Conservation drive will cut down scrub

Conservation teams are planning another onslaught on invading scrub on Cannock Chase this winter to protect rare heathland and the wildlife which depend on it.

Staffordshire County Council's countryside rangers will be leading a team of volunteers every Sunday until spring. They will remove small pine that, if left, would swamp the open heath and drive out scarce wildlife such as woodlark, common lizard and a range of attractive butterflies and moths, including the stately Emperor moth.

Experienced contractors will also be working to remove pine in the Sherbrook Valley, although pine and birch woodland areas are being retained in some places for the longer term, to provide habitat for woodland birds and add diversity in the landscape.

Some birch, together with a multitude of birch and pine seedlings, will also be removed from Brindley Heath to restore favoured woodlark habitat, with trees retained in strategic places to enhance the view.

County Councillor Mike Maryon, cabinet member of environment, said: "By doing this work in the winter, we can avoid key bird nesting times, whilst creating ideal conditions for a number of the scarcer species to thrive in the open heathland."Though this work can cause temporary disruption to visitors, the heathland recovers fairly quickly. Often it also reveals long-forgotten views across the heaths that were once enjoyed by previous generations and characterised the Chase landscape.

"We are guided by Natural England on how we manage the internationally important heathland habitats, and in turn, have a responsibility to protect and conserve this valuable landscape for the next generation of people living in and around the Chase."

Brushwood and small trees will be disposed of by controlled burning, with any timber being taken off site.