Wetlands and Waterways

Wetlands are wide in variety on the Chase, although scarce because of the mainly free-draining soils. The wetlands range from rivers, canals and streams to lakes, ponds flushes (where nutrients accumulate due to water in-flow) and mires (areas of permanently wet peat).

The Oldacre and Sherbrook valleys have small-scale mosaics of spring-fed mire and wet heath vegetation.  Where acidic conditions prevail, the mires are mostly formed of bog mosses with cranberries, cotton grasses and cross-leaved heath

As well as supporting a large range of plants, wetlands are breeding grounds for a variety of birds, mammals, insects and invertebrates.  Cannock Chase has some wetland species which are nationally rare, like the water vole, white clawed crayfish, small pearl-bordered fritillary butterfly, bog bush cricket and log jammer hoverfly.

Wetland Habitat Management in Cannock Chase

Annually, Marsh violets are planted for the benefit of the small-pearl bordered fritillary. The presence of white- clawed crayfish is monitored each year – along with the removal of the invasive American, red-clawed crayfish.  A large scale wetland restoration project on the Shugborough Estate took place in 2025. https://www.cannock-chase.co.uk/wetland-restoration-project-benefits-nature/