Keep an eye out for Dorset's magnificent summer wildlife visitors

DURING summertime, coastal wildlife might seem to stretch little past the regular denizens of Dorset’s beaches.

Whether it’s the scattering of hermit crabs, the occasional washed-up barrel jellyfish or the protesting of seabirds, we think we’ve seen it all.

However, the summer period hosts a greater array of surprises and animal biodiversity than the typical quarrelling seagulls.

In mid-May, footage was captured of a 12ft basking shark lolling in the shallow waters metres from the Chesil Beach shoreline – an example of the immense fauna concealed under the ocean’s surface.

According to Durlston Country Park’s 2015 record of marine wildlife sightings, bottlenose dolphins were abundant throughout the Swanage coastline from April through to late September.

Grey seals and even sunfish have been spotted from Lulworth to Swanage Bay.

As further proof of Dorset’s incredible marine wildlife status, harbour porpoises and white-beaked dolphins are regulars at West Bay.

With such an eclectic abundance of oceanic fauna and the summer weather granting us the ability to explore our shorelines, we must be wary that our actions can have a negative impact.

Although a pod of dolphins is an awe-inspiring sight, they should never be imposed to do so.

Wildlife officials have warned the public that dolphins follow boats voluntarily and any attempts to chase them can be a very stressful affair, especially for young calves.

Past the slipper limpets, muscles and crabs, our local seaside hosts a variety of life greater than what we can fit into our fishing nets and plastic buckets.