Are you interested in wildlife, or maybe have a budding David Attenborough or Chris Packham in the family? Want to bring out your inner Bill Oddie or Simon King? If so,   Brownhills Common is the place to be on Friday 16th and Saturday 17th May 2014.

The excellent and lovely Walsall Wildlife crew will be out carrying out their annual BioBlitz project, which this year focusses on our very own commons and heaths around Brownhills.

The Countryside Rangers – as well as a whole host of other knowledgable and approachable experts – will be on hand to show you what lives in the air above, on and beneath the Commons and open spaces we all love.

Everything from Bats to birds, deer to damselflies, moths to mammals – there will be something to engage everyone, from young to old. Brownhills Common hosts a huge range of life from the small and squeaky to the creepy and crawly – and these folk will show you what it is, where to find it and most importantly, how to respect and support it.

Basecamp will be at Holland Park Car Park, just of The Parade, Brownhills.

The event is free, but you’re encouraged to book tickets on the Brownhills Bioblitz site here, or check out Walsall Wildlife on Twitter and Facebook.

Morgan Bowers, Senior Countryside Ranger for Walsall said:

Hi Folks!

We have less than two weeks to go until the Brownhills BioBlitz!

It’s a FREE huge wildlife event on Brownhills Common next Friday (16th) from 7pm-11pm and Saturday (17th) from 7am-4pm.

We’ve got lots of events, from Mammals and newts to reptile rambles, bat walk and moth trapping. It’s a great chance for all the family to have a close encounter with wildlife!

You can find out more and book your free tickets at the Brownhills Bioblitz website here.

Morgan Bowers

Email: bowersm@walsall.gov.uk
Call: 01922 65 4220
Walsall Countryside Services
Walsall Wildlife on Facebook
@WalsallWildlife on Twitter

Why not come and meet the neighbours? Like this handsome and healthy vole – image from Walsall Wildlife.

Friday 16th May, 7pm-11pm
7pm – 7.45pm: Amphibian Antics – Set bottle traps to catch newts overnight!
8pm – 8:45pm: Mini Mammal Mayhem – Set & bait live mammal traps!
9pm – 9.45pm: Bat Bonanza – a Bat Walk with BrumBats
10pm – 1o.45pm: Moth-a-rama – Moth trapping with light traps
11pm: Finish

Saturday 17th May, 7am – 4pm
7am – 7.45am: Amphibian Antics – Check bottle traps for newts!
8am – 8:45am: Mini Mammals – Meet some mini mammals!
9am – 9.45am: Reptile Ramble – search for lizards!
10.00am- 11.45am: Big Bug Safari
12pm-1pm Big Picnic – bring a packed lunch!

1pm – 3.45pm: Big Bug Safari
4pm: Finish

At Basecamp on Saturday 17th May, 10am-4pm
We’ll have activities and stalls all day at basecamp, as well as the following talks and activities:
Bird Ringing
Lodge Wood Forest School
BrumBats
West Midlands Hedgehog Rescue
Wildlife Trust
Sustrans