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 this weekend, 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:

Walsall BioBlitz is back! Come along and bring the whole family for the chance to be a wildlife scientist for a day! A BioBlitz is a race against time to record as many different types of plants and animals as possible. This year’s BioBlitz is at Brownhills Common, and will include all kinds of activities, including:

Amphibian Antics – Reptile Ramble – Minibeast Safari – Bat Walk
Bird Ringing – Mini Mammals – Hedgehogs – Moth Trapping –And much, much more.

Join us on the Friday evening from 7pm-11pm, or all day on the Saturday from 7am-4pm, or both! Its totally free and a chance for a real wild encounter!

The event runs from 7pm-11pm on Friday the 16th May and from 7am-4pm on Saturday the 17th May.

Take a look at the Activities Page for details of times of the various activities. If you want to see mammals, reptiles and amphibians, you’re best bet is to come early on the Saturday as from 7am-10am we are checking all the traps we set the night before.

If it’s bug-hunting you’re interested in, drop in anytime from 10am in the morning onwards.

There will be bird ringing and hedgehogs from 10am onwards at basecamp.

Basecamp: Basecamp will be located in the holland park car park. This is where you need to meet for all of our activities, and we’ll also have lots of stalls and activities at basecamp!

Toilets: The toilets at Holland Park will be available for use.

Dogs: Dogs are welcome at the event, but you are asked (as always) to clean up after your dog, and to ensure that dogs are well-behaved and under control. Dogs will not be allowed in the area where the bird ringing and hedgehog stalls are taking place.

Getting there by Car: From Wednesfield, Bloxwich and Pelsall, take the A4124 east towards Brownhills until you get to the Brownhills Roundabout (with the giant miner statue) and take the first exit, then immediately left onto the Parade. Holland Park car park is on the right hand side, where you will be guided to the parking area.

From Lichfield, Cannock, Norton Canes, take the A5 Watling Street and then head south onto the Parade, where you’ll find the Holland Park car park entrance on the left hand side, where you will be guided to the parking area.

From Shire Oak and Aldridge, take the A452 through Brownhills to the Miner Roundabout and take the third exit, then immediately turn left onto the parade. Holland Park car park is on the right hand side, where you will be guided to the parking area.

Getting there by Bus: The number 33 (Cannock-Walsall), 56 (Birmingham-Brownhills West), 935a (Birmingham – Brownhills West) and 32 (Hednesford – Rugeley) all go down the Parade. Numbers 33a (Walsall-Brownhills West) and 10 (Burntwood-Walsall) and 10a (Walsall-Brownhills West) go down the Chester Road North (Alight at the Parade).

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