From Opus

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[edit] Overview

Just a nice place to spend a quiet half day enjoying nature!

[edit] Birds

[edit] Notable Species

In late spring the migrants can include Redstart, Pied & Spotted Flycatchers, and Wood Warbler. Residents include Marsh Tit, Lesser Redpoll, Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Long-tailed Tit, Great Tit and Blue Tit. Woods also contain woodpeckers. Whilst walking through woods and skirting open field areas, look out for Common Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel and in summer Tree Pipit.

[edit] Rarities

[edit] Check-list

Birds you can see here include:

Common Redstart, European Pied Flycatcher, Spotted Flycatcher, Wood Warbler, Marsh Tit, Lesser Redpoll, Eurasian Nuthatch, Eurasian Treecreeper, Long-tailed Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Common Buzzard, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Tree Pipit

[edit] Site Information

[edit] History and Use

Points of Interest: Peckforton Castle masquerade fortress built in 1844 for Lord Tollemache. Beeston Castle built in 1220, by Ranulf III, Earl of Chester.

[edit] Areas of Interest

[edit] Access and Facilities

Maps: OS Landranger 117; Explorer 257 Area is steep in places and can be muddy/ slippery after rain. Keep to marked rights of way at all times. Use Sandstone Trail way markers. Note that the area can get busy with walkers at a weekend.

Start: SJ540592. Parking is available at Beeston Castle. The car park is not owned by English Heritage. There is a parking charge of £1.50 on non event days, £3 on event days. Sign posted from A49 or from Chester follow the A51, then the A495 to Tiverton. Again follow signs.

Refreshments:The Shady Oak. Approx 2 miles from Beeston Castle where the road crosses the Shropshire Union Canal.

Bickerton Poacher on the A534 approx 1� mile to the south. Also a snack van may be present at Beeston Castle in summer periods.

[edit] External Links

• Peckforton Hills Local Heritage
• Cheshire-Biodiversity
• Beeston Castle on English Heritage site
• Peckforton on Streetmap

Content and images originally posted by mr1967