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        Discover Arnside & Silverdale AONB

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        This extraordinary place is famous for its amazing wildlife, stunning scenery, and superb walks. From the simple beauty of the Lady’s-slipper Orchid to the shining sands of Morecambe Bay, the area is simply awe-inspiring – full of natural spectacles and a surprise around every corner.

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        The AONB Partnership is the body that exists to conserve and enhance the AONB and is made up of local authorities, interest groups, national agencies and local communities, working together. The AONB Team is employed on behalf of the AONB Partnership to develop and support the implementation of the statutory AONB Management Plan.

         

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Arnside Silverdale AONB

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Stunning limestone pavements, ancient woodlands, intimate orchards and meadows and an impressive coastline make Arnside & Silverdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty one of England's finest landscapes. The work of the AONB Partnership aims to conserve and enhance this extraordinary place now and for the future.

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    Spectacular starlings on show

    November 30th, 2015

    LT_murmuration_of_starlingsVisitors are set to be gathering to watch an amazing wildlife spectacle over the next few weeks at RSPB Leighton Moss nature reserve, near Silverdale. At this time of year the sky comes alive at dusk, as enormous flocks of starlings can be seen putting on a spectacular aerial display above the reedbed.

    The birds fly in from all directions and turn the sky black, as they join together en-masse to settle down to roost for the night. If the conditions are right, they can be seen wheeling, turning and swooping in unison, appearing like a shoal of fish.

    Annabel Rushton, Visitor Experience Manager at Leighton Moss, said: “Seeing the huge flocks of starlings dancing in the air is one of the UK’s top wildlife spectacles and it really is a jaw-dropping sight to behold. It’s a similar experience to watching fireworks, with visitors gasping with excitement when they see them twisting and turning, creating all sorts of amazing shapes and then applauding the finale where they pour into the reeds like treacle and chatter to each other before going to bed.”

    Around 10,000 starlings have returned to Leighton Moss so far and numbers have been known to grow up to 100,000 some years. These ‘murmurations’ usually continue until Christmas, but in colder years have occured through to February and March.

    Annabel added: “Don’t be fooled by the numbers of starlings you see in the winter though, as starlings are sadly declining in the UK. Although the starling is still one of the more common garden birds you see, the breeding population of starlings in the UK has crashed by over 70% and the RSPB is working with farmers and land owners to encourage land management that benefits starlings and other wildlife.”

    To find out more about events and wildlife sightings at Leighton Moss, visit www.rspb.org.uk/leightonmoss for details.

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    Twitter
    Apr 19th

    It’s another beautiful day and there is plenty to discover now spring is really settling in. Plenty of scope for a… https://t.co/N0V6gaHNHO

    Apr 17th

    Pleased you spotted it Rebecca, they are special. https://t.co/fvWVn2QiQx

    Apr 16th

    I’m sure you really enjoyed your day Russ, hope you really enjoyed our stunning scenery and found peace and content… https://t.co/nu5l04Ip7d

    Apr 16th

    New traffic proposals for Arnside: https://t.co/zF6qZOoFyM

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    Arnside & Silverdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

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