Marshside · Ainsdale · Formby
Wildlife on the
Sefton Coast.
257+ species recorded. An independent guide to the birds, insects, plants and mammals of the marshes, reserves and coastline from Southport to Formby.
Species database
What lives here
From Pink-footed Geese arriving from Iceland in October to Red Squirrels in the Formby pinewoods — the Sefton Coast holds some of the most important wildlife in northwest England.
Reserves & guides
Nature & coast
Marshside RSPB
Free entry. Managed lagoons, Avocets, and 80,000+ Pink-footed Geese in winter. The best birdwatching in the North West.
Habitat overviewThe Sefton Coast
67km of dunes, slacks, pinewoods and saltmarsh — one of England's most significant coastal wildlife habitats.
Practical guideBirdwatching Guide
Best spots by season, what to bring, and how to get started — from a birder who has watched these marshes for decades.
4 guidesSeasonal Guides
Pink-footed Geese, wader migration, breeding birds and winter wildfowl — when to come and what to expect.
From the blog
Ed's notes
Roe Deer in Formby Pinewoods: The Deer Most Visitors Don't Know Are There
13 April 2026
Common Tern on the Sefton Coast: The Summer Arrival Worth Waiting For
12 April 2026
Marsh Orchids in the Dune Slacks — What to Expect This Spring and Summer
4 April 2026
From the coast
Photos from the Sefton Coast
Real shots. No stock, no AI. Click any photo to enlarge.
Sefton Coast Network
Also from Churchtown Media — local guides covering the wider Sefton Coast.