The status of Heswall Dales Local Nature Reserve as a SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) is based primarily on being and increasingly rare example of Lowland Heath. Looking towards the estuary from this viewpoint, you can see examples of key species contributing to that habitat.
The photo here was taken in August when the light purple of Common Heather (Caluna vulgaris) is prominent as is the yellow bloom of Western Gorse (Ulex gallii). The darker purple in the foreground is Bell Heather (Erica cinerea). The dominant gorse here which screens many of the paths is European Gorse (Ulex europea). Left uncontrolled it, along with Silver Birch, invades the heathland panels and would turn the whole site into a mix of scrub and woodland.
Inland, behind you, is an area recovering from fire damage. The dark purple in the photo, also taken in August, is Bell Heather some of which is developing seed heads giving an attractive brown colour to go with the yellow of the Western Gorse. You can also see the advancing Birch scrub which will need to be controlled during the conservation work carried out by the Ranger and volunteers between October and February each year. The undulating sandstone-based topography contributes to the attractive wild character of the Dales but also makes it a very challenging reserve to manage.
