Watched a very informative repeat programme on Channel 4 yesterday evening called Britain at Low Tide - Merseyside's Coastal Archaeology.  Not strictly about birds but it explains the steps taken in the past to try to prevent coastal erosion on Formby and surrounding beaches. The birding connection was in the shape of John Dempsey, a coastal ranger who is based at Ainsdale.  John's local knowledge input made for really interesting viewing for me. If you have ever wondered who dumped all of that building rubble on the beach all can be revealed on Ch4 playback