Red Rocks Marsh

This SSSI is our only coastal reserve, with sand dunes, reedbeds and marsh. The reedbed is important for many species of wintering birds and the open pools support the rare natterjack toad.

Location
The marsh lies just above the high water mark, behind the Royal Liverpool Golf Course, north of West Kirby Parade, Hoylake,Wirral (O.S. Grid Ref.: SJ206880).

Access
This reserve is open to all. Cars should be left in West Kirby, and then progress on foot along the foreshore. From the Hoylake direction, cars should be parked in Stanley Road, which is reached via the A540, turning right (travelling towards West Kirby) at the roundabout opposite Hoylake Station. After 200 metres turn left. Visitors should keep to the foreshore and marked paths. Do not enter the reedbed.

Status
The reserve covers approximately 10 acres (4ha) and lies within the Red Rocks SSSI. The site is owned by the Royal Liverpool Golf Club from whom it is held on agreement.

Topography
The marsh lies between two parallel ridges of sand dune, a low fore-dune ridge which is constantly being eroded and built up and a higher dune system which merges with the golf course.
The marsh is supplied by freshwater seeping through the dunes from the landward side. However, during high tides and on-shore gales, flooding by seawater can occur. The shore in front of the fore-dunes is composed of muddy sand. At the north end of the reserve area there is an outcrop of Triassic sandstone.

Vegetation
The reserve consists of two dune ridges and a reed bed with an associated 'dune slack' and pools. The dominant grass of the mature dunes to the rear of the reserve is marram grass Ammophila arenaria. This also grows on the embryo dunes together with lyme grass Elymus arenarius. Other dune plants such as sea milkwort Glaux maritima grow amongst the marram grass. The reedbed is dominated with common reed Phragmites australis though there are considerable areas of sea club-rush Scirpus maritimus. At the rear of the reedbed, various species of horsetails flourish. Throughout the reedbed there are scattered trees consisting of alder and willow Salix cinerea.
The margins of the reedbed which consist of damp calcareous sand are the most floristically rich part of the reserve. Over 50 species of flowering plant have been recorded including parsley piert Aphanes arvensis, quaking grass Briza media, Danish scurvey grass Cochlearia danica, wild asparagus Asparagus officinalis and various orchid species.

Fauna
The main interest of the nature reserve is that it forms the only breeding colony of natterjack toads Bufo calamita on the Wirral Peninsula. This species is extremely limited in Britain and is protect by the 1975 Wild Creatures and Wild Plants Act. It is an offence to handle or take this animal without licence. The population of natterjack toads is monitored and an annual report produced. Recently management work has been undertaken to manage the water level in the breeding ponds. Common toads and frogs also breed. The reserve has a rich invertebrate fauna which has been studied. The reedbed is often utilised by birds during passage for shelter.
The Dee Estuary and Hilbre Islands, immediately adjacent to the nature reserve is of national ornithological interest.