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Description
Starting from the location of the former St Chad's Church. The last church on this site was demolished in 1976 after suffering from ground movement that caused the building to lean and become unsafe, however the tower and churchyard remain. Jackdaw and Stock Dove are often seen around or on the tower, and the yew trees in the churchyard provide forage and habitat for Goldcrest, finches such as European Goldfinch, Greenfinch and in the winter Eurasian Siskin and thrushes: Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, Blackbird, Redwing, etc.
Through a swing gate and down a somewhat muddy slope the path goes towards the schwingmoor (a floating peat raft entirely covering a 12m deep bog). Although much of this area is off limits to casual visitors a permissive footpath does divert from the public footpath for excursion into the habitat and this is mostly covered by boardwalk, recently maintained and with the full circuit restored in 2025. Never-the-less, some areas can be wet after heavy rain. In addition to the birds already mentioned Sparrowhawk, Common Buzzard and Great Spotted Woodpecker are commonly seen, Eurasian Jay are present but usually only heard. Willow Tit is possible. In the summer hirundines are common (House Martin, Common Swift and Barn Swallow) as are various warblers (Common Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Blackcap).
Making a longer loop walk around the public footpaths in the area takes you past horse grazing/stables and other farmland habitat. Flocks of finches and tits abound, Yellowhammer is possible. There are multiple options branching out from here not specifically marked on the map but that can be followed by looking for yellow waymarkers in the field or as footpaths with public right of way on maps.
Details
Access
Wybunbury Moss is located near the village of Wybunbury in Cheshire, close to the town of Nantwich and not far from Crewe. Park in the village of Wybunbury near to the pub or church. Press a P on the map for directions. The area is best explored by foot, and would not be wheelchair accessible. It is well connected to the public footpath network.