what causes these?

[Fisherman Mick]

I was walking along the beach and the tide had just started to go out. All these holes were in the edge of the damp sand(see pic). What causes them? is it just the sand making them, or creatures??

 

[northeast1]

I would say because it ws at the top of the beach they just air bubbles under the sand popping.

 

[flux]

Correct me if I'm wrong anybody, but normally worms and shellfish like cockles and razors. Depends on the size of holes and location on beach with respect to tide level.
But if its at the top of the beach then I would guess at small worms or indeed just air escaping

 

[Kev1n]

Another vote for air bubbles popping since they’re all irregular sizes. Worms and razor leave different shaped holes, and worms would also have a worm cast there too. Birds probing the sand could leave the holes but I’d expect them to leave footprints too.

 

[5150]

Aliens!

Nah, it'll be bacterial organisms breaking down matter deeper under the sand and the gases are produced as a by-product, which then bubble to the surface.