Credit: Apodemus sylvaticus bosmuis, Rasbak
Wildlife Explorer
The landscape of Birmingham and the Black Country has a rich social, economic and natural heritage shaped by a complex history of rural, industrial, and more recent suburban and commercial land use. The wildlife is as varied and valuable as that of any other part of the United Kingdom.
The rare and the special are here, from scarce mammals like water voles and polecats to dragonflies and kingfishers, plus a huge variety of plant life, as documented in the trailblazing book ‘Flora of Birmingham and the Black Country’. Adding spice to this is an astounding mix of species reflecting the many peoples and trades that have come here from around the world – for example plants grown from Argentinian seeds, and African parakeets.
Flame shell
It's easy to see where this stunning bivalve got its name from - the bright orange tentacles emerging from the shell really do look…
Cockle
The common cockle is a traditional seaside favourite, both for its white shells often found in the sand and for the yummy snack of…
Variegated scallop
The shells of this small scallop are often found washed up on our shores and comes in lots of different colours, including pink, red,…
Oyster
Native oysters are a staple of our seas and our plates - but our love of their taste has lead to a sharp decline all around the UK.
Mussel
The common mussel is a familiar sight on shores all around the UK and is a favourite food of people, seabirds and starfish alike.
Ocean quahog
This large burrowing bivalve, also known as the Icelandic cyprine, is found on sandy seabeds around much of the UK. It is the longest-…
