Funded through DEFRA’s Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL) programme
An exciting new partnership project led by Amphibian and Reptile Groups of the UK and Cannock Chase National Landscape with the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology and volunteers from Shropshire and Staffordshire ARG, Birmingham and Black Country ARG and Warwickshire Amphibian and Reptile Team (WART).
Long term monitoring programmes show that the adder (Vipera berus) is declining rapidly across many parts of the UK, and faces local extinction in many counties. This pattern of declines is mirrored on Cannock Chase where, despite being widely considered to be a historic ‘adder stronghold’, there is evidence to suggest that populations may be vulnerable.
Many land managers are working hard to support wildlife on their sites, but to decisively reverse adder declines we need to act at the landscape level. We need to conserve adders through habitat improvement and by increasing connectivity.
We are pleased to be able to recruit many local land owners to the project including: Beau Desert Golf Club, Cannock Chase District Council, Cemex UK, New Hayes Farm, Staffordshire Borough Council, Staffordshire County Council, Staffordshire Wildlife Trust, and The National Trust (Shugborough Estate). The project is also supported by The Commonwealth War Graves Commission, Forestry England and Lichfield District Council.
Image Juvenile adder copyright Kevin Clarke
Phase 1: Survey and modelling
WE NEED YOUR HELP!!
Starting in Spring 2024, we will be coordinating a baseline survey for adders and other reptiles across Cannock Chase AONB, to support and inform conservation tasks by land managers.
pdf You can also download additional information on locations, and parking here. (58 KB)
We would also be grateful for any historic records or other information, that will allow us to better map the distribution of adders, and where possible target survey areas where little is known or there are gaps.
You can record your information on our new online Cannock Chase Recording Portal - which is powered by Record Pool. This can be accessed here:
https://www.recordpool.org.uk/cannockchase
Please note - if you are surveying on Cannock Chase kindly follow the Cannock Chase Code
https://www.cannock-chase.co.uk/caring-for-cannock-chase/
If you would like to find out more, join our survey team or have any other comments please contact Dr Angela Julian, Coordinator, ARG UK on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
We would like to thank all of our partner organisations and funders for their support:
