Data Zone
The site was identified as internationally important for bird conservation in 2007 because it was regularly supporting significant populations of the species listed below, meeting IBA criteria.
Populations meeting IBA criteria ('key species') at the site:| Species | Red List | Season (year/s of estimate) | Size | IBA criteria |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| European Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus | LC | breeding (2004) | 57 males | B2 |
| Woodlark Lullula arborea | LC | breeding (2006) | 25 breeding pairs | C6 |
Ideally the conservation status of the IBA will have been checked regularly since the site was first identified in 2007. The most recent assessment (2007) is shown below.
| IBA conservation status | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year of assessment | State | Pressure | Response |
| 2007 | favourable | low | low |
| Whole site assessed? | State assessed by | Accuracy of information | |
| yes | population | good | |
| State (condition of the key species' populations) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Species | Actual vs Reference (units) | % remaining | Result | ||
| European Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus | 57 / 28 (males) | 100 | favourable | ||
| Woodlark Lullula arborea | 25 / 8 (breeding pairs) | 100 | favourable | ||
| Pressure (threats to the key species and/or their habitats) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Threat | Timing | Scope | Severity | Result |
| Energy production and mining | likely in long term (beyond 4 years) | few individuals/small area (<10%) | no deterioration (<1% over 3 generations) | low |
| Response (conservation actions taken for the key species and/or their habitats) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Designation | Planning | Action | Result |
| Some of site covered (10–49%) | A management plan exists, but it is out of date or not comprehensive | Substantive conservation measures are being implemented, but these are not comprehensive and are limited by resources and capacity | low |
| Year | Protected Area | Designation (management category) | % coverage of IBA |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1958 | Cannock Chase | Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (V) | 100 |
| 1966 | Shugborough Estate | Nature Reserve (V) | 1 |
| 1971 | Brocton | Local Nature Reserve (IV) | 1 |
| 1987 | Cannock Chase | Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) | 40 |
| 1993 | Milford Quarry | Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) | <1 |
| Habitat | % of IBA | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | - | Mixed woodland |
| Shrubland | - | Heathland |
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2025) Important Bird Area factsheet: Cannock Chase (United Kingdom). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/cannock-chase-iba-united-kingdom on 06/01/2025.