Walney Island, Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria

On Thursday morning we set off from the CS at Allithwaite to visit Walney Island, Barrow-in-Furness. There is a nature reserve at both the north and south ends of this very long island. We visited the north end because of its reputation as a wild flower haven. We were not disappointed! First of all, it is a spectacular location: an island of sand dunes protected by a massive natural shingle beach and then endless sands at low water. The central part of the island is heavily populated, originally by workers in Vickerstown. The immense Vicker's works, dockyards and stuff still dominate the place, made so vivid in its wartime glory by the published diaries of Nellie Last, who collected 'data' for Mass Observation.

Amidst all that heavy engineering the extremities of this island were left alone - even by grazing cattle - hence the stunning flora.
Black Comb in the background.
Sea campion I think (Silene uniflora).
There were harebell everywhere (Campanula rotundifolia).
Spectacular Toadflax (Linaria vulgaris).
There were many patches of wild pansy (Viola tricolour).
Many clumps of Bachelor's Buttons or Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare).

There were several vans pitched up.
Chris amidst the dunes.
A campion of some sort?
Sand used to be dug out for building and industry. The pits are now secluded wildfowl sanctuaries.
Dune, shingle, beach, sea.
Canada geese and dune looking north.