Friends of Sheldon Country Park

15/06/2026

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Do you have a passion for animals, conservation and people?
We are continuing the recruitment drive to grow our Parks and Green Space Ranger Service.

We are seeking to recruit two Grazing & Livestock Rangers to support the delivery of conservation grazing across the city’s parks, open spaces and nature reserves.

As part of Birmingham’s commitment as the UK’s first accredited Nature City, and delivery of the City of Nature 25-Year Plan, conservation grazing plays a vital role in enhancing biodiversity, improving habitats and maintaining our landscapes.
Working as part of the Ranger Service, you will be responsible for the day-to-day management, welfare and handling of livestock across a range of sites.

This is a practical, hands-on role requiring experience, confidence and a strong commitment to animal welfare and environmental management.
Key Responsibilities
• Manage the daily care, welfare and handling of livestock
• Deliver conservation grazing programmes across multiple sites
• Monitor animal health and liaise with veterinary professionals where required
• Maintain fencing, infrastructure and grazing areas
• Support habitat management and biodiversity objectives
• Engage with members of the public to promote understanding of conservation grazing
• Supervise volunteers and support community involvement

About You
You will have:
• Proven experience working with livestock in a practical setting
• Knowledge of animal welfare standards and relevant legislation
• Confidence handling large animals in varied environments
• An understanding of conservation grazing and habitat management
• Good communication skills and the ability to engage with the public
• The ability to work independently and as part of a team

A relevant qualification in agriculture, countryside management or a related field is desirable.
Why Join Us?
This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in shaping Birmingham’s natural environment, contributing to biodiversity recovery and working at the heart of local communities.

To apply follow the link below
https://www.wmjobs.co.uk/job/269564/animal-keeper-assistant

11/06/2026

***update - we have been donated two!***

Please share!

Good afternoon. We are looking to purchase, or even have donated, an A3, A-Frame, Double sided display board to use for our Park Maintenance Taskforce sessions. The A-Frame board will be used regularly to explain to passing park visitors, who we are and what we are doing. Due to the nature of the group being a registered charity, we wondered if anybody has one to donate or knows of any which would cost under £20. Thank you!

09/06/2026

💚💚

08/06/2026

There is a Japanese word known as ‘komorebi’, which describes the capture of dappled sunlight filtering through the leaves and branches of trees; it’s a unique word with no direct English translation! We see this during the rare hot sunny days we have in the country park, yet it can be so easy to overlook how beautiful it really is. The shifting pattern of light and shade beneath the trees create some of the park’s most peaceful and magical moments. Next time you're out for a walk in the park and it happens to be sunny, look up, slow down and enjoy the komorebi! 🌳☀️

06/06/2026

Despite the unpredictable weather, our Park Maintenance Taskforce volunteers were out once again across the park tackling a number of areas in desperate need of attention. The session began with work on a path that regularly suffers from standing water, making crossing difficult for all park users. Using a range of tools, volunteers cleared the existing drain, removed the built up silt alongside the path and cut back a thin layer of grass that had been obstructing the overflow drainage route for rainfall. These improvements should help water drain away more effectively and improve accessibility during wet weather; the area will be monitored for further work if necessary. The team then moved on to repair a section of paddock fencing that had become wobbly and was at risk of collapsing. Thanks to their hard work, the fencing has now been secured and made safe once again. A huge thank you to those volunteers who gave up their time to help today. If you’d like to get involved or help out with future sessions, please see the link in the comments.

04/06/2026

We need your help 👀

We’re asking local residents and park users to help identify areas where illegal off-road motorbikes are accessing the park. Working alongside Birmingham City Council, efforts are currently underway to install additional barriers and improve access control across the site. Due to the size and complexity of the park, priority will be given to locations experiencing the most severe and persistent misuse. If you are aware of any entrances, gaps, damaged fencing or routes regularly being used by illegal motorbikes, please let us know by email - found on our Linktree page. Photos and exact locations are especially helpful where possible. Your information will help us target the worst affected areas and support the ongoing work to improve safety, protect our wildlife and make the park more enjoyable for everyone! Any information is greatly appreciated and you will remain anonymous.

03/06/2026

We would like to take a moment to recognise the significance and impact that our volunteers have across Sheldon and beyond during this . Their continued contribution, dedication and commitment to keeping our park the wonderful place it is, whether you occasionally litter pick or even something as simple as reporting parks issues, is genuinely appreciated and we thank you enormously.

As we continues to grow, now is a fantastic time to get involved and help make an even bigger difference within the park and local community. We are currently looking for new volunteers to strengthen our group and support future projects and activities. For further info on how to join, please visit the link in the comments 👇

28/05/2026

🦋

Flashy, adventurous or fantastically freaky. Britain has 60 native butterflies, each with their own story. Explore what makes them unique.

27/05/2026

If you’re planning on visiting Sheldon Country Park over this half term, why not support some local businesses in the area during your visit?

On the farm we are lucky to have our own Tea Room which serves some fantastic food and drink to cool off during the warm weather. The ladies in there are more then welcoming and have excellent customer service! ☀️

Another personal favourite if your near the Bell Lane side of the park is Bailey's Café and Sandwich Bar which offers a range of breakfasts and lunch all within walking distance! 🥪

Have you tried these places out when visiting? ⛱️

24/05/2026

We had a lovely walk around Sheldon Country Park today and were delighted to spot lots of Small Heath butterflies enjoying the warmer weather; these beautiful little butterflies are a wonderful sign of a healthy grassland habitat and are often seen basking low to the ground over meadows in warmer months! The Small Heath is one of the UK’s smallest brown butterflies and is quite uncommon in most of Birmingham, except for Sutton Park, despite the grounds here taking a battering from the 100’s of aviation enthusiasts in recent years!