Other sources of information
Arnside and Silverdale AONB Web site
Forest of Bowland AONB Web site
West Pennine Moors Web site
Ribble Coast and Wetlands Web site
Birding in Bowland Leaflet (PDF 5.5mb)
Lancashire wildlife hot spots 
1 Foulshaw Moss CWT
Foulshaw Moss raised mire red deer frequent the moss and in summer common lizards can be seen. Adder and slow worm may occasionally be encountered. Breeding birds include tree pipit, reed bunting, snipe and barn owl.
SD458837 Lat: 54.24611 Long: -2.83326 Location map...
Leaflet 1: 
foulshaw.pdf
2 Hutton Roof Crags CWT
Hutton Roof Crags contains some of the best areas of limestone pavement in Britain, which harbour a wealth of unusual plants and animals. Pavement occurs in a mosaic with woodland, scrub, grassland and heath.
SD548776 Lat: 54.19217 Long: -2.69423 Location map...
Leaflet 1: huttonroof.pdf
3 Meathop Moss CWT
One of the best remaining examples of a raised mire in south Cumbria. The nature reserve is very rich in invertebrate life. Over 200 species of butterfly and moth have been recorded.
SD447820 Lat: 54.23072 Long: -2.84982 Location map...
Leaflet 1: meathop.pdf
4 Hale Moss CWT
The water-logged marl provides an unusual habitat in-which the dominant species is black bog rush. Between the tussocks of bog rush and purple moor-grass a number of rare species can be found. A speciality of the site is the delicate bird’s-eye primrose which flowers in May. Wild columbine, early and northern marsh orchid, grass of Parnassus and fragrant orchid also grow on the open mire area.
SD510777 Lat: 54.19272 Long: -2.75248 Location map...
Leaflet 1: halemoss.pdf
5 Grubbins Wood CWT
Yew, Lancastrian whitebeam, hart’s tongue fern, red wood ant.
SD444777 Lat: 54.19204 Long: -2.85362 Location map...
Leaflet 1: grubbins.pdf
6 Gaits Barrow NNR Natural England
High Brown Fritillary and Duke of Burgundy butterflies. Orchids.Limestone pavement.
SD481772 Lat: 54.18876 Long: -2.7955 Location map...
Leaflet 1: gaitbarrowleaf.pdf
Leaflet 2: clintsandgrykes.pdf
7 Trowbarrow Quarry SSSI.
Disused limestone quarry. Limestone grassland, scrub and woodland. Many interesting plants. Orchids. Parking.
SD481755 Lat: 54.17283 Long: -2.79645 Location map...
Leaflet 1: trowbarrowleaflet.pdf
Leaflet 2: clintsandgrykes.pdf
8 Arnside and Silverdale AONB
woodlands, wildflower-rich limestone grasslands, protected limestone pavements, coastal salt-marshes, rare butterflies and many other diverse habitats.
SD461749 Lat: 54.16746 Long: -2.82692 Location map...
Leaflet 1: visitbittern.pdf
Leaflet 2: discoverarnside.pdf
Web site: Arnside and Silverdale AONB
9 Leighton Moss RSPB Reserve
Largest remaining reedbeed in north-west England. Bitterns, Egrets, Marsh Harriers, overwintering wildfowl.
SD476749 Lat: 54.16700673 Long: -2.80263 Location map...
Leaflet 1: LEM-2307-09-10_Leighton Moss final lft.pdf
Web site: Leighton Moss
Blog Posts: Leighton Moss (RSPB) Reserve
10 Warton Crag
Limestone scars and pavement,scrubby woods and limestone grassland.Great for insects and Butterflies. Orchids. Parking.
SD492729 Lat: 54.14962 Long: -2.7792 Location map...
Leaflet 1: wartoncragleaflet.pdf
11 Over Kellett Pond LWT
0.5ha. Wetland with boardwalk and interpretation board.
SD 524698 Lat: 54.1218 Long: -2.72875 Location map...
Leaflet 1: Over-Kellet-Pond.pdf
12 The River Lune (Lancaster to Kirby Lonsdale)
Riverside birds. Upland river, pasture and woodland.
SD585682 Lat: 54.10873 Long: -2.6356 Location map...
Leaflet 2: Lune_Valley_Ramble.pdf
13 Morecambe Bay (Hest Bank) RSPB Reserve
Birds, saltmarsh and sandflats, Nature trails, hides.
SD 470730 Lat: 54.09273 Long: -2.81851 Location map...
14 Roeburndale Woods SSSI
One of the largest areas of ancient semi-natural woodland in Lancashire.Woodland birds. Interesting flora.
SD 609657 Lat: 54.08320985 Long: -2.59848118 Location map...
Leaflet 1: WildRoeburndale.pdf
15 Crook o Lune Caton
Wooded river banks walks, bluebell woods. Wooded river banks walks. One footpath skirts Aughton Woods SSSI LWT nature reserve
SD520648 Lat: 54.076736 Long: -2.732935 Location map...
Leaflet 1: Lune_Valley_Ramble.pdf
Leaflet 2: Aughton_Woods_Leaflet.pdf
16 Caton Moor windfarm
Bridleway across the moor to the Littledale road, superb views and easy access to good blanket bog and heather moor.
SD570644 Lat: 54.073712 Long: -2.656937 Location map...
17 Calf Hill and Cragg Woods south of Caton
Woodland. No access to the woods themselves. Road runs along one boundary, nearby parking and footpath to adjacent access land.
SD544618 Lat: 54.050124 Long: -2.695491 Location map...
18 Kesden Road Bowland Knotts
Moorland, and fantastic views. Parking and walks from the summit.
SD727607 Lat: 54.04132974 Long: -2.41906822 Location map...
19 Birk Bank and Clougha (SSSI)
Mosaic of upland habitats and distinctive Oak woods, car parking on Rigg Lane..
SD525604 Lat: 54.037802 Long: -2.724341 Location map...
20 Heysham Moss Nature Reserve LWT
A variety of habitats including areas of woodland and scrub, wet grassland and most importantly the central area of raised bog.
SD 423603 Lat: 54.03543 Long: -2.88247 Location map...
Leaflet 1: Heysham-Mosss.pdf
21 Heysham Nature Reserve County Biological Heritage Site. Managed by LWT.
Parking. Hide. open water, reedbed, marsh, scrub, acid and neutral grasslands, heath and tree and shrub plantations.Dragonflies and damselflies, migrant birds.
SD407601 Lat: 54.03411 Long: -2.90541 Location map...
Leaflet 1: Heysham-Nature-Reserve.pdf
Blog Posts: Heysham Nature Reserve
22 Jubilee Tower
Open moorland and access to the highest point in the Forest of Bowland
SD541573 Lat: 54.010004 Long: -2.699826 Location map...
23 Forrest Hills
Daubenton’s bats, waders
SD496571 Lat: 54.00783812 Long: -2.77148366 Location map...
Blog Posts: Forrest Hills
24 Gisburn Forest
Forest walks woodland birds, fungi. Adjacent to Stocks Reservoir two bird hides with views over the reservoir. Spectacular Starling displays in winter.
SD732565 Lat: 54.00391 Long: -2.41011 Location map...
Leaflet 1: Gisburnguide.pdf
Leaflet 2: Stocks_Res_walk.pdf
25 Glasson Dock and Conder Green
Estuary of the River Lune where many interesting and contrasting birds and plant species may be seen
SD445560 Lat: 53.997758 Long: -2.846167 Location map...
Blog Posts: Birds2blog
26 Sunderland Point
Sunderland Point and the adjacent Middleton Sands (SSSI) are together one of the richest bird watching areas in the North of England. Given the right timing and state of the tides, a spectacle of up to 50000 birds can be almost guaranteed. Also close by Sunderland Marsh (SSSI). Parking available. NOTE at high tide the road in and out is flooded.
SD425560 Lat: 53.996796 Long: -2.876036 Location map...
Web site: Sunderland Point
27 Stocks Reservoir
Plenty to see circular walk. Great Crested Grebe, Waterfowl, Woodland Birds, Deer. At the Gisburn Forest end two bird hides. Spectacular Starling displays in winter.
SD717554 Lat: 53.9943 Long: -2.4325 Location map...
Leaflet 1: Stocks_Res_walk.pdf
28 Abbeystead
Overwintering wildfowl on reservoir. Red Grouse, merlins and Hen Harriers on moors.
SD564542 Lat: 53.9827427 Long: -2.67096519 Location map...
29 Cockersand
Saltmarsh for waders, views across Morecambe Bay
SD428543 Lat: 53.981894 Long: -2.871313 Location map...
30 Langden Valley in the Trough of Bowland
Quintesential Bowland tributary valley with path leading up to the high moors. Hen Harrier stronghold. Valley bottom attracts nesting waders. Valley side home to lizards Green Hairstreak butterflies and upland song birds.
SD632511 Lat: 53.955102 Long: -2.560847 Location map...
31 Dunsop Valley
Curlew, lapwings, oystercatchers, redshanks, Dippers. Higher up Hen Harrier, Peregrine Falcon. Parking and Toilets in the village.
SD654515 Lat: 53.958914 Long: -2.527199 Location map...
32 Fluke Hall
Estuarine, salt marsh, farmland
SD395502 Lat: 53.940994 Long: -2.924917 Location map...
33 Pilling Marsh SSSI
Lane Ends Picnic Area Car Park at the edge of the marsh overlooking Morecambe Bay and the Lune Estuary, supports one of the biggest trans-migrant and overwintering populations of wading birds in Britain. Has been designated a Ramsar wetlands site and also a (SSSI).
SD413495 Lat: 53.938537 Long: -2.893771 Location map...
34 Winmarleigh Moss SSSI
Lowland Bog. No public access to the site but has a public footpath running along one side. Parking dificult.
SD445480 Lat: 53.925773 Long: -2.844944 Location map...
35 Grizedale
Deep wooded valley (Holme Wood) close by Icelandic-breeding Whimbrels, roost at Barnacre Reservoir end April early May.
SD526478 Lat: 53.92431 Long: -2.72315 Location map...
Leaflet 1: CalderVale_WaterFylde.pdf
36 Rossall Point
Provides year round interest access from the promenade or follow footpath along the edge of Fleetwood Golf Course. Note - golf course is private. Parking is available at car parks, opposite Rossall Hospital, north end of Fleetwood Golf Course and Marine Hall, Fleetwood.
SD313478 Lat: 53.922412 Long: -3.045788 Location map...
37 Parlick and Fair Snape Fell
Blanket Bog
SD598445 Lat: 53.92071829 Long: -2.61903763 Location map...
38 Calder Vale
Valley woodland upland pastures with Lapwing, curlew and redshank
SD536449 Lat: 53.9083 Long: -2.712 Location map...
Leaflet 1: CalderVale_BluebellsWoodland.pdf
39 Fleetwood Marsh Nature Park LWT
Three lagoons freshwater, and brackish. The site supports a rich collection of wildflowers and UK BAP priority habitats.
SD 329 456 Lat: 53.90697 Long: -3.01455 Location map...
Leaflet 1: fleetwood-marsh-nature-park.pdf
40 Caldertop Cottage Public Bird Hide
Upland pasture. Lapwing, curlew and redshank. Short walk from parking at Calder Vale and limited parking near the hide at Higher Landskill Farm.
SD538458 Lat: 53.9064 Long: -2.703 Location map...
Leaflet 1: CalderVale_CobbleHey.pdf
Leaflet 2: CalderVale_PeewitsPheasants.pdf
Blog Posts: Caldertop Cottage
41 Barnabys Sands and Burrows Marsh
Ungrazed salt marsh. Overwintering waders.
SD 350 461 and SD 355 450 Lat: 53.90424 Long: -2.99275 Location map...
Leaflet 1: Barnaby-Sands.pdf
42 Bleasdale
Public Bird Hide wet grass land with scrapes for waders, Hare Hot spot, limited parking at the hide.
SD581453 Lat: 53.9022 Long: -2.6384 Location map...
Leaflet 1: Bleasdale_Tramper_Trail_1.pdf
Leaflet 2: Bleasdale_Tramper_Trail_2.pdf
Blog Posts: Bleasdale Holiday Cottages
43 Moor Piece LWT
No public access but lots to see from the road
SD693448 Lat: 53.89746063 Long: -2.47106552 Location map...
Leaflet 1: MoorPiece.pdf
45 Cross Hill Quarry LWT
Good public access limestone grassland flowers
SD745434 Lat: 53.88567518 Long: -2.38883972 Location map...
Leaflet 1: Cross-Hill-Quarry.pdf
46 Brock Valley Nature Trail
Rich valley woodland Bluebells, car park at Higher Brock Bridge
SD548430 Lat: 53.88181131 Long: -2.68784165 Location map...
Leaflet 1: BrockBridges_highres.pdf
47 Wyre Estuary Country Park
Wyre Ecology Centre at Stanah. Parking, toilets. Mudflats, reedbeds. Butterflies.
SD355430 Lat: 53.88007 Long: -2.98143 Location map...
Blog Posts: Wyre Estuary Country Park
48 Princes Promenade Little Bispham
General beachcoming and seabird observation. Free car parking nearby.
SD311417 Lat: 53.869205 Long: -3.047891 Location map...
49 Salt Hill Quarry LWT SSSI
Good public access Geology trail and limestone grassland flowers
SD758427 Lat: 53.87946498 Long: -2.37288594 Location map...
Leaflet 1: Salthill-Quarry.pdf
50 Beacon Fell Country Park
Woodland, moorland and farmland. Visitor Centre several car parks. Many well marked paths. Mainly conifer plantations but also heath and moor.
SD566418 Lat: 53.87844 Long: -2.65886 Location map...
Leaflet 1: Beacon_Fell_leaflet.pdf
Leaflet 2: BrockBridges_highres.pdf
Web site: Beacon Fell Country Park
51 Pendle Hill
Upland wet heath and peat bog also close by reservoirs and conifer plantations, also upland pasture, Lapwings, Curlew, Golden Plovers.
SD788400 Lat: 53.86204369 Long: -2.3160553 Location map...
Leaflet 1: OgdenRes.pdf
Leaflet 2: BlackMoss.pdf
52 Skippool Creek
Mudflats and banks are a feeding area and nocturnal roost for waders and wildfowl. Also saltmarshes. Large public car park.
SD355410 Lat: 53.861645 Long: -2.979409 Location map...
53 Wycoller Country Park
Wooded valley. Moorland. Owls, bats, frogs in spring. Dippers and kingfishers. Parking and visitor centre.
SD932394 Lat: 53.85111 Long: -2.10388 Location map...
Leaflet 1: Wycoller_sheet_8.pdf
Leaflet 2: Wycoller_sheet_1.pdf
54 Spring Wood Whalley
Semi-natural ancient woodlland. Bluebells and wild garlic in spring. Toilets and large car park.
SD741362 Lat: 53.82229 Long: -2.39399 Location map...
Leaflet 1: Spring_wood.pdf
55 Alston Wetland
A small wildlife reserve created by United Utilities and the RSPB’s Bowland Wader Project on the footprint of an old reservoir.
SD603364 Lat: 53.822189 Long: -2.602923 Location map...
56 Marton Mere SSSI.
Open water, reed beds, grassland,woodland and scrub. Footpaths. Bird watching hides. Dragonflies, butterflies, bats and orchids.
SD340352 Lat: 53.80937 Long: -3.00321 Location map...
57 Lowerhouse Lodges LWT
Some parking. Two lodges,swamp, plantation, wet willow wood, grassland and hay meadow.
SD805327 Lat: 53.79087 Long: -2.29597 Location map...
58 Boilton, Nab, Red Scar and Tunbrook woods LWT
Large area of ancient, semi-natural, deciduous woodland, rich flora and fauna. Check access.
SD579314 to SD590340 Lat: 53.7865 Long: -2.62307 Location map...
Leaflet 1: Nab-Red-Scar-and-Tunbrook-Woods.pdf
59 Deer Ponds, Towneley
Two ponds and a wildflower meadow with groups of trees,important as a breeding site for seven species of Dragonflies.
SD858308 Lat: 53.77367 Long: -2.21683 Location map...
60 Brockholes LWT
Brockholes is a new nature reserve, with the UKs first floating Visitor Village and is home to a diverse range of breeding and wintering species, and is already one of the finest sites for bird watching in the North West. The variety of birdlife includes Lapwing, Sand Martin and Kingfisher, together with more vulnerable species such as Whimbrel, Skylark and Reed Bunting. The site is also home to badgers, bats, dragonflies and damselflies.
SD586309 Lat: 53.772939 Long: -2.627277 Location map...
Leaflet 1: Brockholes.pdf
Web site: Brockholes
61 Blackpool South Beach and Lytham St Annes Local Nature Reserve
Artificial Rock Pools. Parking close by on Blackpool promnade. Lytham St Annes Local Nature Reserve parking at North Beach Car Park paths criss-cross the site bio-diverse wet dune slacks and dune grassland.
SD303316 Lat: 53.776572 Long: -3.056667 Location map...
62 Fishwick local nature reserve
Natural escarpment overlooking the flood plain of the River Ribble, Adjacent to the Ribble Way and cycle routes the reserve covers an area of approximately 24 ha.
SD558287 Lat: 53.75292 Long: -2.67148 Location map...
63 Foxhill Bank
Lodges and wood, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Siskin, Reed Bunting and Blackcap, warblers, waterfowl and dragonflies. Damselflies Common Frogs, Common Toads and Smooth Newts.
SD739279 Lat: 53.74719 Long: -2.39592 Location map...
Leaflet 1: Foxhill-Bank.pdf
64 Howick hall wood LWT
A semi-natural woodland and contains two ponds.
SD 505279 Lat: 53.74511 Long: -2.75203 Location map...
Leaflet 1: Howick-Hall-Woods.pdf
65 Hesketh Out Marsh RSPB Reserve
This new saltmarsh reserve is a great place to admire the gathered pink-footed geese, wigeons, teals and other wildfowl in winter, along with big flocks of wading birds like golden plovers, lapwings and black-tailed godwits. In spring displaying waders, including avocets and lapwings.
SD422251 Lat: 53.719548 Long: -2.876604 Location map...
Web site: Hesketh Out Marsh
Blog Posts: Hesketh Out Marsh (RSPB) Reserve
66 RSPB Ribble Discovery Centre
An interpretive centre which explains why the Ribble Estuary and the Fylde peninsula are so important to birds and other wildlife. Situated at Fairhaven Lake a man made lake that has attracted some rarities in the past. Also easy access to dunes. Lots of parking
SD340274 Lat: 53.738597 Long: -3.000319 Location map...
Web site: RSPB Ribble Discovery Centre
67 Pleasington Old Hall Wood and Wildlife Garden LWT
4ha. Woodland and wildlife garden
SD646270 Lat: 53.7377 Long: -2.5393 Location map...
68 Lytham St Annes SSSI. LWT and Fylde Borough Council
Sand dunes.Parking,footpaths. Isle of Man cabbage and the Dune Helleborine. Info centre.
SD361269 Lat: 53.7347 Long: -2.96871 Location map...
69 Ribble Estuary National Nature Reserve
Ribble Estuary National Nature Reserve(NNR)is the most important site in the UK for wintering wildfowl. The Reserve occupies over half of the Ribble estuary, including extensive areas of mud and sand flats and is one of the largest saltmarsh habitats in England. Several access points see PDF leaflet for details
SD419267 Lat: 53.733482 Long: -2.880478 Location map...
Leaflet 1: ribble_tcm6-2454.pdf
Web site: Ribble Estuary National Nature Reserve
70 Longton Brickcroft Nature Reserve
Wetland nature reserve Visitor centre with parking disabled facilities and tapes for partially sighted available. Check opening times before visiting.
SD478250 Lat: 53.718644 Long: -2.790329 Location map...
Leaflet 1: Longton_Brickcroft_health_walk.pdf
71 Withnell Fold Nature Reserve
Main habitats are woodland/scrub, a pond and acidic grassland bird watching hide and a pond dipping platform .
SD608232 Lat: 53.70453 Long: -2.59484 Location map...
72 Cuerden Valley Park
Small broadleaved and mixed woodlands, bluebells spring.
SD565238 Lat: 53.7025 Long: -2.65629 Location map...
Leaflet 1: Cuerden-Valley-Park.pdf
73 Haslingden Grane
Three large Reservoirs rich in birdlife, also woodland and moorland walks, visitor centre
SD753230 Lat: 53.702956 Long: -2.373047 Location map...
Leaflet 1: WalksforHealthNo93HaslingdenGrane.pdf
Blog Posts: Haslingden Grane
74 Roddlesworth
Visitor Centre with bird feeding station through one way glass, woodland and reservoir walks
SD664215 Lat: 53.688978 Long: -2.508249 Location map...
Leaflet 1: roddlesworth_nature_trail.pdf
75 Marshside RSPB Reserve
Coastal reserve, visitor centre, hides and a viewing platform. Avocets and other waterfowl.
SD353205 Lat: 53.677112 Long: -2.980514 Location map...
Web site: Marshside
Blog Posts: Marshside (RSPB) Reserve
76 Preston Junction Local Nature Reserve LNR
The Preston Junction Local Nature Reserve is a former railway line, rich in wild flowers and butterflies, attractive to birds and providing habitats for mammals. In addition it is an important link interconnecting the different wildlife habitats of the area.
SD537278 Lat: 53.74465 Long: -2.701263 Location map...
77 Healey Dell
Woodland, waterfalls and industrial archaeology, rich wildlife sanctuary.
SD877158 Lat: 53.63874 Long: -2.18627 Location map...
78 Mere Sands Wood LWT
42ha. Birds, wetland and woodland. Nature trails, hides
SD 420145 Lat: 53.63548 Long: -2.83894 Location map...
Leaflet 1: Mere-Sands-Wood.pdf
79 Yarrow Valley Country Park
Mill lodges and water courses nature trails visitor centre.
SD569155 Lat: 53.634453 Long: -2.653159 Location map...
Leaflet 1: Yarrow_Valley_Walking_Map.pdf
80 Longworth Clough LWT
56ha. Ancient woodland, wetland and grassland
SD 695102 Lat: 53.62983 Long: -2.45776 Location map...
Leaflet 1: Longworth-Clough.pdf
81 Martin Mere WWT
Birds, wetland and visitor attractions. Entrance fee for non-members.
SD420145 Lat: 53.62234 Long: -2.86881 Location map...
Web site: Martin Mere
Blog Posts: Martin Mere (WWT) Reserve
82 Ainsdale Discovery Centre and Ainsdale Sand Dunes National Nature Reserve NNR Natural England
Way-marked paths through dunes, beach and woodland habitats.
SD299126 Lat: 53.60531 Long: -3.06038 Location map...
83 Rivington/Anglezarke Reservoirs
Reservoirs and woodland Parkland. Close by is Rivington Country Park and moorland.
SD620155 Lat: 53.620012 Long: -2.54073 Location map...
84 Formby Point, Cabin Hill NNR and Ravenmeols Local Nature Reserve National Trust, NNR and LNR
Classic coastal succession, with intertidal sand flats and embryo dunes grading into mobile yellow dunes, then fixed vegetated dunes with wet dune slacks. As well as these habitats the reserve also includes areas of flower-rich grassland, dune pasture and mixed woodland.
SD272082 Lat: 53.565716 Long: -3.097855 Location map...
Leaflet 1: Sefton_natural_coast.pdf
Leaflet 2: cabinhillmap_tcm6-2932.pdf
85 Freshfield dune heath LWT
35ha mixture of lowland dune heath, acidic grassland, woodland and scrub. The single largest lowland heath site in Lancashire.
SD298081 Lat: 53.56479 Long: -3.06137 Location map...
Leaflet 1: Freshfield-Dune-Heath.pdf
86 Gorse Hill Nature Reserve Northwest Ecological Trust
Ponds, wetlands, meadows and woodlands. Limited opening hours.
SD395077 Lat: 53.559736 Long: -2.909725 Location map...
Web site: Gorse Hill Nature Reserve
LWT - Lancashire Wildlife Trust
RSPB - Royal Society for the Protection of Birds
LNR - Local Nature Reserve
