No Access to Lower Largo Pier

Have been away for a few days and there has obviously been a storm during that time and further damage done to the pier at Lower Largo. The whole of it has now been blocked off, leaving no access to the pier from the car park.

Sea Squirts

Found these odd-shaped creatures, about 3 cms. high, stranded on the beach at Lundin Links. At first thought they were dead-mans fingers but decided against that as they were translucent and jelly-like. Fortunately met someone more knowledgeable who told me that they were sea squirts. Not sure of the identification but possibly Ascadiella scabra.

Sea Squirts also known as ascidians, are a marine class of animals that fall between the invertebrates and the vertebrates. They are simple animals that are often categorised with the invertebrates, however in their larval stage they do possess primitive vertebrate characteristics.   
                 

Although, as here, they may form clusters these particular sea squirts live as individual animals. They feed by siphoning nutrients from sea water. There are two short tubes or siphon openings which allow a flow of water through the body. Water is drawn through the inhalant siphon, and then expelled via the exhalent siphon. As the water circulates through the body; food and oxygen are removed from it and waste products are expelled.

If they are disturbed, they will force the water they contain out of both siphons at the same time which is how they get their name of sea squirt.

Trees Felled

A few days ago I noticed red crosses on two of the large beech trees in the Serpentine Walk in Largo and yesterday saw that they had indeed been felled. This one was probably the largest tree in the walk but it had looked diseased for some time.

 Another tree gone close to the northern end of the path.

Tackling Erosion

With some of the severe storms of the last few years, there has been considerable erosion on the banking that runs beneath the first hole of Lundin Golf Course. The sleepers that protected the bank had fallen into disrepair and many washed away completely. However, I notice that work has now been started to remedy the situation.

Severe erosion on the bank.

 New sleepers are being erected to protect the banking.

Tiny Elvers

Noticed rapid movement in one of the rock pools as I walked along the beach at Lundin Links last weekend. Tiny snake-like creatures, about 3cm long, swimming first one way then back the other way. I wasn't sure what they were but having looked closely at the photos I took I think that they were elvers. (Click to enlarge)

Rainbow Over Largo Law

A sudden shower this afternoon produced a double rainbow over Largo Law.

A Stormy October Day

Such good weather over the last few months with sunshine, little rain and light winds that it seemed summer would never end but with October the first stormy days of Autumn have arrived.

The barriers that were supposed to stop access to the crumbling end of the pier have collapsed in the storm. Not that they were particularly effective as it was easy enough to get round the side, but I suppose they did act as an indicator to the perilous state of the pier.
Can only wonder at what further damage may be done over the winter if no repairs are made. Such a shame.

 The view from the pier today - dark storm clouds over Largo and a sea of foam.

Looking towards Leven from Lower Largo.