THE vast range of bird and plant life on South Walney Nature Reserve is now more accessible than ever due to new facilities being created for visitors. New hides to watch birds, boardwalks, signs and displays have been installed to create more access. The reserve, which boasts four kilometres of undisturbed shingle beaches, is home to 10,000 pairs of Herring gulls, 20,000 pairs of Lesser black-backed gulls, 500 female Eider ducks, 500 different species of moths, 309 plant species and 22 species of mammal. The changes have been made possible due to funding from the Countryside Agency Aggregates Tax scheme, the Heart of Barrow Partnership, Burlington Resources Ltd and the Harold and Alice Bridges Charity.

For more information, contact the reserve’s owners, Cumbria Wildlife Trust on 01539-816300.