Wild Worcestershire

The Wilder Worcestershire: Neighbourhoods Nurturing Nature team work with local people to create pockets of habitat for wildlife to thrive, from orchards and meadows to ponds and allotments.
Lee chats to Jameela, Liz, Sarah, Zaina and Richard to findout how their experiences with the project have helped them come together with their communities and connect with the wildlife on their doorsteps.
From discovering bats on a nighttime walk and noticing wildlife in a city garden to bringing communities together, getting young people active outdoors and volunteering to transform a wellbeing garden, hear about how taking small actions can make a big difference for wildlife and people.

If you've ever wondered about the wildlife that might be making its home in your garden, this is the episode for you. Podcast host Lee has his eyes opened to some of the wildlife hiding in plain sight in Lower Smite Farm's wildlife garden as he joins naturalists Rosemary and Wendy on an amble to discover more about the variety of garden wildlife.
Along the way, you'll bump into shieldbugs, wasps, ants and aphids, dragonfly exuviae, butterflies, bees and more. The gang also delve into how you can help wildlife at home and why it's important to record what you see.

More on wildlife gardening: https://www.worcswildlifetrust.co.uk/wildlife-gardening
Tell us about the wildlife you see in Worcestershire: https://www.worcswildlifetrust.co.uk/wildlife-sightings
Want to volunteer in the garden at Lower Smite Farm? https://www.worcswildlifetrust.co.uk/volunteering-opportunities/wildlife-garden-volunteer

The saline and freshwater pools at Upton Warren, Wychbold, are amongst the best places in Worcestershire to spot birds and other wetland wildlife. Listen in on a visit to this special place as host Lee is joined by the reserve's manager, Eleanor, and engagement warden Ion.
The trio visit both The Flashes and The Moors, talk birds (obviously) and other wildlife, chat about the importance of volunteering and the benefit of birdwatching for wellbeing.
Discover what you might see if you visit, how the team protect rare wildlife like little ringed plovers (under license and with a permit) and how to learn more about wildlife.

Upton upon Severn is Worcestershire's stag beetle hotspot. In fact, the town and surrounding villages are the only places in Worcestershire where these giant beetles are found. Join host Lee as he wanders the streets with the Trust's Eleanor Reast on the hunt for the UK's largest beetle.

Along the way you'll discover more about the amazing lifecycles of stag beetles; with up to seven years spent underground, we're privileged if we spot one in the 'just' 40 days they spend above ground in their adult form. The question is, will Lee and Eleanor spot one on their evening walk? Listen to find out!

Take a wander through a traditional orchard with podcast host, Lee Robinson, and Severn Treescapes Trees and Woodland Advisor, Simone Mansi, to discover why deadwood is anything but dead.
The two chat all things timber, looking at the importance of deadwood, hunting for the poo of amazing iridescent beetles and exploring how we can build continuity of trees and deadwood habitat into our landscapes.
Dead Wood Society is part of Severn Treescapes, which is a partnership project between Gloucestershire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire Wildlife Trusts. You can find out more at https://www.worcswildlifetrust.co.uk/severn-treescapes/dead-wood-society