Barnaby's Sands and Burrows Marsh | Reserves and species

Barnaby's Sands and Burrows Marshes are the last extensive areas of ungrazed saltmarsh on the Lancashire coast. Linked in with the mudflats continuing all the way to Knott End, the marshes are important for wintering waders and wildfowl and provide a good day out for both the inexperienced and seasoned birdwatcher. Of the waders, Redshank shares the mud with Knot, Snipe and Common Sandpiper. Wigeon, Pink-footed Geese and Red-breasted Merganser are among the visiting wildfowl. Cormorants are frequent visitors with Peregrines and Hen Harriers seen over the marshes during the winter months. Skylark and Reed Bunting regularly breed on the reserve. You might also hear the distinctive 'purr-weet' call of the Lapwing. The saltmarsh vegetation on both sites is made up of 'zones': lower or pioneer, middle and upper zones. The lower marsh is dominated by Cord-grass, the spread of which causes concern as it colonises open mud and areas of the marsh become pure Cord Grass. Sea-purslane, Sea-blite and Saltmarsh-grass can be found in the middle marsh. There isalso some Sea Lavender and Lax-flowered Sea-lavender, Sea Aster and Sea Arrow-grass. This type of vegetation community is rare in Lancashire because many of the species are rapidly eliminated by grazing. Upper sections of the marsh include Thrift and Sea Purslane, but there is very little of this zone left because of the sea wall built around the edge of the marsh. Arm Hill, part of Barnaby's Sands, is a glacial drumlin composed of boulder clay and covered with Gorse and acid grassland, providing a habitat for the rare Rock Sea-lavender found at only three other sites in the county. The shingle bank formed from the erosion of Arm Hill is home to Sea Wormwood, another rare plant.

Barnaby's Sands and Burrows Marshes is one of our reserves that allows well-behaved dogs on leads. Our dog-friendly reserves are featured on Bauwow, a brilliant app where pooch lovers can find great places for their pets. Click on the Bauwow logo for more details.

Reserve details

Trust:

The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside

Trust Website:

http://www.lancswt.org.uk

Size:

103.50

Short Description:

The last extensive areas of ungrazed saltmarsh on the Lancashire coast

Smartphone Description:

Barnaby's Sand and Burrow Marshes are the last extensive areas of ungrazed saltmarsh on the Lancashire coast. Linked in with the mudflats continuing all the way to Knott End, the marshes are good for wintering waders and wildfowl and provide a good day out for both the inexperienced and seasoned birdwatcher

Location

Address:

On the east bank of the River Wyre between Knott End and Hambleton

Town:

Knott End

County:

Lancashire

Grid ref:

SD350 461, SD 355 450

Facilities

Visitor centre:

Shop:

No shop

Picnic Area:

Opening hours:

Open at all times

Toilets:

No toilets

Disabled toilet:

No disabled toilet

Baby changing facilities:

No baby changing facilities

Dogs:

Yes

Parking:

Yes

Parking info:

Free car park in Knott End or limited parking space on the minor roads near the reserve

Walking information:

Please keep to the footpaths, the saltmarshes and soft mud can be dangerous

Contact details

Reserve manager:

Reuben Neville

Reserve phone number:

01772 324129

Reserve email address:

rneville@lancswt.org.uk

Photos

Photo:

Admission

Admission fee?:

Location type:

Wildlife or nature reserve