British wildlife
It can fly at 61mph, has explosive acceleration and its powerful, sharp talons are able to crush and suffocate prey. Meet the phantom of the forest
Discover everything there is to know about the goshawk, an incredible bird of prey, including what it eats, how big it is, and how to identify it.
It weighs the same as two grizzly bears and can be aged like a tree – meet the ocean giant that hurtles through UK waters
After being almost wiped out in the 1960s, this incredible marine creature fish is making a comeback
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.
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British seabirds: how to identify and where to see
Our guide explores some of the UK's most common types of seabird, where they live and the best places to see them.
Top 10 most intelligent wild animals in Britain
Some wild birds and beasts of the British Isles are suprisingly smart, appreciating fine art, navigating by the stars and even saving other animal's lives. We bet you won't believe number 5
Guide to tit species in the UK: how to identify and where to see these charismatic birds
Learn more about the different types of tit species in Britain and how to tell them apart with our ID guide, which includes blue tits, great tits, crested tits, willow tits, long-tailed tits, marsh tits and coal tits
Best winter wildlife spectacles in the UK
The short, sparkling days and long, cold nights of winter are perfect for wildlife watching. But which species of animal can be seen and heard in winter, and where are the best places in the UK to experience winter wildlife spectacles?
Britain's toughest animals – and how they survive the cold in winter
Only the strong survive a cold climate. How does UK wildlife cope in winter and which are the hardiest species found in the UK?
Bird migration guide: which species migrate and where do they go?
Throughout the year, millions of birds migrate to and from the British Isles. Our expert guide explores why some birds arrive in the UK in particular seasons and others leave, which species migrate and where they go when they leave Britain's shores.
Birds of prey guide: how to identify UK raptors and where to see them
Learn how to identify hawks, falcons and harriers from their wing shape, colour and flight patterns with Countryfile's expert guide to British birds of prey.
British wasp guide: how to identify common species, lifecycle and why wasps sting
These stinging picnic pests don’t deserve our enmity and fear – they are impressive architects that belong to highly developed and complex societies – our expert guide to wasps looks at the common species, their lifecycle and why wasps sting.
Spring wildlife guide: what to look for and where to see it
From the fragrant aroma of wild garlic to the delightful song of the chiffchaff, the British countryside comes to life in the spring months. Our expert spring wildlife guide explains how to identify the season's best wildlife spectacles and best places to see.
Best binoculars for birdwatching in 2025: three popular brands reviewed
Megan Shersby of BBC Wildlife Magazine reviews mid-priced binoculars for birdwatching and other wildlife-spotting.
Best places to stay for birdwatchers in 2024
Spend the day spotting birds on the wing then fall asleep to the hoots and calls of the wild in a birders’ paradise
Wading birds guide: nine long-legged waterbirds to look out for this winter
Head to estuaries, coastal marshes and lagoons this winter and catch up with some of the UK's most elegant birds with our guide to wading birds.
Woodwalton Fen National Nature Reserve, Cambridgeshire
Visit a quiet corner of the Cambridgeshire country where a rare fragment of ancient fenland offers a home for orchids, damselflies and cuckoos.
The Royal Mint unveils new coins featuring British wildlife
Inspired by Britain's flora and fauna, the eight new coins have been designed to reflect King Charles III’s passion for conservation and nature.
British moth guide: common types, amazing facts and why they matter
Our moth guide looks at how to identify UK species, why they are so important and the best plants for attracting moths to your garden
Fly into the secretive world of buntings with your definitive guide to these magical songbirds
Buntings are a group of seed-eating songbirds that bear many of the same characteristics as finches. In this guide, we explore the differences and reveal six species to look out for in the UK.
Tern guide: UK species and how to identify them
Arctic terns, common terns and little terns grace Britain's shores in the summers months. Learn how to identify them – and other tern species – with BBC Countryfile Magazine's expert guide.
Everything you need to know about the BBC's Wild Isles
The latest BBC nature documentary Wild Isles, presented by David Attenborough, focuses on Britain's spectacular wildlife and hits our screens on Sunday evenings in March and April.
Visit our Wild Isles
Discover for yourself the locations and wildlife featured in Sir David Attenborough's brilliant new BBC series: Wild Isles
Warblers guide: UK species and how to identify
Warblers are a group of small, often green-brown birds with varied songs. Learn more about these spring songsters – including the blackcap, chiffchaff and willow warbler – with our guide to warblers of the UK
What's the difference between rabbits and hares?
Can you tell the difference between rabbits and hares? While they have some similarities, rabbits and hares are in fact two separate species. Our expert guide explains how to identify each species.