Cornish Sucker
This week’s Species in Focus is the Cornish Sucker. This unique looking fish may be little but packs a powerful ability to latch on to rocky surfaces using its adapted pelvic fins.
This year at the Big Rock Pool Challenge: Community BioBlitz Festival 2025, we are excited to gather together from 19-20 September, for a jam-packed 24 hours of wildlife recording and celebrating our stunning coastline in the UK.
Our theme for this year is ‘Our Coast. Our Climate. Our Future.’ We want to focus on climate-sensitive species and generate vital biodiversity data to support scientific research, conservation efforts, and regional climate resilience planning.
Thanks to the generous support of the ScottishPower Foundation, National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Duke of Cornwall’s Marine Environment Fund, this immersive 24-hour biodiversity challenge is FREE to attend. It will bring together local communities, organisations, and nature enthusiasts to celebrate biodiversity, encourage wildlife recording, and promote climate and environmental awareness.
The BioBlitz is designed to be inclusive, engaging, and educational, empowering local communities to become long-term stewards of the coastal environment.
Full event rundown:
Click here to download the event rundown.
We love to offer a rich and diverse mix of activities at the Community BioBlitz Festival, covering as many habitats as possible. From woodlands and meadows to rivers, fungi and freshwater invertebrates. But this 24-hourBioBlitz is more than just discovering and counting species! It is also a space to explore the local impacts of climate change and inspire action.
And more to be announced...
We’re inviting experts and organisations working on climate awareness, wildlife conservation, or nature-based solutions to join us in raising community understanding and action. Run a workshop, lead a discussion, share your work. We want your voice in this vital conversation.
If you’re interested, or would like to discuss ideas, please get in touch with Loretta Kwok, Big Rock Pool Challenge South West Lead.
Opening times
The event is from Friday 5:00 pm to Saturday 5:00 pm.
Participants can check-in starting at 4:30 pm on Friday, or 8:30 am on Saturday.
Getting there
Address: Porthpean Outdoor Education Centre, St Austell, Cornwall, PL26 6AZ
Driving: Parking on site is free. Additional free parking is also available at the field next to Porthpean Outdoor Education Centre.
Shuttle bus: Shuttle bus service will be operated approximately every 20 minutes between St Austell Railway Station and Porthpean Outdoor Education Centre from 8:30 am on Saturday. Please note that seating is limited (16-seater) and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
*Scheduled times are for reference only and may be subject to delays due to traffic or other unforeseen road conditions.
Accommodation
Participants have the option to camp on-site and fully immerse themselves in the festival experience. A range of accommodation is available, from spacious 12-bed tents (Mixed, Female, or Male) to cozy private pods, offering something for every comfort level. Spaces are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Be sure to ‘crab’ your spot soon by purchasing the add-on items on our event registration page!
Food
Brought to you by the wonderful Philleigh Way Cookery School & Culinary Experiences (@philleighway), an on-site food van serving delicious food made with local produce will be available on Saturday until 3:00 pm.
Participants are also welcome to bring their own food; however, please note that cooking on-site is not permitted.
Pre-booked Activities
A variety of pre-booked activities are available (additional fees may apply). Spaces are limited, so be sure to grab your spot soon by purchasing the add-on items on our event registration page!
This week’s Species in Focus is the Cornish Sucker. This unique looking fish may be little but packs a powerful ability to latch on to rocky surfaces using its adapted pelvic fins.
The Rock Pool Project Team pick out their top Rock Pooling Books
The broad-clawed porcelain crab is a charismatic little rock poolers favourite. It is the most common species of porcelain crab found in the UK and can often be found clinging tightly to the underside of rocks below mid tide level.
