II.

Land and Resources

The larger part of Merseyside is based on Carboniferous rocks; the coastal strip northwards to Southport is composed chiefly of blown sand. The estuary of the River Mersey dominates the southern half of Merseyside, and cuts off the Wirral from the rest of the county. The climate is moderate. Annual rainfall for the county is in the region of 760 to 1,000 mm (30 to 40 in). The Ainsdale Sand Dunes are designated as a National Nature Reserve. A wide variety of seabirds can be seen, and the dunes are also the home of sand lizards and natterjack toads. The coastal dunes, south of Southport, continue southwards to Formby Point, where there is a reserve for red squirrels.