Wetley Moor Common Nature Reserve. Scoping out the dry walkabouts. 10th June, 2024.

About Wetley Moor Common Local Nature Reserve

A spring visit is the best time to hear the unmistakable song of the skylark.

This site covers 70 hectares of lowland heathland SSSI set within ancient Common land. Early records from 1220 indicate links to Abbey Hulton. There is a history of Millstone grit quarrying and coal mining dating from 1698. Now heathland with a mix of heather, purple moor grass and gorse. Look and listen for whitethroat, linnet, reed bunting, meadow pipits and sometimes grasshopper warblers. Patches of peripheral scrub support willow tit too.

A link to more info about this walk can be found below:

https://www.staffs-wildlife.org.uk/na...

My take on things after my recent visit.

I'd give the Wetley Moor Common walkabout a 7 out of 10 on the day. It would have been an 8 if I'd have come across a river or a brook to give it a bit more dynamism. The closest I got to running water was a very tame looking Ford in the road.

Unfortunately for me, I did not get to spot any of the different bird species today that have been known to frequent and breed in and around the Wetley Moor Common area.

Not to worry, the viewpoints across the Wrekin on the West side and the Leek Roaches on the East were a surprise find. Also enjoyed the dry walkways to copses which were dotted around on the lower land.

All in all, I'd visit again taking a different route, which I'm led to believe can be a 5 mile hike from start to finish. Wellies on for that one, me thinks!

Thanks for looking in. Till next time. Stay safe, be healthy and take care.

Alan @ NorthStaffsCountryWalks

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