In Pictures: Southport – on the wild marsh

Some of us love the desolate wild places. Virtually the only sounds heard originate from the Irish Sea breeze whistling down the creeks, along with the melancholy cries of the curlews, godwits and various geese.

In the above video clip one can see Blackpool initially, then Southport pier in the distance.

Muddy creeks that meander out into the Ribble estuary…

Since time immemorial the pink-footed and greylag geese have flocked in their thousands into the wild marsh.

Geese resting up here with Blackpool Tower, over the Ribble estuary, in the distance.

The grace of the incoming skeins is a wonder to behold, giving a seasonal sense of continuity, year after year. Canada geese (as below) also use the Southport wetlands as a refuge.

Above: a godwit feeding on the marsh.