This trip was organised and run in partnership with the Cumbria Wildlife Trust team of the project ‘The Bay: A Blueprint for Recovery’, a Nature and Wellbeing Programme, offering people living in Morecambe Bay the opportunity to get outdoors and connect with nature. We spent the day with Yolanda Aze (Community Engagement Officer) and Holly (Trainee), as well as Jake, (South Walney Nature Reserve Ranger), and Cumbria Wildlife Trust volunteers, Jean and Paul, whose knowledge and expertise of ecology and biodiversity we had the pleasure of benefiting from.

Binoculars at the ready, we spent the morning in South Walney Nature Reserve, exploring the reserve's sand dunes and scanning beaches and skies for wildlife. We got the chance to see and learn about the Bay's incredible bird life. The Bay it is a globally significant nature conservation site, home to one of the largest wading bird and wildfowl overwintering and passage populations in the United Kingdom. Among the birds we saw were a Little Egret, a Grey Heron, Wigeons, Curlews, and Oyster Catchers. Additionally, we got to observe members of the grey seal colony resting on one of the beaches using a spotting scope. Around lunchtime, we stopped off at The Dock Museum in Barrow-in-Furness to learn more about the town's history and grab a bite to eat. In the afternoon, we headed up to Earnse Bay in the northern section of Walney Island, where we carried out a shoresearch survey. We discovered a wide array of fascinating creatures and plants among the rockpools. Among the species were rough and edible periwinkle, crab, Irish moss, edible mussel, calcareous red seaweed, beadlet anemone, acorn barnacle, honeycomb worm, and flat top shell. Moreover, a few volunteers discovered eggcases from small spotted catsharks along the strandline.

Our ECOWild field trips provide a great experience and privilege to interact with nature while also contributing to vital initiatives around the nation addressing the Climate and Ecological Emergency. Have a look at our website to learn more about the project and to find out about upcoming trips.