Southend Beach Hut Owners Association
With the return of Spring, life will soon return to our much-loved foreshore after a wet and windy winter. Rough seas have torn up Bladderwrack Weed (‘Popper’) from the mudflats, leaving a dark tideline along the beach. Prolonged easterly winds have also shifted the sand, piling it against the east side of the breakwaters rather than the west — the usual pattern under prevailing southwesterlies. Normally, the SW wind and stronger west-to-east ebb tide create a steady drift of sand along the shore, moving hundreds of tons at a time.
Years ago, the council regularly replenished Southend’s beaches, moving sand back from Shoebury to Westcliff so tidal drift would spread it along the Golden Mile. Occasionally imported, orange-tinged sand coloured the water — and swimmers! Today, maintenance is limited, mainly to protect the area near the Ocean Beach Restaurant.
'Spring brings marine life on the mudflats and harmless plankton in the sea'
As spring arrives, look out for marine life on the mudflats. You may spot a ‘Mermaid’s Purse’ — a small black egg case from a dogfish, skate or ray. If empty, it’s a lovely find; if occupied, place it carefully in a puddle so it survives until the tide returns. Small green or red roe sacs may also appear — possibly flounder or plaice spawn, though they could belong to marine worms.
In May, the sea often turns brown with harmless plankton — once called ‘Bacca Juice’ by fishermen. Soon after, small non-stinging jellyfish help clear the water. By summer, green ‘Salad Grass’ weed becomes common, and on warm nights the sea may glow blue-green when disturbed — a natural plankton reaction that can even attract fish like mullet or bass.
There’s always something happening along our shoreline — we’re lucky to enjoy it.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
Ian Robinson is a Local Waterman & Lifeboatman and also the Membership Officer of the SBHOA.
A WATERMANS DIARY (Spring)
written by Ian Robinson