Written by Ed
Wildlife Blog
Notes from the Sefton Coast — conservation, species spotlights, seasonal guides, habitat and photography.
Marsh Orchids in the Dune Slacks — What to Expect This Spring and Summer
4 April 2026
Northern Marsh Orchids flower in the Sefton Coast dune slacks from late May into June. What to look for, where the best displays are, and how the dune slack habitat makes them possible.
Easter Weekend Wildlife Walk at Ainsdale NNR — What to Look For
3 April 2026
Easter weekend is a great time for a wildlife walk at Ainsdale NNR. Sand Lizards emerging, Natterjacks starting to call, spring migrants arriving. Practical guide to what to look for and when.
The Swallows Are Back — First Hirundines on the Sefton Coast, April 2026
3 April 2026
Swallows, House Martins and Sand Martins return to the Sefton Coast in April. What to look for, where to see them, and what the arrival of hirundines tells you about the season.
Dune Slacks — The Wetland in the Middle of the Dunes
19 March 2026
Dune slacks on the Sefton Coast — the shallow wetland depressions between dune ridges that support Natterjack Toads, Marsh Orchids, and rare invertebrates. What they are and why they matter.
Sand Lizard — Britain's Most Colourful Reptile, on Your Doorstep
18 March 2026
The Sand Lizard at Ainsdale NNR on the Sefton Coast — one of the best places in Britain to see this protected species. When to go, where to look, and what you'll actually see.
What to See on the Sefton Coast in April
17 March 2026
April on the Sefton Coast — Natterjack Toads calling for the first time, Sand Lizards appearing on warm dune slopes, Avocets on the Marshside scrape, and the Sefton Coast at its spring best. What to look for and where to go.
What to See on the Sefton Coast in March
12 March 2026
March on the Sefton Coast — Pink-footed Geese building up to leave, Avocets arriving, Brown Hares boxing, and the first signs of spring in the dune system. What to look for and where to go.
What Is a Mermaid's Purse? Shark Egg Cases on the Sefton Coast
4 March 2026
Found a black leathery pouch with curly tendrils on a Sefton Coast beach? That's a mermaid's purse — the empty egg case of a small-spotted catshark. Here's what it is, where it comes from, and what to do with it.
Jellyfish on the Sefton Coast — What Are They and Do They Sting?
4 March 2026
Finding jellyfish on Ainsdale or Formby Beach? They're almost certainly compass jellyfish or barrel jellyfish — here's how to tell them apart, whether they sting, and what to do if your dog goes for one.
What It's Actually Like Inside Nel's Hide at Marshside RSPB
2 March 2026
A practical guide to Nel's Hide at Marshside RSPB — what's inside, how to set up, when to arrive, what to bring, and whether it's worth visiting in winter.
The Coastal Path at Marshside — The Bit Most People Miss
2 March 2026
The Marshside Saltmarsh coastal walk on Redshank Road — what to expect, dog rules, safety, and why it's a completely different experience from the reserve path.
Stan and Peggy Scott — The People Behind the Bench at Marshside
2 March 2026
The memorial bench on the Marshside RSPB reserve path commemorates Stan and Peggy Scott, Founder Members of North Cheshire Group RSPB 1976–1999. Who were they?
The Natterjack Toad: Britain's Rarest Amphibian Is Doing Better Than It Was
10 February 2026
Natterjack Toads on the Sefton Coast — one of the last strongholds for Britain's rarest amphibian. How conservation management is helping the population recover.
Short-eared Owl at Marshside — A Winter Visitor Worth Waiting For
20 January 2026
Short-eared Owls at Marshside RSPB — when to look, where to look, and what to expect from one of the Sefton Coast's most sought-after winter visitors.
Photographing Waders at Marshside — Practical Tips for Better Results
8 January 2026
How to photograph waders at Marshside RSPB — camera settings, the best hides, timing, light direction and how to avoid the most common mistakes.
Understanding the Sand Dunes — Why the Sefton Dune System Matters
15 November 2025
The Sefton Coast sand dune system — how it formed, why it's changing, and what lives in the different dune zones from mobile yellow dunes to wet slacks.
October at Marshside — The Month Everything Arrives
5 October 2025
October birdwatching at Marshside RSPB — Pink-footed Geese arriving, wader passage wrapping up and the first winter wildfowl. What to expect and when to go.