Local wildlife
Within a mile of the City centre there is a green, quiet haven where woods, streams, canals and pathways provide a rich habitat for plants, insects, birds and animals.
The Smestow Valley Nature Reserve, once a main artery for canal trade and a freight rail route, has in 40 years taken on a wild, natural character.
Insects
Among the earliest insects to appear in the year are different species of bumblebee, with some butterflies also arriving in spring.
These include;-
Day-flying moths can also be found while dragonflies have also been spotted hunting over the canals and ponds.
Mammals
Mammals have a less obvious presence along the valley but if you are patient you may spot Foxes, Water Voles, Weasels, Moles, Rabbits, Water Shrew, Wood Mice and Hedgehogs.
Four kinds of bat are known either to live or visit the valley with the tiny Pipistrelle, the larger Noctule, Long-eared and Daubenton relatives making an appearance.
Birds
More than 55 species of bird are known to have bred in Wolverhampton's nature reserves and over 30 of them are present throughout the year.
In winter the number of Blackbird, Chaffinch and other common species are boosted by an influx of birds from the Continent, in addition to annual visitors like Redwing, Fieldfare, Redpoll and Siskin.
Late winter sees birds of prey such as Buzzard and Sparrowhawk contesting territories for nesting sites.
Spring brings migrating birds from Africa including Wheatear, Sand Martin, plus wading birds such as the Common Sandpiper. The summer months witness Kestrel hovering over grassland and Great Spotted Woodpeckers feeding youngsters at nest holes.
Autumn sees Jays and Kingfishers arrive while Tawny Owls and Canada Geese are also present.
With the return of winter the Rook, Crow and Jackdaw arrive nightly in huge numbers to roost.