← Back🌳 Broadleaved woodland

The Rookery

1 ha

📷 Jeremy Bolwell · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

WildlifeBirdsInsects

Free entryDogs welcome1 ha

Getting here

52.80443, -2.21972

Open directionsv

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Visiting this summer

Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now

🌞Midsummer — early morning visits most comfortable; look for deer fawns in quieter clearings
🌿Foraging is at its best in summer here
🐕Dogs welcome — bring water in summer; the site has enough space to find shade on hot days

🌤️ Visiting this summer

🌞Midsummer — early morning visits most comfortable; look for deer fawns in quieter clearings
🌿Foraging is at its best in summer here
🐕Dogs welcome — bring water in summer; the site has enough space to find shade on hot days

Good to know

£Free to visit — no entry charge
🐕Dogs welcome

Best for

6 activities

Wildlife

Very strong match

Multi-group wildlife — Amphibians, Birds, Mammals; Multi-group wildlife — Amphibians, Birds, Mammals

Free

Bird watching

Strong match

Birds — Wigeon, Shoveler, Pochard +44 more · last seen 2025; Birds — Wigeon, Shoveler, Pochard +44 more · last seen 2025

Free

Insect spotting

Strong match

Insects — Small White, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper +17 more · last seen 2025; Insects — Small White, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper +17 more · last seen 2025

Free

Foraging

Good match

Deciduous woodland — fungi, berries and wild garlic

Varies

Seasonal nature

Good match

Plants — Lords-and-Ladies, Hart's-tongue Thyme-moss, Swan's-neck Thyme-moss +3 more · last seen 2025; Plants — Lords-and-Ladies, Hart's-tongue Thyme-moss, Swan's-neck Thyme-moss +3 more · last seen 2025

Free

Forest walks

Moderate match

Public woodland

Free

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km

🚶

Walking

4 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby

Stafford 62Walking route

Named route

The Way for the MillenniumWalking route65 km

Newport to Burton on Trent

Named routeLength 65 kmRegional walking route

Stafford 57Walking route

Named route

Stone Circles ChallengeWalking route

Named routeLocal walking route

🚴

Cycling

16 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby

Route 55Cycling route

Named routeRef 55National Cycle Network

Main RouteCycling route103 m

Named routeRef 55Length 103 mNational Cycle NetworkTraffic-freeSurface asphalt

Main RouteCycling route351 m

Named routeRef 55Length 351 mNational Cycle NetworkTraffic-freeSurface unsealedfirm

Main RouteCycling route997 m

Named routeRef 55Length 997 mNational Cycle NetworkTraffic-freeSurface unsealedfirm

Main RouteCycling route658 m

Named routeRef 55Length 658 mNational Cycle NetworkTraffic-freeSurface unsealedfirm

Main RouteCycling route310 m

Named routeRef 55Length 310 mNational Cycle NetworkTraffic-freeSurface unsealedfirm

Wildlife to spot

768 records · National Biodiversity Network

Wildlife to spot

768 records · National Biodiversity Network

🐦

Birds49 species

winterspringautumn

2025

Wigeon · Shoveler · Pochard · Pintail · Garganey +44

WigeonMareca penelope
ShovelerSpatula clypeata
PochardAythya ferina2024
PintailAnas acuta
GarganeySpatula querquedula2015
Yellow-legged GullLarus michahellis2016
BuzzardButeo buteo
HawfinchCoccothraustes coccothraustes2020
House MartinDelichon urbicum
RobinErithacus rubecula
BitternBotaurus stellaris2010
WoodpigeonColumba palumbus
JackdawColoeus monedula
WrenTroglodytes troglodytes
Great TitParus major
House SparrowPasser domesticus
BlackcapSylvia atricapilla
DunnockPrunella modularis
MallardAnas platyrhynchos
GreenfinchChloris chloris
ChiffchaffPhylloscopus collybita
MoorhenGallinula chloropus
PheasantPhasianus colchicus
Blue TitCyanistes caeruleus
ChaffinchFringilla coelebs
BlackbirdTurdus merula
SwallowHirundo rustica
Carrion CrowCorvus corone
GoldfinchCarduelis carduelis
Little EgretEgretta garzetta2024
Mute SwanCygnus olor2021
GoldcrestRegulus regulus
NuthatchSitta europaea
Sedge WarblerAcrocephalus schoenobaenus
Garden WarblerSylvia borin
Stock DoveColumba oenas
Grey WagtailMotacilla cinerea
Pied WagtailMotacilla alba yarrellii
RavenCorvus corax
MagpiePica pica
Grey PartridgePerdix perdix
Song ThrushTurdus philomelos
Canada GooseBranta canadensis
Greylag GooseAnser anser
CootFulica atra
ShelduckTadorna tadorna
OspreyPandion haliaetus2016
Tawny OwlStrix aluco2015
Barn OwlTyto alba2012

🦌

Mammals16 species

spring

2025

Mole · Rabbit · Brown Hare · Red Fox · Grey Squirrel +11

MoleTalpa europaea
RabbitOryctolagus cuniculus2021
Brown HareLepus europaeus
Red FoxVulpes vulpes2021
Grey SquirrelSciurus carolinensis2021
BadgerMeles meles
OtterLutra lutra2022
VoleArvicolinae2021
Common PipistrellePipistrellus pipistrellus2020
HedgehogErinaceus europaeus2019
ShrewSoricidae
Field VoleMicrotus agrestis2021
Brown RatRattus norvegicus2021
Soprano PipistrellePipistrellus pygmaeus2020
Long-eared Bat speciesPlecotus2016
PipistrellePipistrellus pipistrellus2014

🐸

Amphibians3 species

springautumn

2022

Common Toad · Common Frog · Great Crested Newt

Common ToadBufo bufo
Common FrogRana temporaria
Great Crested NewtTriturus cristatus2015

🐝

Insects20 species

summer

2025

Small White · Meadow Brown · Gatekeeper · Large White · Green-veined White +15

Small WhitePieris rapae2019
Meadow BrownManiola jurtina2019
GatekeeperPyronia tithonus2018
Large WhitePieris brassicae2019
Green-veined WhitePieris napi2016
7-spot LadybirdCoccinella septempunctata
PeacockAglais io2019
Small TortoiseshellAglais urticae2019
Speckled WoodPararge aegeria2018
RingletAphantopus hyperantus2016
CommaPolygonia c-album2019
Holly BlueCelastrina argiolus2018
Barberry FusehornArge berberidis2016
Lily BeetleLilioceris lilii2021
Dark-edged Bee-flyBombylius major2021
16-spot LadybirdTytthaspis sedecimpunctata2020
Painted LadyVanessa cardui2019
Red AdmiralVanessa atalanta2019
Common BluePolyommatus icarus2018
Eristalis pertinaxEristalis pertinax2018

🌿

Plants58 species

spring

2025

Lords-and-Ladies · Common Vetch · Germander Speedwell · Rosebay Willowherb · White Dead-nettle +53

Lords-and-LadiesArum maculatum
Common VetchVicia sativa subsp. segetalis2017
Germander SpeedwellVeronica chamaedrys2017
Rosebay WillowherbChamaenerion angustifolium2017
White Dead-nettleLamium album2017
Wood Forget-me-notMyosotis sylvatica2017
Horse-chestnutAesculus hippocastanum2017
Soft-bromeBromus hordeaceus2017
Pedunculate OakQuercus robur2017
Common ValerianValeriana officinalis2017
Field HorsetailEquisetum arvense2017
HawthornCrataegus monogyna2017
AshFraxinus excelsior2017
Imperforate St John's-wortHypericum maculatum2017
Garlic MustardAlliaria petiolata2017
Wood AvensGeum urbanum2017
Wood DockRumex sanguineus2017
Common SorrelRumex acetosa2017
Dog's MercuryMercurialis perennis2017
DandelionTaraxacum2017
Lesser CelandineFicaria verna2017
Veronica hederifolia subsp. lucorumVeronica hederifolia subsp. lucorum2017
BrambleRubus fruticosus2017
HogweedHeracleum sphondylium2017
HoneysuckleLonicera periclymenum2017
Creeping ButtercupRanunculus repens2017
Bush VetchVicia sepium2017
Greater StitchwortStellaria holostea2017
CleaversGalium aparine2017
Spear ThistleCirsium vulgare2017
Meadow ButtercupRanunculus acris2017
RamsonsAllium ursinum2017
Red CampionSilene dioica2017
Common Mouse-earCerastium fontanum2017
BlackthornPrunus spinosa2017
Sweet Vernal-grassAnthoxanthum odoratum2017
Wood AnemoneAnemone nemorosa2017
ElderSambucus nigra2017
Common NettleUrtica dioica2017
Cow ParsleyAnthriscus sylvestris2017
Climbing CorydalisCeratocapnos claviculata2012
BrooklimeVeronica beccabunga2022
IvyHedera helix2017
Centaurea nigraCentaurea nigra2017
Dog-roseRosa canina2017
TormentilPotentilla erecta2012
Hart's-tongue Thyme-mossPlagiomnium undulatum2012
Wood MelickMelica uniflora2012
Swan's-neck Thyme-mossMnium hornum2012
Common Feather-mossKindbergia praelonga2012
Rough-stalked Feather-mossBrachythecium rutabulum2012
Bifid CrestwortLophocolea bidentata2012
Heath BedstrawGalium saxatile2012
Unbranched Bur-reedSparganium emersum2011
Rosa caninaRosa canina2010
Hedera helixHedera helix2010
Common KnapweedCentaurea nigra2010
Ivy-leaved SpeedwellVeronica hederifolia2010

Species observations from the last 10 years via NBN Atlas

Wildlife to spot

768 records · National Biodiversity Network

🐦

Birds49 species

winterspringautumn

2025

Wigeon · Shoveler · Pochard · Pintail · Garganey +44

WigeonMareca penelope
ShovelerSpatula clypeata
PochardAythya ferina2024
PintailAnas acuta
GarganeySpatula querquedula2015
Yellow-legged GullLarus michahellis2016
BuzzardButeo buteo
HawfinchCoccothraustes coccothraustes2020
House MartinDelichon urbicum
RobinErithacus rubecula
BitternBotaurus stellaris2010
WoodpigeonColumba palumbus
JackdawColoeus monedula
WrenTroglodytes troglodytes
Great TitParus major
House SparrowPasser domesticus
BlackcapSylvia atricapilla
DunnockPrunella modularis
MallardAnas platyrhynchos
GreenfinchChloris chloris
ChiffchaffPhylloscopus collybita
MoorhenGallinula chloropus
PheasantPhasianus colchicus
Blue TitCyanistes caeruleus
ChaffinchFringilla coelebs
BlackbirdTurdus merula
SwallowHirundo rustica
Carrion CrowCorvus corone
GoldfinchCarduelis carduelis
Little EgretEgretta garzetta2024
Mute SwanCygnus olor2021
GoldcrestRegulus regulus
NuthatchSitta europaea
Sedge WarblerAcrocephalus schoenobaenus
Garden WarblerSylvia borin
Stock DoveColumba oenas
Grey WagtailMotacilla cinerea
Pied WagtailMotacilla alba yarrellii
RavenCorvus corax
MagpiePica pica
Grey PartridgePerdix perdix
Song ThrushTurdus philomelos
Canada GooseBranta canadensis
Greylag GooseAnser anser
CootFulica atra
ShelduckTadorna tadorna
OspreyPandion haliaetus2016
Tawny OwlStrix aluco2015
Barn OwlTyto alba2012

🦌

Mammals16 species

spring

2025

Mole · Rabbit · Brown Hare · Red Fox · Grey Squirrel +11

MoleTalpa europaea
RabbitOryctolagus cuniculus2021
Brown HareLepus europaeus
Red FoxVulpes vulpes2021
Grey SquirrelSciurus carolinensis2021
BadgerMeles meles
OtterLutra lutra2022
VoleArvicolinae2021
Common PipistrellePipistrellus pipistrellus2020
HedgehogErinaceus europaeus2019
ShrewSoricidae
Field VoleMicrotus agrestis2021
Brown RatRattus norvegicus2021
Soprano PipistrellePipistrellus pygmaeus2020
Long-eared Bat speciesPlecotus2016
PipistrellePipistrellus pipistrellus2014

🐸

Amphibians3 species

springautumn

2022

Common Toad · Common Frog · Great Crested Newt

Common ToadBufo bufo
Common FrogRana temporaria
Great Crested NewtTriturus cristatus2015

🐝

Insects20 species

summer

2025

Small White · Meadow Brown · Gatekeeper · Large White · Green-veined White +15

Small WhitePieris rapae2019
Meadow BrownManiola jurtina2019
GatekeeperPyronia tithonus2018
Large WhitePieris brassicae2019
Green-veined WhitePieris napi2016
7-spot LadybirdCoccinella septempunctata
PeacockAglais io2019
Small TortoiseshellAglais urticae2019
Speckled WoodPararge aegeria2018
RingletAphantopus hyperantus2016
CommaPolygonia c-album2019
Holly BlueCelastrina argiolus2018
Barberry FusehornArge berberidis2016
Lily BeetleLilioceris lilii2021
Dark-edged Bee-flyBombylius major2021
16-spot LadybirdTytthaspis sedecimpunctata2020
Painted LadyVanessa cardui2019
Red AdmiralVanessa atalanta2019
Common BluePolyommatus icarus2018
Eristalis pertinaxEristalis pertinax2018

🌿

Plants58 species

spring

2025

Lords-and-Ladies · Common Vetch · Germander Speedwell · Rosebay Willowherb · White Dead-nettle +53

Lords-and-LadiesArum maculatum
Common VetchVicia sativa subsp. segetalis2017
Germander SpeedwellVeronica chamaedrys2017
Rosebay WillowherbChamaenerion angustifolium2017
White Dead-nettleLamium album2017
Wood Forget-me-notMyosotis sylvatica2017
Horse-chestnutAesculus hippocastanum2017
Soft-bromeBromus hordeaceus2017
Pedunculate OakQuercus robur2017
Common ValerianValeriana officinalis2017
Field HorsetailEquisetum arvense2017
HawthornCrataegus monogyna2017
AshFraxinus excelsior2017
Imperforate St John's-wortHypericum maculatum2017
Garlic MustardAlliaria petiolata2017
Wood AvensGeum urbanum2017
Wood DockRumex sanguineus2017
Common SorrelRumex acetosa2017
Dog's MercuryMercurialis perennis2017
DandelionTaraxacum2017
Lesser CelandineFicaria verna2017
Veronica hederifolia subsp. lucorumVeronica hederifolia subsp. lucorum2017
BrambleRubus fruticosus2017
HogweedHeracleum sphondylium2017
HoneysuckleLonicera periclymenum2017
Creeping ButtercupRanunculus repens2017
Bush VetchVicia sepium2017
Greater StitchwortStellaria holostea2017
CleaversGalium aparine2017
Spear ThistleCirsium vulgare2017
Meadow ButtercupRanunculus acris2017
RamsonsAllium ursinum2017
Red CampionSilene dioica2017
Common Mouse-earCerastium fontanum2017
BlackthornPrunus spinosa2017
Sweet Vernal-grassAnthoxanthum odoratum2017
Wood AnemoneAnemone nemorosa2017
ElderSambucus nigra2017
Common NettleUrtica dioica2017
Cow ParsleyAnthriscus sylvestris2017
Climbing CorydalisCeratocapnos claviculata2012
BrooklimeVeronica beccabunga2022
IvyHedera helix2017
Centaurea nigraCentaurea nigra2017
Dog-roseRosa canina2017
TormentilPotentilla erecta2012
Hart's-tongue Thyme-mossPlagiomnium undulatum2012
Wood MelickMelica uniflora2012
Swan's-neck Thyme-mossMnium hornum2012
Common Feather-mossKindbergia praelonga2012
Rough-stalked Feather-mossBrachythecium rutabulum2012
Bifid CrestwortLophocolea bidentata2012
Heath BedstrawGalium saxatile2012
Unbranched Bur-reedSparganium emersum2011
Rosa caninaRosa canina2010
Hedera helixHedera helix2010
Common KnapweedCentaurea nigra2010
Ivy-leaved SpeedwellVeronica hederifolia2010

Species observations from the last 10 years via NBN Atlas

Wildlife to spot

Photos

📷 Jeremy Bolwell · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Bank of reeds at the field edge

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Nearby places

Useful places within 5 km

🌱Jim Jarvis Memorial Playing FieldUrban park2.8 km→✦Ranton Priory: a moated Augustinian prioryHistoric site2 km→⛪St Giles's ChurchReligious grounds2.8 km→🐄Red Lion Farm ShopVisitor farm3.1 km→✦Moated site and ancillary enclosure SW of Stafford CastleHistoric site4.7 km→⛪St Matthew's ChurchReligious grounds3.9 km→

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