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.
Freshwater pearl mussel
Freshwater pearl mussels spend their adult lives nestled in the river bed of fast flowing, rocky streams, filter feeding the water.
Spring squill
Spring squill is a small, star-shaped purple-blue flower found on coastal grasslands.
Red valerian
Red valerian was introduced in the 1600s from Europe, but is now naturalised in the UK. Its pinky-red flowers grow from old walls,…
Woundwort shieldbug
This small, shiny shieldbug is usually found on hedge woundwort.
Brassica shieldbug
This beautiful bug is also known as the crucifer shieldbug or cabbage bug.
Bishop's mitre shieldbug
This Womble-like shieldbug can often be seen clinging to grass stems.
