Coastal Detectives

07/09/2026

Sea slugs are so much more beautiful than garden ones! 🩷

23/06/2026

💙🩷

19/06/2026

🪚

12/06/2026

🩵🐙

The UK is experiencing its biggest common octopus bloom in more than 75 years, with sightings across the south coast including Dorset. 🐙

Scientists believe these fascinating creatures originally arrived from the waters around the Channel Islands and northern France, carried into UK waters by ocean currents. Now, they're not just visiting - they're breeding here too. Eggs and juvenile octopuses are being spotted, suggesting the species is becoming established in our seas.

The common octopus joins a growing list of marine species that were once rare or unknown in Dorset waters, including the anemone shrimp, black-faced blenny, john dory, and even Atlantic bluefin tuna.

Have you seen an octopus while exploring Dorset's coastline? Share your sightings below! 👇🌊 ~ Hayley

[email protected]

📷 Paul Pettitt

11/04/2026

04/04/2026

Found this grey sea slug at super low tide yesterday xx
Only on my phone camera though.
Battery rocks Penzance