Hi there everyone, Many thanks for all your excellent replies regarding the mysterious objects in the seagull droppings, they look to be gastroliths of some variety, either crayfish or lobster. You've all been a great help. Best Jen -------------------------------------------------------------- Jennifer Gallichan Curatorial Assistant, Mollusca Dept. Biodiversity & Systematic Biology National Museum of Wales Cathays Park Cardiff CF10 3NP Wales, U.K. *029 2057 3217 * 029 2023 9829 * [log in to unmask] <http://zoology.nmgw.ac.uk:591/Museum/mollusca.htm> -------------------------------------------------------------- On 06/09/2011 12:29, "Irwin, Tony" <[log in to unmask]> wrote: From the size of them, and the location in the Bristol Channel, I'd suggest they are from lobster rather than crayfish. Tony Dr A.G.Irwin Senior Curator of Natural History Norfolk Museums and Archaeology Service Shirehall, Market Avenue, Norwich, NR1 3JQ T: 01603 493642 M: 07880707834 F: 01603 493623 E: [log in to unmask] ________________________________ From: The Natural Science Collections Association discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Jon Radley Sent: 05 September 2011 14:45 To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: FW: Seagull Droppings Response from Adam Smith, Natural Science Curator at Thinktank, Birmingham. Hi Jon, I saw the Natsca query you replied to and the objects are crayfish gastroliths. They develop as a temporary calcium store for when the crayfish moult, so maybe the seagull ate a crayfish or similar crustacean? Jon Radley Keeper of Geology Warwickshire Museum Service Communities Localities and Community Safety Warwickshire County Council Market Hall Warwick CV34 4SA t: 01926 418182 Web: Warwickshire Museum Service <http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/museum> Twitter: Oisin The Deer <http://twitter.com/OisinTheDeer> Facebook: Warwickshire Museums <http://www.facebook.com/pages/Warwick-United-Kingdom/Warwickshires-Heritage-and-Culture-Museums/162862257067815> From: Jennifer Gallichan <[log in to unmask]> To: [log in to unmask] Date: 05/09/2011 12:07 Subject: FW: Seagull Droppings Sent by: The Natural Science Collections Association discussion list <[log in to unmask]> ________________________________ Hi everyone, I am posting this interesting query on behalf of my colleague Kate Mortimer-Jones. If any of you have any ideas please could you forward your replies to her at: [log in to unmask] These calcareous objects were found in seagull dropping on Steep Holme Island, Wales. Anybody have idea what they are? Jen -------------------------------------------------------------- Jennifer Gallichan Curatorial Assistant, Mollusca Dept. Biodiversity & Systematic Biology National Museum of Wales Cathays Park Cardiff CF10 3NP Wales, U.K. *029 2057 3217 * 029 2023 9829 * [log in to unmask] <http://zoology.nmgw.ac.uk:591/Museum/mollusca.htm <http://zoology.nmgw.ac.uk:591/Museum/mollusca.htm> > -------------------------------------------------------------- YMWADIAD Mae pob neges ebost a anfonir i neu gan Amgueddfa Cymru yn cael ei sganio gan systemau diogelwch awtomatig er mwyn rheoli negeseuon digymell a dileu cynnwys amhriodol neu beryglus. Cafodd y neges hon ei sganio am firysau cyn ei hanfon, ond dylech hefyd fodloni'ch hun bod y neges, a phob atodiad ynddi, yn rhydd o firysau cyn ei defnyddio gan nad yw'r Amgueddfa'n derbyn cyfrifoldeb am unrhyw golled neu ddifrod o ganlyniad i agor y neges neu unrhyw atodiadau. Gall y neges hon ac unrhyw ffeiliau a atodir ynddi gynnwys gwybodaeth gyfrinachol a fwriadwyd ar gyfer y derbynnydd yn unig. Os ydych chi wedi derbyn y neges trwy gamgymeriad, rhowch wybod i ni a chofiwch ddileu'r neges. Safbwyntiau personol yr awdur yw'r safbwyntiau a fynegir yn y neges hon, ac nid ydynt o reidrwydd yn cynrychioli safbwyntiau'r Amgueddfa. Nid yw'r Amgueddfa'n atebol am unrhyw wallau, llygredd neu esgeulustod a allai godi wrth drosglwyddo'r neges hon, felly na ddibynnwch ar y cynnwys heb geisio cadarnhad ysgrifenedig yn gyntaf. DISCLAIMER Email to and from Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum Wales is scanned by automated security systems to control unsolicited messages and eliminate inappropriate or dangerous content. This message was scanned for viruses before transmission, but you should also satisfy yourself that the message, and all attachments, are virus-free before use as the Museum accepts no responsibility for any loss or damage that might arise from opening the message or any attachments. This message and any files transmitted with it may contain confidential information intended only for the recipient. If you received it by mistake please inform us and delete the message. The views expressed in this message are the personal views of the author and may not necessarily represent those of the Museum. The Museum accepts no liability for any errors, corruption or omissions that might arise in transmission of this message, so please do not rely on the contents without seeking confirmation in writing. -- Scanned by iCritical. [attachment "IMG_4305.jpg" deleted by Jon Radley/LH/WarksCC] [attachment "IMG_4306.jpg" deleted by Jon Radley/LH/WarksCC] This transmission is intended for the named addressee(s) only and may contain sensitive or protectively marked material up to RESTRICTED and should be handled accordingly. Unless you are the named addressee (or authorised to receive it for the addressee) you may not copy or use it, or disclose it to anyone else. If you have received this transmission in error please notify the sender immediately. All email traffic sent to or from us, including without limitation all GCSX traffic, may be subject to recording and/or monitoring in accordance with relevant legislation. = The information contained in this email is intended only for the person or organization to which it is addressed. If you have received it by mistake, please disregard and notify the sender immediately. Unauthorized disclosure or use of such information may be a breach of legislation or confidentiality and may be legally privileged. Emails sent from and received by Members and employees of Norfolk County Council may be monitored. They may also be disclosed to other people under legislation, particularly the Freedom Of Information Act 2000. Unless this email relates to Norfolk County Council business it will be regarded by the Council as personal and will not be authorized by or sent on behalf of the Council. The sender will have sole responsibility for any legal actions or disputes that may arise. YMWADIAD Mae pob neges ebost a anfonir i neu gan Amgueddfa Cymru yn cael ei sganio gan systemau diogelwch awtomatig er mwyn rheoli negeseuon digymell a dileu cynnwys amhriodol neu beryglus. Cafodd y neges hon ei sganio am firysau cyn ei hanfon, ond dylech hefyd fodloni'ch hun bod y neges, a phob atodiad ynddi, yn rhydd o firysau cyn ei defnyddio gan nad yw'r Amgueddfa'n derbyn cyfrifoldeb am unrhyw golled neu ddifrod o ganlyniad i agor y neges neu unrhyw atodiadau. Gall y neges hon ac unrhyw ffeiliau a atodir ynddi gynnwys gwybodaeth gyfrinachol a fwriadwyd ar gyfer y derbynnydd yn unig. Os ydych chi wedi derbyn y neges trwy gamgymeriad, rhowch wybod i ni a chofiwch ddileu'r neges. Safbwyntiau personol yr awdur yw'r safbwyntiau a fynegir yn y neges hon, ac nid ydynt o reidrwydd yn cynrychioli safbwyntiau'r Amgueddfa. Nid yw'r Amgueddfa'n atebol am unrhyw wallau, llygredd neu esgeulustod a allai godi wrth drosglwyddo'r neges hon, felly na ddibynnwch ar y cynnwys heb geisio cadarnhad ysgrifenedig yn gyntaf. DISCLAIMER Email to and from Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum Wales is scanned by automated security systems to control unsolicited messages and eliminate inappropriate or dangerous content. This message was scanned for viruses before transmission, but you should also satisfy yourself that the message, and all attachments, are virus-free before use as the Museum accepts no responsibility for any loss or damage that might arise from opening the message or any attachments. This message and any files transmitted with it may contain confidential information intended only for the recipient. If you received it by mistake please inform us and delete the message. The views expressed in this message are the personal views of the author and may not necessarily represent those of the Museum. The Museum accepts no liability for any errors, corruption or omissions that might arise in transmission of this message, so please do not rely on the contents without seeking confirmation in writing. -- Scanned by iCritical.