Hightown and the Alt Estuary
Hightown Dunes and Meadows stretch from Hall
Road Coastguard Station to the mouth of the River Alt. Within the
150 acre (60ha) site are sand dunes, a small saltmarsh, freshwater
ponds, willow and poplar scrub and wildflower meadows. These are
complemented by the Alt estuary which is of international
importance for shore birds.
Hightown Dunes and Meadows are managed by Sefton Coast and
Countryside Service.
The dunes are older than those to the north of the Alt and are
the last fragments of a much larger dune system which lay to the
south of the river. Most of these former dune areas are now covered
by housing and docklands. Over the last century the River Alt
gradually changed course and severely eroded the coastline. Between
1913 and 1928 the coast at Blundellsands was eroding at an average
of 10m per year.
On the beach, by Blundellsands Sailing Club, tree trunks and
roots, of the 3-4000year old submerged forest are clearly visible
lying in a peaty layer. The presence of a submerged forest
indicates the dramatic changes in land and sea levels.
Much of the Sefton coast is of national importance to
wildlife. Hightown is botanically rich. The meadows are mown
annually to keep back tall grasses and encourage wildflowers. The
small saltmarsh at the mouth of the Alt is a miniature version of
the Ribble Estuary to the north and contains many interesting plant
species. In fact part of it has been designated as a SLBI (Site of
Local Biological Interest) and in the near future it will be
designated as a Local Nature Reserve. The River Alt Estuary emerges
at Hightown and is part of the Ribble and Alt Estuaries Special
Protection Area and the Sefton Coast Special Area of
Conservation. There are both national
SSSI and international agreements (Ramsar) which
recognise the importance of the Alt Estuary as a home to wading and
shore birds.
Management
Shallow pools, have been excavated to provide suitable
breeding sites for Natterjacks which are very scarce in this area
south of the River Alt.
Last Updated on 4/3/2012