Starts counting oodles of stars right out by the sea (7)

I believe the answer is:

coastal

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'by the sea' is the definition.
(by the coast)

I can't explain the remainder of the clue.

(Other definitions for coastal that I've seen before include "To do with ribs" , "of shoreline" , "on the beach?" , "Of the seashore" , "Close to the shore" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.

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