Overview

Ainsdale comprises of beach, dunes, pine forest and 'Sands lake' a small lake adjacent to the Sands pub. The dunes immediately south of the beach entrance at Shore Road provide good elevation for sea watching. A quarter of a mile north of the beach entrance is 'Green Beach' an area of marsh and scrub that eventually becomes Taggs Island just short of the entrance to Birkdale beach. To the south there is also Ainsdale National Nature Reserve comprising of an extensive dunes system and pine forest . Three major trails pass through or near this reserve the Trans Pennine Trail, the Cheshire Lines Path and the Sefton Coastal Footpath. The beach itself is good for gulls and waders. However in high summer it is often extremely crowded with day trippers and refugees from nearby Pontins. Also particularly at weekends even off season it is a regular haunt for dog walkers some of whom are expert at flushing. As a consequence the best time for a visit is mid week and not during high summer.

Access

Access to the beach is possible from Shore Road, Ainsdale. From late April to October there is a fee for parking. Out of this season parking is free BUT care should be taken as in the wrong conditions cars can get stuck in the sand ! Near the beach entrance , adjacent to the roundabout is the Sands Pub. Next to this pub is Sands Lake and parking is possible here at no charge. From here it is a short walk either around the lake or to the beach. Access to the Nature Reserve is possible by following the coastal road further south and parking on Pinfold lane. Then on foot retrace your steps over the railway bridge and enter the reserve on your left.

Birds

With good wind conditions and a high tide seawatching can be productive ( although arguably not as good a location as Formby Point ). Leach's Petrel, Manx Shearwater, Skuas, Terns, Gannet and Common Scoter amongst others can be seen. A wide variety of waders knot, Dunlin, Grey Plover, Oystercatcher, Redshank and everpresent numbers of sanderling can be found. Corn Bunting and Snow Bunting are often present on the beach in winter and Redwing and Fieldfare winter in the dunes. Sands Lake has a number of Tufted Duck and Snipe and Jack Snipe can be found on Green Beach.