What fossils to find
Ammonites of Tragophylloceras, Metacymbites, Leptaleoceras, Amaltheus and Liparoceras can be collected along with the brachiopod, Davidsonella moorei. On the east side, Ammonites of Pleuroceras can be found along with the brachiopod of Quadratirhynchia.
You need to look for rocks in the same colour as the one to the right. Split these open, or if they are too big, initially smash using lump hammers. They are normally full of fossils.
Where to look for fossils
If you have parked at Eype itself, you should descend at Eype mouth, here the Eype nodule bed is raised above sea level and can normally be seen. Walking west at Thorncombe Beacon, the Eype Nodule bed can be seen in the cliff.
You need to look out for blocks of 'Dorset Junction Bed', for information on what these look like and how to spot them, look at our 'What to Find' page. Search the rocks around the foreshore, look out for the layered colours unique to the Junction Bed and smash these open with a heavy lump hammer, then fine split using normal splitting hammers. The are usually packed full of Ammonites, shells and many other finds.
Keep an eye on the surface of weathered rocks, most of the starfish are found simply in rocks around the foreshore. Please think twice before trying to get these out, you will need the right tools and recommended is cutting equipment. Attempts to try and get these out by hammers will often result in destroying the fossils. |
