Irregular Sea Urchins in Unseasonable Weather

The area of the Dorset coast around Lyme Regis and Charmouth is often said by locals to experience its very own microclimate.  Everything Dinosaur team members have experienced this phenomenon for themselves, it can be raining very heavily inland at Axminster but on the coast, it can be a dry and sunny.  However, when the “Beast from the East” affected most parts of the UK recently, the Lyme Regis area had its fair share of bad weather.

Cold Snap Does Not Deter Fossil Hunters

Our fossil hunting chum, Brandon Lennon took a photograph of Lyme Regis high street as the cold snap hit.  Brandon commented that shoppers were taking to skis to ensure that they could traverse the steeply sloping terrain.

The “Beast from the East” Made Its Presence Felt on the Dorset Coast

Snowy conditions in Lyme Regis
Lyme Regis high street covered in snow.

Picture credit: Brandon Lennon

Fossil Collecting in the Snow

Fossil hunting in the snow is difficult but not impossible.  With the treacherous road conditions, most fossil collectors who would have had to travel into the Lyme Regis area by car, sensibly postponed their journeys.  This meant that local fossil hunters had the beaches to themselves for as long as the inclement weather persisted.  Several calcite ammonites were collected from the East Cliff Beach (heading towards the small village of Charmouth).  Brandon found some beautiful fossil sea urchins (irregular echinoderms) whilst exploring Monmouth Beach, to the west of the Cobb.  It may have been cold and the beaches were almost deserted but some exciting fossil discoveries could still be made.

A Beautiful Cretaceous Echinoderm Fossil Extracted from a Flint Nodule

Echinoderm fossil (Lyme Regis).
A sea urchin fossil extracted from a flint nodule.

Picture credit: Brandon Lennon

For replicas of fossils: Everything Dinosaur Learning Section of our Website.

A Mini “Beast from the East”

The weekend promises a “mini Beast from the East” to hit the UK.  More snow could fall in the Lyme Regis area, however, we don’t think it will be enough to dissuade the dedicated fossil hunters of Dorset from visiting the beaches to see what they can find.

Everything Dinosaur recommends that visitors to the Lyme Regis area interested in collecting fossils, go on an organised fossil walk.  This is the safest way to explore the beaches around the town of Lyme Regis, as the sea can cut-off unwary beachcombers and cliff falls are common in the area.

For information about organised fossil walks: Brandon Lennon Fossil Walks.

Visit the Everything Dinosaur website: Everything Dinosaur.