This easily worked locality is well worth two or three hours birding at anytime of the year. Access to the site lies 200 yds. east of J17 of the M6. If approaching from Sandbach cross over the M6, and after 100 yds. pass the left turn to Holmes Chapel (A5022), slow down and after 80 yds. pull over on the left by a track. Park by the stile, not blocking the track. There is just enough room here for one car parked off the road, although the ground is uneven. Alternatively park on the right on the grass verge but not in the bus-stop layby.
Walk down the track, after 100 yds. go through a gate or stile alongside. The hedgerow often holds singing Lesser Whitethroat in spring. After 40 yds. and 80 yds. gaps in this hedge allow views over part of the sand quarry. Use your telescope to check any ducks and gulls. The sand spits at the eastern end often have Lapwings on them in winter and Little Ringed Plover and Oystercatcher in spring. Common Sandpipers are usually around and very occasionally other waders. The banks of this pool are being landscaped, and in spring and autumn especially are good for Meadow Pipits, Linnets, Wagtails and occasionally Wheatears. Carry on walking slowly down the track, I have seen Bullfinches many times in this hedge. After 250 yds. the track ends at an open gateway and stile. After 20 yds. another stile and then another after 40 yds. Just before this last stile look for a track on the left leading through shrubbery. This area is good for common woodland birds and after 100 yds. leads to a footbridge over a ditch. Before the footbridge look for a narrow footpath on the right leading through more woodland, before coming out on to grassland by a gorse bush. After another 20 yds. is a dog’s grave and a T-junction of the paths. Turn sharp left down a steep bank and over a stile. Bear right, this area of woodland and scrub surrounding Taxmere is full of warblers in spring, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Blackcap and Garden Warbler should all be recorded in late April, early May. After 75 yds. views of Taxmere on your left may reveal a few ducks and is a good spot to reach for the Thermos flask. While drinking your coffee listen for the area’s specialty, Willow Tit.
Further on the path leads on to a field, bears left and follows the field edge. After 75 yds. a marsh on your left holds breeding Reed Bunting with Whitethroat around the edges. Careful searching in winter might produce a flushed Woodcock or even Water Rail may be heard.
Retrace your steps back up to the dog’s grave. Scan the tops of the alders around Taxmere, in winter Siskin and Redpoll are often about. Go straight on up to the top of the mound. Using a telescope, check any ducks and grebes on the main pool. In spring Great Crested Grebe can be watched displaying. This is also a good place for a
