Location Summary
NT manged area. Extensive grounds for walking. Beach walking and many paths across dunes.
Plenty of birdlife (Oyster Catchers, Knotts, Sandlings)
Great views across the Duddon Sands.
Website: NT Sandscale Haws
Car Park: Paid (Free Parking for NT members).
Fee: Free
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Captain's Log
Oystercatchers
09/11/22
First Visit
'The machines broken. You don't have to pay.' The man with the National Trust jacket had intercepted me on my walk to the carpark payment machine. Even though I'm a National Trust member, and I wouldn't have to pay anyway, I felt like I should shake his hand. I wandered along some boards to Roanhead Beach. There was a marvellous view across the bay to the mist topped hill of Black Combe. The tide was coming in and so I didn't venture too far away from the dunes as I walked the coast southwards. Some Oystercatchers and Knotts joined me on my journey by flying along the water's edge. I only met a couple of dog walkers and a jogger on my walk around to Lowsy Point, but none of them came close enough for a conversation. The sun's appearance became more regular as the north end of Walney Island came into view.
Roanhead Beach
The tide was fully in by the time I reached Lowsy Point and so I decided to walk back to the carpark through the dunes. Some of the dunes were huge and held together with spiky Marram Grass. I could have taken a trail on a direct route back to the carpark, but I decided to follow the coastline instead. It was quite hard going making my way along the rollercoaster of sand. Some of the drops from the dunes were sheer, although any fall would have had a soft landing. I heard plenty of birdsong as I made my way along. It sounded like Meadow Pippits and Stonechats, but they were too well hidden in the undergrowth to enable identification.
Back at the carpark I followed the direction posts to the Natterjack Ponds. Reading the information boards, the toads would have been in hibernation at this time of year. Either that or they were hiding. I had the idea of walking along the beach to Askham Pier, but I found my way blocked by a stream running towards the sea. I could have waded it, but I didn't want wet boots and so decided that Askham Pier would wait for another day.
I found Sandscale Haws a delightful spot with excellent seaward views and some interesting walking across the dunes.