Mammals of the Sefton Coast
Mammals recorded on the Sefton Coast — from Red Squirrels in the Formby pinewoods to Grey Seals on the beach and Natterjack Toads in the dune slacks.
25species recorded
5Red List
3Amber List
25 species
Red SquirrelRedSciurus vulgarisConiferous pinewoodMixed woodland edgeYear-round
Grey SealGreenHalichoerus grypusOpen seaSandy beachYear-round
Common SealGreenPhoca vitulinaEstuarySandbankYear-round but less regular than Grey Seal on this stretch of coast
Natterjack ToadRedEpidalea calamitaDune slackShallow poolMarch–September
Brown HareAmberLepus europaeusFarmlandRough grasslandYear-round
OtterGreenLutra lutraDrainage ditchFreshwater channelYear-round but rarely seen
Water VoleRedArvicola amphibiusDrainage ditchReed bankYear-round but inactive in cold weather
FoxGreenVulpes vulpesSand duneFarmlandYear-round
StoatGreenMustela ermineaDune grasslandFarmland hedgeYear-round
WeaselGreenMustela nivalisDune grasslandFarmland hedgeYear-round
Common PipistrelleGreenPipistrellus pipistrellusWoodland edgeGardenApril–October
Soprano PipistrelleGreenPipistrellus pygmaeusReed bed edgeWaterwayApril–October
Sand LizardRedLacerta agilisOpen mobile duneSouth-facing bare sand slopeMarch–October
Great Crested NewtRedTriturus cristatusDune slack pond with Soft Rush marginsPonds near rough grasslandBreeding March–June in ponds
Common FrogGreenRana temporariaDune slack pondGarden pondFebruary–October active
RabbitAmberOryctolagus cuniculusDune grasslandDune scrubYear-round
Bank VoleGreenMyodes glareolusDune scrubWoodland edgeYear-round
Field VoleGreenMicrotus agrestisRough grasslandDune grasslandYear-round
Wood MouseGreenApodemus sylvaticusWoodlandScrubYear-round
BadgerGreenMeles melesWoodlandSandy woodland bank (for setts)Year-round
Daubenton's BatGreenMyotis daubentoniiOpen waterRiverApril–October
Noctule BatAmberNyctalus noctulaOpen waterOpen farmland above treelineApril–October; occasionally active in mild winter periods
Brown Long-eared BatGreenPlecotus auritusWoodlandGardenApril–October
American MinkGreenNeovison visonDrainage ditchRiverYear-round
Roe DeerGreenCapreolus capreolusPinewoodMixed woodlandYear-round