Description
Arclid Quarry is an active sand quarry. A circular route following public footpaths goes around the sand quarry and adjacent fields. Береговушка breed in the sand quarry every year with more than hundred active nest holes used. Other hurindines (Воронок, Деревенская ласточка) are present as well. This and abundance of Черноголовый щегол attracts various raptors: Чеглок is common here during the summer, Пустельга обыкновенная and Канюк also breed in the area and are present all year round.
The sand quary banks and fields attract large groups of corvids (Европейская чёрная ворона, Грач, Галка, Сорока, Ворон). They and adjacent fields provide nesting grounds to Чибис, Канадская казарка).
The flooded area of the quarry (marked with a star) is best observed with a scope: Хохлатая чернеть, Серый гусь, Малый зуёк, Лысуха, Камышница, Чомга, Малая поганка and other waterfowl are present there.
If time is limited, one can get to the viewpoints only, but the full circular route through the fields might provide an encounter with Кулик-сорока, Серая славка, Серая мухоловка, Перепелятник or even Болотный лунь.
Details
Access
Arclid Quarry is located northeast of Crewe, near the town of Sandbach. Park at the car park of St John the Evangelist's Church (click P on the map for directions) which is open during the day - there are posters displayed allowing considerate recreational use. It is also possible to get there by bus that connects Crewe and Macclesfield.
The footpaths are unpaved and there are several stiles and gates along the route. The circular route shown on the map is about 5 km.


