The Gunsite was formerly an anti-aircraft station during the Second World War, established to protect the docks and surrounding areas from air raid. It is now a picnic area and wildlife haven for numerous invertebrates. The sand dunes are situated between Leasowe Bay and the Gunsite. They are a unique and threatened habitat nationally, containing a variety of species including Sand Lizard, Marram and Lyme grasses.

Recorders:  Phil Brighton, Steve Cross, Eric Davies, Leanna Dixon, Elina Doss, Gary Hedges, Roy Lowry, John McGaw, Clive Washington

Notable Records:

Harpalus anxius (Carabidae). C. Washington.
• Nationally Scarce
• UK distribution is mainly dunes but also occurs on sandy heaths.
• Within the region also known from the Sefton Coast.

Orchestes alni Elm Flea Weevil (Curculionidae). P. Brighton & G. Hedges
• Single adult specimens found by each recorder in elm scrub, which is the species foodplant.
• According to the regional checklist (C. Washington, 2020), these records represent the 2nd and 3rd vice county records having first been recorded in 2001.

Tesarius caelatus (Scarabaeidae). C. Washington.
• Found in dunes. This is one of two sites on the Wirral coast. In Britain, the only other areas are the Sefton and Fylde coasts.
• An established introduction from the West coast of North America.

Canace nasica (Canacidae), Leasowe Gunsite. P. Brighton.
• New to VC58 and the Lancs and Cheshire region.
• A single adult female found.

Telmatogeton japonicus (Chironomidae).  E. Brighton (Det. P. Brighton).
• New to VC58.
• Found crawling around in the bright green seaweed on the sea-wall.
• This marine Chironomid midge arrived from Japan and the first British records were in Scotland about 20 years ago.
• The only other English record on NBN Atlas is from just across the Mersey in Crosby by Steve Tomlinson in November 2020.

Phora atra (Phoridae). P. Brighton.
• New to VC59 and the Lancashire and Cheshire region. 2 Male and 1 Female recorded.
• 167 records on NBN atlas and widely scattered throughout England and Wales but few from Scotland.

Orygma luctuosum (Sepsidae). P. Brighton.
• New to VC58.
• Found around the coastline of Great Britain, including VC59 & 60.
• Associated with decaying kelp on beaches

Psammotettix cephalotes (Cicadellidae). P. Brighton.
• New to VC58 according to unpublished working provisional Auchenorrhynca checklist (K. Fowler)
• Appears to have a scattered distribution, mainly in England.

Viridicerus ustulatus (Cicadellidae). P. Brighton.
• Female swept from White Poplar.
• New to VC58 according to unpublished working provisional Auchenorrhynca checklist (K. Fowler)
• Overwinters on evergreens.

Osmia aurulenta Gold-Fringed Mason Bee (Megachilidae). R. Lowry.
• New site record and one of only a few from Cheshire, all from the Wirral.
• Restricted to the coast in North West England. Commonly builds nests in empty snail shells.

Download Leasowe Species List & Raw Data [Excel Spreadsheet] Last updated 30/11/2023

Species List: