Fossils in chalk

Hi, when looking for fossils in chalk that has fallen from the cliff face do I just split the boulders and hope to get lucky? Or is there a sign other then a fossil poking out of it?

It depends on a lot of factors. The grey chalk is more fossiliferous in general than the white chalk and you find different species as you change the age. You often see part of an echinoid sticking out or other fossils which then need preparing but you could split it down but that takes a lot more effort but can be worth it. The problem with the chalk is that it is one of the hardest locations to get the good stuff from without repeat visits. Remember to soak your finds if they come from the coast, as chalk is porous it soaks up lots of salt water and often has devastating result unless soaked for a minimum of 5 weeks with regular water changes.

Thanks for that. Does soaking the fossil not cause it to degrade?

Soaking it will be fine and will make any preparation easier. If you leave it with the salt still in the crystals can expand and shrink causing it to crack and break up and then the specimen is lost. If you collect inland this will not need to be done.

Very useful to know as I live Kent, I have found some in gault clay around the coast but want to have a look at the chalk cliffs too.