Overview

Formby Point is at the centre of the largest dune system in England. These stretch from Birkdale dunes in the north to Hightown dunes in the south. To the west of Formby Point is Formby beach and the Irish Sea and to the east a large area of scrub land and pine plantation including a red squirrel reserve managed by the National Trust. Immediately to the south of Formby Point is Ravenmeols LNR and Cabin Hill LNR.

Access

Follow the A565 from either Liverpool or Southport and turn off at the Formby bypass at Southport Road. Travel through Freshfield and link up with Victoria Road which takes you to the National Trust Nature Reserve.

Parking is possible at the National Trust Nature Reserve however this is pricey. An alternative is to turn off south just before arriving at the reserve and park up on Larkhill Lane adjacent to grassland popular with local dog walkers. Parking here is free. You can then walk seaward through the pine forest and scrubland via a system of footpaths which lead to Formby Point.

Birds

Formby Point is the ideal location along the Sefton Coastline for seawatching. There is good elevation and Formby Point is the most prominent , westerly , point of the shoreline. Particularly during late summer and autumn during westerly or north westerly gales and during high tides it is an excellent spot. Leach's Petrel,Storm Petrels, Common Scoter,Guillemot,Razorbill,Kittiwake, Sandwich, Artic,CommonTern,Gannet, Manx Shearwater , Cormorents, Shag,Red Throated Diver, Artic Skua,Great Skua can be seen on a good day.

Particularly south of Formby Point near Cabin Hill wader roosts can form at high tide ( September to March) with Knot, Bar Tailed Godwit , Dunlin , Oystercatcher, Grey Plover, Redshank and Sanderling present in large numbers.

In the dune system Stonechat, Linnet and Reed Bunting can be found.