Northern dune tiger beetle  (Cicindela hybrida)

As well as various projects to stabilise sand dune systems, the increasing use of dunes for recreation also poses a threat to the northern dune tiger beetle.

The northern dune tiger beetle is listed in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (UK BAP) and included in English Nature's Species Recovery Programme. In Lancashire all known sites are Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs). Formby/Ainsdale Dunes are a National Nature Reserve (NNR), Drigg/Eskmeal Dunes are Local Nature Reserves LNRs, and Eskmeals and Altcar Ranges are owned by the Ministry of Defence (MoD). Ainsdale is a candidate Special Area of Conservation (cSAC). There are a number of other sites in the Lancashire and Cheshire region that, historically, listed these beetles, and it is hoped that re-introductions may be made to these sites providing their habitat was suitable by 2010. Other plans for this species include linking the Action Plan with that for coastal sand dunes and raising awareness through increased publicity.