The Dunes - Ranger Info!

Presthaven Sands Holiday Park is situated within the Gronant Dunes and Talacre Warren SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest), which stretches for around 520 hectares along the beach and dunes.

Bourne Leisure own about a third of this conservation area (Denbighshire County Council and BHP Biliton Petroleum Ltd being the other landowners).

*How are sand dunes formed?*

Sand dunes are not a permanent fixture – they are constantly moving and changing shape as the wind blows the sand from one place to another and fresh sand is brought from the sea.

Young dunes are formed on the beach and are no more than mounds of loose sand. These mounds are eventually colonised by Marram grass, a sand dune specialist. Marram holds and binds the sand together with its long roots, which it uses to find water in the dry sand. It also has the ability to continue to grow upwards as sand is continually deposited on top of it – this is how the dunes grow so big and how they are held together.

*Wildlife on the Dunes*

Most species of plant and animal have become ‘speialised’ to live in an environment that is suitable to them – where they can find food, shelter and are able to breed. This is why you find different animals and plants in different places around the world. Easy examples to demonstrate this within the UK is Puffins feed on sea fish and are therefore found near the coast, Squirrels feed on nuts so are found close to woodlands and parks.

The wildlife that lives in the sand dunes are the same – they are here because the dunes provide safety, food and allow them to breed.
Two of the rarest and most endangered predators in the UK are found in sand dunes at Presthaven. Both of these species were locally extinct but have been reintroduced and due to well-managed conservation programmes, are breeding and flourishing within the dunes. The two species are:

Natterjack Toads
Natterjacks are smaller than common toads and are distinguished by a yellow stripe that runs down the centre of their back. Unlike other frogs and toads, the natterjack cannot hop very well, and will only do so if attacked. They have short hind legs that allow them to run and hunt their prey. They feed on invertebrates found throughout the dunes such as snails, moths, woodlice and spiders. They are also poor swimmers and are known to drown quickly in deep water if they cannot get ashore
Natterjacks are claimed to be Europe's noisiest amphibian, the call of the male can be heard over several kilometers away. Male toads arrive at the breeding sites first, which are usually in very shallow water where they call to the females.

Natterjacks require two critical elements of habitat structure that are essential for them to thrive:
- Extensive areas of bareground or very short vegetation.
This habitat supports the invertebrates upon which the natterjacks can actively hunt. It also allows the toads to dig burrows into the sand to escape from the heat of the sun and sub-zero temperatures during winter and to hide from predators.
- Unshaded, shallow ponds with gradual shelving edges
Shallow pools prevent common toads laying eggs, which are much stronger than natterjack tadpoles. The tadpoles of the natterjack are the smallest tadpoles in Europe. Also predators of natterjack tadpoles are often found in deeper, cooler and more vegetated ponds. Having gradual edges to the ponds also allows easy access for the natterjacks who are poor swimmers.
Both of these habitat features need to be very close to one another as natterjacks will not cross large areas of unsuitable terrain as they are vulnerable to predators and the weather.

Sand dune habitat meets both of these requirements – it has large areas of bare sand but with vegetation cover (Marram grass) to support invertebrate prey and cover for the toads to burrow. Shallow, unshaded ponds are formed in the dune slacks, and those found closer towards the sea are poorly vegetated which will mean less predators.

*Sand Lizards*

Sand lizards are stocky and short-legged, with short heads, blunt snouts and short tails.
Male sand lizards are typically brown-black with green sides. During the breeding season, the green sides become brighter and the male appears to be green. Females are pale grey to light brown, with a pattern of brown markings running along the back.
Male sand lizards fight vigorously for females. They grab the necks of each other with their jaws and roll over and over, until one, usually the smaller lizard, retreats.

Although active during the day, sand lizards are very shy and difficult to spot. Even in warm weather when they emerge to bask in the sun to warm up (as they are cold blooded), they spend most of their time underground in their burrows. Sand lizards mainly feed on invertebrates such as slugs, spiders and insects.

Sand lizards also require two major habitat structures if they are to thrive:
*South-facing dune or heath habitat with varied vegetation structure. Varied vegetation cover allows for cover, hunting and to allow the lizards to regulate their body temperature. South facing dunes allows the lizards to bask in the best of the UK sun.
*Unshaded, south facing areas of exposed sand
Sand is essential for egg incubation. Sand lizard eggs can only develop in sandy gravels with low amounts of organic matter without physical disturbances e.g. vehicles and trampling humans.
Sand dunes provide both of the essential habitat requirements of the sand lizard, and for this reason they are found here.

Conservation of the sand dunes
Sandy beaches are attractive to tourists, but development for tourism frequently brings disturbance of the ecological functioning of beach/dune system.

The site management on Presthaven Sands has two main aims:
1. To protect the Health & Safety of visitors and the local community
2. To up hold the statutory legislation with regards to the SSSI by protecting the wildlife features.
Presthaven Sands employs a Dunes Ranger to meet these objectives.

The Dunes Ranger welcomes all visitors to enjoy the dunes and sandy beaches. However, the Ranger asks all visitors to please keep the dunes open for all by observing the country code:

*Keep to waymarked paths and boardwalks through the dunes as to avoid trampling plants and disturbing wildlife
*Keep dogs on leads through the dunes as to avoid disturbing wildlife, and please clear up dog mess and use bins as provided. There are dog bins provided at all boardwalk entrances onto the dunes
*Keep out of fenced off areas. These are special conservation areas where the public are not allowed
*No fires or barbecues on the dunes. The dominant grass on the dunes is easily burnt and fires will spread quickly through the dunes destroying large areas and killing wildlife
*Please take all litter home with you. There are bins provided at all boardwalk entrances onto the dunes and beach.
*Do not pick or uproot any plants as they are protected by law
*Please check tide times before setting out onto beach. There are dangerous currents and mudflats and do not use low tide walk when tide is high. Tide times can be found in information boards at boardwalk entrances onto beach
*Do not dig in dunes or use metal detectors as you can dig up rare and endangered flowers and burrows of the natterjack toad and sand lizard

Join the Dunes Ranger!

To maintain the dunes important conservation status, practical habitat management works need to be carried out. An example of work that is carried out includes:

*Dead Christmas Tree Planting
The trees are ‘planted’ in areas where trampling feet have caused bare shallow trenches to develop. The trees help to trap sand and allow vegetation to grow and stabilise it.
*Invasive plant removal
Many plants have been planted within the dunes, most notably during World War II when evacuees were housed on the dunes. They planted invasive garden species and trees on the dunes that can still be seen today and are in the process of removal.
*Species Monitoring
The Ranger needs to monitor the rare wildlife that lives within the dunes to ensure that it is healthy. This includes sand lizard searches and checking natterjack toad spawns.

If you are an owner at Presthaven Sands or are visiting for a holiday and would like to help the Dunes Ranger please contact the Dunes Ranger for more information:

Alan Sumnall
Dunes Ranger
Presthaven Sands Holiday Park
Shore Road
Gronant
Flintshire
LL19 9TT

Tel: (01745) 856647 ext 246
E-Mail: Click to email