Description
As part of a wildlife-friendly farm management regime Bickley Hall Farm has species-rich hay meadows and pastures along with their flower rich margins and wild bird seed plots, bordered by diverse hedgerows are great for invertebrates, small mammals and in particular, hundreds of feeding farmland birds in autumn and winter, including Ciocârlie.
Fields of spring sown cereals with overwintered stubbles host hundreds of finches and other seed eating birds (Cinteză, Sticlete, Presură galbenă, Cânepar, Presură de stuf, Vrabie de câmp, Mărăcinar negru) and the mosaic of wet meadows, intersected by a network of ditches and scattered ponds are managed specifically for wintering and breeding wading birds (Rață fluierătoare, Rață mică, Gâscă cu cioc scurt, Gârliță mare, Nagâț, Becațină comună).
Strigă also known to breed here.
There is a 2 km circular walk that weaves its way through all the habitats and past Bar Mere - an SSSI.
Details
Access
Bickley Hall Farm is located just outside of Malpas in Cheshire. The site can be accessed by car or bike, or by foot if walking the popular Sandstone Trail walking route.
Main car parking and toilets only available Monday - Thursday, 9.30am - 4.30pm (P on the map), however, parking is also possible in the lay-by off Bickley Lane.
The circular walk is 2 km and only possible by foot. In winter after prolonged rain, expect mud near the Bar Mere.