Information - Starr Gate, Blackpool (Lancs, England)
Migration siteStarr Gate, Blackpool (Lancs, England) ContactsLen Blacow Contacts Web siteLast countObservation hours3,819:09 observation hours, 6 year |
lat: 53.77991, lng: -3.05797 |
Description
Starr Gate is located at the Southern end of the man-made promenade and sea-defences that make up the majority of Blackpool sea front.The watch location is based at one of the shelters that were built when the promenade was constructed and these are around 4m above sea level.
Depending on the direction of the prevailing wind, watchers will position themselves on either the north or south of the shelter.
The tide comes in fully on every tide and no sand is ever left exposed at high tide.
There is a green buoy sited approximately 350m offshore which remains covered by water at all states of tide. This buoy is the position / reference point on which most 'calls' are made. Eider North, approaching green buoy; Curlew South, beyond green buoy etc. The attendees have also applied numbers to the vertical railings on the Promenade from a ‘0’ point facing due West and then to + 7 for birds moving North and -6 for Birds moving South. This helps be more accurate on the calls ie: Two Teal South between 3 and 4 etc.
South of the site the area moves around into the Ribble Estuary and Southport and the Welsh Mountains are visible. To the North, the site tracks the Promenade beyond South Pier and with views across Morecambe Bay to the Southern and Western Fells of the Lake District.
Several Gas Platforms are visible from the watch location with a 'Square Rig' being positioned on the horizon almost directly in front of the watch location - this is used as another reference point.
Several large offshore wind farms are also visible from the watch location to the South West and North West, mostly on the Horizon.
Location
Starr Gate is located at the Southern end of the man-made promenade and sea-defences that make up the majority of Blackpool sea front.Exact OS Grid Reference is SD30373202
WhatThreeWords is ///splash.common.coherent
Postcode is FY4 1SU
Access
Access could not be simpler. Parking is free on the promenade until 10am every day and there are adjacent streets where free parking is available all day.To access the promenade you need to cross the tram tracks but this is very straightforward.
All access to the Promenade from the road is via wheelchair / disabled friendly ramps with long gradual slopes - once on the promenade, unbroken, step free access is available for the full 7 mile length of the promenade from Starr Gate and as far North as Rossall (just South of Fleetwood).
