Although much of the Whitehaven coast has been influenced by man at some stage the site still teems with wildlife. Mines, former railways and quarries all provide a home for distinctive species.

Common lizards bask and scurry across the walls alongside the former Croft Incline, a railway which used to transport the output from the collieries. Adders are said to frequent the former alabaster mines at Barrowmouth.

Mining still takes place on the coast, albeit on a minute scale; Davies' colletes bees make their burrows in mining spoil and sand, whilst the more industrious blue mason bee is likely to transport building material to its chosen nest site such as a hollow plant stem. These bees and many other insects are dependant on the rich pollen and nectar resources provided by maritime grassland and heathland habitats on the site.

The sheltered areas at Barrowmouth provide the warmth necessary for species which at the northern extreme of their range. The gatekeeper butterfly and the dark bush-cricket are two examples which enjoy the warmth and shelter provided by this area. Barrowmouth is also the home of one of the club-horned sawflies Zaraea fasciata, this is a spectacular bee-mimic, with larvae feeding on honeysuckle.

The coast is home to a breeding population of red fox and possibly badgers. There are good numbers of rabbits and the protection afforded by the Rhodia site seems to have attracted decent numbers of brown hare.

Returning to traditional practices such as grazing animals on Barrowmouth Common and reinstating flower rich pasture to some of the coastal fields should provide benefits for the wildlife that inhabits this contrasting and fascinating stretch of coast.