Coastal Sites

All along Sefton's Natural Coast you'll find a string of nature reserves, sandhills and dunes that provide a home to many rare and interesting species.

The extensive coastal pinewoods are well known as a refuge for the nationally rare red squirrel. The Sefton Natural Coast is also one of the country's top bird watching locations, with over 300 different bird species recorded.

The RSPB reserve at Marshside is also one of the most important places in the country for wildfowl, with over 40,00 birds present on the flooded marshes in winter. The nearby Martin Mere Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust reserve has huge numbers of wintering waterfowl, including over 1,000 wild Whooper Swans from Iceland and year-round is always worth visiting for its rare wildfowl collection and breeding pens.

Throughout the year, the Sefton Coast & Countryside Service, along with the RSPB, Natural England and the National Trust stage many events, including wildlife walks, pond dipping and guided birdwatching from the end of Southport Pier. You will find some of the best sites to visit along Sefton's Natural Coast listed below:

• Crosby Coastal Park
• Hightown Dunes and Alt Estuary
• Cabin Hill National Nature Reserve
• Ravenmeols Sandhills Local Nature Reserve
• Lifeboat Road, Formby
• The National Trust, Formby
• Ainsdale Sand Dunes National Nature Reserve
• Ainsdale Beach
• Ainsdale and Birkdale Sandhills Nature Reserve
• Southport Beach
• Queens Jubilee Nature Trail
• Marshside RSPB
• Martin Mere Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust Reserve