Cannock Chase Special Area of Conservation Partnership

21/06/2026

SAC Wardens at Berkswich Parish Fete 21 June

21/06/2026

Mother Shipton moth - (Callistege mi)

The popular English name for this moth comes from the pattern on its forewing. This pattern resembles the iconic representation of Ursula Southeil, known as Mother Shipton – a sixteenth-century prophetess and witch.]

Mother Shipton is a mostly mythical character, who supposedly foretold the death of Cardinal Wolsey in 1530.

Adults can be seen on the wing, during the day, normally taking only short, rapid flights. They can be found in wasteland and other open habitats.

20/06/2026

Led by local moth experts, we had a fantasic moth morning.

Heres some photos of a few of the moths/ insects we saw and the complete list of those we found.

This is the first of our Insect Week activities. We've an Insectafest , Welsh Clearwing moth walk and butterfly walk next weekend.

Visit cannockchase.org.uk to find out more.

20/06/2026

Buff-Tip Moth (Phalera Bucephala)

The moth is a fairly large, heavy-bodied species with a wingspan of 55–68 mm (2.2–2.7 in). The forewings are grey with a large prominent buff patch at the apex. As the thoracic hair is also buff, the moth resembles a broken twig when at rest.

The moth flies at night in June and July[a] and sometimes comes to light, although it is not generally strongly attracted.

Photo Credit: Rachel

19/06/2026

Emperor Moth (Saturnia pavonia)

The emperor moth is a widespread, but never very common, moth of heathland,
One of the UK's largest insects, the emperor moth lives up to its name. It is the UK's only member of the silk-moth family and the caterpillars spin a silk cocoon in which they spend the winter.

During the day, males can be seen flying swiftly about and can be mistaken for butterflies. The females rest in low vegetation during the day, releasing a special scent to attract males. The caterpillars feed on woody plants, such as heather, bramble and blackthorn, and overwinter as chrysalides, sometimes for two winters.
Look out for it from March to May.

18/06/2026

Free Inclusive Cycling at Marquis Drive this Saturdays. 🚲

There are two 45 min sessions. Times available: 10:30am and 11:15am.

Please follow the links below to book your place via Eventbrite.

Please read all details on Eventbrite.

Question? Contact Guy at [email protected].

10:30 slot https://orlo.uk/n5BcX

11:15 slot https://orlo.uk/af0YE

18/06/2026

We've still got places left on our Welsh Clearwing Walk for Sunday 28th June.

Welsh Clearwing moths are fascinating, rare moths. yet, we have the largest population in the UK in Cannock Chase!

Why not book your place(s) on this special walk. with a good chance of seeing these precious moths.

Cannock Chase is home to the largest population of the rare Welsh Clearwing moth in the UK. Join expert Steven Barnes on this gentle walk and learn all about it. Suitable for children over the age of 10.

18/06/2026

Silk-Button Spangle Gall Wasp Neuroterus numismalis

Neuroterus numismalis is a gall wasp that forms chemically induced leaf galls on oak trees. The galls can be very numerous with more than a thousand per leaf.

After having overwintered on the ground the females emerge from the silk button gall in early spring and the lay their (unfertilised) eggs in expanding oak leaf buds, forming the another gall called the 'blister gall.

17/06/2026

Green Tiger Beetle (Cicindela campestris)

A ferocious and agile predator, the green tiger beetle hunts spiders, ants and caterpillars on heaths, grasslands and sand dunes. It is one of our fastest insects and a dazzling metallic green colour.

Look for them between April and September.

Photo credit :- Charlie Jackson

16/06/2026

To support the in-person consultation activities, there is an online webinar this Thursday 18 June at 6pm on Microsoft Teams.

The webinar will provide an overview of the project, explain why access management is being considered, outline the shortlisted options, and explain how you can take part in the consultation.

To help us make the session as informative as possible, attendees are encouraged to submit questions in advance when registering.

We will address as many of these questions as possible during the webinar and use them to shape the discussion.

To register for this event, please follow this link 2bc478ee-7785-47f1-85f7-d9f40dbc7f88@1ef27cb9-d2c5-4a0a-946c-89dc03e34bb0" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/2bc478ee-7785-47f1-85f7-d9f40dbc7f88@1ef27cb9-d2c5-4a0a-946c-89dc03e34bb0 to register. Note, there is no requirement to download any application as the webinar should launch in your chosen web browser.

The webinar will be recorded and added to this consultation hub if you are unable to make the event.

There will be in-person drop in sessions from the 29th June - 5th July which are listed on the Consultation Hub https://ethos.govocal.com/en-GB/projects/chase-road-consultation