Talacre, Wales Coast Path

I crossed the River Dee near Queensferry and continued on its southern side until I reached Point Ayr, the northernmost point of Wales. It is located at the mouth of the River Dee, which flows into the Irish Sea. The picturesque beach is part of Talacre, a small village favoured by locals and tourists for its long sandy beaches and extensive sand dunes.

The dunes support a wide variety of plants and animals, and due to their ecological importance, they are designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). Plants such as marram grass and sand sedge help to stabilise the dunes, whereas the sea holly, with its blue-green leaves and silver-blue flowers, and bird's foot trefoil, with clusters of yellow flowers, bring a splash of colour. 

The very rare Natterjack toad, with its distinctive yellow stripe down its back, makes this area its home. Extinct in Wales by the 20th century, the toad was reintroduced as a protected species. If I gingerly search within the sand dunes, I may chance upon a skylark nesting, trilling its melodious songs. At the same time, I may spot the odd bird of prey up in the sky, be it a kestrel or a peregrine falcon. 

Perhaps the most notable landmark on the beach is the Talacre Lighthouse, also known as the Point of Ayr Lighthouse. This 1776 lighthouse, standing atop the sand dunes, was built to guide ships navigating the coastline. Later, a pile lighthouse was established in its place by the Trinity House, an organisation responsible for overseeing lighthouse operations across Wales, England, the Channel Islands, and Gibraltar. By the end of the 19th century, this replacement, too, gave way to a lightship. Today, Talacre Lighthouse stands in solitude, a somewhat forsaken sentinel, steadfastly gazing over the expanse of the Irish Sea.