Pepper saxifrage
Pepper saxifrage is a classic plant of unimproved hay meadows and roadside verges. It's upright, branching stems carry umbrella-like clusters of creamy-yellow, flowers in summer.
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Portway Hill, part of the Rowley Hills
The reserve boasts scarce plants, like the exotic Bee Orchid and the unusual hare's foot clover.
The reserve also boasts many important butterfly species, including one of the few colonies of Marbled White Butterflies in Birmingham and the Black Country. Portway Hill, which is part of the Rowley Hills, is one of our newest nature reserves. Just a few acres of grassland high on the Hills looking out over Sandwell, Birmingham and parts of Dudley
The reserve also boasts many important butterfly species, including one of the few colonies of Marbled White Butterflies in Birmingham and the Black Country. Portway Hill, which is part of the Rowley Hills, is one of our newest nature reserves. Just a few acres of grassland high on the Hills looking out over Sandwell, Birmingham and parts of Dudley
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 the unusual onion skin weathering on basalt which was used…
Enable Healthy Communities
More than one-third of the population - nearly 9.5 million households in England – are unable to access green places near their home.
Peppered moth
The peppered moth is renowned for its markings that have evolved to camouflage it against lichen in the countryside and soot in the city. It can be seen in gardens, woods and parks, and along…
Dipper
The chocolate-brown, plump dipper can often be seen bobbing up and down on a stone in a fast-flowing river. It feeds on underwater insects by walking straight into, and under, the water.
How to create a hedgehog hole
Help hedgehogs get around by making holes and access points in fences and barriers to link up the gardens in your neighbourhood.
Heath bumblebee
The Heath bumblebee is not only found on heathland, but also in gardens and parks. It nests in small colonies of less than 100 workers in all kinds of spots, such as old birds' nests, mossy…
Small copper
The small copper lives up to its name in both colour and size! Look out for it from April onwards in dry, sunny habitats like heathland, downland and woodland. It can be spotted in gardens, too.…
Sand hopper
Sand Hoppers really live up to their name, jumping high into the air when disturbed.
Fennel
Fennel has feathery leaves and open, umbels of yellow flowers. It was probably introduced by the Romans for culinary use, and is now a naturalised species of verges, waste ground and sand dunes.…
Bramble
The bramble is the thorny shrub of hedges, woods and scrub that gives us delicious blackberries in autumn. Gathering wild food can be fun, but it's best to do it with an expert - come along…