Aryes Walk

 This walk was only a short distance but it our aim was for the wildlife in the area. We were at the top end of the island at Ayres National Nature Reserve. It is 673 acres of lichen heath, sand dune and gorse scrub.

We started the walk from the Ayres visitor centre car park. Here you will find a small visitor centre and a new high level-viewing platform that look south over the sand dunes.  From here our walk took us north to wards Point of Ayre Lighthouse.  From there we would return back and do the same route. No height gain as we were at sea level. 

So the aim was for wildllife and as we walked along the top of the beach area or pebble beech.  We came across the oystercatchers that had young birds in the area. We could make out Ringed Plovers darting about in the pebbles. Out at sea a head was bobbing about as the seal watched us.

As you walk along the beach you surprised what is washed up in rubbish.  Old ropes, bottle tops, can, bottles, plastic drums and plastic boxes. Some must come of boat sand the rest is just dumped by us. In between all of that you will come across amazing shells that have been washed up.  Plus at the far end we came across amazing carpet of seaweed. Just look lie lenghts of rope next to each other.

As we got near to the lighthouse we started to see the Gannets diving into the sea. We have been told that they fly in from Scotland or Ireland to feed. This is amazing sight as you have lunch and as the sea was in they were a lot closer this time. Also Arctic terns were flying around. Plus their young were flying as well. If they were still nesting in this are they would have hit us.  They even have their own roped of area.

When we turned back we went back a long the grass above the beach and along here we came across flowers and mushrooms. Not expert on these but some of them were amazing.

So not a big walk but as I said it was just looking at the wildlife in this area. Sometimes we have come here and read a book. It can be a suntrap if sat in the dunes.

After we left here we went to Ramsey and went to have a look an Albert Tower.