All about dinosaurs, fossils and prehistoric animals by Everything Dinosaur team members.
16 03, 2018

“Beast from the East” Does Not Stop Dedicated Fossil Hunters

By | March 16th, 2018|Dinosaur Fans, Main Page, Photos/Pictures of Fossils|0 Comments

Irregular Sea Urchins in Unseasonable Weather

The area of the Dorset coast around Lyme Regis and Charmouth is often said by locals to experience its very own microclimate.  Everything Dinosaur team members have experienced this phenomenon for themselves, it can be raining very heavily inland at Axminster but on the coast, it can be a dry and sunny.  However, when the “Beast from the East” affected most parts of the UK recently, the Lyme Regis area had its fair share of bad weather.

Cold Snap Does Not Deter Fossil Hunters

Our fossil hunting chum, Brandon Lennon took a photograph of Lyme Regis high street as the cold snap hit.  Brandon commented that shoppers were taking to skis to ensure that they could traverse the steeply sloping terrain.

The “Beast from the East” Made Its Presence Felt on the Dorset Coast

Snowy conditions in Lyme Regis
Lyme Regis high street covered in snow.

Picture credit: Brandon Lennon

Fossil Collecting in the Snow

Fossil hunting in the snow is difficult but not impossible.  With the treacherous road conditions, most fossil collectors who would have had to travel into the Lyme Regis area by car, sensibly postponed their journeys.  This meant that local fossil hunters had the beaches to themselves for as long as the inclement weather persisted.  Several calcite ammonites were collected from the East Cliff Beach (heading towards the small village of Charmouth).  Brandon found some beautiful fossil sea urchins (irregular echinoderms) whilst exploring Monmouth Beach, to the west of the Cobb.  It may have been cold and the beaches were almost deserted but some exciting fossil discoveries could still be made.

A Beautiful Cretaceous Echinoderm Fossil Extracted from a Flint Nodule

Echinoderm fossil (Lyme Regis).
A sea urchin fossil extracted from a flint nodule.

Picture credit: Brandon Lennon

For replicas of fossils: Everything Dinosaur Learning Section of our Website.

A Mini “Beast from the East”

The weekend promises a “mini Beast from the East” to hit the UK.  More snow could fall in the Lyme Regis area, however, we don’t think it will be enough to dissuade the dedicated fossil hunters of Dorset from visiting the beaches to see what they can find.

Everything Dinosaur recommends that visitors to the Lyme Regis area interested in collecting fossils, go on an organised fossil walk.  This is the safest way to explore the beaches around the town of Lyme Regis, as the sea can cut-off unwary beachcombers and cliff falls are common in the area.

For information about organised fossil walks: Brandon Lennon Fossil Walks.

Visit the Everything Dinosaur website: Everything Dinosaur.

16 03, 2018

Investigating Fossils

By | March 16th, 2018|Key Stage 1/2|Comments Off on Investigating Fossils

Fossil Investigation – Learning About Mary Anning

Our dinosaur expert spotted a very busy fossil investigation table whilst on a visit to Altrincham Preparatory School to work with the two classes of Year 1 children who are currently studying dinosaurs and investigating fossils.  The boys have been learning all about the life and work of Mary Anning and most of the fossils on display came from the Lyme Regis (Dorset) area which is where Mary lived.

A Fossil Investigation Table

Rocks and fossils to explore.
A very full “rock table”. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Mary Anning Themed Extension Resources

After an exciting morning of dinosaur and fossil workshops, our team member returned to the office and prepared additional themed extension materials that were then emailed over to the school.  Having been comprehensively briefed by the dedicated and enthusiastic Year 1 teaching staff, we were able to provide a non-chronological report compiling exercise that involved the boys researching the story of Mary Anning and learning about some of her fossil discoveries.  In addition, we were able to send over some pictures and drawing materials of prehistoric animals that once thrived in the seas and oceans of the Mesozoic.  After all, the rocks along the Dorset coast around Lyme Regis were all formed in marine conditions.

To enquire about Everything Dinosaur’s outreach work: Email Everything Dinosaur.

The Mary Anning Non-chronological Report Exercise Prepared for the School

Mary Anning Non-chronological report. Investigating fossils.
A non-chronological report exercise based on the life and work of Mary Anning. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Investigating Fossils

An Example of One of the Marine Reptile Drawings Sent to the School

Attenborosaurus conybeari.
Plesiosaurs and other prehistoric animals featured in the lesson plan. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

We look forward to seeing the prehistoric marine seascapes that the pupils create.  Perhaps they will be put up on display in the well-appointed classrooms, if so, we might receive a picture of the boy’s artwork which we can share on our various social media sites.

Visit the Everything Dinosaur website: Everything Dinosaur.

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