A large tree log covered in curious shell creatures is intriguing Bay of Plenty locals, with debate over whether they are edible delicacies or alien-like creatures.

Kylie Morman came across the interesting discovery on her morning walk on May 7 and says it was both amazing and gross at the same time.

'It had worm-like tentacles and living creatures in the shells.”

Making the find even more intriguing is the scale – at upwards of 5m long and entirely covered with the dreadlock-like creatures, the log is no small visitor.

Anita Bethune also is intrigued by the discovery, as are other beach goers who remarked on the ‘alien-like appearance of the log,' and asked what it was.

Locals are under the impression they are an expensive sea delicacy known as gooseneck barnacles, which a department of conservation spokesperson says are reasonably common around New Zealand.

But don't plan the dinner party yet.

The species is likely to be Lepas anatifera and is different from the type of goose barnacle which is a common delicacy in Portugal and Spain, says the spokesperson.

Wilma Blom, marine invertebrate curator at Auckland Museum, says the recent persistent north easterlies have brought them to our shores.

Blom confirms these are gooseneck barnacles, 'probably Lepas anatifera. Yes, they are eaten, particularly by Mediterranean cultures. However, I have never eaten them myself.”

The smaller crabs are often found in association with gooseneck barnacles and also attached to flotsam and jetsam around the ocean.

Similar washed up logs had baffled Auckland beachgoers a few years earlier when the 'alien-like” logs washed up at Piha beach, shocking residents.

-Annemarie Quill/Stuff.