Environment and planning
Parks and open spaces
Parks and open spaces - outdoor facilities
Welcome To Wirral
North Wirral Sand Dunes
The sand dunes of the North Wirral Coastal Park are situated between Leasowe Bay and the Gunsite Picnic Area. They are bordered on one side by the Wallasey Golf Club, and on the other by the Leasowe Golf Club. There are also some relic sand dunes at Dovepoint in Meols. Sand Dunes are one of the most threatened habitats in Britain. They once formed a natural defence against the sea and gave shelter from the strong sea winds. Recently they have been subject to considerable erosion. In order to conserve the dune habitat, we need to understand the process of dune formation.
The Formation of Sand Dunes
Sand is re-deposited by longshore drift. Dry sand is blown up the beach by the prevailing winds from the sea by a process known as saltation. This is when sand grains are lifted off the ground by high winds and moved inland 'leapfrog' fashion.
Sand becomes trapped in driftwood, seaweed, and on berms (sand ridges) usually at the high spring tide line. Plants rapidly colonise the area, the first notably being the grasses - Couch Grass, then Lyme Grass followed by Marram Grass. Marram Grass has adapted to survive in the arid, unsheltered environment of the dune ridges. It has leaves that fold to conserve water and long roots to tap underground supplies. Other plants include Sea Rocket and Sea Sandwort. The plants stabilise the sand, which results in further deposition and growth of the dune system.
The first dunes to develop are known as 'embryo dunes'. As more sand accumulates the embryo dunes join up to form fore-dunes, otherwise known as 'yellow dunes'. As more vegetation becomes established the increased decaying matter alters the coloration to grey. These dune ridges are then known as 'grey-dunes'. These older dunes are less exposed and enable more species of plant to colonise e.g. Sea Spurge, Isle of Man Cabbage and Ragwort. Further inland, shrubs and trees such as Hawthom and Balsalm Poplar grow.
Due to the lack of windblown sand that would normally replenish existing dunes and create new embryo dunes, the dunes at the Gunsite area of the North Wirral Coastal Park are classed as fixed dunes. Pressure from humans and the weather has exposed large areas of bare sand. The wind in then channeled along these eroded areas, which then forms blowouts. To prevent further erosion and encourage sand accumulation, boardwalks have been laid through the dunes for public access and barriers from used Christmas trees have been 'planted' to trap windblown sand. These measures will hopefully ensure the conservation and preservation of such a unique and precious habitat.
The Gun Site
Immediately to the rear of the sand dunes is an area known as the Old Gun Site. This was once a World War Two anti-aircraft gun site but now is used as a picnic area as well as providing a home to wildlife in it's grassland, woodland and shrubby habitats.
How to get there
The easiest route is to take the New Brighton exit from junction 1 on the M53 motorway. The third turning on the left leads into Green Lane, which in turn leads to the Gun Site car parks. It is possible to continue further, through the dunes, to the Sea Front car park.