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Cotton Dell

Staffordshire  >  United Kingdom

A patch of ancient woodland and flower-rich grassland in North Staffordshire, known for its resident воден ќос.

Added* by Jalal Khan
Most recent update 25 октомври 2020

Description

Cotton Dell is a small reserve managed by the Staffordshire Wildlife Trust, set in a steep-sided valley with ancient woodland and wildflower meadows, near the village of Oakamoor. It's a particularly good site for воден ќос, which may be seen at any point along Cotton Brook, even next to the car park. The reserve is also home to планинска тресиопашка, Шумски (Обичен) був and all three British woodpecker species: зелен клукајдрвец, голем клукајдрвец and the increasingly rare мал клукајдрвец. In summer, they are joined by сиво муварче, црноглаво муварче, лисесто циганче and шумски свиркач.

Details

Access

Park at the Staffordshire County Council picnic area in Oakamoor. Click on the P in the map to get directions. From there, walk over the grassy area, crossing the river Churnet by the footbridge. Cross the B5417 at the old lime kilns and head up the narrow track opposite, passing a few houses and garages. The reserve entrance is 350 metres up this track.

Continue past the houses into the reserve through a gate. The track crosses a bridge over the stream. Continue up the track past a concrete footbridge on the right. When you reach the junction, take the right fork (yellow arrow), following the stream. In about 100 metres the stream meanders to your right. There is a seat here, after which the footpath narrows. Continue until you see a signpost near the second footbridge and go straight on, following the stream. Cross another bridge and continue until you see a marker post with a yellow top. This is the limit of the walk. Retrace your steps back to Oakamoor.

Terrain and Habitat

Forest , Scattered trees and bushes , Grassland , River , City/village

Conditions

Hilly , Slippery

Circular trail

No

Is a telescope useful?

No

Good birding season

All year round

Best time to visit

Spring

Route

Narrow trail

Difficulty walking trail

Easy

Accessible by

Foot

Birdwatching hide / platform

No

Links

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Map

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