Search

Page

Deer's Leap Wood

Deer's Leap Wood is a wonderful mix of informal woodland, pond, boundary brook and meadow areas which have been formally designated as a Site of Local Importance for Nature Conservation (SLINC). The woodland element has also been safeguarded by being included within a group Tree Preservation Order (TPO).

This small urban site contains a wonderful mix of informal woodland, ponds, boundary brook and meadow areas, and is a Site of Local Importance for Nature Conservation (SLINC).  The Wood can be traced back to Medieval times when both it and the surrounding area formed part of the large Rotton Park estate, characterised by woods and meadows. Shireland Brook, which flows along the site’s northern boundary, historically formed the county boundary between Staffordshire and Warwickshire. More recently the site became synonymous with the world famous Mitchells & Butlers (M & B) Brewery which adopted the ‘Leaping Deer’ as its company motif for over 100 years.
Nature Reserve

Deer's Leap Wood

Discover the surprising variety of wildlife hidden in this natural haven on a historic brewery site.

Species

Wood warbler

Look for the wood warbler singing from the canopy of oak woodlands in the north and west of the UK. Green above, it has a distinctive, bright yellow throat and eyestripe.

Species

Wood spurge

As its name suggests, Wood spurge is found in woodlands. It is an attractive evergreen that displays cup-shaped, green flowers in clusters and dark green leaves.

Page

Turner's Wood

Turner’s Wood in Pelsall was part of the estate of Sarah Turner and her late husband Edward. The Wildlife Trust has now taken on the role of Trustee of the land so that it can be secured as a nature reserve.

A spinney dominated by oak trees with some Scots Pine, Holly and Rowan, Turner’s wood has a beautiful display of Bluebells each year and is also a good site for woodland birds. It has existed for at least 170 years (and may be much older), and presumably once supplied wood and timber to the small rural community which lived around the common.

Lying next to Pelsall South Common with its acid grassland and relict heathland it plays a part in a wildlife corridor linking Cannock Chase down to the centre of Walsall. As such it is another important wildlife site in the Birmingham and Black Country Nature Improvement Area.
Species

wood anemone

A spring delight, the wood anemone grows in dappled shade in ancient woodlands. Traditional management, such as coppicing, can help such flowers by opening up the woodland floor to sunlight.

Species

Speckled wood

The speckled wood prefers the dappled sunlight of woodland rides and edges, hedgerows and even gardens. Despite declines, its range has spread over recent years.

Species

Southern wood ant

The most common wood ant is the southern wood Ant, or 'red wood ant', which is found in England and Wales. An aggressive predator, it plays a vital pest control role in our woodlands.…

Species

Wood blewit

The lilac-blue wood blewit grows in woodland and parkland. It is edible and gathering wild food can be fun, but it's best to do it with an expert - pop along to a Wildlife Trust event to try…

Species

Wood melick

Wood melick is a slender, drooping grass that grows in dense patches in ancient woodlands and along shady banks. It has nodding flower heads, with brown, egg-shaped spikelets that contain the…

Species

Wood mouse

The tiny, brown wood mouse is one of our most common rodents and is very likely to be found in the garden. It is similar to the house mouse, but has larger ears and eyes relative to its size.

Species

Wood avens

Look for wood avens along hedgerows and in woodlands. Its yellow flowers appear in spring and provide nectar for insects; later, they turn to red, hooked seedheads that can easily stick to a…