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Woodgate Valley
Over the winter of 2013/14 The Wildlife Trust and Birmingham City Council led a project that saw over 12 acres of dark and inaccessible plantation woodland thinned by 40%.
Following the works Woodgate Valley and Growing Local Flora volunteers under-planted the woodlands with locally native trees and shrubs and introduced field-layer species through seeding and planting.
At the same time as the plantations were being thinned a small area of grassland known to support a large population of common spotted-orchid was cleared of invasive scrub.
Save Our Local Wildlife Sites
Birmingham and Black Country's 586 Local Wildlife Sites covering 4778ha are at risk of future development. #ActSwiftly to save our local wildlife.
Lily-of-the-valley
A beautifully scented plant, the arching stems and bell-shaped flowers of Lily-of-the-valley can be seen in many woodlands. Despite its delicate appearance, this plant is highly toxic.
Wall barley
The distinctive spiky, or 'bearded', green flower heads of wall barley appear from June to July and are easy to spot in an urban environment as they push their way up through pavements…
School Site Enhancement
Imagination, natural materials and a little bit of decorative chainsaw work combine to make shelters, raised beds and seating for everyday use while our pond creation, bird and bat boxes, hedgehog hotels and wild gardens encourage wildlife to visit.
Even small spaces can be filled with wildlife with a little creativity and a lot of enthusiasm!
Castle Vale Meadows
My gateway
John has been attending the Recovery Project at Idle Valley Nature Reserve for three years. After being diagnosed with dyslexia and getting bullied for several years at school, he was left with…
Greylag goose
The greylag goose can be easily spotted around parks, gravel pits and river valleys, but these populations tend to be semi-tame, having been reintroduced. Truly wild populations can be found in…
Lesser black-backed gull
The lesser-black backed gull can be spotted around the coast in summer, with the biggest colony on Walney Island, Cumbria. Look for it over fields, landfill sites and reservoirs during winter.
My reward
Carole has been volunteering at Idle Valley for seven years now; whilst she used to get involved with the heavy work out on the reserve, the garden is now her domain, working with the Recovery…
Bladder campion
Bladder campion is so-called for the bladder-like bulge that sites just behind the five-petalled flower - this is actually the fused sepals. Look for it on grasslands, farmland and along hedgerows…