Good heathland management for this species will create/result in heathland in good condition with heather and gorse to provide song-posts, nest-sites and feeding areas. This will benefit a wide range of other species that depend on dry heath habitats, for example, the insects on which the Dartford warbler feeds and other heathland birds such as the stonechat with similar habitat requirements. It will also benefit the rare smooth snake and sand lizard.
Opportunities to create/improve/extend suitable habitat for this species include:
- Grazing by hardy livestock breeds to control scrub and dominant grasses
- Regenerating heather by controlled burning, cutting or turf stripping
- Controlling bracken either by regular cutting or rolling or by treatment with an approved herbicide
- Clearing scrub and controlling its regrowth
- Selective thinning of trees including conifer plantations
- Managing drainage to conserve areas of wet heath
- Managing fire risk
Creating and managing areas for the Dartford Warbler will help deliver the following benefits to communities:
- Clean water
- Clean air
- Protection from and mitigation of environmental hazards
- Mitigation of and adaptation to climate change
- Thriving plants and wildlife
- Beauty, heritage and engagement