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Nature Reserves in Staffordshire Moorlands
Most of this moorland reserve is within the Leek
Moors SSSI and much of the area is of European
importance for its upland bird species. 111 acres
of plantation will eventually be restored to
moorland. Species found here include: curlew,
lapwing, snipe, merlin, whinchat and twite. Also
present are globeflower, heather, crowberry,
cowberry, ragged robin, lady's smock and bog
asphodel. Location: Six miles north of Leek, the
small parking area is less than a mile from the A53
at SK 021 650. Brown End
Quarry 3.5 acres The County's first geological reserve it is
managed in partnership with the North Staffs Group
of the Geologists Association. It is important for
its exposed rocks and fossils of Lower
Carboniferous age. For your own safety please do
not pass beyond the limits of the fence. Species
found here include: cowslips, knapweed, scabious,
ox-eye daisies and various butterflies and
warblers. Location: Eastern end of Waterhouses on
the A523 at SK 090 502. Small parking area. Castern Wood
51 acres One of the Trust's finest and most scenic
reserves. This SSSI is a diverse site of deciduous
woodland, scrub and grassland in a steep-sided
valley sloping down to the River Manifold. Species
found here include: cowslips, violets, several
species of orchid, meadow saxifrage and water
avens. Chimney sweeper moth, northern brown argus
butterfly, bats, woodpeckers, pied flycatcher,
skylark and hare are also present. Location:
Between Wetton and Alstonefield at SK 120 538.
Please park without obstructing gateways. Cotton Dell
160 acres This is an incredibly diverse reserve with areas
of species rich, unimproved grassland, broadleaf
and conifer woodland, geological exposures and a
range of riverside habitats. Part of the site is
designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest .
Species found here include great wood-rush,
bluebell and wood anemone while the many woodland
birds include nuthatch and great spotted
woodpecker. Aquatic insects in the brook attract
dippers. Orchids, betony, scabious and many other
wildflowers provide good sources of nectar for bees
and butterflies in the grasslands. Park in the County Council parking area in
Oakamoor (SK053446) and walk across the road to the
reserve. Harston Wood
6.7 acres Part of the Churnet Valley SSSI the woodland is
on a steep-sided north-facing slope. The nearby
tramway was used to transport limestone to the
canal. Species found here include: tawny owl,
treecreeper, nuthatch, redstart, wood warbler, pied
flycatcher and both spotted woodpeckers. Ash, oak,
elm, guelder rose, hazel, small-leaved lime, yellow
archangel, dog's mercury, twayblade and
broad-leaved helleborine are also present.
Location: Park at the County Council car park and
picnic site on the minor road from Froghall to Foxt
at SK 027 476. Rod Wood 40
acres A mosaic of woodland, scrub and unimproved
grassland. The reserve occupies a hilltop site with
views across Leek to the Peak District National
Park. Species found here include: hay-rattle,
ox-eye daisy, tormentil, orchids, dyer's greenweed,
ragged robin and adder's tongue fern. Meadow brown
and speckled wood butterflies, green woodpecker,
and hare are all present. Location: Three-quarters
of a mile from Coombes Valley reserve at SJ 997
531, just 4 miles from Leek. Side Farm 10
acres A number of small fields enclosed by a network
of millstone grit walls. The reserve has escaped
agricultural 'improvement'. Species found here
include: tormentil, heath bedstraw, bilberry,
pignut, pennywort, lesser spearwort and
lemon-scented fern. Also present are stoats, voles,
50 species of lichen and comma, meadow brown, large
skipper and green hairstreak butterflies. Location:
One and a half miles NNE of Oakamoor at SK 058 465.
Parking is very limited. Swineholes
Wood 61 acres Situated on the exposed
Ipstones Edge this is a fine example of
transitional habitat between lowland heath and
upland moor. Mature secondary woodland covers a
significant part of the SSSI reserve. Species found
here include: bilberry, crowberry, cowberry,
tormentil, heath bedstraw, marsh violet, bog
asphodel and common cow-wheat. Also present are
woodcock, moorland bumble-bee, skylark, curlew,
willow warbler and small tortoiseshell. Location:
Near the radio mast on the Ipstones Edge minor road
at SK 046 503, 1.5 miles ENE of
Ipstones. Weag's Barn
45 acres A SSSI of grassland, scrub and woodland close to
the confluence of the Rivers Hamps and Manifold.
Species found here include: mountain currant,
maidenhair and hartstongue ferns, toothwort,
lousewort, eyebright and meadow saxifrage. Brown
hare, a variety of small birds associated with
woodland/scrub and treble lines and ash pug moths
are also present. Location: Between Grindon and
Wetton in the Manifold Valley at Weags Bridge there
is a car park. Reserve entrance at SK 099 542.
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