Description
The main accessible area of the nature reserve is a wet woodland with tree species such as alder and birch. There is an unmarked footpath that does a short loop around the area, although it is uneven and can be wet at times. Typical birds for this habitat are present, flocks of tits Синиця блакитна, Велика синиця, Ополовник звичайний, або синиця довгохвоста and Золотомушка жовточуба are common as are Припутень and thrushes. Дятел звичайний and Підкоришник звичайний are usually heard or seen, as well as other common birds such as Кропивник.
A public footpath can be taken to make a longer loop, from which neighbouring pasture/farmland can be surveyed. In the winter a flock of Чикотень and Дрізд білобровий is likely. Тинівка лісова and Щиглик звичайний are common. Щеврик лучний is possible.
Taking the public footpath to the east also gives a view of a small flooded pond area in the field. It often hosts various waterfowl such as Крижень, Чернь чубата, Казарка канадська and Гуска сіра and in the winter Свищ євразійський and Мартин звичайний. If you wanted to check for rings a long lens or telescope would be useful.
The Cranberry Bog and Black Mere part of the reserve is off-limits to casual visitors due to safety concerns, however Баклан великий can often be seen perched in the trees that surround that area, but it likely attracts various other birds to the general area anyway.
Details
Access
Black Firs and Cranberry Bog is located 6 miles southeast of Crewe. A small but usually unused car park is available on the main road. Press P on the map for directions. It is free to use and is not access restricted. The circular route shown on the map is about 3 km.

