Overview
Seaforth Nature Reserve comprises of a freshwater and a saltwater lagoon surrounded by tipped infil. There are 3 hides surrounding the freshwater lagoon. Unfortunately access is permit only ( security concerns ) and so the only way to obtain views without a permit is to look through the fence on the northern perimeter from Crosby Marine Park.
Crosby Marine Park comprises of the marine lake and a smaller boating lake.On the seaward side this is bordered by a small section of dunes. The other sides are bordered by grassland.
Crosby beach is home to the Anthony Gormley statues 'Another Place' ( well worth a visit in their own right).
From Crosby Marine Park you can pick up the beginning of the Sefton Coastal Footpath. This takes you north alongside Crosby Beach , past hightown dunes, the River Alt and Altcar, before travelling past Formby Point, Freshfields, Ainsdale , Birkdale, Southport and finishing in Banks ( 23 miles). The section between the Marine Park and the River Alt provides a variety of habitat. Sandy beach, pebble shores, dunes and grassland. Providing for a wide variety of bird life.
Access
THERE IS NO ACCESS TO SEAFORTH NR WITHOUT A PERMIT . Crosby Marine Park and beach are easily located by following the signage to the Anthony Gormley art work from the centre of Crosby.
Birds
243 species have been recorded at Seaforth. Gadwall, Ringed Plover, Common Tern, Skylark and Reed Bunting all breed. Little Ringed Plover, Curlew Sandpiper, and Little Stint are regular passage waders. Scaup winter on the reserve and it is a gull hotspot with 15 recorded species and regular occurance of Little & Mediterranean Gull.
Crosby Marine Park features Little Gull between the last week of March and the first week of May ( due to hatching chironomid midges ). It is also a good spot for Black Tern.
Offshore Leach's Petrel and Artic Skua are regulars during strong west and north west winds in September and early October.
North of Crosby Beach where the shoreline becomes more pebbly Turnstones can be found.