Wildlife Explorer
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.
Woodland
Stepping inside a wood is like stepping outside of time. To walk amongst trees is to be part of the landscape. You can let the rich…
European badger
Badgers are the UK’s largest land predator and are one of the most well-known British species. They are famed for their black and white…
Bluebell
In April and May, our ancient woodlands are awash with the much-loved, nodding heads of the Bluebell. Millions of bulbs can exist in…
Blackthorn
A familiar shrub of hedgerows and woodland edges, Blackthorn comes alive in spring when it bursts into a froth of white blossom. It is…
Hedgerow
Hedgerows are one of our most easily encountered wildlife habitats, found lining roads, railways and footpaths, bordering fields and…
English oak
The English oak is, perhaps, our most iconic tree: the one that almost every child and adult alike could draw the lobed leaf of, or…