Mersehead - Sand Dunes and Seascapes

A Walk along the shoreline at Mersehead Nature Reserve

Date of Walk -   22.3.15
Start Location  -  NX 928566   Mershead RSPB Nature Reserve.  There is a car park with a box for donations and a small visitor centre where you can learn about the birds and nature of the reserve and surrounding area.  There are also facilities to make yourself a cuppa for a small fee etc.,  Toilets also.
Total Distance  - we covered four and a half miles doing the round trip out to the shoreline along the dunes and back through the wooded area back to the visitor centre.  It really is up to you it can be as long  or  short you wish.
Surface - farm track, grass, sand both soft and hard packed wet sand.
What did we see - birds galore, grasses and flowers, jellyfish, seashells, flotsam and jetsam unfortunately the inevitable detritus of man.
Susan's Rating -  a very easy flat walk, just be aware of tide times, and the weather.  The day we were there it was sunny but windy which some felt was cold.  It's the shore expect wind and be prepared to dress accordingly, take a hat or a scarf or my favourite a Buff.


UPDATE   - 15/6/15  There would appear to be a parking charge now of £3.00 per car.  Just be aware and take money.   (Free parking for members of the RSPB.)


This area was severely affected by the Winter storms and the dunes received a fair old pounding.  We noticed a distinct change in the area on this walk, however the dunes are slowly re-establishing and I suppose this is just how things go in nature, constant changing and re-arranging.

We started our walk at the visitor centre and walked down the entry road to where there is a gate leading off to the left, new signage is in place.  We then headed along the lane which leads to the shore

On reaching the beach we turned right and headed down towards the cliffs, last year before the storms there had been deep gullies filled with seawater, the whole area resembled a model of an estuary, but these have all been washed away. After exploring around this area we turned and re-traced our steps but this time staying closer to the incoming tide so that the dogs could splash in the water and have fun without disturbing any of the birds or wildlife.

Heading down towards the beach.

This is an older photo which shows the dunes before the storms.

What this area looked like on the day of the walk. Much Flatter.

We continued up the shore until we reached the lane which leads through a gate and into a small wooded area where a narrow path ultimately brought us back onto the farm track leading back towards the visitor centre.  Of course this walk can be done in the opposite direction.  There are also offshoots which lead to various hides dotted about the reserve so it is possible to wander quite a while just enjoying the peace.

Please remember though that this is a nature reserve so be very careful about dogs if taking them, particularly at breeding and nesting season.  Probably best to make sure to have them under strict control or leashed.  There are plenty of opportunities for the dogs to enjoy themselves down on the beach closer to the water's edge.  Remember to pick up the dog mess too.

Please see link for more information on the actual reserve itself.

http://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/seenature/reserves/guide/m/mersehead/