Canoe Focus Winter 2017 | Page 78

79 YOU CAN NOW ACCESS A BACK CATALOGUE OF CANOE FOCUS MAGAZINES AVAILABLE ON OUR WEBSITE FOR EVERYONE! NATURE RESERVE South Walney Nature Reserve is a popular paddling venue situated on the Cumbrian coastline close to Barrow-in-Furness. British Canoeing is working closely with the Cumbria Wildlife Trust to provide paddlers and small boat users some guidance to help visitors be aware of the risks of disturbance and how to ensure that both wildlife and paddlers live together in harmony. Grey seals have hauled out to rest here in increasing numbers since the early 1980s, and in 2015 they started pupping here too, on one of the more secluded beaches. This is North West England’s only breeding grey seal colony, and is rapidly increasing from 2 pups in 2015 to 9 in 2017. You can visit the reserve and get incredible views of the seals playing and fishing in the sea around the reserve from trails and hides, including the brand new, artist designed, Braithwaite hide, or you can watch the haul out itself on our live streaming. The reserve is open from 10am to 5pm every day. No dogs except assistance dogs. Landing on South Walney Nature Reserve We have been aware that the South Walney Nature Reserve, including the foreshore, is privately owned and access from the land or sea, is not normally permitted. The foreshore is not Crown Estate land and the landowner is within their rights to restrict access. However, the Cumbria Wildlife Trust appreciate that paddlers do need to land occasionally and suggest that if they do then land adjacent to the groyne below the Groyne Hide (providing there are no seals have hauled out onto the land). In the event of an emergency, common sense dictates that appropriate action be taken however otherwise please respect the aims of the Wildlife Trust and enjoy paddling around Walney! Watch the SealCam If you have any questions about the leaflet, please contact Richard.atkinson@ britishcanoeing.org.uk Entry is £3 adults, £1 for children and free for Wildlife Trust members. Additional information - South Walney is one of Cumbria Wildlife Trust’s oldest and most fascinating nature reserves. Year round, the rolling sand dunes, shingle beaches, grassland, wetland and lagoons are host to a wealth of wildlife, surrounded by Morecambe Bay and the Irish Sea. In summer, breeding birds nest in acres of wildflowers, while thousands of wader birds spend autumn and winter along the shores.