Colin says: Earnse Bay at high tide with Millom and Black Combe in the background. Along the west coas,t and around the north and south ends of Walney Island, the upper beaches have been formed into what is known as shingle storm ridges by extreme wave action. Such ridges often have a flattish top which extends a few meters landwards upon which vegitation has managed to gain a foothold. Such vegetated shingle is a signigicant factor in sustaining the diversity of wildlife which makes Walney's Nature Reserves so special. By contrast - along the sheltered east coast of Walney, only narrow beaches of fine shingle (averaging about 3cm diameter) have developed, flanked by saltmarshes and broad mud/sandbanks towards Walney Channel. |