Wildlife
Identify species, read the latest news stories and discover the best spots to see wildlife in Britain
Is there a shark in the River Thames? Here's what the experts think...
Video footage taken near Hammersmith Bridge in London shows what appears to be the fin of large animal moving through the water.
Huge 23-foot shark struck by boat off the west coast of County Kerry
The collision happened in the waters around the Dingle Peninsula, south-west Ireland.
Six-foot boa snake spotted by dog walker in Nottingham park
The non-venomous boa imperator was swiftly collected by experts from a local reptile centre.
Flying Ant Day: A brief guide to the spectacular natural phenomenon
What is Flying Ant Day and when does it happen? How long does it last and do seagulls really get drunk eating too many of these winged insects?
Precious lost rainforest to return to Wales with "exciting" new restoration project
A mix of planting and natural regeneration will be used to bring 146 acres of Atlantic rainforest back to Pembrokeshire.
What's new?
First beaver kit born in Northumberland for over 400 years
Camera trap footage shows a newborn beaver and its family exploring Wallington Estate in north-east England.
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
"Most complete" dinosaur fossil in over 100 years discovered on the Isle of Wight
Analysis of the 149 bones found in the cliffs of Compton Bay suggests the dinosaur was the size a large American bison.
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Amazing humpback whale display stuns boat-full of Jersey schoolchildren
The school group was returning from a trip to Sark in the English Channel when they saw the humpback breach.
Birds
"He's off his game." Osprey chicks removed from Scottish nest and flown to Spain as dad fails to deliver
Concern for two precious osprey chicks has led to an unorthodox relocation project.
Strange tropical seabird from the Galápagos Islands spotted in Dorset
It's the third time in eight years that a red-footed booby has been sighted in the UK.
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.
Crustaceans
Crayfish claws back: how scientists hope to save one of the UK’s most endangered native species
Thanks to a new conservation breeding programme, we might hear the pitter patter of tiny claws in Hampshire.
Endangered crayfish released in UK rivers to boost dwindling populations
Bristol Zoological Society has been rearing white-clawed crayfish for release into safe rivers, following threats from the introduction of an invasive American species
How to identify
British snake guide: how to identify snakes, where they live in the UK - and what to do if you're bitten
Here is our expert guide to British snakes, including where they live and how to identify them from their markings and length.
Guide to British seabirds: how to identify and where to see them
Our guide explores some of the UK's most common types of seabird, where they live and the best places to see them.
How to identify spring blossom
As light flows slowly into our woodlands and hedgerows, once-bare branches begin to bloom. The brief blossoming of blackthorn, rowan, wild cherry and hawthorn is a magical spectacle, wreathed in ancient folklore. Learn how to identify spring blossom found in the UK and best places to spot blossom with our ID guide.
Insects & invertebrates
Hope for dragonflies: new 'hotspot' for ancient insects declared in English wetlands
Wicken Fen – a wildlife oasis home to 22 species of dragonfly and damselfly – has been awarded 'Dragonfly Hotspot' status, offering new opportunities for the conservation of these ancient insects.
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.
Meet Britain's tarantula, the purseweb spider
Does Britain have tarantulas? Yes says Adele Brand, or at least a spider that belongs to the same family. Meet the purseweb spider
Mammals
Man spots black 'panther' running loose in Worcestershire. Big cat experts have their say...
Does the latest video of a black cat in the UK countryside offer evidence there are big cats roaming the British Isles? James Fair investigates
Watch: three adorable baby beavers born on Norfolk nature reserve
The beaver kits were caught on camera at Sculthorpe Moor Nature Reserve in Fakenham, bringing the town's total tally to seven.
Moles: how do they see in the dark, what do they eat and why are they missing in some parts of the UK
Discover the fascinating world of moles, including what they look like, what they eat and if they can see in the dark
Marine life
Bottlenose dolphin guide: Everything you need to know about these fascinating creatures
Learn all about the endearing bottlenose dolphin, which lives and plays in the waters off the British coastline
Meet the highly venomous weever fish, which lurks just below the low water mark on our shores
To tread on a weever fish is to taunt a tiger says Adele Brand - and you won't like the painful consequences
Enormous ocean giants: Discover 10 of the UK’s largest sea animals
Think large ocean animals only live in foreign waters? Think again! You can see huge sharks, whales and turtles right here on our coastlines, says Melissa Hobson
Trees & plants
Bilberry guide: how to identify, where to find them and how they're different to blueberries
Bilberry: the little purple powerhouse you might not know about
So, you think you've got Japanese knotweed in your garden? Don't panic, say the experts, and ignore the scare stories
Initially introduced as an ornamental plant due to its attractive appearance, Japanese knotweed has become a botanical bully.
Remarkable before-and-after photos capture the scale of Scotland's ecological recovery
The unique photographic record, which spans 70 years, brings Scottish nature restoration into sharp focus, says Simon Birch.
Where to see
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 winter wildlife spectacles in Britain
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?
Wild bison thriving in the UK
Follow the herd with our gallery documenting the first year of wild bison living in Britain.
Wildlife stories
Britain's most endangered animal species: Discover the rarest creatures in the UK
Some once-common native species are disappearing from the British countryside – our guide looks at 17 of the most endangered animal species in the UK that have suffered acute declines in recent years.
National Tree Week: planting for the future
The UK's biggest annual festival of trees begins this weekend, running from 25 November to 3 December – celebrate these wonders of nature by joining a tree event near you.
Discover Britain's most spectacular autumn wildlife
Step into the British countryside this autumn and discover some of nature's most magnificent wildlife spectacles, from the drama of rutting deer to epic starling murmurations