BioBlitz by the Sea

As partners of Fringe by the Sea, we are excited to be hosting a range of fun and engaging activities over the period of the festival. From bird watching, rock pool rambles to a full-day activitiy: Bioblitz by the Sea. Full details below.

BioBlitz by the Sea 2023 Full Programme - Download HERE.

We are excited to be teaming up with scientists and nature organisations from around Scotland to deliver Bioblitz by the Sea, an action-packed celebration of marine and coastal wildlife. We will work together in a race against the clock to discover and record as many animals and plants as possible, and we need your help! Come and join us for stalls, sessions, and self-led activities that will help you to discover and protect our amazing marine environment.

Pop over to the Scottish Seabird Centre anytime between 10am and 3pm to explore stalls and drop into sessions hosted by some brilliant environmental organisations, including our friends at Whale and Dolphin Conservation, The Wildlife Information Centre and Fidra (to name just a few). We’ll be birdwatching, whale and dolphin spotting, plant plotting, and lending out all sorts of equipment to help you to explore the coastline. Head into our Bioblitz ‘lab’ to check-out which plants and animals our experts have seen and recorded so far and watch our epic species list grow throughout the day!

Whether you’re new to nature or already wildlife nerds like us, there will be something for everyone!

All bookable events are now sold out but you can join the waiting list by clicking on the links below. There are plenty of fun-filled drop in events running throughout the day - we look forward to seeing you there!

Moth Trap Reveal 10am - 10.20am
Drop by to take a look at the diverse species of moth that settled in a moth trap overnight. Drop in. Free event. Suitable for all ages.
Drop In

Birds for Beginners 10am -10.45am
Join our Conservation officre for a relaxing 45 minute bird-watching tour along the coast to find out more about the seabirds, shorebirds and garden birds that can be spotted around Scotland. Tickets £5. All under 16's to be accompanied by an aldult.
Book Here

Mini Rockpool Ramble 11am - 11.45am
Discover the amazing wildlife that can be found in the rockpools of North Berwick! Enjoy a brief talk followed by a guided ramble along the nearby rocky shore. You’ll be amazed by the variety of life and the different adaptations of the creatures you meet. Tickets £5. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Book Here

Seaweed Search 11am - 12.30pm
Join the Marine Conservation Society for a closer look at seaweeds, our ocean superheros. The session will include an introduction to the Big Seaweed Search, an easy to follow citizen science survey. You will learn why it's important to track seaweeds around the UK and what they can reveal to us about our changing climate before heading onto the shore to explore and record the seaweeds you spot there, plus any other exciting rockpool creatures. Tickets are FREE but spaces must be reserved.
Book Here

Meet a Lobster 12pm - 12.20pm
Come join the Lobster Hatchery team at the harbour in front of the hatchery to meet one of their adult berried hens learn about lobster biology and their role in marine systems. Free. Drop in event. All ages welcome.
Drop In

Fidra Land and Sea Plastics 12pm - 12.45pm
During Soil Scientist Dr Joanna Cloy’s ‘Fidra land and sea plastics’ session, you will discover what plastic pellets (or nurdles) are, hear about their impacts on marine ecosystems and hunt for them on the beach. You will also learn about sources and impacts of plastics on soil biodiversity, looking at examples of plastics and common soil creatures. Tickets are FREE but spaces must be reserved.
Book Here

Tech in marine science - talk plus ROV demo 12.30 - 12.50pm
Join our Education Officer for a brief chat about the different types of technology being used in marine science, followed by a demonstration of our very own Remotely Operated Vehicle (submersible).
Drop in

Beach Clean 1pm - 2pm
Pop by the Seabird Centre between 1pm - 2pm and borrow some litter picking kit to help clean our local beaches. Free. Kit provided on a first come first serve basis.
Drop in

Be a Marine Biologist for a Day 1pm - 3pm
The Lobster Hatchery team are offering extra spaces and a reduced price (15£/child) on their “Be a Marine Biologist for a Day” sessions, where children aged 8 and over can gain hands on experience in the hatchery and learn what it’s like to work in marine science! You will count out the day’s new larvae and settle them in their new tank, get scientific with our water testing kits and make sure all our lobsters are fed and happy. Booking required through the Lobster Hatchery website.
Book here

Coastal Plants for Beginners 1pm - 1.45pm
Discover the wildflowers of the Scottish coast in this outdoor session for beginners. Join us for a 45-minute tour along the coastline and learn how to identify some of Scotland’s most iconic wildflowers, discover why they are important for people, and learn about the essential role that plants play in the wider ecosystem. Tickets £5.
Book Here

Whale Dolphin Watching for Beginners 2pm - 2.30pm
Ever spotted a fin in the water and wondered what it was? Join us to learn more about some of the amazing whale, dolphin, and porpoise species found around the Scottish coast and discover how our partners at Whale and Dolphin Conservation are working to protect them. Family friendly event, tickets are FREE, donations welcome.
Book Here

Scotland's Seabirds - Talk 2.30 - 2.45pm
Join our Conservation Officer for a brief chat about Scotland's iconic seabirds and the conservation efforts taking place on the nearby islands to protect them. Family friendly, FREE, drop-in event.
Drop In

Species Ceremony 3.15 - 3.30pm
The finale! Find out how many species have been recorded by the end of the day, event highlights, and the results of competitions.
Drop in

This event is supported by North Berwick Trust

Event Details