Pilling Sands

Pilling Sands
People walking on the sands, with Heysham Power Station, located to the north, in the background
Pilling Sands is located in Lancashire
Pilling Sands
Pilling Sands
Pilling Sands is located in Morecambe Bay
Pilling Sands
Pilling Sands
Pilling Sands is located in the Borough of Wyre
Pilling Sands
Pilling Sands
Pilling Sands is located in England
Pilling Sands
Pilling Sands
Geography
CountryEngland
DistrictWyre, Lancashire
Population centerPilling
Coordinates53°57′N 2°55′W / 53.95°N 2.92°W / 53.95; -2.92 (Pilling Sands) 

Pilling Sands is a tidal marsh in the Borough of Wyre, Lancashire, England. Named after the village of Pilling, located on the Fylde coast immediately to the south,[1] it forms part of the southern edge of Morecambe Bay.[2] Cockerham Sands adjoins it to the east.

The 134-mile (216 km)-long Lancashire Coastal Way runs beside the sands. This section is closed from 26 December to Good Friday to protect lambs and birdlife.[3] Rare birds for Lancashire that have been spotted near the sands include lesser yellowlegs and hoopoe.[4]

In 2022, the North West Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority found that the Pilling Sands cockle fishery was, in a Habitats Regulations Assessment, in non-compliance of the North West Sea Fisheries Commission byelaw 13A, and was subsequently closed temporarily.[5] Closure notices are active until two consecutive samples return normal levels of bacteriological quality for the production area.[6]

Horse racing regularly took place on the sands in the 19th century.[7]

References

  1. ^ "#GetOutside: do more in the British Outdoors". OS GetOutside. Retrieved 2022-11-01.
  2. ^ Evans, Denise (2022-08-07). "Coastal village with a salt marsh beach, windmill and a bug hotel". LancsLive. Retrieved 2022-11-01.
  3. ^ "Play-Dogs: L'application mobile pour découvrir et partager des balades avec ton chien". Play-Dogs: Let's dog it ! (in French). Retrieved 2022-11-01.
  4. ^ "Pilling Birdwatching Site - BirdGuides". www.birdguides.com. Retrieved 2022-11-01.
  5. ^ "Pilling Sands and Newbiggin Cockle Fishery HRA Review Update". IFCA North West. 2022-01-14. Retrieved 2022-11-01.
  6. ^ Grieve, Leo. "Shellfish harvesting". Wyre Council. Retrieved 2022-11-01.
  7. ^ Our Country Churches and Chapels. A. Hewitson. 1872. p. 498.