scubaseason

Plumose Anemone

Metridium senile

Sighting evidence at Fair Head, Ireland

The vertical walls below Fair Head are carpeted in towering white and orange plumose anemones reaching 30 cm tall, their feathery crowns extended fully in the persistent current to filter passing plankton. These colonial filter feeders are the defining organism of the site, creating a ghost-forest effect in low-visibility winter conditions. In summer, when visibility clears, they glow brilliantly in torch light against the dark dolerite columns.

Evidence at this site

No confirmed records on file at this site

Plumose Anemone is listed as a curated species here based on historical reports.

How is this calculated?

Sighting evidence is compiled from iNaturalist observation records within a set proximity radius, filtered for quality-grade observations. “Last confirmed” is the date of the most recent research-grade record. Record count covers a rolling 24-month window. Confidence reflects record count, recency, and consistency of seasonal signal.

Also seen at other sites