Animal
Moorhen
Common on ponds and park lakes. Swims jerkily. Defends its territory – males will fight. Nests in thick cover close to water. Not a strong flyer.
Common on ponds and park lakes. Swims jerkily. Defends its territory – males will fight. Nests in thick cover close to water. Not a strong flyer.
An acid soil loving plant which is primarily from China and Japan. Again brought over by the Victorians in the 19th Century. It was very popular in Victorian parks and gardens and can grow up to 15 feet in height. Rhododendrons flower once a year with colours ranging from white to deep purple.
A climber or ground cover plant which is evergreen. It comes in either green or variegated colours. It can be very invasive but also can be very attractive. Will climb walls, trees, etc. Native to the UK.
Evergreen and deciduous species. Recently introduced to the park and can grow from a few inches high to over 4 foot tall. Ferns love the shade under the woodland canopy at the Moseley village end of the Park.

Cannot be eaten. Known for very larges leaves which can grow to be 6 feet across. Originally comes from Asia. Enjoys a boggy environment and humus rich soil.

Bluebells are now protectd by law in the wild, after many illegal thefts to sell. They actually come in blue, pink and white colours. They grow vigorously in the park and provide a carpet of colour in May.

Deciduous – loses its leaves in the autumn. Has pom-pom yellow flowers in April. Grows well in shady spots. Can grow up to 10 feet in height.
A British plant which thrives in the woodland. Provides a carpet of yellow in March and April.
Famous for providing conkers, a traditional children’s game for over a hundred years. The hardest conkers are those that have fallen to the ground because they are the ripest.
Grows to over 150 feet. Has been known in England for over 300 years.
A shrub originally from Asia which can grow to 15 feet in height. Has a pretty white flower and spectacular red foliage in spring. Found near the tennis club in the Park.
Snowdrops flower between January and March, often appearing en masse and creating a characteristic ‘white blanket’ coverage.
Plump, black, seen in parks and resevoirs, bigger than a Moorhen. Clumsy in flight, lands with a splash. Head bobs while swimming, dives a lot. Patters along surface when taking off. Rather quarrelsome
Nests on ground, sometimes in a hollow tree. very tame. Strong flight. Duck quacks loudly, Drake has a quiet whistle.
Once nearly exterminated because of demand for feathers for women’s hats. But now protected and numerous again. Found in reservoirs and lakes in Birmingham. Nests on floating nest, attached to vegetation. When courting, offers gifts of water-weed!
A familiar sight, with graceful curved neck. Powerful in flight, with a creaking noise. Hisses and snorts – keep away! Mates for life. Is considered a royal bird – the Crown once owned them all.
Stands like a sentry beside water, waiting for a fish. When flying, has slow flapping wing-beats, head tucked in. Will steal goldfish from ponds. Herons are very noisy during nesting, croaking and chattering of beaks.
Largest Goose, brought in from North America for ornament but they escaped. Seen on ponds and town parks. May up-end in water.
Similar to Crow except for whitish face and beak. Very sociable, found in groups or rookeries. Aggressive in defending the group’s territory. Useful to farmer – eats wireworms and leather-jackets.
Occupies anywhere undisturbed where it can find food – in winter in buildings, store rooms, cellars. In summertime moves to edges of lakes or canal banks. Digs, burrows and swims well.
Commonest and smallest type of Bat. Common in parks and gardens. In summer, sleeps in buildings, hollow trees, in daytime, comes out soon after dusk. Flies fast but erratically, dodges about. Can be seen also in spring or mild winter. Hibernates in Winter.
The fruits from this tree are inedible despite the name. This is an ornamental tree which can grow up to 25 feet and is known for its dark coloured foliage.
Moseley Park and Pool is run by a charitable trust, which cares for the landscape, makes sure it is open for everybody on Wellness Wednesdays and Open Days, and supports our Subscribers to enjoy the site 365 days a year.
GENERAL ENQUIRIES:
07471 675 553
SUBSCRIPTION ENQUIRIES:
subscriptions@moseleypark.co.uk
COMMUNITY & EVENTS ENQUIRIES:
community@moseleypark.co.uk
POSTAL ADDRESS:
Moseley Exchange, 149-153 Alcester Road, Moseley, Birmingham B13 8JP.