Kinver and Enville Flora and Fauna (SO88): Introduction

This blog is a nature diary of south Staffordshire and north Worcestershire which covers the ten kilometre ordnance survey map SO88. The main village is Kinver with the smaller hamlet of Enville near by.

To the west of Kinver is Kinver Edge which is an area of heath with mixed forest surrounded by farmland. The Staffordshire and Worcestershire county boundary cuts through it at Vales Rock.

There are two main water courses are the Smestow Brook and River Stour. The Smestow runs alongside the Staffordshire and Worcestershire canal, and the Stour runs alongside the Stourbridge Canal. The two rivers meet at Prestwood (see photo below) and it continues on as the Stour through Kinver and towards Wolverley - it eventually meets the Severn at Stourport.

To the west is Enville estate with its arable land and pastoral farmland. Pheasant and duck shooting takes place on the estate. There are two pools to the south of the Hall which are flanked by mature woodland and grazing meadows.

Enville estate also includes the Sheepwalks (see photo below) and gives spectacular views of the surrounding area. There is a small pool at the top and a derelict folly which is overgrown by trees one of which is a holm oak.

To the south-east of Enville is a large conifer plantation, mainly larch, and is known as the Million.

Running to the east of the Million is Checkhill and Checkhill Bogs where there is an heronry of long standing. Checkhill Bogs (SSSI) consists of areas of wet woodland - mainly alder and willow. Spittle Brook, a tributary of the Stour, feeds Old Mill Pond at Checkhill Farm.

Highgate Common is to the north and is a fine example of lowland heath. The common is managed by Staffordshire Wildlife Trustand is a Site of Special Scientific Interest because of the ground-nesting solitary bees and wasps. Other fauna includes grass snakes, slow worms, cuckoo, tree pipit and yellow hammer.