Local Wildlife
Credit: Apodemus sylvaticus bosmuis, Rasbak
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.
Red Mason Bee
The Red Mason Bee is a common, gingery bee that can be spotted nesting in the crumbling mortar of old walls. Encourage bees to nest in…
Great Diving Beetle
The Great Diving Beetle is a large and voracious predator of ponds and slow-moving waterways. Blackish-green in colour, it can be…
Spiked Shield Bug
The Spiked Shield Bug has fearsome shoulder projections or 'spikes' and a predatory nature. This brown bug feeds on…
Black Garden Ant
The Black Garden Ant is the familiar and abundant small ant that lives in gardens, but also turns up indoors searching for sugary food.…
14-spot Ladybird
The 14-spot Ladybird is one of three yellow ladybirds in the UK. Look for it in grassland, woodland and gardens. Ladybirds are…
Great Green Bush-cricket
At nearly 7 cm long (including the female's long ovipositor), the Great Green Bush-cricket certainly lives up to its name! It can…