Join us for to find out about the different species of bats that make their homes at Hill Hook, and see some of many types of moths that they feed on there! We will be using bat-detectors to find and identify bats around the reserve. @bbcwildlifetrust.bsky.social @bosfonline.bsky.social

A male Emperor dragonfly taking a brief rest on a bush near the mill pool at Hill Hook Local Nature reserve today. These fast-flying dragonflies are easy to see whizzing across the pool right now. @ecorecord.bsky.social @britishdragonflies.bsky.social

Wouldn’t it be great if one of these was seen at Hill Hook…keep your eyes peeled! 👀

EcoRecord@ecorecord.bsky.social · 2w ago

Every few years we get an influx of the migratory Clouded Yellow butterfly. This year we've already had several sightings in Birmingham and the Black Country, so it's looking set to be a 'Clouded Yellow Summer'! Have you spotted one yet?

We have some upcoming events for your diaries! Our next conservation work party will be on Saturday July 25th, and we are very pleased to announce the return of our Bat and Moth Night on Friday August 28th. @bosfonline.bsky.social

Very pleased to have encountered my first Willow Emerald Damselfly for Hill Hook NR this morning, following on from their discovery last September by @ruthnewby.bsky.social. Will try to do a proper survey later in the week. @ecorecord.bsky.social

An enormous thank-you to our wonderful volunteers who turned up at short notice to work on our wildlife garden. We removed unwanted shrubs and planted out a wide range of pollinator-friendly perennials, as well as plants which will provide food for birds in the winter. @bosfonline.bsky.social

A new species for me today at Hill Hook LNR: a Slender-striped Robberfly (Leptogaster cylindrica) with its prey. Strangely no Sutton Coldfield records on iRecord, though quite a few in the Tame Valley. @hillhookfriends.bsky.social @ecorecord.bsky.social

We’re getting ready for our Wildlife Garden planting day on Saturday! The first lot of plants have arrived and are being looked after in our Chair’s back garden until then! If you fancy helping out, we’d love to see you. @rosybeeplants.bsky.social @bosfonline.bsky.social

Great to hear that so many wonderful insects have been seen at Hill Hook Local Nature Reserve recently.

This weekend was all about insects at Hill Hook NR - Small Copper, Large Red + Blue-tailed Damselflies and Hummingbird Hawkmoth all new for the year. Also Common Blue Damselfly, Emperor Dragonfly, Silver Y and the currently ubitiquous Painted Lady. 7 cygnets continue to thrive @ruthnewby.bsky.social

We now have dates for our volunteer work parties for 2026/27 20th June: Wildlife garden planting (led by Friends of Hill Hook) 25th July 12th September 14th November 23rd January 13th March (activities/events tbc, led by Birmingham & Black Country Wildlife Trust) More details to follow!

With temperatures already soaring this week, keep yourselves and each other safe in our parks and green spaces! Open water such as rivers, streams, pools and lakes may look tempting in the heat - but please do stay out. Look out for one another out there and enjoy the sunshine safely!

The Friends of Hill Hook Local Nature Reserve are now on BlueSky! We are a community group who manage a small local nature reserve in Sutton Coldfield (W. Mids). Follow us to find out about the reserve’s wildlife, events & volunteer opportunities. @bosfonline.bsky.social @ecorecord.bsky.social