Pictured left is a fine example of the Goose Barnacle on the float of a net marker flag, ( Lepas anatifera), this species is normally found in warmer seas or in the southern North Sea later in the year, this is probably the earliest we have ever seen them at Walton.

Unlike the ordinary Barnacles usually found in the area the Goose
barnacle is a pelagic species normally  attached to the substrate
normally a piece of floating wood or suchlike by a long fleshy stalk about 10 to 20 cm long that is slightly retractable.

We would like to thank Julie and David Farrow for the use of their
Photograph.

Pictured right is probably the best piece of Whalebone we have seen this year, it was found by 7 year old Dominic Pearce from Harwich, well done Dominic.

The bone is probably from the fossil Bowhead Whale Balaena affinis, sadly it was accidentally broken while Dominic and his mum were at the Naze but we explained how to repair it so now it can take pride of place in his growing collection.

The bone is from the basement bed of the red crag and dates back 2.6 million years. By the way sorry Dominic I spelt your name wrong in the Newsletter, this has now been changed.

Pictured left is an example of one of the rarer teeth found at Walton, this is from the giant shark Carcharocles megladon and comes from the basement bed of the Red Crag  and dates back some 2.6 million years.

The example shown was found at Walton by Linda Pearce during the winter months

We have had a bag containing items belonging to someone by the name of Hector Rigby given to us, if you are Hector or know Hector please let him know or get in touch. Obviously you will have to tell us what is in the bag and then we will be more than happy to return it to you.

Now in their ninth year the Walton Wildlife Boat trips have started for the 2007 season. So why not go for a 2 hour trip around Waltons " Secret Water" aboard the M. V.  Karina and go seal watching in the magical and enthralling Walton Backwaters under the guidance of  an experienced boatman and local naturalist. Encounter both Common and Grey Seals, plus many rare and exciting birds that live within the Hamford Water national Nature Reserve. Come on one of our evening trips and you may encounter one of Waltons fantastic sunsets.