The Geology, Botany and Marine Biology of West Somerset

Beginners through to the more knowledgeable are welcome, as are interested children over 14, accompanied by their guardian.

Teachers may find it useful to learn basic geological features – detail will be made plain. Those looking to go on to study any of the three disciplines will find the course stimulating, engaging and motivational.

Geology and botany will make up most of the time. We explore the geology telling the story of the rising Tethys ocean that transgressed over the Triassic deserts to start the Jurassic period.

Botany will be done using English names learning the families with adequate Latin back up. You will discover, learn and hopefully ask about the many uses / notoriety of the several hundred species encountered – humour is often encountered ! We identified 330 species on the 2023 course! I would emphasise the Plant Families approach again which is the way I learnt. Marine biology will be encountered down low water where possible.

The striking headland, cliff, beach woodland and moor scenery reflects the geology and geomorphology – we learn how the plants relate to the rocks grown on how the sea has influenced and shaped the habitats encountered.

Fast moving local tides have the second highest range in the world after the “Bay of Fundy, Newfoundland – we take care ! There are also mud patches to avoid worth mentioning!

There will be a special chart to “Tell the story”. If time allows we may meet up after dinner or sometimes briefly next morning before departing for the day. Tides are excellent for beach visits but we may on occasion return a little later for supper.

If possible we will aim to run a moth trap each night and study its contents before departing for the day (weather permitting).

Here is a list of geology features likely to be encountered :  Bedding plane, folding, anticline, syncline, overfold, joints, conjugate jointing, faulting, fault plane, fault throw, drag, breccia, slickensides, thrusting, ammonites, bivalve and brachiopods, crinoids, bone beds, bones, teeth, fish spines, sea urchin, coprolites, dip and strike,  conglomerate, sandstone, shale, siltstone, mudstone, marls, dolerite, gypsum, anhydrite, dolomite, calcite crystals, pyrite, nodules, relay ramp, ripple marks, trace fossils, unconformity, extension, inversion, tufa, hydrocarbons.

Please note that there are two very friendly bearded collies on this course, most have found that they added to their enjoyment!

Review of the 2023 course: 

“The real joy of this course was that everything in the natural world was of interest and Martin and his assistant were very knowledgeable.  There was even the bonus of moth trapping and ID most days. There was a huge amount crammed in (as usual for FSC in my experience) but Martin didn’t rush us and I had a relaxing and  stimulating week.

My accommodation was comfortable and good value and Nettlecombe is a wonderful building in a delightful setting.  The staff were all cheerful and welcoming and nothing was too much trouble.”

”

Review of a 2021 course:

“It’s hard to find a “hands on” marine biology course these days. Martin covered so much geology, botany and marine biology that all related to each other and the surrounding landscape. He made it equally understandable for both the academic and lay person. This is a skill in itself. The use of the lab with all the samples and diagrams helped reinforce what we learned out on site each day. Having the dogs around added another wonderful dynamic.”

Please note: This course is not part of the Biodiversity learning framework, this course is organised by Nettlecombe Court and the tutor.

Martin Summers BSc.Geol  Dip Ed.  Martin is a geologist, naturalist and specialist teacher / ranger using the environment. He specialises in an informal but concise teaching style, stemming from learning much of his botany knowledge over 60 years ago as a child. He has been a geologist in Africa”

Formerly a keen marathon runner he achieved Welsh National Marathon champion in 1983, winning 5 out of 40 marathons run.

Martin has two very friendly bearded collies on this course.

He has been running the very popular A Field Study of the Geology, Botany and Marine Biology in South Devon for 21 years.

Keith Matthews ( Horsham Ranger) helps out on the course running the moth trap and monitoring cliff / beach safety. With these big tides and some mud patches we need to take care.

If you wish to contact Martin to talk about the course please feel free to email him on  [email protected]

A very enjoyable and informative experience!

“I attended a week long geology, botany and marine biology course run by the Field Study Council. It was thoroughly enjoyable and very informative. The Centre’s staff were very friendly and helpful. The breakfasts and dinners were excellent and varied. My room was basic but comfortable and clean. The location was charming in a secluded valley. I have attended other Field Studies Council courses elsewhere and knew what to expect – this is not a luxury holiday but a place for serious studying!”  – Karel De Pauw

Friday
Arrive 17:30

Evening
Introduction to the course after supper

Saturday: Porlock

An all day visit to this unique bay to observe the salt marsh and how it has developed since the mid - nineties breach by the sea of the freshwater Ley. Lots of botany - we may go up to Hurlstone Point where there are great views over the bay. Contrasting woodland to reach the point. Some excellent Devonian folding can be seen in the headland, a disappearing stream beneath the ridge adds to the appeal. As it will be July, the many and varied salt marsh plants will be well up - Samphire grows here.

Sunday - Blue Anchor Bay

Morning
We explore the beach and cliffs of Blue Anchor - The story in the rocks is well shown here in the cliffs - some great fossils to observe and find, including reptile, fish and other life indicative of changing times 200 million years ago. Marine again will be minor but will feature. There is a superb bone bed to get up close to and study marking the transition to the lower Jurassic seas.

Afternoon
We walk the coastal path along a fascinating shingle ridge botanising, recording what we see, including butterflies and moths. April 2024 saw a powerful storm change the ridge, expect new colonising flora when exploring.

Monday: Kilve

A day spent exploring the foreshore, beach, cliffs, limestone grasslands and maybe the woods if we have time. Orchid spikes will have largely gone over but other July flora will be flourishing. The varied geology represents climate change circa 200 million years ago. Large ammonites to discover. The mud volcanoes are particularly fascinating with their closely associated fossil fauna - tiny ammonites here ! One can imagine what it would have been like to be on the ancient Jurassic sea floor. Unusual "bedding plane” parallel rockpools to explore for the “modern" marine side.

Tuesday: Watchett

Morning
We explore West Watchet beach discovering the red Triassic marls & grey Jurassic limestones. Expect some surprises in the structurally faulted & folded strata - Alabaster gypsum is one, ammonites, bivalve shells & there is always the chance of vertebrate fossils such as reptiles - terrestrial or marine ! All the geology conspires to tell the story of the advancing Tethys sea over the Triassic deserts to result in the tropical Jurassic oceans. Marine biology will feature but be minor as we use the available tide time to best effect.

Afternoon
We walk the Mineral railway track botanising. Excellent introduction to how the botany reflects the rock type when we take a minor detour at a level crossing - some fascinating woodland. We learn about the railway too of course.

Wednesday: St Audrie's Bay

The strata are not affected here by folding or faulting so the “story” of the advancing Tethys sea over the red Triassic marls is very clear. Red, green and grey banding along with seismically affected strata make for great learning.

Thursday: 

Its July so we may seek out the high sometimes bleak Exmoor bogs for insectivorous & other wetland / moorland flora. East Watchet beach, well known for its red Triassic marls & large Jurassic ammonites may be another location to visit. Gupwothy mineral railway incline plane 800 feet high & Beacon hill give great views over the coastal area which has comprised the mainstay of the course. From Beacon hill the easterly margin of our studied area is well seen & defined by the nuclear power station being built.

Friday

Depart after breakfast.

Extra possible locations…..

We may fit in around time / tides / weather visits to additional locations.

Please note: We may have to pause briefly to get onto beaches if tides and onshore winds affect access. Sometimes tidal access might make us arrive back at suppertime or even a little after by arrangement.

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  Expert Tuition
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  Free Wi-Fi
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  Full Board Accommodation
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  Hot and Cold Drinks
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  In Course Transport
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  Picnic Lunch

You need to be reasonably fit too do the course. The rocky beach terrain is often rough with boulders, sand, gravel and sometimes mud which we will avoid. Away from the shore line walking is easier, but you still need stout footwear and competent clothing.

What to Bring

• Casual and some warm clothing
• Waterproofs and wellingtons
• Stout trainers / walking boots
• Floppy sun hat
• Lunch box, salad box and flask / drink bottle
• Note book, pencil, camera / binoculars

Please note: due to the layout of Nettlecombe Court there are a limited number of single and twin rooms available on this course. Please call the centre to discuss availability.

Recommended Reading

• Collins Flower Guide  D. Streeter. ISBN 978- 0- 00- 718389- 0.  - Our botanical tick list is based in order on this comprehensive book.
• The Geology of Watchet & its Neighbourhood, Somerset    Eric Robinson.  Geol Assoc Guide No 66 ISBN  978- 0900717 — Excellent Booklet, easy reading and all relevant to course
• The Geology of Somerset     Peter Hardy.   ISBN 0 -948578- 42- 4 - Good reading.
• The Minehead district- a concise account of the geology    British Geological Survey. ISBN 0 - 11-884544- 6.   More for geologists but some great detail .
• Lyme Bay fossils !  Beach guide.   Nigel Clarke  ISBN 9- 780907- 683407     Same fossil groups as Lyme Regis, Small booklet with diagrams makes fossil ID easier.
• The Old Mineral Line - R J Sellick - ISBN 978 - 0- 85704- 188- 3.    Booklet