Robinswood Hill by Nathan Millar
Wild Hill
Robinswood Hill has been a country park since 1972 and became a local nature reserve in 2003. The hard work of volunteers and Gloucester City Council means wildlife thrives here and you can still explore the history of the Hill.
In the summer, the meadow you can see above the sculpture is full of colourful flowers – some with funny names like cowslip, devil’s-bit scabious and orchid. Butterflies and ants make their home here, as well as birds like green woodpeckers who feed on the ant nests. The cows you might spot during your visit are doing an important job here – keeping the grassy areas open to the sunlight and pushing wildflower seeds into the ground so they can grow next year.
WildNet - Margaret Holland, Lesser Stag Beetle
I like to eat rotten wood
Above the meadow you might be able to spot a very old oak tree with a hole in it. Tree holes like this are perfect homes for wildlife such as bats, and are often used for finding food by insects, like the lesser stag beetle. These beetles feed on dead and rotting wood using their large jaws - can you spot these on the sculpture?
Just like in the meadows, you also get flowers in woodlands. If you were to walk further into the woods during springtime, you might come across bluebells, primroses and wild garlic.
On the Hill there are lots of areas with woodland and bushes, which birds love. There's plenty of places to perch, make nests that are hidden away, and feed on berries or insects. During summer, you might see birds such as buzzards, song thrush and maybe even a cuckoo.
WildNet - Steve Waterhouse
As well as birds, Robinswood Hill is home to many mammals. You are most likely to see rabbits and grey squirrels on your adventures during the daytime. The meadow is popular with tiny voles and shrews, but these like to keep hidden so they can avoid being hunted by buzzards and kestrels. At dusk, when the Hill is normally nice and quiet, you might be lucky enough to come across one of the foxes or a badgers that live here.
If you've enjoyed the trail, why not come along to one of our events.
Or take action to help wildlife around your own home or community.