Natterjack Toad Walk 19th April

Due to the bad weather and the late Spring our natterjacks appear to be late for their own event!  We will still be holding the guided walk as planned, however there would be a better chance of the full natterjack experience on the walk on the 26th April.

Natterjacks like the weather to be a little warmer and the wind to have died down somewhat.  They don't however mind the rain, in fact it makes them feel a little amorous!

Both walks start in the car park at 7.30pm.  We will have an introduction at the artificial scrapes, then make our way to the main breeding pool on site.  The walk is about 1.5 miles over uneven ground and beach passing by water courses on the way.  Bring a torch and warm clothing.

For more info contact the Rangers on 01229 462855




One of last years star attraction photo by Ken Jones

  Please note that it is illegal to disturb natterjack toads in any stage of their lifecycle with out a licence, a guided walk by our licenced rangers ensures the best view of these amazing creatures.

All doom and gloom...

I would have loved to bring you photos of the fells covered in snow whilst the sun shone on the beach, or the volunteers erecting a fence whilst Barrow off shore wind farm towered above them.  Instead our camera has become clogged up with sand and the lens now refuses to move, so I can’t.  This is a regular hardship we have to endure working on a beach!

This time last year I would have been writing exciting news about our emerging natterjack toads, however this year there is no sign of them.  We have just put in our dams to raise the water levels in the artificial toad scrapes but they have been frozen ever since.  We have a natterjack guided walk on the 19^th April and I’m starting to get a little nervous that there will be nothing to see.

Birds are a strange one too.  Many of our winter waders have disappeared but with the exception of an early Chiffchaff on the 19^th March, we can’t bring you news of the arrival of any of our summer migrants.

Flowers remain dormant.  Only in the sheltered dips with full sunlight will you get a glimpse of our dune pansies and even then in small numbers.

Easter remained fairly busy for us though, as a constant stream of people visited for a quick, bracing walk along the beach taking in spectacular views across the estuary.  We put on a display along the boardwalks about some of the creatures you might find washed up on the beach.  The high tides usually bring in some gems but unless they were keeping quiet, no body found anything note worthy.