On a blustery day in June we had a fascinating and informative walk through the dunes and green beach area in Ainsdale. Our guide, John Dempsey is the community engagement officer for Green Sefton. He is extremely knowledgeable about our local coast.
We set off across the established sand dunes from the Ainsdale Discovery centre. During the walk we discovered new dunes were being constantly formed in this area. The habitat is changing all the time with the different stages of dune formation. The various species are spreading and moving with the change.
John was at pains to explain that the changes to our dynamic coast are to be welcomed; the often-bemoaned loss of stretches of golden sand is nature’s greatest feat of regeneration. The area is now home to a vast range of rare species of plants and recent insect arrivals - all have found sanctuary on our coast thanks to its rich biodiversity.
Some of the most beautiful species are invaders of our coast. Many can be tolerated such as evening primrose. Unfortunately the lovely everlasting pea smothers areas destroying the habitat for the native species.
