, plenty of interesting nuggets of history and folklore. Not only are seaweeds and shells and eggcases covered, but human waste too. Odd shaped plastic contraptions common on beaches can be identified as disposable water-purification units found on boats, all sorts of common objects are covered. Truly a useful book if you want to know what you have just found on the beach, and an interesting book to flip through at home.

[Wendy Constance · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great photos and descriptions make this a brilliant reference for beach finds, which I shall continue to enjoy dipping into