With the Duddon Estuary on one side and Morecambe Bay on the other, the Furness Peninsula is a truly special place in which to reconnect with nature and enjoy new experiences. So special is its landscape that Barrow is ranked in the top 3 boroughs in England for the quality of its natural heritage assets. Discover stunning beaches, spectacular seascapes, and unique nature reserves.
Amidst the abundance of wildlife to discover, don’t forget to look down because flowers will also be starting to appear! Here’s what to look out for this springtime – who knew so much wildlife thrived alongside the town?
South Walney Nature Reserve
South Walney Nature Reserve is a fantastic place for bird watching, and is home to the only grey seal colony in Cumbria. Did you catch Chris Packham and Megan McCubbin’s visit on their ‘Chris and Meg’s Wild Summer’ series on the BBC (currently available on BBC iPlayer)? If you did, you‘ll know how much they enjoyed exploring the reserve, which is no surprise to us given the abundance of wildlife to be found there.
Look out for chiffchaff, wheatear and willow warbler returning from their wintering grounds in Africa. As the weather starts to warm up, thrift and sea campion also come into flower.
South Walney is also a haven for birds. Year-round residents include the beautiful barn owl, short-eared owls and peregrines. The mixed herring and lesser black-back gull colony on the reserve is of national importance. It is also one of the southernmost places in Europe to see breeding eider ducks.
The reserve has a fascinating history. In the mid-1800s gravel and salt were extracted, leaving behind lagoons which are now home to numerous species of birds. As industry moved out, nature moved in.
Useful info:
- Admission charge (Cumbria Wildlife Trust members exempt).
- Toilets on site.
- Assistance dogs only.
- Reserve open from 10.00am to 5pm (4pm in winter).
Take a Boat Trip to See The Seals
The Piel Ferry operates between Roa Island and Piel Island from Easter to October. It also offers special organised trips to see the grey seal colony at South Walney, including some weekend trips throughout winter and early spring (weather dependent). Visit their Facebook page for details of the next marine safari.
On your way to Roa Island to catch the ferry, take a moment to stop at Rampside and enjoy the expansive views over Morecambe. Keep a look out for shelducks, oyster catchers and curlews.
North Walney National Nature Reserve
This wild coastal reserve features many different types of rare habitat including sand dunes, hay meadows, salt marsh and intertidal mudflats. This precious reserve is home to many rare species including the nocturnal natterjack toad, who despite being hard to spot can certainly be heard in springtime! At dusk, hundreds of males join together in an incredible chorus as they compete to attract a mate.
North Walney is also home to a whole host of birds, especially waders. Listen out for the beautiful song of skylarks in late spring and summer.
The reserve is approximately 1.2km north of the car park at Earnse Bay and can only be accessed on foot (pack your walking boots and waterproofs). Unfortunately, there is no wheelchair access due to the remoteness of the site.
Natural England advises that three coloured way-marked routes direct visitors on walks of varying lengths through the reserve. These walks aim to show off the best sights and sounds that North Walney has to offer, whilst guiding visitors safely around the nature reserve. From 1st March through to 31st July, ground-nesting birds breed at North Walney. In order to minimise disturbance to these birds, all members of the public are required to keep their dogs on a short lead (of no more than 2 metres) during these months.
Sandscale Haws National Nature Reserve
This National Trust reserve covers 700 acres of mainly rare dune habitat fringed by sweeping sandy beaches and wonderful views across the Duddon Estuary. The nearby beach at Roanhead is an ideal spot for beach combing, although strong currents make it unsuitable for swimming.
Like North Walney, this reserve is also a great place to hear the croaking of natterjack toads at dusk in springtime. Dawn is a great time to spot birds such as snipe, lapwing, and ringed plovers.
Access the reserve from the car park at Roanhead. Please keep dogs on a lead when visiting the reserve and check tide timetables.
Foulney Island Nature Reserve
Foulney is a long, narrow spit of land projecting into Morecambe Bay, formed entirely of pebbles brought down from the Lake District by glaciers. The ‘island’ is now a bird sanctuary, mainly for breeding terns (arctic, common and little) that travel vast distances to nest on the island’s shingle banks.
Access to this island reserve is from the car park on the Roa Island causeway. Please note that the causeway is inaccessible during high tides and no attempt should be made to return to the car park until the tide turns. The reserve is managed by Cumbria Wildlife Trust.
Discover more
The health benefits of getting out and about in the natural environment are many, and the Furness Peninsula offers something for everyone. From gentle walks along Walney Channel to exploring one of the many nature reserves we have mentioned – there is something for everyone to enjoy. Start planning your visit now.
Please follow HM Government COVID-19 safety guidelines when you visit. Support our local businesses by being mindful of social distancing and wearing a mask in enclosed spaces. Wash your hands often using soap and water and use hand-sanitiser. Enjoy your visit and stay safe!
The Welcome Back to High Streets Project is funded by the European Regional Development Fund and HM Government as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government is the Managing Authority for European Regional Development Fund. Established by the European Union, the European Regional Development Fund helps local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support innovation, businesses, create jobs and local community regenerations. For more information visit www.gov.uk/european-growth-funding
Please follow HM Government COVID-19 safety guidelines when you visit. Support our local shops and businesses by being mindful of social distancing and wearing a mask in enclosed spaces. Wash your hands often using soap and water and dry them thoroughly, and where available, use hand-sanitiser as you enter and leave shops. Enjoy your visit and stay safe!
