National Trust Reserve, Formby

**Babs** · 17-03-2008, 08:24 PM

Today we visited the National Trust Reserve in Formby. We had visited a couple of times before and had been wanting to visit again mainly to photograph the red squirrels. With the chance of a day off work and clear skies we decided to set off early.

The Formby reserve is situated on the Sefton Coast just north of Liverpool.

The squirrel walk can be quite shaded due to the pine trees blocking out quite a bit of light but on a good day like today, the sun manages to shine through the gaps.

Recently the squirrels have been affected by the squirrel pox virus and unfortunately some of the squirrels have died.

However, we managed to see one come running towards us whilst we were walking along a path and they can be really fast. They will also come quite close, we threw a couple of monkey nuts on to the path which the squirrel quickly collected and quickly buried. We also broke some of the monkey nuts up for the wild birds which they devoured.

As we were leaving the squirrel trail, I accidently scared off two rabbits whilst putting away my tripod.

We crossed over the main path and made our way to the beach walking though the ancient pine forest, it is a lovely walk and a walk where the Formby Fox has been sighted in the past. We have never been lucky enough to see him here.

We walked towards the sand dunes and then on to the beach, the tide was out and we walked along the beach in the direction of Liverpool. We noticed a lot of dead starfish on the wet sand. We then took a path off the beach and made our way back to where we had parked the car. After some sandwiches we decided to have one last walk on the squirrel walk before we headed for home. When we reached the place where we saw the squirrel earlier we saw three squirrels this time and one of them who was quite dark didn't mind having his photo taken.

There are other parts of the reserve which we didn't visit this time due to time. We shall certainly return, it is one of our favourite places and would definitely recommend a visit to anyone.

**Babs** · 17-03-2008, 08:31 PM

Here are some more piccies of the area

***Chocky*** · 17-03-2008, 08:42 PM

Excellent report Babs .
Looks like a lovely reserve. Absolutely beautiful photos as always

Well done

**rolf** · 17-03-2008, 10:14 PM

Nice shots and great description of your day Babs, will have to visit there, next time I go up the Birkenhead to see my friend.

**topper** · 18-03-2008, 12:02 AM

Went there myself a couple of years ago when we went walking with some friends who live in Blundellsands. I was quite taken with the red squirrels as opposed to those pesky grey one that eat my grapes

Oh dear you've started me off now

Lovely photos

**andy b** · 22-03-2008, 12:43 PM

we have been a couple of times babs, and as you have, we would recommend it as a lovely day out. the first time we went was about 1993/94. after awalk around the squirrel reserve , we went onto formby sands. my older boys, who were in their early teens and younger, had terrific fun diving off the sand dunes and rolling down. we have some cracking family video of this day out.
we were only saying, just recently, that it would be a great day out for our grandson.
the pictures you have taken, as always babs, are great

**Blue Jay** · 22-03-2008, 07:57 PM

Sounds like a nice place to visit.
Great shots Babs

17-03-2008, 08:24 PM	#1 (permalink)
Babs Founder Member Info Real name: Barbara Location: Greater Manchester Gallery: 14 Equipment: The equipment I use is a Canon 30D with Sigma 50-500mm lens. I also have a garden hide from which I take most of my pictures. Posts: 1,513 Join Date: Apr 2007 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	National Trust Reserve, Formby Today we visited the National Trust Reserve in Formby. We had visited a couple of times before and had been wanting to visit again mainly to photograph the red squirrels. With the chance of a day off work and clear skies we decided to set off early. The Formby reserve is situated on the Sefton Coast just north of Liverpool. The squirrel walk can be quite shaded due to the pine trees blocking out quite a bit of light but on a good day like today, the sun manages to shine through the gaps. Recently the squirrels have been affected by the squirrel pox virus and unfortunately some of the squirrels have died. However, we managed to see one come running towards us whilst we were walking along a path and they can be really fast. They will also come quite close, we threw a couple of monkey nuts on to the path which the squirrel quickly collected and quickly buried. We also broke some of the monkey nuts up for the wild birds which they devoured. As we were leaving the squirrel trail, I accidently scared off two rabbits whilst putting away my tripod. We crossed over the main path and made our way to the beach walking though the ancient pine forest, it is a lovely walk and a walk where the Formby Fox has been sighted in the past. We have never been lucky enough to see him here. We walked towards the sand dunes and then on to the beach, the tide was out and we walked along the beach in the direction of Liverpool. We noticed a lot of dead starfish on the wet sand. We then took a path off the beach and made our way back to where we had parked the car. After some sandwiches we decided to have one last walk on the squirrel walk before we headed for home. When we reached the place where we saw the squirrel earlier we saw three squirrels this time and one of them who was quite dark didn't mind having his photo taken. There are other parts of the reserve which we didn't visit this time due to time. We shall certainly return, it is one of our favourite places and would definitely recommend a visit to anyone. Attached Thumbnails

17-03-2008, 08:31 PM	#2 (permalink)
Babs Founder Member Info Real name: Barbara Location: Greater Manchester Gallery: 14 Equipment: The equipment I use is a Canon 30D with Sigma 50-500mm lens. I also have a garden hide from which I take most of my pictures. Posts: 1,513 Join Date: Apr 2007 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Here are some more piccies of the area Attached Thumbnails

18-03-2008, 12:02 AM	#5 (permalink)
topper Founder Member Info Real name: Neil Location: North West England Gallery: 0 Equipment: Samsung Digimax A50 M4A Collapsible Lightweight Tripod An old pair of binoculars X 50 Posts: 98 Join Date: Jan 2007 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Yes Babs Went there myself a couple of years ago when we went walking with some friends who live in Blundellsands. I was quite taken with the red squirrels as opposed to those pesky grey one that eat my grapes Oh dear you've started me off now Lovely photos

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22-03-2008, 12:43 PM	#6 (permalink)
andy b Regular Member Info Location: preston, lancashire Gallery: 0 Equipment: for the last 8 yrs i have used a kowa 60 mm scope, but hve recently bought an opticron hr66 ga. i too have have used a homemade digiscoping adaptor with my kowa.i used two different sized bushes to accomodate the scope eyepiece and camera lense.( with some good results!).... budget has always been a massive factor with my hobby. having a family, there are always other things which take financial p Posts: 523 Join Date: Oct 2007 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	we have been a couple of times babs, and as you have, we would recommend it as a lovely day out. the first time we went was about 1993/94. after awalk around the squirrel reserve , we went onto formby sands. my older boys, who were in their early teens and younger, had terrific fun diving off the sand dunes and rolling down. we have some cracking family video of this day out. we were only saying, just recently, that it would be a great day out for our grandson. the pictures you have taken, as always babs, are great

22-03-2008, 07:57 PM	#7 (permalink)
Blue Jay Regular Member Info Location: Exeter Gallery: 0 Equipment: Olympus D-380 Posts: 211 Join Date: Sep 2007 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Sounds like a nice place to visit. Great shots Babs

Thames valley birds - Places to visit for Wildlife This section is for members to tell a little about the places they found interesting and worth a visit. National Trust Reserve, Formby

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