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.
Portway Hill, part of the Rowley Hills
Colonies of rare butterflies and nesting birds make this site great for wildlife enthusiasts - but it is also internationally famous for…
Deer's Leap Wood
Discover the surprising variety of wildlife hidden in this natural haven on a historic brewery site.
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…
Ivy bee
The ivy bee is a fairly recent arrival to the UK, first recorded in 2001. It feeds mainly on the nectar of ivy flowers and can be seen…
White bryony
A climbing plant of hedgerows and woodlands, white bryony produces greenish flowers from late spring and shiny, red berries from late…
Buff-tailed bumblebee
Spot these giants of the bumblebee world during springtime. They can be seen buzzing from flower to flower, getting their pollen fix.…
