A Walk Along the Sand Dunes From Mawbray Banks
A pleasant stroll beside the Solway Coast in Cumbria, England
A bright and sunny morning here in Cumbria earlier this week tempted us out for a stroll. We decided to check out a nature reserve called Mawbray Banks situated in the sand dunes just south of Silloth on the Solway Coast.
Mawbray Banks is a region of grassy sand dunes known for being an important breeding area for natterjack toads. The small pools that support the toads were all dried up when we visited, after the long dry summer. But convenient car parks, easy footpaths through the dunes and along the shore, and great views all around make this place worth a visit at any time of year.
After parking we first checked out the beach. The tide was quite high when we visited, and still coming in, so we could only see the shingle shore and frothy white waves.
After a quick look at the beach we opted to walk instead on the waymarked coastal path along the sand dunes. This proved to be easy walking accompanied by the soothing sounds of gentle waves and breeze blowing through the marram grass.
We had only just set off along the path when a sparrowhawk flew across our path and landed on a fence post right in front of us. I was so thrilled and surprised to see this impressive bird up close, and keen not to disturb it by grabbing my camera, that I didn’t get a photo. All too soon it flew off to be mobbed by several crows.
The presence of the sparrowhawk caused understandable panic, and ‘chat chat’ sounds were coming from the nearby dunes. Several agitated stonechats soon appeared, clearly checking that the danger had passed.
A little further along we spotted an impressive large hairy brown and orange caterpillar crossing the path. A quick bit of research revealed that it was a caterpillar of the fox moth (Macrothylacia rubi). The adults look even more impressive - as you can see from photos on the Wildlife Trusts website here.
The gentle path was easy to follow with regular waymarks, and the views all around were superb. To our left we could see over the Solway Firth to the now familiar outline of Criffel in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland.
Ahead the Pennines were visible in the distance, and to our right the Lake District hills were looking decidedly moody under some rather threatening clouds.
We found an old concrete structure hidden in the marram grass, probably a bunker from WW2, which made a convenient seat for a coffee break. It was a pleasure watching flocks of barnacle geese and oystercatchers flying low over the Solway, displaced by the high tide.
After our coffee break we continued until the coastal town of Silloth came into view. Here we decided to turn back, once again following the clear coastal path.
Just before arriving back at the car we spotted lots of interesting mushrooms growing in the sand dunes. Shown below are a group of Shaggy Ink Caps just emerging, and some bright red Scarlet Waxcaps which were almost hidden in the grass.
With the beautiful countryside, big open skies and close encounters with nature, we thoroughly enjoyed our short morning stroll.
This quiet area of Cumbria is often overlooked as tourists flock to the nearby Lake District National Park. But for people who appreciate less populated places and abundant wildlife, it has so much to offer.
You can read more about Mawbray Banks here.
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Wonderful images and words, Angie. You’re right about these areas of Cumbria being neglected because of the Lake District, I did a trip a few years ago, a little bit south of where you walked, and the coast was stunning. Thanks for sharing.
I love that you are writing about and appreciating the wild beauty of these places from my childhood.