An Intertidal Survey of the Biotopes of Rocky Scars in the Drigg Coast, European Marine Site (NECR397)

The Drigg Coast, European Marine Site, is of considerable conservation importance; it is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSI) and a candidate Special Area of Conservation (SAC). The proposed SAC is based upon the coastal dune heathland, the dunes with creeping willow and the estuary complex. As yet little is known about the extent and location of the rocky skears within the Drigg Coast, EMS. While sediments dominate the majority of the area, intertidal boulder and cobble habitats may have important conservation interests. The objectives of this report are to map the extent of the rocky skears in the Esk estuary, Mite Estuary, Irt Estuary and the Channel, and to provide detailed descriptions of the biotopes they support. From this it should be possible to identify and describe any features of particular conservation significance.