Foulney Twist

Coastal Marsh, Saltings in Lancashire Barrow-in-Furness

England

Foulney Twist

Piel Island and Castle, Barrow-in-Furness Credit: Simon Ledingham

Foulney Twist is a small coastal marsh located in the county of Lancashire, England. It is situated on the southern edge of Morecambe Bay, just off the coast of the town of Barrow-in-Furness. The marsh is known for its unique landscape of saltings, which are areas of low-lying land near the coast that are regularly flooded by the tides.

The marsh is approximately 50 acres in size and is characterized by its flat and open terrain. It is covered in a variety of salt-tolerant grasses and plants, such as sea lavender and samphire, which thrive in the brackish conditions. These plants provide important habitats and food sources for a range of bird species, including waders like redshanks and curlews, as well as ducks and geese.

Foulney Twist is also home to a number of other wildlife species, including small mammals like voles and shrews, as well as reptiles such as adders and common lizards. The marsh is considered an important site for nature conservation and has been designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) due to its ecological value.

In addition to its natural significance, Foulney Twist has historical importance as well. The area has been used for salt production since medieval times, with evidence of salt pans and extraction pits still visible today.

Overall, Foulney Twist is a unique and ecologically rich coastal marsh, providing vital habitats for a range of plant and animal species.

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Foulney Twist Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 54.057882/-3.150346 or Grid Reference SD2463. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Piel Island and Castle, Barrow-in-Furness

Simon Ledingham

Shelly Bars, South Walney Nature Reserve

Looking north towards Piel Castle

Chris Upson

Piel Castle

Looking East from Fouldrey Stones. A popular summer destination for visiting and local sailors. Site of spectacular sun-sets

Arnold Price

Sunset over Barrow in Furness

Arnold Price

Safely Ashore

The head of the landing on Piel Island

Arnold Price

Seal colony on South Walney

This colony of Grey Seals has been gradually expanding over the past few years, currently well over 70 can be seen hauled out on the sands

Anthony Sinton

Bass Pool

There were numerous seals swimming in the water at the time of the photograph, one can be seen centre right. There is a rich source of food for marine life hereabouts, brought in on strong tides which was making at this time. Bass Pool is no longer navigable as it dries at its NW end about half tide on the ebb. It is understood that it was the main channel through to Barrow in Furness many years ago. The main channel now passes to the east of the island which has been known for many years as Piel Harbour.

Arnold Price

Disused pier on the north shore of Walney Island

Shingle beach with a sand spit behind, part of Snab Sands. The disused pier at North East Point runs broadly parallel with the beach. Piel Castle on Piel Island is visible on the horizon (in SD2363)

Espresso Addict

View to Piel Castle from North East Point

View NNE from the track at the north-east corner of Walney Island towards Piel Island and Piel Castle (SD2363). Bass Pool lies between the sands of North East Point and Piel Island, with Piel Harbour beyond

Espresso Addict

Shelly Bars

Shelly Bars is part of the South Walney Nature Reserve, and is not accessible to the public. An extensive area of salt marsh (foreground) divides the main Walney Island from Shelly Bars. View from the hide near North East Point

Espresso Addict

Shelly Bars and North East Point

Shelly Bars is part of the South Walney Nature Reserve, and is not accessible to the public. This view from the hide near North East Point shows the northern end of the sand bar. An oyster catcher is visible in the salt marsh (right foreground)

Espresso Addict

Piel Island and Castle

Piel Island with ruined castle can be accessed via a ferry from Roa Island.

Malcolm Carruthers

The view from the pier head bird hide

Steve Fareham

Stone Shelter on Foulney Island

Black Combe is the hill in the background

Stephen Middlemiss

Blockhouse on Foulney Island

A trail marked by posts and blue rope should be followed so as not to disturb nesting birds

Stephen Middlemiss

Stone Shelter on Foulney Island

This photo was taken 3 years after the first one in this square Link , note half of the near side of the shelter has disappeared, probably due to erosion as the shingle it sits on is gradually washed away during high tides.

Stephen Middlemiss

Roa Island Landing Slipway

The ferry slipway during a very high tide. A bloke called "Steve" offers a ferry service from here to Piel Island, seen in the distance, during the summer.

Chris Heaton