Hotspot Focus: Cannock Chase National Landscape
A birding hotspot focus on the Cannock Chase National Landscape
Deep in the heart of Staffordshire lies a birdwatching treasure known as Cannock Chase National Landscape. This former Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is a sprawling patchwork of heathland, woodland, and valleys, offering an enticing variety of habitats for birds. For those of us passionate about birding, Cannock Chase is an unrivalled destination, renowned for its diversity of species, from elusive woodland dwellers to heathland specialists. With its unique blend of environments, it attracts birdlife year-round, making it a must-visit location for birdwatchers.
The landscape here is a wonderful mix of ancient and commercial woodland, interspersed with heathland, wet valleys, and small ponds. It’s the largest surviving area of heathland in the Midlands, and while the encroachment of scrub and conifers has threatened this habitat, extensive conservation work has helped to preserve it. The heathland is alive with colour in the summer, and it’s here that you can witness one of the most captivating spectacles in British birdwatching—the haunting dusk flights of the Nightjar. These nocturnal birds are masters of camouflage, but on a summer evening, they emerge, swooping low over the heath in pursuit of moths, their churring calls filling the air. The Nightjar is a flagship species for Cannock Chase, and its presence is a mark of the health of this fragile habitat.
While the Nightjar is one of the main attractions, Cannock Chase is home to a number of other heathland specialists. The Woodlark, with its distinctive fluty song, can often be heard singing high above the heath in spring and early summer. This small, ground-nesting bird is another species that relies on the open, scrub-free areas of the Chase. It’s a delightful sight, usually seen fluttering up into the air before gently gliding back down, all the while filling the air with its sweet, melodious tune. Nearby, you might catch sight of a Dartford Warbler, a species that is slowly expanding its range from southern England. This charming, little warbler is often heard before it's seen, with its scratchy song coming from deep within the gorse bushes.
The woodlands of Cannock Chase are equally rich in birdlife. Here, towering conifers and ancient oak trees provide shelter for a host of species. The European Goshawk is perhaps the most awe-inspiring predator you might encounter. These powerful birds of prey nest in the dense woods, their broad wings and long tails perfectly adapted for manoeuvring through trees at speed. On a clear winter’s day, if you’re lucky, you may catch sight of a Goshawk performing its sky-dance—a series of dramatic aerial displays designed to attract a mate. Their sharp, intimidating cries add to the sense of wildness that permeates the Chase.
Crossbills are another highlight of Cannock’s woodlands. These birds, with their distinctive crossed bills, are specially adapted to extract seeds from pinecones, and you’ll often hear them before you see them, their chattering calls echoing from the treetops. Flocks of these colourful finches can often be seen feeding high up in the conifers, their bright red and green plumage adding a splash of colour against the dark green pines. In winter, Cannock’s woodlands are a good place to spot flocks of Siskins and Redpolls, small finches that come down from the north to forage in the Chase’s trees.
As you wander deeper into the woods, keep an eye out for the shy and diminutive Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. Unlike its larger and more common relative, the Great Spotted Woodpecker, this species is often difficult to spot, but its soft, drumming call can give it away in early spring. These tiny woodpeckers are scarce in the UK, and Cannock Chase is one of the few places where they can still be reliably seen. In contrast, the larger Great Spotted and Green Woodpeckers are more abundant and provide plenty of entertainment with their loud drumming and laughing calls.
The Chase’s mixture of heathland and wetland also makes it an important stopover for migratory birds. During autumn and spring, Wheatears and Whinchats pass through, using the open spaces to rest and refuel. Both species are striking in appearance—the Wheatear, with its peachy underparts and bold white rump, and the Whinchat, with its more subtle streaking and eyestripe. As you scan the skies, you may also see a Kestrel hovering motionlessly, scanning the ground for small mammals, or a pair of Ravens soaring high, their deep croaks resounding across the valley.
One of Cannock Chase’s most beloved residents, the Skylark, is also a key feature of the landscape. Its joyous song, delivered in a continuous, fluid stream as it spirals into the sky, is the quintessential sound of British heathland. In late spring and early summer, the Chase’s open spaces are filled with these exuberant songbirds, their aerial displays offering an uplifting soundtrack to a morning walk.
For those interested in wetland species, Cannock Chase’s small ponds and waterlogged areas offer yet another layer of birdwatching opportunities. Species such as Reed Buntings and Snipe can be found around these damp habitats, while Grey Herons are a common sight, standing motionless at the water’s edge, waiting patiently for an unsuspecting fish or frog to come within striking distance.
No matter the season, Cannock Chase is a place where birdwatchers can find something to marvel at. In spring, the woods come alive with the sound of warblers, including the Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler, while in autumn, Redwings and Fieldfares arrive from Scandinavia, feasting on berries in the hedgerows. Winter brings its own spectacles, with flocks of finches and thrushes, as well as the occasional sighting of a Merlin, a small and agile falcon that hunts over the open heathland.
Visiting Cannock Chase is more than just a birdwatching experience—it’s an immersion in one of the UK’s most beautiful and ecologically significant landscapes. Whether you’re standing quietly in the twilight, listening for the first churr of a Nightjar, or scanning the treetops for a flash of a Crossbill, Cannock Chase offers an opportunity to connect with nature in its purest form. The variety of species, coupled with the tranquil beauty of the landscape, makes it a truly special hotspot for birdwatchers.
Remember to subscribe!