Between spring and autumn every year there have been an increasing number of reports of what many believe to be a new species to the UK shoreline. Marine biologists are saying that if fact they are not new to the UK at all, but during the last ten years numbers have increased so dramatically that even the average morning dog walker may spot one. The older and more seasoned are almost nocturnal and inhabit remote areas but the younger less experienced ones can sometimes even be seen in the middle of summer on sunny days in fairly busy areas of the coast.

Known as a secretive animal it’s rarely social with other members of its subspecies, yet it has been known to form small groups, which can be spotted in their preferred habitats of rocks, surf, estuary mouths and tidal rivers.

They seem totally focused on pursuing bass. The younger and/or less experienced seem to struggle catching many bass and always appear to kill what they catch. While the older and/or more experienced do appear to catch many more bass and usually exhibit the unusual behaviour of not eating what they catch. It’s possible that these more seasoned creatures enjoy their habitat and the catching of bass more than the killing and eating.

As the winter approaches spotting them becomes increasingly rare. It’s rumoured that they move inland and reluctantly yet instinctively inhabit canals, rivers and lakes to pursue other predatory fish such as trout, pike, zander and perch.

If you’re interested in seeing one in 2015, just head down to the coast in the early morning from early May.