As we step into spring, now is the perfect time for nature lovers and explorers to experience these stunning sites.
Here are our top five picks for places to get back to nature without having to stray too far from home:
South Walney Nature Reserve
Walney Island
Home to Cumbria’s only grey seal colony, the reserve features saltmarshes, shingle beaches, and sand dunes. It’s a haven for seabirds including terns, oystercatchers, lapwings and curlews.
The diverse plant life in the reserve makes it an attractive location for colourful insects such as dragonflies, moths and beetles.
The tidal mudflats at South Walney provide a feeding ground for various marine species like fiddler crabs, common shore crabs, starfish and mussels.
Common frogs, toads, and lizards can sometimes be found in the wetland areas and ponds – particularly after rainfall.
North Walney National Nature Reserve
North Walney National Nature ReserveNorthern end of Walney Island
Access: Free parking available on West Shore Road
Managed by Natural England, this reserve boasts sand dunes, saltmarshes, and coastal grasslands. It’s an excellent spot for coastal walks and birdwatching with over 130 species recorded here.
These include lapwing, avocet and marsh harrier.
The reserve is also a key habitat for natterjack toads, supporting about one-fifth of the UK’s population.
Common lizards, dragonflies, damselflies and various butterflies have also been spotted here.
Sandscale Haws National Nature Reserve
Sandscale Haws (Image: National Trust Images/Paul Harris) Near Roanhead, north of Barrow
Access: Accessible via the A590; located approximately 4.5 miles from Barrow
Managed by the National Trust, this reserve features wild grass-covered dunes and is home to rare wildlife. It also offers beach access and views of the Lakeland mountains.
It is a significant site for natterjack toads, supporting approximately 25% of the UK’s population.
Common Frogs and newts are commonly found in the reserve’s ponds and wetland areas. Common Lizards are often spotted basking on warm rocks or dunes.
The site offers sightings of a range of birds too such as waterfowl, waders, seabirds and raptors, along with lots of marine life.
Species like rabbits, foxes and stoats inhabit the reserve’s grasslands and dunes.
4. Foulney Island Nature Reserve
Foulney Island is known for its Arctic Terns Off the Roa Island causeway
A shingle island formed by glacial deposits, it’s a bird sanctuary primarily for breeding terns, including arctic, common and little terns.
Managed by Cumbria Wildlife Trust, the site is a vital breeding site for Arctic and little terns, with Arctic terns migrating from Antarctica to nest here.
During the autumn and winter months, the island hosts large numbers of overwintering waders, including species like knot, dunlin, and wigeon. Additionally, the reserve supports a variety of other bird species such as ringed plovers, oystercatchers, eiders and skylarks
5. Foulshaw Moss Nature Reserve
(Image: Cumbria Wildlife Trust)
Near Witherslack, along the A590
Access: Located off the A590; follow signs near Witherslack.
Managed by Cumbria Wildlife Trust, this raised peat bog is home to dragonflies, and many wetland species. Its boardwalks allow for easy exploration.
Most famously, the reserve hosts a breeding pair of ospreys, which have been nesting there since 2014. Additionally, the reserve is home to rare dragonflies, including the white-faced darter, which was reintroduced to the site in 2010.
Other species found in the reserve include moorhen, snipe, water rail, buzzard, peregrine falcon and various butterflies and moths.
