Chase hope for rare wildlife

Rare wildlife could soon flourish on Cannock Chase thanks to a project to create an expanse of heathland.

The Forestry Commission has just cleared more than two hectares of conifers in its bid to create three lowland sites.

Foresters have felled and chipped the trees as part of ongoing work to return 50 hectares of woodland to three traditional heathland corridors. Wildlife experts hope that rare birds and butterflies will be among the creatures to set up home in the lowland heath habitat which used to feature across Britain.

Roger Wilson, the area forester for the Forestry Commission, said during the 15-year-plan which began in 1996, trees have been felled to join up the existing pockets of lowland heath to create much larger corridors where wildlife can thrive.

Two corridors have already been created and the whole project is due for completion in 2011. The project covers a vast area of the Chase but the most recent work has been done at Birches Valley.

He said: "This is a huge, long-term project that will bring benefits for wildlife and create a new environment for visitors to explore.

"Lowland heath is a man-made environment which came about 3,000 to 5,000 years ago when early farming communities cleared woodlands and worked the land until the soil became exhausted.

"The sandy, acidic soils that were left behind were quickly invaded by wild plants, such as heather, gorse, and bracken, making them an ideal habitat for a range of species."

Peter Pursglove, a wildlife ranger at the Forestry Commission, said: "We've already seen an increase in the numbers of nightjars and woodlarks, which is very good news and I hope this will continue as the work goes on. Lowland heathland is also an important habitat for adders, common lizards and invertebrate such as bugs and spiders."

Lowland heaths are home to many insects including ants, beetles, dragonflies, grasshoppers, moths, bees and wasps. Many butterfly and moth species can also be spotted among the flowering heather and gorse during the summer, including the endangered Small Pearl Bordered Fritillary, the Argent and Sable and the Welsh Clearwing moths.