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Home , Fleetwood, Fleetwood Museum, Great Eccleston, Lancashire Coastal Way, Morecambe Bay, North Euston Hotel

M o r e c a m b e B ay : n at u r e on your doorst e p In and around the Wyre Estuary

Explore the beaches and marshes along the and coast and soak up the rich soundscape of waders and pink footed geese. The river Wyre and Point are at the In this guide southern end of Bay. The marshes you will find... and are an important food source · seasonal highlights for many birds that spend their winter here. · three great days out · How to get around Don’t Miss… There’s so much to see and many hidden corners to explore, but these top 3 highlights are not to about our farming heritage at be missed! Farmer Parrs Animal World and 1 Admiring the views across the its country life heritage museum Bay and amazing wildlife from (01253 874389). Rossall Point. 2 Hearing the evocative calls Fascinating fact Tower of huge flocks of pink-footed Rossall Point Observation The most important single geese at Lane Ends, . © Wyre BC breeding site for pink-footed geese, at Þjórsárver in , 3 Exploring up stream for was only discovered in 1951 by leisurely nature watching and On a rainy day… Sir Peter Scott and his team. a chance to see otters and Discover the fascinating story is the second most kingfishers. of the town and its fishing important wintering area for the heritage at Museum geese in Britain with over 44,000 (01253 876621), or find out more birds flocking each year.

Seasonal Highlights This area is full of wildlife, with something spectacular and different to see whatever the time of year: Look out for: Spring Rossall Point is the best place to see migrating terns - look for little, arctic, and sandwich terns.

Summer Look out for magnificent osprey over beaches, orchids on the marshes, and dragonflies in the mosses. arctic terns are known locally as sea swallows Autumn © Chris Gommersall RSPB images Skeins of pink-footed geese fly overhead, and flashes of black and white cross the sky as knots gather in murmurations.

Winter Teal quietly feeding on the Wyre Estuary near to Stanah. M o r e c a m b e B ay : n at u r e on your doorst E p t H E W y r E e s t u a r y

Fleetwood The Victorian seaside town of Fleetwood is a great place to get glasson Morecambe Don’t Bay away from it all and get closer forget your to nature. The promenade and OS map beach are just waiting to be and follow the explored. countryside code Don’t miss the new observation tower at Rossall Point- rising 42 feet above the sand ! Pop in to find out more about our 6 9 coasts, bird life and plant life or Fleetwood 7 just enjoy the view. The views k 2 over the beach to the 1 8 and across to 3 the Lakeland fells and the are spectacular. j • Follow the Mythic Coast along the promenade from Fleetwood thornton to Rossall Point, and cleveleys 5 beyond. Look across the shore 4 and into the vast skies to see some of the birds that love to feed on the mud and saltmarsh around here. The best time to poulton le Flyde see groups of birds is 2 hours before or after a high , when the tide pushes the birds closer to shore or onto sand banks to roost. MAP KEY • Rossall Point is one of the best 1Rossall Point 5Wyre Country Park 9Old Holly Farm viewing places around the bay. 2Fleetwood Museum 6Lane Ends jFarmer Parr's Animal In spring look out for arctic, 3Fleetwood Marsh Nature 7Knott End World k little and sandwich terns Park 8Winmarleigh Moss Marine Hall 4 darting along the water’s edge. • In autumn you’re likely to see one of nature’s great spectacles • A stroll around the town reveals amongst reedbeds in the - murmurations. Massive some wonderful buildings freshwater lagoon, and on clouds of knot fly together for originally designed to attract the muds of the brackish protection against predators, Victorian visitors as well as 2 lagoon. Continue over a swooping and gliding in inland . footbridge to an area of unison as though they are one The was coastal grassland which organism. the place that people would is filled with flowers in • On the edge of the estuary and stay at if they were travelling summer, including bee and sand dunes you might spot sea from to the west coast marsh orchids. holly - a beautiful coastal plant, of . In those days you with blue/green spiky leaves couldn’t go direct, you travelled and metallic blue flowers in from Euston to Fleetwood on a summer. Up to the end of the train, you spent the night in the 19th century the roots of this hotel and the next day a boat plant were dug up and candied took you to on the for use as a sweetmeat and Clyde. restorative. • Just east of Fleetwood town • Kids (and the young at heart) and near to the Wyre Estuary is will love beachcombing. See Fleetwood Marsh Nature Park. what you can spot - bits of This nature park was created seaweed, unusual shells and on the site of a former power driftwood – all with the sea station and is now a haven for roaring in the background! nature. Walk out to the viewing bee orchid • Try some freshly caught seafood area between two large © Rob Petley Jones brought into Fleetwood harbour. lagoons to see birds feeding M o r e c a m b e B ay : n at u r e on your doorst E p t H E W y r E e s t u a r y

A Spectacular Soundscape Take a scenic walk from Knott End along the to Lane Ends Picnic site at Pilling. Lane Ends is a popular spot with locals and visitors for bird encounters (and enjoying a picnic!). High tide is the best time for bird watching because the sands and marshes are covered up, and the birds rest and roost on the edge of the shore until feeding time can start again. • Massive flocks of pink-footed Oystercatchers geese arrive here in autumn from Iceland and Greenland to feed of the marshes and © Andy Hay, RSPB farmland. These geese are fussy holiday makers, and choose to overwinter only in the UK! Lane • Autumn and winter is a busy • Explore on a tramper - a 4x4 Ends is the best place around time on the marsh, look out motorised off road wheel the bay to see them, and dawn for huge flocks of curlew. The chair or book an activity with and dusk are the best times. curlew is the largest European a ranger from sea stories to wading bird, instantly minibeast hunts. • Many wading birds gather here recognisable by its long, down to feed - can you spot redshank • Look out for waders like curved bill, brown upperparts, and greenshank? lapwing and oystercatchers long legs and evocative call. (look for huge flocks in spring • The saltmarshes are also Just south of Lane Ends is and autumn), and ducks like important feeding grounds Moss nature teal and shelduck. Teal quietly for chaffinch and skylark, and reserve. This is the largest feeding are a great sight in these attract predators such remaining mossland in winter. as kestrels, sparrow hawks and Lancashire. The site is home to peregrine falcons. In winter you • Spot salt tolerant plants like rare species such as the large might also see hen-harrier and sea aster and sea lavender heath butterfly and bog bush short eared owls. that flower on the largest cricket, along with common area of ungrazed saltmarsh in • Geese love to visit farmland lizard (which is sadly not Lancashire. for a tasty treat of wheat and common anymore). potatoes, but you can visit too. • Visit the beautifully preserved • You can visit the site on the The dairy farms around here are Grade II* Marsh Mill, Thornton. public footpath that runs famous for producing great ice This is one of the highest mills through its centre, but there cream and . in and one of the best is no on site parking. Due to Nearby is Old Holly Farm, where preserved and oldest in the UK the delicate nature of the visitors can experience a real with original machinery (01253 site, please stick to the public working farm and enjoy some 887445). footpath. ice cream made on site (01524 791200). A Park For Everyone Follow the river upstream from Fleetwood or Knott End to explore Wyre Estuary Country Park, on the banks of the Wyre. This country park is perfect for strolling with all the family, with good paths around the park suitable for buggies and wheelchairs, a cafe and toilets, play area, and lots of places to pink footed geese stop and watch the world go by. © Andy Hay RSPB Images © Andy Hay RSPB Images M o r e c a m b e B ay : n at u r e on your doorst E p t H E W y r E e s t u a r y

Getting here We believe that a car free journey is a care free journey. • Wyre has a well frequented train station at Poulton- le-Fylde. Train times are available on the National Rail Enquiry line on 08457 484950. • For local Handybus, Bus and Tram services telephone Transport Services on 01253 473233. • provides services throughout the , their traveline number is 0871 2002233. lots of places to visit by bike © Wyre BC • National Express Coach Services operate to and from the area, their enquiry line is Staying longer 08717 818178. Fleetwood is a great base for a long weekend or a longer break. • There are many hotels, B&Bs and caravan parks nearby. To book, Getting around go to www.visitwyre.co.uk or call the Visit Fleetwood Centre on The quiet lanes, promenades 01253 887693. and Lancashire coastal way are perfect for exploring on foot. Moving on Find routes around Fleetwood, Look out for other itineraries in this series at M o r e c a M b e b ay : n at u r e o n y o u r

In and d o o r Thornton or the countryside at around S t e p www.morecambebaynature.org.uk/discover: Grange M o r e c a -oMverb e b ay : n- atSands u r e o n y o u r d o o r www.visitwyre.co.uk Welcome toIn Grange-over-Sands, and gateway to dramatic landscapes around of limestone and rare mosses Grange S t e p • Visit Lancaster and Glasson Docks where wading These peatbogs are home t -o red deer all yearWelcome round to Grange-over-Sands,ver gateway to pavements are a haven for buo the beautiful - , and the limestone Sands As well as greatdramatic wildlife to see,landscapes of limestone and rare mosses • Join the Wyre Way - a 41 mile tterflies. and culture to take in too These peatbogs are home to the beautifulIn this guide birds gather against a rich maritime heritage. there’s history you will find... red deer all year. round, and the limestone don’t Miss… pavements are a haven for butterflies. · Seasonal highlights There’s so much · How to get around experience, but if wildlife tAs well to as great wildlife to see, there’s history · Where to stay and eat route following the River the essence, here andarime is culture of to take in too highlights not to be mie our top 3 · o ur top three days out 1 Watch red deer all yssed: d In this guide • Head to Witherslack and Whitbarrow to see red at Witherslack Moon’t Miss… ear round There’s so much wildlife to . on a rainy day… your eyes and ears ssesp – keep experience, but if time is of Take the train you will find... 2 enjoy breath-ta eeled RSPB Reserve into S Leighton· Seasonal Moss highlights from Hampsfellthe H essence, here are our top 3 highlightsking views not to be missed: you can watch Wyre from its source in the don’t forget your ca ilverdale· How towhere get around ospice - shelter of a cosy wildlife hi under the 3 Look out for butter1 · Where to stay and eat Watchmera! red deer all year round opening times. Or de, call xxx for woodlands, gras at Witherslackflies among Mosses – keep house like Holker H visit· o ur a historic top three days out deer amongst mosses and dramatic limestone and limestone pavemenslands, bogs your eyes and ears peeled Levens Ha all at Cark or 2 Apr - Oct). ll near Sizergh (open enjoy breath-takingt views Seasonal Highlightsfrom Hampsfell Hospice - on a rainy day… don’t forget your camera! Fascinating fact Forest of Bowland to the sea Around Morecam Take the train to Leighton Moss 3 Before the railwa landscape and wildLookbe Bay, out the for butterflies among RSPB Reserve in Silverdale where constantly changiwoodlands, grasslands, bogs journey around youthisy was canG watchbuilt wildlife under the life is difficult. Under th seasons, the weatherand limestone an pavement shelterrange of a cosy were hide, call xxx for hills. ng with the lies t . Foulshaw Mossopeninge peat times. bog at Or visit a historic d the r of a Bronze Age ro Seasonal Highlights ed deer house helike remains Holker Hall at Cark or birch and ash treesLevensad la made Hall near from Sizergh (open Around Morecambe Bay, the side. Apr - Oct). at Fleetwood and Knott End. landscape and wildlife is id side by Look out for: constantly changing with the Fascinating fact SprI seasons, the weather and the nG Before the railway was built tides. green hairstreak butte journey around this Grange were and a woodland car rfly, early purpl difficult. Under the peat bog at • Explore & Silverdale Area of Outstanding red d Foulshaw Moss lies the remains Su pet of bluebells. e orchid eer MMer Look out for: of a Bronze Age road made from butterflies and drago birch and ash trees laid side by deer, and aSpr flesh side. • Follow the Lancashire Cycle InG nflies aplenty, young green hairstreak-eating plant butterfly, - the sund early purple orchid autu odonata Mn and a woodland carpet of bluebells. red Large r the spectacular so ew. damselflyed Natural Beauty, famous for its wildlife and Su MMer und of rutting red de WInter butterflies and dragonflies aplenty, young red graceful birdsdeer, ofand a flesh-eating plant - erthe sundew. Way through Pilling to Lane prey over the mosse autu M the spectacularn sound of ruttings red deer

landscape and a haven for butterflies. W Inter odonata graceful birds of prey over the mosses Large r Ends and on to Lancaster. damselflyed • Take a health walk at Fleetwood, Stanah and Knott End. Useful contacts: call or search online • Take the ferry to Knott End • Visit Fleetwood Centre 01253 887693 and cycle the delightful • Visit Garstang Centre 01995 602125 country lanes of . • Visit Wyre www.visitwyre.co.uk • Hire bikes from Waterfront Wheels, Marine Hall, • 01253 876621 Fleetwood. Bicycles adapted • Knott End Ferry www.wyre.gov.uk/ferry for people with low mobility or disabilities are available. • Old Holly Farm 01524 791200 • Buses run from Blackpool and • Wyre Estuary Country Park 01253 887515 Garstang, and the nearest • Marsh Mill 01253 887445 train station is Poulton-le- • Waterfront Wheels 01253 887693 Fylde.

This leaflet is brought to you by Morecambe Bay Local Nature Partnership's Nature Improvement Area and Morecambe Bay Partnership's 700 Days to Transform the Bay scheme. It is funded by Defra, DCLG, Natural , Forestry Commission, Environment Agency, Coastal Communities Fund and RSPB Futurescapes EU Life Comms +. The routes described are for guidance only. Please use an up to date map when exploring this area. It’s a good idea to plan your route in more detail before you set off, and to check the weather forecast and tide tables. Wear appropriate clothing and don’t forget to take food and water. The Partnerships above cannot be held responsible in the unlikely event of injury or accident whilst exploring this area. For more information on exploring the nature of Morecambe Bay visit www.morecambebaynature.org.uk

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