From Walney to Wyre

M o r e c a m b e B ay: nature on your doorstep From Walney to Wyre

Welcome to Morecambe Bay, the largest intertidal estuary in the UK. Shining sandbanks, vast mudflats and constantly changing channels are alive with the sights and sounds of flocks of waders.

The surrounding saltmarshes, tidal islands, hidden beaches and low cliffs give way to In this guide you will find... limestone headlands and escarpments, · seasonal highlights undulating grasslands, woodlands, low-lying · top nature spots mosses and rivers with the backdrop of the fells · How to get around and moors beyond.

Don’t Miss… Fascinating fact There’s so much to see and many The Bay is internationally hidden corners to explore, but important for migratory birds these top 3 highlights are not to that feed on its mollusc rich mud be missed! and sand. It sits along the East Atlantic Flyway, a route that birds 1 Getting close to nature at one take when moving between of our nature reserves Scandinavia, Europe and Africa 2 Breathtaking views from for breeding and overwintering. our coastal headlands and It provides a perfect haven and limestone hills seafood bar for over 225,000 3 Watching birds feed and roost knot flock birds that pass through each © Ben Andrew with the rhythm of the tides winter.

Seasonal Highlights This area is full of wildlife, with something spectacular and different to see whatever the time of year: Spring Early marsh and bee orchids at Sandscale Haws National Nature Reserve, hawfinch at Sizergh Castle, and avocets at Leighton Moss nature reserve.

Summer Rare butterflies around Arnside & Silverdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, dragonflies at Heysham, Leighton Moss, Meathop and Roudsea nature reserves and sea lavender at coastal reserves along the Wyre estuary and Walney Island.

Autumn Fascinating bearded tits and starling murmurations at Leighton Moss nature reserve, oystercatcher and knot along Morecambe promenade, and red deer rutting around Whitbarrow.

Winter Curlew and other birds from viewing hides at South Walney, Leighton Moss and Rossall Point, or along a coastal walk at Cockerham, Glasson Docks, Morecambe, Arnside and Grange over Sands. M o r e c a m b e B ay: nature on your doorste p Walney to Wyre

Many habitats here are so special they are protected m internationally or nationally. Some species are so rare that Witherslack Morecambe Bay is one of only a few places, or the only place, 9 6 you can see them. Look out for lancastrian whitebeam, walney ulverston grange-over- sands arnside geranium, teesdale violet, lady’s 1 2 slipper orchid, pearl bordered j fritillaries, high brown fritillary silverdale 5 7 4 and belted beauty moth. l Other important wildlife includes the natterjack toad, bittern, barrow-in-Furness seals, red deer and the otter.

Wildlife Watchers Morecambe If you are keen wildlife watcher, you’ll find some rare and unusual k lancaster species here. These are our top 3 sites for truly unique viewing: 1 Brush up on your orchid ID at Gait Barrows and Sandscale Haws National Nature Don’t Reserves and Arnside Knott forget your and Humphrey Head nature OS map reserve, where lady’s slipper, and follow the bee, fly, green winged, early countryside 8 code purple, pyramidal and early Fleetwood marsh orchid can be found. 2 Look out for marsh harriers n hunting prey above the reeds MAP KEY at Leighton Moss nature 1Arnside Knott 6Meathop and jSandscale Haws NR reserve and osprey over the 2Gait Barrows NNR Foulshaw mosses NR kSouth Walney NR l mosses at Foulshaw and 3Heysham NR 7North Walney NNR Warton Crag NR 4 8 mWhitbarrow Roudsea nature reserves. Humphrey Head NR Rossall point 5Leighton Moss NR 9Roudsea woods nWyre Country Park 3 Warton Crag, Arnside Knott and mosses NNR and Whitbarrow nature reserves are great places to at Arnside, Morecambe, and see the rare northern brown Grange Promenades a couple of argus, high brown fritillary hours before or after high tide. and other fritillary butterflies. For more ideas on how to For those new to nature spotting, discover nature on your doorstep there are plenty of impressive around Morecambe Bay, read on sites and species that are easy and download the series of nine to find and will capture your nature guides that show you imagination. Here’s our pick of when and where you can enjoy the 3 best sites for beginners: our wonderful wildlife at • Watch the seals playing in the www.morecambebaynature.org. surf around lighthouse bay and uk/discover. on the beaches at the end of South Walney nature reserve • Start at the visitor centre at Leighton Moss nature reserve to find out what birds, dragonflies and plants you can find as you explore the walkways between the reedbeds and saltmarshes. • See a live showcase of the thousands of oystercatcher, Red Deer knot and curlew that visit here Otter © Ben Hall rspb-images.com © Ben Andrew M o r e c a m b e B ay: nature on your doorste p Walney to Wyre

Barrow -in-Furness their thousands to feed on the seafood bar. shellfish and shrimps hidden in Explore Barrow -in-Furness Lancaster the estuarine sands. where beaches, islands and Discover Lancaster, where ancient woodlands meet Witherslack incredible numbers of wading fascinating industries of past and Discover Witherslack, gateway to birds gather against a backdrop present. dramatic landscapes of limestone of rich maritime history. Barrow-in-Furness and the cliffs, peaceful peatbogs and The River Lune flows through this surrounding islands lie at the wonderful woodlands. historic city and into Morecambe tip of the Furness Peninsula. The Explore the mosaic of habitats Bay. The marine life here has coast and islands are dotted in this area, and see something attracted both birds and with rich industrial and military new at every turn. The ancient fishermen throughout the ages. heritage and wonderful wildlife. peatbogs here are home to red Explore the birds and nature The sand dunes are perfect for deer, the limestone pavements around the city's historic trading rare natterjack toads, claimed to are a haven for butterflies, and ports - atmospheric Sunderland be Europe's noisiest amphibian, springtime in the woods is truly Point on the north bank and and the beaches, shingle, and spectacular. lively Glasson Dock on the south saltmarshes are home to birds, bank. seals and rare orchids. Arnside River Wyre Ulverston Explore Arnside, a picturesque coastal village on the edge of a Explore the beaches and marshes Visit Ulverston, on the coast of limestone outcrop surrounded along the River Wyre and soak up the Furness peninsula where the by stunning places to experience the rich soundscape of waders River Leven meets Morecambe nature’s wonders. and pink footed geese. Bay. Arnside & Silverdale Area of The River Wyre and Rossall Point Explore coastal woodlands and Outstanding Natural Beauty, an mark the southern boundary of look out for the rare black darter extraordinary place, famous for Morecambe Bay. The marshes, dragonfly, or follow the river amazing wildlife and stunning sands and muds are feeding to magical mosses. Ulverston scenery and superb walks. The grounds for many birds, and has a rich cultural heritage, limestone here is the special particularly pink footed geese, as surrounded by spiritual sites. The ingredient that provides the right they winter here before making town is a great base to explore conditions for many flowering their long journey back to Iceland woodlands and wetlands, valleys plants that provide home to a and Greenland to breed. They are a and estuaries. host of different butterflies. noisy bunch, they make a medley of Grange-over-Sands high-pitched honking calls as they Silverdale fly. Large skeins (flocks) are almost Enjoy Grange-over-Sands, where Enjoy Silverdale, surrounded deafening! sculpted limestone pavements by great places to see and and wooded hills merge into the experience nature’s wonders saltmarshes and mudflats of At the heart of Arnside & Morecambe Bay Silverdale Area of Outstanding This seaside town on the coast Natural Beauty seek out the of the Cartmel peninsula is the elusive otters, listen to the boom perfect place for watching of the rare bittern and explore wading birds that flock here in the fascinating limestone pavements. Morecambe Relax in Morecambe, a seafood haven for birds and visitors alike! The massive panorama of vast shimmering sands with a backdrop of Lakeland fells is as mesmerising today as it was when tourists first visited in the 19th Century. The fantastic food, heritage, and nature of

Morecambe are indebted to the Rossall Point tower vast intertidal sands teeming © Jenny Wain with sea creatures. Morecambe promenade is one of the best places around the bay to watch flocks of birds feeding at this Hampsfell hospice

Getting here Fleetwood Cleveleys We believe that a car free journey © Wyre Borough Council is a care free journey. We have a great coastal railway so why not: • Arrive by train. Call National Rail Enquiries on 08457484950. Useful contacts: call or search online Getting Around • www.citycoastcountryside.co.uk Morecambe Bay is the perfect • www.golakes.co.uk place for exploration and discovery. It is also covered with • www.barrowtourism.co.uk a network of historic routes • Ulverston Tourist Information Centre and journeys that are still made 01229 588994 today. The area is perfect for M o r e c a M b e b ay : n at u r e o n y o u r d o o

In and r s t e p M around o r e c a lancasterM b e exploring without a car, thanks • Grange Tourist Information Centre In andb ay : n at u r e o n y o u r d o o r Welcome to lancaster, around where wading birds gather Grange S t e p against a backdrop of rich-o maritime history 015395 34026 The River LuneWelcome flows through to Grange-over-Sands, this historicver city gateway to to the quiet lanes, promenades and into Morecambe Bay. The bay brings nutrients- Sands to marine lifedramatic that has attracted landscapes both birds of and limestone and rare mosses people throughout the ages. Sunderland Point on These peatbogs are home to the beautiful the north bank has a magical atmosphere and red deer all year round, and the limestone important maritime remnants, while Glasson In this guide pavements are a haven for butterflies. and car free cycling routes, Dock on the south bank is still a lively port. you will find... • Arnside & Silverdale AONB As well as great wildlife to see, there’s history· seasonal highlights don’t Miss…and culture to take in too · three great days out There’s so much to see and · How to get around hidden corners to explore, bu these top 3 highlightsdon’t arMiss… many In this guide be missed! t . extensive footpaths for walking There’s so emuch not to wildlife to on a rainy day… experience, but if time is of you will find... 1 Fabulous flocks of birds the essence, here are our top 3 Discover our fishing, sh· Seasonal highlights like knot and curlew at and trading heritage at highlights not to be missed: · 01524 761034 sunderland point Lancaster Maritime MuHowipbuilding to get around 2 exploring popular1 route explore Lancaster Castle,· Where to stay and eat Watch red deer all year round seum, lancaster alongat Witherslack tr Mosses – keep city’s galleries and shops,· o or s from shelter in ancient publ ur the top three days out canals and oldyour railways eyesee-lined and ears peeled along the river and canal. take and breath-taking train journeys. 3 perfect spots2 for picnics and enjoy breath-taking views ic houses looking for kingfishers a from Hampsfell Hospice - otters along the river lu Fascinating facton a rainy day… don’t forget your camera! nd Sunderland PointTake is one the of train to Leighton Moss 3 Look out for butterfliesne among RSPB Reserve in Silverdale where curlew, dunlin and knot few places in England where you woodlands, grasslands, bogs only a © Ben Hall rspb images can find belted beautyyou can m watch wildlife under the and limestone pavement In early spring lookshelter out f of a cosy hide, call xxx for • Morecambe Visitor Information Centre seasonal Highlights wingless black andopening yell times.oths. Or visit a historic This area is full of wildlife, with furry females onhouse old f likeor Holker the Hall at Cark or see whateverSeasonal the time Highlights of year: near Potts Corner car parkow striped Levensence Hall posts near Sizergh (open • Take a compass and map (OS Around Morecambe Bay, something the spectacular and d Apr - Oct). look outlandscape for: and wildlife is . constantly changing with the ifferent to Fascinating fact sprIngseasons, the weather and the Before the railway was built Gatheringstides. of she journey around this Grange were 01524 582808 creeks as they p lduck along the little egret difficult. Under the peat bog at repare to mate Lune estuaryred d and salt suMMer eer Foulshaw Moss lies the remains Explorer OL6 and OL7) and Look out for: . of a Bronze Age road made from marsh Little Egrets wi birch and ash trees laid side by stalk theSpr salt th their impressive wh side. InmarshG and River L autuMngreen hairstreak butterfly, earlyite purpleplumage orchid as and a woodland carpet ofune. bluebells. Mesmerising m they tide at beache urmurations of knot i SuMM ers and coastal edge wear appropriate clothing. butterflies and dragonflies aplenty,n autumn young arou red • Lancaster Visitor Information Centre WInter deer, and a flesh-eating plants. - the sundew. Blow away th nd high and wading birde cobwebs - this i autu M the spectacularn s like wigeon,sound of dun srutting the best red time deer to see lin and lapwing ducks W © Paul Chesterfield rspb images Inter odonata graceful birds of prey over the mosses Large r • By bike, explore on national 01524 582394 damselflyed cycle routes 62 and 70, or • Visit Fleetwood Centre 01253 887693 long distance routes – Walney to Wear and the Way of the • Visit Garstang 01995 602125 Roses. • Bay Tourism Association • Search online for bike hire 01524 736926 with Silverdale Cycles, Cycle • Traveline 100, Lakeland Cycles and 0871 200 22 33 Sunshine Cycles. Staying Longer There are great places to stay in towns, villages and the countryside around the bay, and Explore the nature of all around the bay with our Nature on your great places to eat and relax as Doorstep guides and find out more about different nature rich places you explore. at: www.morecambebaynature.org.uk/discover

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 England, 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 the exploring the nature of Morecambe Bay visit www.morecambebaynature.org.uk

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