Tracks in the sand

Footprints in the sand can be very fleeting - especially when the sand is very dry or the wind very high - but, for the keen observer, they can be a great way of seeing who has been visiting the strandline.

Herring gull tracks

The prints of large gulls - probably herring gulls as they were in the area at the time. The webbing between their 'toes' can clearly be seen

Black-headed gull footprints

Smaller versions of the herring gull prints left by black-headed gulls.

For more, have a look at our page on birds

Feeding area

While the sand here was too hard for footprints to be formed, the scraping of the sand, and the remainder of a shore crab, suggests that a gull was feeding here.

Sea snail tracks

Tiny snails can make quite a mark on the sand - like this dog whelk. Dog whelks would prefer to be in far wetter places than strandlines so this poor snail was probably looking for water. I popped him into a rock pool.

Mussel track

This small mussel, like the dog whelk above probably searching of water, made quite an indistinct track.

Mollusc tracks

Sometimes when the tide has only recently gone out and the sun is shining in the right direction, you can see the glistening tracks of molluscs who were travelling on the sand when it was covered in water. To our untrained eyes, it looks like they were all wandering around in circles but I expect they were far more purposeful than it looks.

Snail tracks

A series of snail tracks which all appear to be heading towards the relative safety of the sea wall.

 Millipede tracks

The double tracks made by the millipede's many legs. insect tracks seem to show up on even very soft sand. Dawn on a beach is a good time to see the many tracks of insects which have been roaming about through the night. This particular millipede is known as a white-legged snake millipede.

For more, have a look at our page on insects and spiders

 Pill woodlouse tracks

Woodlouse tracks seem a lot more complex than millipede tracks, despite the smaller number of feet hitting the sand.

For more, have a look at our page on insects and spiders

Holes in the sand

Multiple holes close to the strandline are usually a sign that sand hoppers are about. They burrow down when the tide goes out. For more information see this page.