Heysham Nature Reserve

A field of wildflowers at Heysham Nature Reserve
Pink orchids growing at Heysham Nature Reserve
An emperor dragonfly flying over a body of water

Ross Hoddinott/2020VISION

Heysham Nature Reserve

An oasis for butterflies and birds just round the corner from bustling Heysham docks.

Location

Heysham Nature Reserve
Morecambe
Lancashire
LA3 2UW

OS Map Reference

SD 407 601
A static map of Heysham Nature Reserve

Know before you go

Size
3 hectares
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Parking information

On-site car park open 9am-5pm or dusk.
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Walking trails

There are a number of good footpaths around the reserve.

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Access

Reserve can still be accessed on foot during closed hours.

Dogs

image/svg+xmlNo dogs permitted

No dogs on the nature reserve because of sensitive wildlife. You can walk your dog on the adjoining landscape strip leading to a separate nature park (see on-site map).

When to visit

Opening times

9am-5pm or dusk.

Best time to visit

Year-round

About the reserve

Step onto Heysham Nature Reserve during spring and summer and the birdsong is almost deafening. Meadow pipits, sedge warblers, whitethroats, chiffchaffs, greenfinches, linnets and grasshopper warblers are just a handful of the breeding species that add to the spectacular choir. In winter, water rails, snipe and woodcock patrol the water’s edge.

The reserve is also a hotspot for migrants, with impressive groups of willow warblers arriving during spring and thrush species taking their place come autumn. We have even recorded an amazing collection of rare birds at Heysham Nature Reserve, including wryneck (2000), night heron (1990), bee-eater (1984), serin (1990), woodchat shrike (1989), and at least ten yellow-browed warblers from Siberia. April and May are peak times for migrating birds, and are also when we carry out many of our important migration and ringing studies.

The reedbed, grassland and wetland habitats at Heysham Nature Reserve aren’t just good for birds. Gorse, hawthorn and other shrubs thrive alongside stunning wildflowers including yellow-wort and the dainty bee orchid. Stroll through the reserve on a sunny day and the grass erupts with clouds of colourful butterflies and day-flying moths that take advantage of this nectar buffet. Keep your eyes peeled for small skipper, common blue and small copper butterflies, as well as hundreds of five and six-spot burnet moths.

Dotty for dragonflies? Heysham Nature Reserve is home to 14 spectacular species, including the colourful emperor dragonfly.

Contact us

Reuben Neville
Contact number: 01524 855030