19th February 2022
My wild swimming routine has been disrupted due to Storm Dudley and Storm Eunice!
Strong winds from the west will often cause marine life to be swooshed into the English Channel from the Atlantic such as Portuguese Man O’ War. These are siphonophores, a species related to Jellyfish. They live in colonies so if you see one, there are likely to be more about!
The name comes from their resemblance to a historical Portuguese sailing warship. On the surface of the sea floats the inflated balloon part tinged with blue, purple-pink, which gets carried by the wind. Underneath the water very long tentacles lurk which contain venom, allowing the creatures to capture their prey.
When these get washed up on the beaches their sting remains active, so it is important for swimmers and dog walkers to be aware. The one pictured here was photographed by my friend on Cogden Beach in Dorset this week.
Portuguese Man-O-War #jellyfish #flotsamandjetsam #beachfinds #helios44_2 #BridportCameraClub pic.twitter.com/wTp6AUb8O1
— John Grindle (@JohnGrindle) February 16, 2022