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Bands of shingle and vegetation are a characteristic feature of Orford Ness. At one time each ridge was the beach, so the pattern shows how the spit has advanced out to sea over 2,000 years. Stones are thrown on to the beach by the waves. Gravity intervenes, so the small stones go up high, but the large ones roll back down, making a series of ridges and little valleys. Where the larger stones are, the wind can blow through the gaps and no moisture collects, so it is a barren habitat. On the ridges where the finer material collects there is something for a seed to grow in and some moisture for it. Therefore grasses and sea campions grow in stripes along the ridge tops. The sea campion survives because it has never been trampled. There is an even rarer plant here - the sea pea. Orford Ness has a local abundance of it. It is in flower in late spring and a good early source of nectar for bumble bees. There are also spiders living in the shingle, and a peregrine is sighted on the beach.