Morecambe bay & Limestone Hills
Morecambe Bay is the second largest bay in the UK, after the
Wash. It covers an area of 310 square kilometres.
This stunning bay is one of the most important areas in Europe for
wildlife. It contains a wide range of habitats and is crammed full
of worms, crustaceans and shellfish, which acts as a richly stocked
larder for birds.
Nationally and internationally important species of birds inhabit
the bay, including in winter Pink Footed Geese, Shellduck, Pintail,
Oystercatcher, Grey Plover, Knot, Dunlin, Bar-tailed Godwit,
Curlew, Redshank, Turnstone and Ringed Plover.
To the north of the Bay is the Arnside/Silverdale Area of
Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).
The AONB is also home to the RSPB nature reserve at Leighton Moss,
the largest remaining reedbed in the North West and home to three
of Britain’s most specialised breeding birds - Bitterns, Bearded
Tits and Marsh Harriers, as well as Avocets. In winter, huge flocks
of Starlings arrive and create a spectacular sight.
The area is also the region’s main habitat for Red Deer, with the
land around Leighton Moss containing about 40 of these shy
creatures.
Warton Crag’s limestone paving also provides a home to colonies of
two nationally endangered butterflies – the High Brown Fritillary
and the Pearl-bordered Fritillary.