National Trust Formby

Ranger Rob recently spotted a painted lady butterfly basking on the shoreline at Formby.

It might seem like an unusual place to see one, but these incredible butterflies are strong and powerful flyers that migrate vast distances, often arriving along our coastlines from mainland Europe and even North Africa.

Habitats like Formby’s dunes provide the perfect pit stop, with open, sunny spaces and plenty of wildflowers where they can drink nectar and build their energy.

The sand also reflects heat, making it an ideal place to rest and warm their wings. Pausing on damp sand or seaweed can also help them take in essential minerals.

Thank you for treading carefully whilst you wander as you never know what wonderful wildlife might be beneath your feet.

Are you going to Formby Live this weekend? If so pop and say hi 👋🏻 to Laura, our Community Engagement Manager at our National Trust stand.

Laura will be there on Saturday 20 June
between 11.00am and 5.00pm.

Thank you for having us Formby Pool Trust we’re delighted to be part of this great event 🎶

When you look up from your picnic and feel like you’re being judged for your sandwich choice…

Chances are you might spot a buzzard whilst taking a wander at Formby, whether circling overhead or perched quietly on a fence post like this one, often on the lookout for their next meal.

You can tell them apart from other birds of prey by their broad wings and steady, circling flight, along with that distinctive, cat-like call.

Here's what else to look out for:

🦅Usually brown, with white undersides to the wings
🦅Adults have an obvious dark tail band and dark trailing edges to their wings
🦅Long, broad wings with prominent ‘fingers’
🦅Tend to hold their wings in a raised ‘V’ when soaring
🦅Short tail, often fanned in flight
🦅Yellow beak, with a black tip
🦅Yellow legs
🦅Often sits with a stocky, slightly hunched posture

Thank you for taking home everything you bring to protect Formby’s wonderful wildlife.

📸 NT Images / Tesni Ward

We loved welcoming back Sefton Libraries Formby for a special Rhyme Time on the beach recently.

It was lovely to see local families come together to enjoy the coast, connect with nature and share songs and smiles with their little ones. Moments like these remind us how powerful simple outdoor experiences can be.

Thank you to everyone who joined us – we can’t wait to do it again!

𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐟 𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐭 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐛𝐲?
We'd love to hear from you but before you book your performers or roll out your yoga matts, please get in touch by emailing the team [email protected] and include a summary of your idea.

As Formby is a wild, natural and legally protected conservation area we need to check if activities are suitable as well as making sure everyone taking part has a safe and enjoyable experience.

Before going ahead, you’ll need to apply for a licence, carry out your own risk assessment and Public liability insurance is also essential.

If your activity is commercial including professional photo shoots, filming or people have to pay to take part, a licence fee will apply - this helps fund our vital conservation work.

Thank you for your support. Together we can keep Formby special for people and wildlife.

The weather is looking better this weekend and if you’re planning on visiting our beaches to enjoy it, please plan ahead for your trip. 🗺️

Parking is limited, but all our beaches are just a short walk from local rail stations, so please consider using public transport where possible. 🚇

But if you do choose to drive, please park responsibly and legally🚗

Avoid blocking driveways, pavements and access routes. Irresponsible parking can cause problems for local residents, pedestrians, buses and emergency vehicles.

During the last sunny weekend, more than 700 parking tickets were issued to those who parked illegally and inconsiderately .

It’s your choice - fine weather🌞 vs. whether a fine 😓?

Ranger Bree recently spotted and photographed this rare northern dune tiger beetle basking in the dunes.

They’re one of the fastest running beetles in the world. Due to how quickly they can dart off it can be tricky to get a photo, so a real treat to have this one.

𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞’𝐬 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐟𝐚𝐬𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐬:

🪳The is one of the last few places they can be still found in the UK.

🪳Their presence is a sign of a healthy dune system, with patches of bare, moving sand.

🪳They have long legs, which help them run quickly but they can also fly.

🪳After a fast sprint they have to pause and “refocus” their vision.

🪳They love to sunbathe on warm sand to build up energy to hunt.

🪳Fierce little predators, hunting other insects in open sand.

🪳Can dig holes up to 20cm deep into the face of the dunes to hide on cooler nights.

🪳They also lay larvae in these burrows, protecting them over winter before they emerge in summer.

𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐬𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐦𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐛𝐞 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐛𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐭.

People have a month to offer their views about which species of wildlife should be honoured on the £5, £10, £20 and £50 notes. Read the shortlist here: https://bbc.in/4fUOAeq