Rural Smallholdings Magazine

Arnside

The Coastline of Morecambe Bay extends from Walney Island and Barrow in Furness in the north to Morecambe and Heysham in the South, enclosing an area second only in size to the Wash.

Economic activity around the Bay is varied ranging from traditional shipbuilding in Barrow, pharmaceuticals in Ulverston and an established hotel and guest house trade in the seaside resort of Morecambe. Between the settlements which support these activities are large rural areas populated by smallholdings and farms given over predominantly to animal husbandry.

Some agricultural land has been reclaimed from the sea. Rail passengers on the Furness line in South Cumbria will see huge tracts of saltmarsh being grazed by sheep particularly between Silverdale and the town of Ulverston.

The coastline and hinterland from Silverdale to Arnside has been officially designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Morecambe Bay is a corner of North West England frequently overlooked by holidaymakers who instinctively perhaps head for the mountains of the Lake District.

This is also of course its attraction. Less populated, with very few safe sandy beaches, (so no serious bucket and spade fraternity) there are many spectacular coastal walks to be enjoyed by the discerning traveller.

However the Bay is most well known for the abundance of wildlife and particularly its massive bird populations both resident and migratory.

It is the varied physical landscape and associated habitats which are so attractive to bird life. The area comprises the largest areas of intertidal sand and mudflats in the whole of Britain.

The constantly shifting sands are indeed treacherous, dissected by channels and tides which demand the utmost respect.

Extensive cockle and mussel beds are best fished by those who have knowledge and experience of the tides and sands. In the north of the bay the common or brown shrimp is also to be found as are lugworm and ragworm.

The estuaries of the Lune and Kent have salmon and trout.

Designated a Special Area of Conservation the bird population is of international significance.

For the budding twitcher with an interest in wading birds, wildfowl and seabirds then Morecambe Bay has to be top of the list of places to visit. If seagulls take your fancy see them in their thousands at the nature reserve at the very southern end of Walney Island. Here there are huge colonies of breeding herring and lesser black backed gulls.

At the RSPB reserve at Leighton Moss, right next to Silverdale railway station on the Furness Line there are extensive reedbeds home to the very rare bittern and other interesting species such as little egrets, bearded tits and marsh harriers. Facilities include a visitor centre, tearoom and shop.

All around the shores of the Bay it is possible to see oystercatchers, dunlin, redshank, several varieties of plover, shelduck, pintail, wigeon, curlew, grey heron and many others. Some birds are resident whilst many are simply winter visitors taking a well earned break on their migratory travels.

Whether holidaying on a smallholding or farm or sampling the delights of a local guest house, the next time you’re in the Lake District, make a detour and take ‘a peek’ at this wonderful place.

Article Written by Steve Shaw