Hamstead to Yarmouth

Our most successful trip last year was to Yarmouth and Hamstead in search of Turtle, Crocodile, Fish and mammal remains. We came back with so many good finds that a trip was essential this time round. Alister and Alison checked out the Hamstead end, and Ian and Glenda walked via Yarmouth end. We meet in the middle and also took samples back. The tide took a long time to go back, and we all got very wet feet, muddy clothes and a back ache from searching the foreshore. Alison made the best find of the day, when she found a fragment of a Crocodile Jaw. Other finds was a Crocodile tooth, and other common Turtle and Crocodile remains. (See our 2005 trip to ID's and photos of these common finds). Ian found our first Crocodile Coprolite (Crocodile poo). Alister took samples from the Hamstead Beds, which are highly rich in remains.

(Crocodile Jaw Fragment)

(Crocodile Tooth)

(Crocodile Coprolite)

Hamstead

Whilst we were getting our Dinosaur bone out of the clay, Ian phoned in to say he was on his way back. Ian had found a bag full of Turtle and crocodile remains. Some of the turtle plates were fantastic and of both species, two being larger than any we have previously found. A small turtle vertebrae was also found and fragments of Crocodile vertebrae

(Emys Turtle Shell)

(Trionyx Turtle Shell)

The most important find he had made on this trip was a Mammal Carnivore Molar Tooth. The identification of this is not known yet, but if we managed to find out what it is, we will let you know. If anyone reading this knows what animal this came from, please tell us!

(Carnivore tooth)

The sea had been washing Hamstead cliff out and within the cliff face, a large piece of turtle shell was found, this is in four bits and will end up being approximately 7 inches by 6 inches when put together. When we visited earlier in the week, the tide was too high to check this area and so we had to walk over the top of Hamstead cliff and head straight to Boulder Cliff. The Hamstead Member of the Bouldnor Formation here is more rich in small mammals and molluscs that at Bouldnor cliff itself.

Hamstead

On our last day of our UK Fossils LIVE week, since most beaches are currently covered with sand, we decided to revisit locations previously examined earlier this week and to visit two new locations.

Alister and Alison made their second trip to Hamstead, but this time walking eastwards to Hamstead Ledge. This was previously not accessible due to the tides. On the way, we collected a bag full of remains, most of them being turtle shell fragments, Crocodile fragments and various other bones. Three interesting finds where made, one being the back end Turtle Vertebrae which Alister found, another being a nice fish top of the skull fragment and the third was made by Alison. It was a lovely part of a Crocodile Jaw, in very good condition. Alison also found another smaller jaw fragment and a coprolite.

(Crocodile Jaw Fragment)

(Turtle Vertebrea)

(Fish Fragment)

(Rest of todays finds)

Loc 5: Hamstead and Bouldnor Cliff

A new location for UKF and one of the best places on the IOW to find fossils. The fossils here are of Early Oligocene Age and are broken down into the Cranmore Member and the Hamstead Member. The Bembridge Marls of the Eocene age are below this but often covered up by the landslips. 

However it's not the easiest location to access and this stretch of coastline often has double. Some people drive to Yarmouth and from the Viewpoint, walk east along the beach. This gives very limited collecting due to the tides. Alternatively, drive through Cranmore, follow road through until you reach an area where the road splits left and right. On the right is a sign saying 'Unauthorised Access', there is also a grass area with seating. You can park two cars along the side of the road at this junction. From here, walk down the road that says ‘Unauthorised Access' to the right. Follow this road down but DO NOT follow the coastal path when it turns right. Instead, follow through all the way straight ahead, and you will see the grounds of a large building. On the left just before the main gates is a footpath which will take you to the beach.

The coastline from Yarmouth to Hamstead, including Bouldnor Cliff is rich in Turtle, Crocodile, Fish and Mammal Remains. Bird, Plants, Seeds and Crustaceans can also be found from the Hamstead Beds. Along with many species of Shells.
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During our visit, there was so many turtle shell fragments that we were tripping over them! Over 40 pieces was picked up with many more left, waiting to be collected by someone else. A Turtle Vertebrae was also found. Crocodile fragments are also common and we did also find one small crocodile tooth and a second large but partially broken. Four fish vertebrae found in the shingle along with other fish remains. Mammal bones including two limb bones also taken home. We have yet to identify many of the bones and most are fragmented. Samples from the shell beds was taken back for sieving later for microfossils and small shells. A possible Lobster was also found in a nodule but this will need cleaning before it can be confirmed and identified.

( Diplocynodon, Croc scute)

( Diplocynodon, Croc scutes)

( Emys Turtle Shell)

(Turtle Vertebrae)

( Diplocynodon, Croc tooth)

(Fish Vertebrae)