The rolling open dune landscape viewed from the 11th tee is home to the MEADOW PIPIT, which is increasing in numbers locally. This species uses the seawards dunes, where the dune-building MARRAM GRASS, is most clearly evident.

Swathes of the fern COMMON POLYPODY cover the shaded north-facing dune slopes along with LICHENS. DEWBERRY – a delicate dune grassland version of bramble – spreads its gently spined runners and grey-hewed purple berries across the dry dune ridges.

Encroachment of shrub and rank grasses led to the local extinction of the NATTERJACK TOAD, or ‘Birkdale Nightingale’. Now that the ‘links’ character is being restored, Natterjack Toads are being returned into suitable open habitat. With support from the EC Life-Nature fund, a breeding pool has been dug to the left of the 12th hole, and toad spawn introduced from adjacent nature reserves. Another beneficiary is COTTON GRASS, which has reappeared in the wet Dune Slack below the 12th tee.