Conservation work to protect areas of heathland has begun at Gentleshaw Common and Chasewater Country Park.
Lichfield District Council has employed contractors to undertake the important restoration work at these two Sites of Special Scientific Interest.
Scrub will be cut back on large areas because, unless it is cut back, it will wipe out rare heathland plants such as bilberry and cowberry. A thick growth of trees would also prevent rare birds such as Snipe and reptiles such as the Common Lizard from breeding.
The council is also hoping to encourage heathland birds such as the Woodlark and Nightjar to return to the district’s heaths in the future.
Councillor Alan White said: “It is vital that we continue our programme to conserve our heaths, as only ten percent of the heathland once found in Staffordshire exists today.
“This is largely due to gradual encroachment from agriculture, urban expansion and the regeneration of scrub, which in the past was prevented by traditional practices such as grazing.
“The works are planned to finish by February so as not to disturb the bird nesting season.”
