15th August 2010
Become a fan of the Marine Reserve on Facebook!

Become a fan of the Marine Reserve on Facebook and keep up to date with news, wildlife sightings, photos and goings on in Scotland's first Voluntary Marine Reserve. - View details...

2nd August 2010
Splash In 2010 - Competiton rules now online!

Due to venue uncertainty it's taken a bit longer than usual to finalise things this year,however I am please to say that the rules for the Splash In 2010 are now available to download from the link on the News and Events section of this website. - View details...

1st August 2010
Photo of the month - there\'s a shark in the Marine Reserve!

August's photo of the month comes from Alan Pollock, regular down at St Abbs, who captured this cracking photo of a dog fish relaxing at Black Carr! - View details...

1st August 2010
New Creature Features online now!

The Ranger has added 2 new Creature Features to the Wildlife scetion of this website. - View details...

24th July 2010
Help needed locating text for ‘Conservation at St Abbs’ sign

Regular divers at St Abbs will remember the old harbourmaster’s shed that stood at the harbour wall for 40 years. They may also remember the ‘Conservation at St Abbs’ sign that hung on the shed since the Marine Reserve was formed over 26 years ago. - View details...

14th July 2010
A day in the (wild) life...

People often ask what the typical day is like working as a Ranger, and the answer I give most people is – there is no typical day! Some seem to think we spend our time chatting to divers down at the harbour or paddling about it rockpools, so it may seem surprising to some folk that there is a lot of serious behind the scenes work that goes on to keep things running smoothly. - View details...

14th July 2010
John Dory doing well

The diving season has got well underway at St Abbs, and it seems to have a good season for John Dory (Zeus faber) so far, a fish that we usually get one or two reports of a year. - View details...

14th July 2010
Photo of the month launch

Do you download your underwater photos after a dive and store them on your computer for them never to see the light of day again? Do you want to help protect the best of Scottish marine life?

Don’t banish your photos to a life of boredom on your computer – put them to good use and help protect the wildlife of Scotland’s first ever Marine Reserve at the same time. - View details...

24th March 2010
Vote St Abbs Head as the nation’s favourite picnic spot

St Abbs Head National Nature Reserve, adjacent to the Voluntary Marine Reserve, has been shortlisted as one of the nation’s favourite picnic spots by Warburtons, the bread company. Other shortlisted sites in Scotland include the Royal Botanic Gardens, Edinburgh and Culzean Castle. - View details...

1st March 2010
Volunteers clean up Limkin

Despite the freezing temperatures, a group of 13 hardy volunteers turned up to take part in a beach clean of Limkin Shore, part of the St. Abbs and Eyemouth Voluntary Marine Reserve on 17th February. - View details...

15th February 2010
Change afoot at the Reserve

The New Year saw some staffing changes at St. Abbs, with the appointment of Georgia Conolly as the new Marine Ranger. - View details...

3rd February 2010
All in a day\'s work?

People often ask what a Ranger does on an average day, and the answer of “there’s no such thing as an average day” often seems as if we’re being elusive, but it’s true! Last week saw the St Abb’s Rangers undertaking a little unexpected seal wrangling. - View details...

6th October 2009
Splash In Images online

All the winning images from this year's Splash In have now been uploaded onto the website. And all the entries can be viewed on our Flickr page which you can access from the Splash In page of this website. Enjoy! - View details...

9th August 2009
Still a few Ceilidh tickets left!

If you thought you'd missed out on getting tickets for the party of the Quarter Century, then don't dismay...there are still a handful left! The time 7.30 pm - Midnight, the place St Abbs Old School, the date Saturday 15th August. Contact Scoutscroft Dive Shop on (018907) 71669 or Aquastars on (018907) 50904. - View details...

25th July 2009
I\'ve been down to London to visit the...PM!

Marine Ranger, Liza, was honoured with an invitation to 10 Downing Street last week. Liza was one of 150 people invited from all over the country to attend a reception in celebration of the contribution that people make everyday in support of their local environmental wildlife projects and organisations. - View details...

25th June 2009
Splash In 2009 Rules now online

The rules for this year's Splash In are now downloadable from the News & Events section of this website. If you are thinking of taking part please do read them thoroughly as there have been some changes made. - View details...

13th June 2009
Silver Jubilee Ceilidh Tickets On Sale Now!

The Marine Reserve is turning 25 this year which is something really worth celebrating. And to start off those celebrations we are holding a Silver Jubilee Ceilidh on Saturday 15th August. However, tickets are in limited supply so make sure you buy yours early to avoid disappointment! - View details...

27th May 2009
John Dory seen off Eyemouth

Yesterday saw the first sighting of a John Dory (Zeus faber) in the area, at Nestends Reef off Eyemouth. Not commonly seen in the North Sea, we tend to have just one or two sightings a year. - View details...

13th May 2009
Joint Beach Clean Event at Linkim Shore

Come along on Saturday 23rd May to help out on a Beach Clean and litter survey run in partership with the Scottish Wildlife Trust. Meet at Coldingham Sands car park at 11am, from where we will walk along the coast path to Linkim Shore. Please wear suitable clothing and footwear and bring work or gardening gloves if you have them. - View details...

8th May 2009
Strange stranding on Reserve\'s beaches

This week has seen an odd phenonemon on the shores of the Marine Reserve. Literally millions of small, shrimp-like creatures called amphipods, have been washed up on the tideline. - View details...

26th April 2009
What would we do without our Friends?

2009 is a very special year for the Marine Reserve as it is our Silver Jubilee year. On 18th August twenty five years ago, Sir David Bellamy threw himself into St Abbs harbour so declaring the VMR open. We have all sorts of things planned as a way of celebrating this prestigious milestone (watch this space for more details) but we thought the most fitting tribute would be to give everyone the opportunity to play a part in the management of the VMR. So we have set up a "Friends" group, where for just £1 per month you can do your bit for the Reserve. Go to the "How you can help" section of the website for more details and an application form. - View details...

23rd March 2009
Ranger\'s knickers raise funds for Reserve!

The Marine Ranger raised money for the VMR's coffers last week, at no extra expense to herself, just by buying her new underwear online via the VMR Buyat Webshop at www.buy.at/stabbsvmr. - View details...

20th February 2009
Thar she blows!

A humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) was spotted just off St Abbs Harbour on the morning of Sunday 15th February. It hung around for 5 minutes or so, long enough for a small audience of locals to enjoy seeing it lift its tail fluke out of the water and roll on its side and slap a fin on the water - all common behaviour for humpbacks. Luckily one local, Dave Robson, was able to get some photos of the spectacle. - View details...

5th February 2006
Another first for the Reserve!

It just goes to show, its always worth keeping your eyes peeled for something out of the ordinary whenever you spend time at the Marine Reserve. Yesterday, a volunteer taking part in a beach clean happened upon a species of fish that hadn't been recorded in the Reserve before. - View details...

29th January 2009
Landmark Year for Marine Reserve

2009 is a landmark year for the Marine Reserve, which celebrates its Silver Jubilee this year. On 18th August 1984, Sir David Bellamy jumped into the water at St Abbs harbour so declaring Scotland’s first Marine Reserve open. - View details...

6th January 2009
2009 Events posted on website

The list of some of next year's events has been posted on the webiste. Go to the News & Events section for more details. - View details...

19th December 2008
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Wolfie the Wolf fish is getting ready for Christmas - as you can see in this festive photo! - View details...

26th November 2008
Dolphins sighted off the Head

A pod of at least 9 bottle-nosed dolphins was spotted off St Abbs today, and for once the local jungle telegraph was working fast enough and the dolphins hung around long enough for a good few folk to see them! - View details...

29th September 2008
Splash In slide show on Flickr

It has taken a while thanks to the slowness of the "broadband" connection to the office, but I have managed to get all the images from the Splash In loaded onto Flickr. You can now see a slide show of all the images taken by clicking on the link on the Splash In page. - View details...

27th September 2008
New species recorded in Reserve

Whilst diving in the VMR over August Bank Holiday weekend, underwater photographer, Stephen Judd, spotted a rather pretty looking little worm. He snapped off a few shots to help him ID it when he got back to the surface and it was lucky he did as it turned out to be a first for the Reserve! - View details...

Tuesday 2nd September
Come help turn the tide on marine litter

If you are fed up with seeing our fabulous beaches blighted by rubbish that is washed up by the tide, why not come and do your bit. Come and help us do a beach clean and litter survey on Linkim Shore on Sunday 21st September. - View details...

Friday 22nd August
Killer whale North of St Abbs Head!

The passengers of the local glass bottomed boat had a fantastic experience yesterday - a surfeit of cetaceans! First off a pod of 4 Rissos dolphins, not a common sight, closely followed by 2 minke whales and then a brief glimpse or two of a killer whale, definately a rare sighting. - View details...

2nd August 2008
White-beaked dolphins off St Abbs Harbour

Two White-beaked dolphins decided to stop and play around St Abbs Inshore Lifeboat whilst it was out on exercise this morning. They made several passes under the boat and then indulged in a short spell of bowriding before disappearing as fast as they appeared. - View details...

30th July 2008
Extremely exciting sighting in Reserve - a crayfish!

Yesterday a crayfish (Palinurus elephas), or European spiny lobster as it is now known, was spotted in a crack in a reef at Thrummie Carr to the north end of the Marine Reserve. - View details...

25th July 2008
Edible boats a feast for the eyes!

Wednesday 23rd July saw 100s of people, of all ages, descending on Eyemouth beach to take part in Britain's first ever Edible Boat Race. This eco-friendly fun was part of the Eyemouth Herring Queen Festival celebrations. - View details...

16th July 2008
All in the name of photography

A local diver was incensed yesterday when he witnessed two divers cutting up sea urchins, and feeding them ballen wrasse in order to get the fish to hang around long enough to get some good photos. I am pleased to say that the local made it quite clear to the photographers that this was not acceptible behaviour in the Marine Reserve. - View details...

15th July 2008
International Interest in Marine Reserve Event

There has been a huge response to the press release I sent out yesterday about a forthcoming event I will be running in conjunction with the Eyemouth Herring Queen Committee - Britain's first ever edible boat race! So far I have been contacted from Canada, France and the West Indies not to mention various British contacts. - View details...

12th July 2008
Hey Big Spender!

We had an interesting coin in our donations box at St Abbs Harbour today - a half pence piece! When I showed it to the seasonal rangers, neither of them had ever seen one before which was not really that surprising as they went out of circulation in 1984! I am now intrigued as to who has had this little gem hiding in their purse or pocket for 24 years! Not that I am complaining, of course, as every little helps! - View details...

4th July 2008
Splash In 2008 launched

The details of this year's Splash In have been finalised, and the rules are now downloadable from the News & Events page on this website. Initially we thought we would have to move the slide show to Coldingham because St Abbs Village Hall is being sold. However, the residents of St Abbs are so keen to keep the event in the village that they have delayed the sale, just for us - brilliant news! - View details...

30th June 2008
Sperm Whale in the area

A sperm whale was spotted off Marshall Meadows caravan site last Thursday, 26th June. This just goes to prove that it is worth keeping your eyes peeled as you never know what may turn up! - View details...

18th June 2008
Basking shark spotted off Fast Castle

A local fisherman was hauling his creels today and a basking shark surfaced not far from the boat. Sadly, by the time he had finished with his creels the shark had sounded and did not resurface. - View details...

15th June 2008
Chicks all over

With the first kittiwake chick being seen today, all of the seabirds at St Abbs now have chicks. - View details...

3rd June 2008
Wolf-fish exhibiting strange behaviour

Divers came across a juvenile wolf-fish acting in rather on odd fashion today. - View details...

2nd June
First guillemot chick of the season

Today we saw the first guillemot chick which is quite early. Only about three weeks now and they will all be jumping down off the cliffs! Luckily, the other seabirds hang around a little longer!
- View details...

12th May 2008
Sea hens gallore!

Spring is the time to look out for lumpsuckers (see education & activities / creature feature) in the shallows, or sometimes even in rockpools low on the shore. There have been quite a few reported by divers in May. - View details...

5th May 2008
Seabirds settling in for the summer

The first guillemot egg of the year was spotted on the ledges today, which is a bt earlier than usual. However, this is a sign that the seabirds are now just about settled in for the season. - View details...

28th April 2008
Dolphins giving a fantastic show

Several groups of people had fantastic views of a pod of 7 or 8 bottlenosed dolphins performing acrobatics this weekend. - View details...

10th April 2008
Karen signs up for the summer

Each year the Marine Reserve takes on a Voluntary Seasonal Ranger to help the Marine Ranger over the busy summer season. This year's incombant is Karen Collins, from Hexham. - View details...

25th March 2008
Easter Weekend a blow-out

Easter weekend provided a spectacular start to the diving season at the Marine Reserve, but not in the way everyone had hoped! The Berwickshire coast was battered all weekend by storms that the local fishermen were saying they hadn't witnessed for perhaps a quarter of a century. - View details...

18th February 2008
Marine Ranger post safe for another three years!

Being a small charity, the Marine Reserve relies on grants and donations to fund the Marine Ranger and their work. With the present round of funding running out at the end of February, the Marine Ranger has been working hard over the last year or so to try and secure funding for 2008-11. - View details...

Sunday 8th August 11.00 am – 4.00 pm
Searching for Cetaceans

Come and join the Rangers who will be scanning the sea for whales and dolphins as part of National Whale and Dolphin Watch Week. The Rangers will be watching from St Abb’s Head, outside the lighthouse compound, turn up any time and help them search. Free, all welcome and no booking required.
Enquiries: (0844) 493 2256

Thurs 12th August, 10.00 – 11.30 am
Seashore Safari

Come & discover the weird & wonderful watery wildlife to be found in the rockpools of Scotland’s first Marine Nature Reserve. Great fun for all ages! Wear footwear with good grip that you don’t mind getting wet.
Meet by the Lifeguard’s Hut at Coldingham Sands.
Cost: Adults £2.50, children £1.50 (all children must be accompanied). No booking required, just turn up.
Enquiries: (0844) 493 2256

28th and 29th August 2010
The Splash In

On Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th August the St Abbs and Eyemouth Voluntary Marine Reserve will be holding its annual underwater photography competition, the Splash In.

In the competition there will be three categories: Marine Life Portrait, Reserve Atmospheric and Most Humorous Shot, and all images must be taken within the Reserve on the Saturday.

At 7pm on the Sunday night there will be a slide show of all the entries at St Abbs Old School, where the audience acts as judges voting on their favourite images, and hundreds of pounds worth of prizes are up for grabs. Tickets for the Sunday evening must be purchased in advance from Scoutscroft Dive Shop, where they will go on sale at 8am on Saturday 28th. Tickets costs £2 per person, whatever their age, and do not include refreshments.

4th and 5th September 2010
Seasearch Observer Course

Why not add to your diving skills set whilst helping Scotland’s seas!

Georgia Conolly, Marine Ranger and Chris Wood, National Seasearch Co-ordinator will be running a Seasearch Observation Course on Saturday 4th September 2010 at the Royal national Mission to Deep Sea Fishermen, Eyemouth.

Seasearch Observation Course, St Abbs

This is a one-day classroom-based course designed to enable you to do Seasearch recording to Observer level. It is not a marine life identification course, but provides an excellent introduction to Scottish and UK marine life and habitats, what to expect to live where and why. It will help you get more out of every dive by opening your eyes to the life in our seas. It is fun and informative and a great way to meet likeminded divers who appreciate marine life.

Requirements: since it is classroom based, there are no restrictions for the Saturday.

Diving: We will organise some diving for Sunday 5th September to try out Seasearch. This is not part of the course but to do Seasearch on the Sunday you will need to be BS-AC Sport Diver or equivalent with 20 dives, 10 of which are temperate, preferably UK.

Price: £35 for one-day class based course including course pack. Diving costs will be additional to this.

Contact: Georgia Conolly on gconolly@nts.org.uk or 0844 493 2256 or by the link through this website

Sat 11th September, 10am - 11.30am
Seashore Safari

Come & discover the weird & wonderful watery wildlife to be found in the rockpools of Scotland’s first Marine Nature Reserve.

Great fun for all ages! Wear footwear with good grip that you don’t mind getting wet.
Meet outside Eyemouth swimming pool.
Cost: Adults £2.50, children £1.50 (all children must be accompanied). No booking required, just turn up.
Enquiries: (0844) 493 2256