The Countryside Studies Group (CSG) was set up to give members an opportunity to get to know and appreciate aspects of the natural environment without requiring specialised knowledge or expertise.

We meet on the second Tuesday of the month, usually for a morning, but may avoid winter months.

We visit sites where we can explore the diversity of nature, linking geology, topography, plant life and wildlife. With a rich variety of habitats nearby, we generally explore our local area but occasionally venture further afield.

Over the last few years we have explored the fungi of the Leasowes Nature Reserve Site of Special Scientific Interest that the late Nick Williams, the founder of our CSG, did so much to establish,

Without Nick's guidance, our CSG depends on local guides and wardens at the various sites to help us appreciate their natural diversity. Members are encouraged to put forward ideas for sites to visit and areas of natural interest. As much as possible we aim to car share to limit our carbon footprint.

If you are interested and want to know more please contact the group leader, Martin P.

Recent visits

In May we went to the Nature England reserve at Wyre Forest where we did a circuit that included the old railway line. Some of the items we saw are depicted below.

One of our members, Richard, took these photos in Chaddesley Woods in June.

In June we enjoyed a visit to Portway Hill, guided by Mike from the Friends of Rowley Hills group.

https://friendsofrowleyhills.org

The reserve is situated on the site of former mines and quarries and commands extensive views across Oldbury and the West Midlands urban area. It provides a rich variety of habitats. We saw 14 different kinds of butterflies and were told that there were up to 20 kinds on the nature reserve.

In September we visited the Severn Valley Country Park. We were shown a range of habitats, including this wetlands area developed and maintained by the warden and volunteers.

https://www.shropshiresgreatoutdoors.co.uk/severn-valley

We learned about how the SVCP extends across land on which mine workings spread their deposits, producing a surface with few nutrients but ideal for wildflowers. Trees that have managed to survive on this terrain now have a uniformity of height that needs to be varied to encourage biodiversity. We learned how the country park forms part of a geopark of the carboniferous period 310 million years ago and saw the evidence of amphibian footprints left in the delta mud when the area was near to the equator

In October we visited Bodenham Arboretum near Wolverley. https://www.bodenhamarboretum.co.uk

Despite overcast weather, the colours of the trees and shrubs were glorious and we enjoyed an interesting tour guided by the owner of the arboretum. Mark, one of our members, capture some magical moments of our visit.

We don't have to go as far as Wolverley to admire the autumn colours of trees. Just next to the United Reform Church road island in Halesowen there is a lovely London Plane tree and an oak tree side by side.

An adverse weather report in November caused the cancellation of a visit to Coombeswood Nature Reserve for a fungi foray, but this is rescheduled for autumn 2026. Below are some photos of fungi from that site. The labels have not been verified by an expert so don't assume they are correct.

On 26 November, the wardens at Leasowes Nature Reserve organised and led a walk honouring the memory of Nick Williams who contributed so much to the conservation of our countryside (see the opening paragraph of this webpage). Joining the walk were members of Nick's family, some of our countryside group and u3a members and colleagues of Nick. The walk is way-marked and begins at the entrance to the Leasowes on Manor Way next to the bus stop near Carisbrooke Drive. Do enjoy the mile - or two miles if you walk back to the start!

Countryside Studies meets Silent Witness! Well Almost!!

Martin arranged an informal Countryside Studies meeting for February 10^th at Bodenham Arboretum. In actual fact only Martin, Gwen, Paula and your correspondent attended plus Jan, my wife. On all the boards approaching Bodenham were signs ‘SW’! Approaching the car park we could see masses of cars, caravans etc. Somewhat of a surprise for a miserable Tuesday in the school term. We learnt that Silent Witness was being filmed at a secret location nearby. We had to remain Silent and certainly wouldn’t be allowed to Witness!

The rain held off and we enjoyed a really pleasant walk around the lake. In the farm area there were young donkeys, about a dozen day old piglets as well as other live stock. The reflections in the pools were spectacular and we found a highly fragrant viburnum as well as other pretty winter flowering shrubs. The visit ended with drinks and, for some of us, food in the cafe.

Richard

In March this year we visited the National Trust Nature Reserve at Clent Hills where we were treated to a guided tour including the reed bed sewage management scheme, the site of the "Ranger's Cottage" that some of our group recalled seeing as children and evidence of agricultural management of the hills prior to the Black Death in 1349. The visit confirmed that even places with which one feels very familiar can reveal surprising, new aspects when revealed by knowledgable guides.

In April, we visited the Devil's Spittleful and Burlish Top Nature Reserve accompanied by Worcestershire Wildlife Trust Volunteers Sue and Andy.

We were surprised and delighted to observe a Severn Valley engine and coaches being filmed by a film / photography crew - not a wildlife event but a reminder of how that reserve had been bounded and accessed by the railway. It was one factor in the decision of the US army to base a camp and hospital on that site. We walked up to Burlish Top and the area where the camp had been to witness the effective way that nature reclaims areas of human occupation that are no longer occupied.

Up coming events.

Next month we are intending to visit Monk Wood near Holt Heath where Richard will show us butterflies, weather permitting. In June we plan to visit Diglis Lock and Fish Pass in Worcester.

I'm grateful, as ever, for suggestions from our members for activities and sites to visit and to the assistance of the wardens and volunteers of the sites that we visit for their expertise.

Martin