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.
Long-tailed tit
Living up to its name, the long-tailed tit can be easily recognised by its long tail. It is a small, pretty, pink, black and white bird…
Norway Spruce
The Norway Spruce was introduced into the UK from Scandinavia in the 16th century. It is familiar to us all as the 'original'…
Great Fen-sedge
A tall and robust species of sedge, the Great Fen-sedge has long leaves with sawtooth edges. It forms dense stands in lowland fens and…
Lion's mane jellyfish
The long mane of tentacles that stream out from the lion's mane jellyfish is stunning… literally! Look but don't touch when it…
Barrel Jellyfish
The largest jellyfish found in UK seas, most people's first encounter with them is when they wash ashore in early summer.
Blue jellyfish
Often confused with the larger but similarly shaped lion’s mane jellyfish, the blue jellyfish can be colourless when young and develop a…
Credit: Penny Frith
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