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What Fossils can you find at Bowleaze Cove?


(Oxford Clay: Collecting giant oysters, ammonites and other shells from Redcliff point)

At Redcliff Point, a vast amount of Oxford Clay is well exposed on the foreshore, this extends just east of this point. Hundreds of Giant Oysters and Gryphea can be seen scattered everywhere along the foreshore (mostly common ones are Gryphaea dilatata and Lopha). (Beach conditions permitting). Ammonites can also be found here (Cardioceras) with a range of other shells. There are a number of red coloured nodules which contain very well preserved fossils including large ammonites, however these ammonites are rarely complete.

Some very large mussel shells can further be found by digging into the clay, these are extremely fragile. Occasionally, Oysters can develop around an ammonite and you either see a very clear pattern of an ammonite mould on the oyster or the ammonite is actually still attached, these ammonites can be quite large and of good condition.


(Plesiosaurus? Vertebrae) - 2002

Most of the large ammonites are rusted, decomposed and will simply crumble, however smaller ammonites can still be found. In the past Crocodile and Crustacean remains along with Ichthyosaurus bones have been recorded here.


(Kimmeridge Clay: Ammonites from on the foreshore) - 2001

At Bowleaze Cove just west of Osmington Mills, the Kimmeridge clay is well exposed at the foreshore during winter months. Many flat worn ammonites can be found along with a few shells. During beach scouring, a wider range of fossils can be found including many whole ammonites.


(Corallian: Ammonites, shells and other fossils) - 2002

At Bowleaze Cove, Lower Corallian blocks yield many trace fossils especially in the Preston Grit with the burrows of Rhizocorallium and Thalassinoides. Traces of Asterosoma, Pleuromya, and Diplocraterion have been found. Shells, ammonites are also common from the Osmington Oolite but quite poorly preserved. Larger ammonites tend to be better preserved than smaller sized ones.

 

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Images, & Content - (C)opyright 1998-2006 Alister Cruickshanks & Neil Lovesey
UK Fossils Management - Alister Cruickshanks & Roy Bullard
UK Fossils Curator - Ian Cruickshanks
UK Fossils is a division of CWA Design and run in conjunction with UKGE. Whilst we try to ensure that all content is accurate and up to date we cannot guarantee this. UK Fossils takes no responsibility in the accuracy of this content, nor takes any liabilities for any trips, events or exchanges between visitors using either the discussion board or the UK Fossils planner. Any posted trips and events by UK Fossils are personal and not arranged by UK Fossils, therefore visitors should seek their own personal insurance cover. Please remember to always check the tide times.