Diario del proyecto Whatcom Marine Shoreline Summer Observation

Here are some tips and tricks to check out intertidal critters on the beach, whether you’re collecting project observations or just hanging out.

Tides

Check out the tides before you go!

Typically, a tide in Whatcom County below a +1 ft tide will let you start seeing cool intertidal critters, but a tide closer to -1 ft or -2 ft is even better. Some places to check tides online that are suitable for at least tide pooling include:

Guidance

Some general guidelines to keep in mind as you're enjoying your beach experience.

• Be sure to follow all health and safety guidelines, such as staying home if you aren’t feeling well, maintaining 6 or more feet distance from others, consider wearing a cloth face mask for extra protection, and consider visiting another beach if the one you plan to go to turns out to be crowded.
• Wear appropriate clothes and footwear- check the weather before heading out and make sure that you wear shoes that will be appropriate for the beach you’re heading to- will you be okay getting sand and water in your shoes? Will they be okay walking on slippery or sharp surfaces like rocks covered in algae and barnacles?
• We want to make sure that we protect intertidal critters so we can keep enjoying them at the beach! We want everyone to have a fun and educational beach going experience when doing observations for our iNaturalist Marine Shoreline Summer Collection project, and we'd also like to make sure you are following proper beach etiquette. See this link on how to be a responsible beach visitor.
• Check out this link to see some of our field guides and past intertidal presentations on intertidal critters to help you ID what’s out there.

Sorry folks! It looks like my Tide Station suggestions did not populate into my last journal post.
Here are those Tide Stations:

1. Bellingham Bay Tide Station
2. Cherry Point Tide Station