EcoRecord

As the days get colder, our resident birds are joined by migrants fleeing the harsher weather of northern and eastern Europe. Redwings and fieldfares arrive in their masses, seeking out berries that provide a vital winter food source.

This Fieldfare was spotted by @jsmithy1943 on iNaturalist.

Looking to grow your species ID skills?

Join the list for the upcoming iNaturalist ID-a-thon event - a global initiative from mid-December to mid-January to help identify observations from around the world!

For more info, join the mailing list at cdn.forms-content.sg-form.com/329e8835-c55...

Mild, wet weather means fungal fruiting bodies are popping up everywhere! Here's a few we found in Walsall. We think these are Hare'sfoot Inkcap, Alder Bracket and Spectacular Rustgill fungi.

The leaves are brown and the sky is grey, but there’s still plenty of wildlife to discover! Here are a few autumn sightings from our area, shared on iNaturalist this week:

1. Collared Earthstar (alexexploring on iNaturalist)
2. Knot Grass Moth (delrington)
3. Orange Peel Fungus (avoidasher)

West Midlands Wildlife Recording League 2025 Which town or city in the West Midlands Region (Herefordshire, Warwickshire, Worcestershire, Staffordshire, Shropshire & West Midlands County) will record the most wildlife in 2025?

Well done to Birmingham which saw the biggest increase in the number of new observations, recorders and species this month, and well done also to Newcastle-under-Lyme who had the biggest increase in the percentage of new observations, recorders and species.

uk.inaturalist.org/projects/wes...

Here's the latest West Midlands Wildlife Recording League Leaderboard!
Places are ranked by number of species observed in each area in 2025 on iNaturalist.

To take part, simply upload photos of wildlife you see using the free iNaturalist app/website!

One more 2025 Invertebrate Survey date? Oh go on then!

mailchi.mp/636f2fb32a78...

We spotted another of our Wild Walsall priority species at Shire Oak Park.

This Bell Heather plant was found growing in the heathland, and it is hoped that @bbcwildlifetrust.bsky.social will be able to positively manage the habitat here to help it to spread.

Photo by Mike Poulton

Another fantastic green beetle-y find at Shire Oak Park was this tiny but stunning tortoise beetle (Cassida hemisphaerica) - found by Mike Poulton & photographed by Mark Webster. This is a rare species, associated with campions and is our 1st B&BC record and our *RECORD OF THE WEEK*

Last Saturday we went hunting for Tigers at Shire Oak Park in Walsall and we found this wonderful Green Tiger Beetle, which is a heathland specialist.

The survey was being carried out by B&BC Invertebrate Group as part of the Wild Walsall Project, made possible by the National Lottery Heritage Fund

Next week we have, not one, but TWO upcoming wildlife events:

WEDS: Wildlife Walk & iNaturalist training session at Pelsall Common 🦋🌼🐦‍⬛📱

SAT: Invertebrate survey at Shire Oak Park 🐝🦗

Details here: mailchi.mp/9784bbbf5bdd...

West Midlands Wildlife Recording League 2025 Which town or city in the West Midlands Region (Herefordshire, Warwickshire, Worcestershire, Staffordshire, Shropshire & West Midlands County) will record the most wildlife in 2025?

You can help your area climb the league by submitting wildlife sightings using the free iNaturalist app/website!

Each month we will highlight the town or city that makes the biggest gains!

uk.inaturalist.org/projects/wes...

Exciting News!

We have now expanded our iNaturalist Wildlife Recording League to include some other towns and cities in the West Midlands region!

Which place will record the most wild species by the end of 2025? It's currently very tight at the top!

Happy Black Country Day! Have you spotted this 'Black-Country' coloured moth this year? If so please let us know!

#InsectWeek
There are almost 300 species of hoverfly in the UK. They are important pollinators and consumers of aphids, and although some of them might look like wasps, they are actually harmless!

Many species are quite easy to identify - here's a selection below:

3) Red Marsh Ladybird - Coccidula rufa. Found on Reed, rushes, Reedmace, wetland grasses.

2) Water Ladybird - Anisosticta novemdecimpunctata. Usually found by water as it feeds on the aphids on waterside rushes.

1) Hairy Reed Beetle - Donacia cinerea. These used to be very common but have become very scarce in the last 10 years or so with not many UK sightings since 2010. This is our first B&BC Record!

It's Insect Week!
To celebrate we thought we'd share with you some of the interesting wetland beetles that we recorded on our field Visit to Ryder's Mere in Pelsall last Saturday. Thanks to Mark Webster for the brilliant photos!

Non invertebrate highlights included Red Deer, Raven, Kestrel, Toad as well as hundreds of baby frogs!
Our next invertebrate survey is taking place tomorrow at Ryders Mere in Pelsall. If you'd like to come along, drop us a message and we'll let you know the details!

We had a great time exploring Goscote Valley on Wednesday! We were there carrying out a B&BC Invertebrate Group survey and highlights included tons of ladybirds and yellow and black longhorn beetles, as well as lots of day-flying moths.

Help us track Bell Heather and Cross-leaved Heath in Walsall!

They may be present in heathy sites such as: Pelsall North Common, Rough Wood Chase LNR, Clayhanger Common and Shire Oak Park.

Existing records of our Wild Walsall focal species are shown on this map:
uk.inaturalist.org/observations...

Two more species we’ve highlighted as part of the Wild Walsall project: Bell Heather & Cross-leaved Heath! 💜

These heathland plants are key components of heathland, but are becoming increasingly rare locally. Tracking their distribution helps us target habitat work where it matters most.

This time of year is perfect for orchid spotting! In B&BC, there are records of 15 different species and one hybrid. See if you can spot some of those species using our quick ID guide.

Here at Centre of the Earth, both the Common Spotted Orchid and the Bee Orchid are currently in bloom!

Help us track the Green Tiger Beetle in Walsall!

Sites in Walsall where we think Green Tiger Beetle may be present include: Shire Oak Park, Beechdale Park and Pelsall North Common.

Report your sightings either via the iNaturalist app/website or by emailing us at enquiries@ecorecord.org.uk

Another flagship species we’re focusing on as part of the Wild Walsall project is the 💚 Green Tiger Beetle 💚.

We are asking your help in tracking the distribution of this species, which serves as an indicator of good quality heathland – one of our rarer and more important habitats.

Help us track the Willow Tit in Walsall!

Sites in Walsall where we think Willow Tit may be present include: Rough Wood Chase LNR, Goscote Valley, Leylands Farm in Pelsall, Walsall Country Park and Park Lime Pits.

This summer, as part of the Wild Walsall project, we are asking for people to help us to learn more about the distribution of the Willow Tit in Walsall.

The species has faced large declines in recent years. Knowing where the Willow Tit is will help us to focus our habitat work to best benefit it!

Help us track the Green Hairstreak!

Report your sightings either via the free iNaturalist app/website or by emailing us at enquiries@ecorecord.org.uk

Existing records of Green Hairstreak as well as our other Wild Walsall focus species are shown on this map: uk.inaturalist.org/projects/wil...

Help us track the distribution of the Green Hairstreak butterfly in Walsall!

Suggested sites in Walsall where we think Green Hairstreak may be present include:
Rough Wood Chase LNR (particularly The Piggeries & Oily Goughs)
Goscote Valley
Ryder's Mere
Pelsall North Common
Shire Oak Park