Butterflies at Baycliff

           A favourite walk on the beach at Baycliff, near Ulverston in July 2012

Morecambe Bay is one of the largest estuarine systems in the UK and is fed by five main river channels (the Leven, Kent, Keer, Lune and Wyre) which drain through the intertidal flats of sand and mud.

The flats contain an abundant invertebrate fauna 

that supports many of the waterbirds using the bay.

 The site is of European importance throughout the year for a wide range of bird species

Normally there is an abundance of butterflies on the shore, however 2012 was a particularly wet summer, which had a noticeable impact on numbers

Speckled Wood

Tortoiseshell

Large White

Ringlet

The shoreline is slowly being invaded by Spartina Anglica (Common Cordgrass); to the detriment of the shoreline mudflats and the access to the open water from the beach.

The relentless advance of Mother Nature

A local artist makes fun use of flotsam and jetsam found on the beach

Cardoon

Driftwood artwork

Back up to the Coast Road and Baycliff Village from the beach

Thanks for visiting my blog, I hope you enjoyed the photos.