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Description
Cannock Chase is a 68-square-kilometre Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty hosting a variety of notable breeding and wintering birds. Abraham's Valley is one of the best birding locations in the Chase and one of its star species is the Great Grey Shrike. You may see one or possibly more on passage and through the winter, most likely in the clearfell area next to the main path or on Strawberry Hill. Winter also brings Common Crossbill to the valley and you might find them on larch trees, associating with flocks of Eurasian Siskin.
Early spring is the best time to find Wood Lark, which have re-established a small breeding population in the area. Other migratory breeders include Wood Warbler, Common Redstart, Pied Flycatcher, Spotted Flycatcher and Common Cuckoo. Eurasian Woodcock are often seen flying overhead at dusk and with a bit of luck, you might see or at least hear a Eurasian Nightjar. At any time of year, you may get close views of Eurasian Kestrel. The Chase is also known for having large numbers of black fallow deer as well as some red deer.
Details
Access
From the M6, take the A34 through Cannock if you're coming from the south or through Stafford if you're coming from the north. Then take the A513 going through the northern part of the Chase and park at the Seven Springs Car Park on the south side of the road. The main path going south from the car park goes down the middle of Abraham's Valley. Make sure to stick to the paths to avoid disturbing any wintering Great Grey Shrike as well as sensitive and scarce breeding species like the Eurasian Nightjar. The suggested route on the Birdingplaces-map below is about 5 km.