Natural England have this morning warned that the poor condition of lowland heathland across Britain is putting many species at risk of extinction, including stone curlews and nightjars.

A survey by the organisation, the first of its kind in England, has revealed that all lowland heathland sites outside of legally protected conservation areas are in poor condition and do not meet the standards of Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs). Due to the expansion of urban areas, only 60,000 hectares remain covered by lowland heathland in England.

Lowland heathland is a priority habitat under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan, which sets targets for the management of these areas and for establishment of new heathland sites.