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Nearest
town: Formby
Grid reference: SD298081, Landranger 108 35ha;
mixture of lowland dune heath, acidic grassland, woodland and scrub. The single
largest lowland heath site in 'Lancashire'. History:
Agricultural land in the 19th century; became a golf course in 1908 then requisitioned
to create RAF Woodvale in 1941 and subsequently used for army training. Purchased
from the MoD by the Wildlife Trust in 2004. Habitats:
Freshfield's 17ha of dune heath comprise 9% of the national total of this very
rare habitat. Heather, Sand Sedge, Wavy Hair-grass and Sheep's Fescue are the
dominant vegetation but a number of other specialist plants occur, including Heath
Grass, Heath Rush, Bird's-foot, Heath Bedstraw and Narrow Buckler-fern. 250 plant
species recorded. Gorse forms an integral part of the heathland landscape; willow
scrub is scattered throughout. Woodland predominantly birch and pine. The ancient
Wham Dyke drains the site, flowing inland into Downholland Brook. Insects
and other invertebrates: Almost 1000 species recorded, including 300 types
of moth. Notable species include Northern Dune Tiger Beetle and Goat Moth. The
spectacular Emperor Moth can be seen flying during the day in late May and early
June. Reptiles:
Common Lizards are frequent; the rare Sand Lizard has been recorded close by and
almost certainly occurs on the site. Birds:
75 species recorded. Typical heathland breeding birds include good numbers of
Whitethroats and Linnets; woodland breeding species include Woodcock, Blackcap,
Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler. Kestrels and Buzzards hunt the heath. Rarities
recorded include Sardinian Warbler, Barred Warbler and Firecrest. Mammals:
Large numbers of Short-tailed Field Voles occur, along with shrews, Stoats, Weasels
and Foxes. Red Squirrels are frequently sighted in the woodland and a small colony
of Water Voles lives in the Wham Dyke. Management
Since 2005 large areas of scrub have been removed in order to restore and extend
the dune heath and acidic grassland, and the site is grazed with Hebridean Sheep
during summer in order to maintain and improve these habitats. Woodland has been
thinned to allow regeneration of the ground flora, and a seven-year cycle of willow
coppicing has begun to provide habitat for birds and other plants and animals.
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