Anna Haines explores nature in abundance at a stunning sand dune sanctuary in the South Lakes – Sandscale Haws…
Tucked away in an industrial corner of Cumbria’s South Lakes lies Sandscale Haws, a hidden coastal jewel. Known as the ‘green lung of Barrow-in-Furness’, the ancient dune system ascends from the shell-strewn shoreline of the Duddon estuary, commanding panoramic views of distant Lakeland fells. Much treasured by residents and wildlife enthusiasts alike, Sandscale Haws is a haven for wildlife from far and wide.
Take a sunset stroll here in spring and you will likely be treated to the cacophonous croaking chorus of the resident natterjack toads as the males serenade the females amongst the reserve’s breeding ponds. Indeed, this pristine dune system is Europe’s last stronghold of this charismatic yet rowdy amphibian, harbouring a quarter of the remaining UK population.
But toads aren’t the only noteworthy residents at Sandscale Haws. Common frogs and smooth, great-crested and palmate newts spawn and lay eggs alongside their amphibious cousins in the 20 or so natural and man-made pools at the National Nature Reserve. The dunes themselves, some of which are around 400 years old, are a refuge for rare wildflowers and fungi, including the dune helleborine orchid and the tiny earthstar fungus. The site is also ecologically significant for migrant birds, and in winter crowds of dunlins and sanderlings descend from Arctic regions to feed along the rich estuary strandline and nest in sheltered dunes.
Despite their international recognition as critical habitats for wildlife, dune systems are listed as the ‘habitat most at-threat’ across Europe. The National Trust works tirelessly year-round to shield Sandscale Haws from threats that have destroyed similar systems around Britain’s shores, including leisure development, invasion from non-native species, and critically, the stabilisation of sand over time, which leads to the formation of grassland.
Healthy sand dunes need the freedom to move, and areas of bare sand provide ideal conditions for Sandscale Haw’s bounteous biodiversity. The ranger team here works hard to open-up areas of bare sand in the stable dune grassland that will support pioneer plant species and insects such as burrowing bees.
Creating weak points in the beach-facing dunes also encourages movement of sand inland, forming ‘blowouts’. During wet spells, these pockets of bare sand form shallow pools or ‘dune slacks’, which are ideal habitats for breeding natterjack toads and plants such as variegated horsetail.
A hardy herd of conservation cattle also graze the site year-round, munching the tougher, thornier hawthorn and gorse, and creating space for less-competitive, sensitive plants. According to reserve ranger Emily Williams: “Traditional cattle such as belted Galloway have grazed here for years and play an important role in slowing down succession rates among the dunes.
“On site we have ‘grazing ex-closures’ which essentially are small fenced-off compartments. Today these are full of shrubs and trees. Without cattle, our dune slacks would quickly turn to shrubby woodland and the habitat that many of our rare species call home would be lost.”
The efforts of man and beast have certainly paid off in recent years. In 2024 alone there was a 40 per cent increase in natterjack toad spawnstrings successfully laid at the reserve, with the majority of these developing to tadpoles and toadlets. “A major aim of a grassland turf-stripping effort here has been to improve the habitat for natterjacks” says Emily.
“We were pleased to see a quarter of spawnstrings recorded this year were within these managed areas, which goes to show that the management we do here is having a positive impact!”
During a recent spring visit to the reserve, I was awed by the array of wildflowers amongst the embryo dunes. Never before have I witnessed so many orchids on display in one spot, as well as dune pansy, vetch, ox-eye daisy, and hayrattle in abundance.
“The number of orchids this year was pretty impressive” agrees Emily. “Seven species were recorded in one young pioneer slack, including the endemic and nationally rare dune helleborine.”
There is good cause for this wildflower explosion. “During the previous year, volunteers helped remove vegetation in areas where orchids were found, in the hope of providing seeds the opportunity to grow with less competition” explains Emily. “The following springtime those areas were alive with northern marsh, southern marsh and common spotted orchids, along with some impressive hybrids!”
Photo credit: Anna Haines
Sandscale Haws is indeed a coastal gem to be treasured yet respected, not just as a favourite local spot for a shoreline stroll but fundamentally as an international wildlife haven for the plethora of wildlife that depend on this fragile system for survival.
Efforts to preserve the system have paid off with some fantastic wildlife results over the previous year. Here’s hoping that 2025 will be another year of abundance!
nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/lake-district/sandscale-haws-national-nature-reserve
SENSATIONAL SEASONAL HIGHLIGHTS
It’s a bustling transition from winter to spring at Sandscale Haws! Ranger Emily Williams shares some upcoming seasonal highlights:
- Winter provides dramatic scenes, with storms and hide tides lashing the dunes and sculpting the beach.
- Hunt for mollusc shells on the seashore: tiny pink tellin, long pod razorshells and even a pelican’s foot; it’s a shell-seeker’s paradise.
- Watch winter waders and migrant ducks arrive to feed at the shoreline and the newly flooded wet meadows.
- Spring sees the dunes burst into colour with flowering plants; the ranger-led wildflower events are a must!
- Listen to incoming migrant birds pairing up – the drumming of the snipe and the melodic call of the skylark.
- Join a ranger-led walk in April to spot spawnstrings and tadpoles in the breeding pools. At sunset, the magic begins as the natterjacks commence their unmistakable croak songs!
- Be vigilant of ground-nesting birds such as ringed plover and oystercatcher that lay their camouflaged eggs on the shingle beaches.
