Devils Hole Mono 01

Photographed on the Thursday 25 April 2013.
Devils Hole is a local landmark in the Ravenmeols local nature reserve area, accessible from Formby. It represents a massive blow out that was most probably due to exploded ordinance from WW II. The subsequent wind erosion has maintained the blow out with some changes as sand is also brought in on the wind (Aeolian deposition). An enormous crater like hole has been thus created and up to 10 meters deep Increasing depth also meant that as the water table was reached, flooding began in the northern part of the blow out. As water filled in this area over successive years, vegetation also crept in and with it some of Sefton’s coast rarest inhabitants, the Natterjack Toads (Epidalea calamita). Formby, Ainsdale and Southport are among some of the few sites in the UK that the Natterjack Toad will breed in and in these areas the scarce Great Crested Newt (Triturus cristatus) may also be found although Formby/Freshfield is most famous for its Red Squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris). Also found in Devils Hole is the Northern Dune Tiger Beetle (Cicendela hybrida) , again a rare species and on the UK BAP (Biodiversity Action Plan) with the Natterjack and Sand Lizard (Lacerta agilis) which makes Devils Hole a site of SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest). However if visiting these areas please be careful as recreational activities have a great impact on these rare species and also dogs splashing/running through or into these wet slacks can stir up many pathogen’s that will attack young frogs/toads/ and their tadpoles etc.
More information can be found here:
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/formby/features/sand-dune-wildlife-of-formby
http://www.arkive.org/northern-dune-tiger-beetle/cicindela-hybrida/
http://www.arkive.org/natterjack-toad/epidalea-calamita/image-A4181
http://www.arkive.org/explore/species?q=%22sand%20lizard%22
http://www.formbycivicsociety.org.uk/devils_hole.html

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