Wildlife
Identify species, read the latest news stories and discover the best spots to see wildlife in Britain
Mysterious 'unicorn of the sea' found in Ireland for the first time ever
The bizarre Arctic creature washed up on a beach in County Donegal on the north coast of Ireland.
“That was the biggest high you could imagine – completely fixing this broken thing”
Headlines about the nature emergency might paint a bleak picture, but a network of sanctuaries powered by dedicated volunteers across the UK is giving wildlife a second chance. James Fair visits an animal rescue centre in Herefordshire and discovers new hope
First Sycamore Gap saplings planted after famous tree was illegally felled
National Trust begins planting 'Trees of Hope’ to ensure the iconic tree lives on.
This pocket-sized speaker might be your new favourite outdoor companion
We review the Tribit StormBox Micro 2 Portable Speaker to see how it stands up to the competition
4 animals that refuse to die: Nature’s real-life immortals that can cheat death again and again
What's new?
Watch incredible, unbelievable close-up footage of baby ospreys hatch and grow, surviving storms and brutal tawny owl attacks
The Woodland Trust Scotland has captured the remarkable journey of two feisty male ospreys as they grow and eventually fledge.
It skims the moors like a ghost, sports a wingspan wider than your outstretched arms and can drop on prey with pinpoint precision
Get to know one of Britain's rarest bird species with our expert guide to hen harriers, including how to identify them, conservation status, where they live and how you can help protect them.
10 brutal birds of prey photos and videos that showcase the raw strength and deadly power of Britain’s most formidable hunters
Check out the the raw power and regal beauty of Britain's fiercest aerial hunters
“Not even AI could imagine that!” Photographer finds unreal-looking sea creature in Cornwall
Rainbow slugs are being found more frequently in the UK as a result of warming waters.
Heartwarming footage shows beaver swimming to freedom after move from London to Wales
The female beaver has been released in Wales in the hope she will start her own family with a male called Barti.
Birds
Why are barn owls white?
Every year, this red-eyed bird flies to the USA, where its muscles shrivel, its organs swell and it loses the power to fly
Meet the record-breaking black-necked grebe.
Strange-looking bird with zebra-stripe wings and extravagant head feathers breeds in UK for first time in 27 years
A pair of striking hoopoes successfully raised young in Leicestershire and Rutland – the first confirmed UK breeding since 1996.
Crustaceans
Are there any killer whales in UK waters?
Did you know there are just two individuals remaining in the UK’s resident orca population, which will soon go extinct?
Crab vs lobster: what’s the difference between the common shore crab and the common lobster - and how do you tell them apart?
Lobsters and crabs are often mistaken for each other. Carys McMillan explains how to tell two of our most common species - the shore crab and European lobster - apart
Tragic mass stranding leaves 77 pilot whales dead in Orkney
The reason for one of the biggest mass strandings in Scottish history is currently a mystery, says Mel Hobson
Dinosaurs
"Most unexpected is the size of the animal": massive flesh-eating dinosaur uncovered in Wales
The fossil of a jawbone kept in the National Museum of Wales for decades has finally been identified as a new species of dinosaur. Scientists estimate that the prehistoric predator measured up to 7 metres long – roughly the length of a bus.
Retired GP discovers new species of sail-backed dinosaur on Isle of Wight
A new iguanodontian dinosaur, named Istiorachis macarthurae, has been identified on the Isle of Wight and it’s unlike any that has been found before…
Hundreds of dinosaur footprints found in ancient Scottish lagoon have got scientists excited – here's why
Analysis of dinosaur footprints on Isle of Skye give insights into what - and how - dinosaurs used the area
Fungi
How to identify
It's incredibly cute, about the size of a pet cat – and hardly ever seen. Meet a highly secretive woodland creature
Thanks to ongoing reintroduction projects, pine martens are making a comeback in the UK – learn all about the elusive species with our expert guide to pine martens, including what they eat and best places to see one.
This deadly predator may look cute but don't be fooled as, although it's as small as a ferret, it can outrun your dog and kill animals considerably larger than itself
What is an American mink and how did they end up in the UK? What do they eat, where do they live and what is their environmental impact? Learn all about this controversial species with our comprehensive guide to mink.
This pretty flower is essential for pollinating insects, yet deadly for livestock – causing severe, irreversible damage to the liver
Is ragwort dangerous to humans or animals? Learn what it is, where it can be found, its benefits for wildlife and the dangers associated with it in our expert ragwort guide.
Insects & invertebrates
Which sting is worse – a bee's or a wasp's?
Spider hunters find "epic lost species" on the Isle of Wight
The critically endangered wolf spider was last recorded in the UK in 1985.
Scientists to freeze butterfly eggs in world-first experiment to save rare swallowtail
The British swallowtail butterfly is almost entirely restricted to the Norfolk Broads in East Anglia and is under threat from climate change and habitat loss.
Mammals
This is why fox hunting has not been completely banned in the UK – yet...
Could the European wildcat return to south-west England? Experts say the area's ready...
A reintroduction to South West England could help save the UK's most critically endangered mammal
Starting with a male and female rabbit on 1 January, how many could you end up with by 31 December?
Breeding like rabbits is a popular saying, but just how quickly do they breed? We did the math
Marine life
Does the UK have any deadly jellyfish in its waters?
Some jellyfish stings can be fatal to humans while others can cause a painful rash, nausea, and vomiting – here are two of the most dangerous species found in UK waters
What's the biggest whale in UK waters? And just how big is it...?
Meet the magnificent, humongous whales and the adorable, smiling dolphins that live in British waters
Learn all about Britain's dolphins, porpoise and whales – including identification, the best places to see them and boat excursions – with our guide to the UK's most common cetacean species.
Trees & plants
Does a tree know it's being eaten? Is it able to defend itself – and warn others?
6 oldest trees in the UK – and the world, including one that's meant to be over 5,000 years old...
From ancient yews to legendary oaks, these are the trees that have stood watch over Britain’s landscapes for thousands of years
Add some greenery to your home with our choice of the best houseplants for all levels – and learn how to look after them so they stay alive and healthy!
Our beginners guide looks at easy ways to grow indoor plants, which types of houseplant grow best in the UK, how to care for your houseplants, the benefits of growing plants indoors and common houseplant problems.
Where to see
From Robin Hood's hideout to a tree that's worth nearly one million pounds, here are the UK's most famous trees
A selection of the strangest, most significant and best-known ancient trees growing in the UK’s forests, parks and gardens.
It's the size of a double-decker bus and weighs a mighty 7 tonnes. Meet the ocean giant that swims - rather leisurely it must be said – through UK waters
Get to know the world's second largest fish with our guide to Britain's basking sharks, including facts about the species and the best places to see them in the UK.
The UK's best and most beautiful heathlands for wildlife - including some that are home to the world's rarest insects
\these beautiful heathlands are well worth a visit
Wildlife stories
What’s the most common butterfly species in the UK?
While it’s an ever-changing statistic, we introduce you to the most abundant butterfly species – and which country holds the title for having the most butterflies
Astonishing BBC footage shows rescue puppies helping raise adorable orphaned baby chimps in West Africa –proving dogs aren't just man's best friend
At a sanctuary in Liberia, a group of devoted dogs are stepping up as unlikely carers to help raise orphaned chimpanzees
