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MayaPlass

Listed below are comments made by MayaPlass between Monday, 25th May 2009 and Sunday, 25th October 2009.

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High seas diary: Part 11 - underwater success 9:44pm on 25 Oct 2009 Killer whales or orcas are called so because they kill whales not because they are whales - they're dolphins. I was lucky enough to see them in Punta Norte in Argentina taking a seal off the beach and it was the most incredible and majestic thing I have ever seen. The view of that DOLPHIN will never leave me as the dolphin breached on the beach and "slithered" it's way back into the water. Please can you start using the correct terminology? Viewers deserve to be given the right nomenclature for these awesome creatures.
Sorry to be fussy but...
Ideas for Springwatch 10:52pm on 11 Jun 2009 More Sea Please!

Springwatch really has attracted alot of viewers, attention and has a great following. Perhaps to cater for all tastes - there should be more of an equal measure of terrestrial/marine/aquatic and aerial critters? There definitely has been a leaning towards showing a variety of wildlife in this series...which has been really well received I think...and I have enjoyed.

More marine life would never go a miss from me! This is going to be such an important era for the marine environment with the Marine Bill and new Marine Conservation Zones in 2009 - 10. Now, more than ever is time to celebrate our seas and I think now you have peoples attention you could even divulge in a friendly un-depressing positive way some really great successful conservation messages - not just the "don't do..." messages.

Even a slightly more scientific angle without the jargon would be welcomed - in my experience with 1:1 in marine education I'm always suprised at the depth people want to go into of the science. Science should be accessible and you have a great opportunity to make it even more accessible.

Come back to South Devon and explore more of our amazing coastline! There's so much to sea in the Spring...Summer, Autumn and Winter!...Crab life cycle? egg - larvae - crab - moulting there's a whole series there! Starfish life cycle and jellyfish too - they are awesome! Have you seen the part of the cycle after the planktonic stage - a baby jellyfish breaks off from what looks like an anemone/worm and swim away? Makes a tadpole/frog cycle look positively dull! Barnacle reproduction - that's pretty impressive stuff by anybody's standards! Plankton is pretty gorgeous too!

;-)
Springwatch holidays: at the beach 9:29pm on 05 Jun 2009 Pictures from seaweeds are great! Very popular in Victorian times and incredibly easy and satisfying to do. All you need to do is go down to the strandline / the smelly pile of rotting seaweed and choose some good thin seaweeds - Sea Batters, Dulse, Sea Lettuce and Sea Oak are great. (Not seaweeds that are attached to rocks / living.) In a shallow cat litter style tray put a sheet of thick paper / thin card with 2 cm of water and using a paintbrush spread the leaves out. You can then gently lift the spreaded seaweed out. Place a J-cloth / nappy liner on top of the paper. Then sandwich betwen newspaper and weight under 2 heavy-ish books. Change the paper until dry - 3 - 5 days. Then, peel the J cloth back and admire your beuatiful nature crafted image! People often think, "Seaweed presses? Why would you do that?" But once you've done a few of the bright red / pink seaweeds you'll see why! ;-)
Chris's pellet collection 9:44pm on 02 Jun 2009 I should add fish (makeral) that we catch on a hook for dinner - we're not talking about blinding fish for no reason!

What do you call a fish with no eyes? Fsh.
Chris's pellet collection 9:37pm on 02 Jun 2009 When I was a kid my Mum (a biology teacher) would take us to find regurgitated owl pellets. We'd then take them home and soak them and extract the bones of mice etc. and lay them out on black card - I absoloutly loved it and became a tad obsessed with owls for a while. I had posters of owls and rodent skeletons plastered all over my wall. One of the many things that got me hooked on nature! My daughter hasn't missed out on inheriting the "wierd" and gruesome habits. When we catch fish she insists we gouge the eyes out for her to play with. That is what "normal" kids should be doing! Chris in my books your completely normal!
Springwatch holidays 11:16pm on 25 May 2009 I agree with you kittyfreek that it is important to follow seashore codes and safety. There is some info on the "BBC Breathing Places, Pocket Guide - Explore the Seashore". In a nut/sea shell here are a few tips for a safe trip to the beach for both you and the rocpool inhabitants.

Check tides and ask for local knowledge of tides, currents etc - allow plenty of time for incoming tides.If possible use a reputable guide for initial trips.

Wash your hands after going rockpooling.

Take only photos leave only footprints. Ensure that your presence leaves no long lasting damage.

When turning a rock - replace it as you found it.

If you do want to take a close look at a crab/starfish etc - use a bucket with some water for a closer look. Return them ASAP - you know what they say about dogs in cars - the same is true of rockpool animals in buckets of water left in the sun!

If you find anything you are unsure of your best bet is to leave it alone.

Take care of the animals and ensure their safety as much as your own.

If you follow these basic rules you can hopefully ensure a safe and enjoyable rockpooling session!

Have fun!
Springwatch holidays: at the beach 9:38pm on 25 May 2009 Yes, the beach filmed was South Milton Sands - details of which can be found at www.learntosea.co.uk

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