Wildlife and nature

Cannock Chase National Landscape is a haven for wildlife, with 31% of the area protected as SAC, SSSI, nature reserves and Local Wildlife Sites.

Extensive areas of lowland heathland and associated habitats form one of the largest such areas in England, most of it designated for its European importance.

Rivers, wetlands and waterways include the Trent and Sow rivers, the Staffordshire and Worcestershire and Trent and Mersey Canals, and the spring-fed mires and wet heaths of the Sherbrook and Oldacre Valleys.

The abundant wildlife includes species which are nationally rare, protected and/or strongly associated with the Chase.  These include birds like nightjar and woodlark, reptiles, such as adder and common lizard, plants, such as Cannock Chase berry, invertebrates like small pearl-bordered fritillary and bog bush-cricket, and the herds of deer.