Wildlife in/around Blackpool?

[nikkilouise]

Hi guys, I've been looking for a new place to visit to photograph some wildlife around Blackpool for uni, but I cant afford to travel over an hour everywhere at the moment till christmas =( [or afford entry money!!]

I know about marton mere, martin mere, warton cragg and roudsea, and i've had a look on the internet to see if there was anywhere else close but I havent found much really..

If anyone knows of any places near here [free maybe? ] that would be a good site to visit please let me know?

Thanks!
Nikki

[SilverW0lf]

There's Mere Sands, it's very near to Martin Mere but you only have to pay a couple of quid for parking and not an entrance fee.

[altyfc]

You'll find sighting of lots of stags and hens in the town centre.

Seriously... what about Wyreside Ecology Centre? It's not all that far from you...

[KeenTeen17]

heysham is a possibility. Marton Mere is a bit rubbish apart from the cetti's warbler which hasn't been seen for some time. What exactly were you after photographing? I know good sites for nice plants but not sure on birds apart from the ones you already know.

Brockholes Quarry is a great place.

[Lancashire Lad]

If your into flora as well as fauna, there's much to be found at St.Annes Nature Reserve, and along the St.Annes sand dunes in general. (admittedly though, in terms of what's in flower, things will probably be at their worst from now until next spring).

Also, Have a look here: -

Untitled Document

Lancashire Wildlife Trust looks after 30+ reserves, details of all of which are given.

Regards
Mike.

[KeenTeen17]

The Sefton dunes are good for plants, birds, butterflies, fungi & other things. but its a summer thing I'm afraid

[Lancashire Lad]

Originally Posted by KeenTeen17

...Brockholes Quarry is a great place....

Do you know what the current status is regarding access to Brockholes?

I'm a member of Lancashire Wildlife Trust, and e-mailed them a couple of weeks ago to ask if members are currently permitted to access the site - (but they haven't replied).

There is a large sign saying "Keep Out" at the entrance, and the gates are locked - probably due to the ongoing works in connection with upgrading the site to full nature reserve status.

Regards
Mike.

[KeenTeen17]

Some people are allowed in. my friends being one of them. there is a combination for the gate to get in. even if you don't have the gate combo you can park up outside the gate on sundays and climb over or walk along the river. theres never anyone there when we go. and theres usually some good stuff. theres a rare plant called northern yellow cress that grows there.

theres some gadwalls and little egrets there now I think

[Lancashire Lad]

Originally Posted by KeenTeen17

Some people are allowed in. my friends being one of them. there is a combination for the gate to get in. even if you don't have the gate combo you can park up outside the gate on sundays and climb over or walk along the river. theres never anyone there when we go. and theres usually some good stuff. theres a rare plant called northern yellow cress that grows there.

theres some gadwalls and little egrets there now I think

I hear what you say, but would rather have proper permission than risk trespass. (I wouldn't want to directly infringe LWT's no entry policy when I'm a member of that organisation).

I also wouldn't fancy leaving my car outside the entrance - i've seen lots of windscreen glass there - it's quite isolated and by the looks of things an easy area for the numbskull car thieves amongst us.

Regards
Mike.

[nikkilouise]

oh whoops i forgot to mention the dunes..yeah ive been there..walked all the way there from the tower getting the tram next time!

im guessing its best to go in the summer, wasnt too great when we went!

as for 'the muddy puddle' marton mere i went with the class on a field trip. there wasnt much there to see when we went..we learnt about the flower and plant species that grew there [and how to identify that the birds are eating blueberries from their poo!! ] and all that but apart from that the only birds i saw were ducks, coots and moorhens..and the odd great crested grebe..beautiful birds

thanks for all your answers guys i shall have a look into them!
if anyone else knows of any more keep posting??