Wildlife
Identify species, read the latest news stories and discover the best spots to see wildlife in Britain
Simple hacks to adapt your garden to the increasingly hot and dry British summer
Look after your garden and the planet with these useful tips on rainwater harvesting and ways to make your garden more drought-resistant.
This pretty yellow flower is essential for pollinating insects, yet deadly for livestock and horses – causing severe, irreversible liver damage
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.
I'm a vet nurse. This is how to stop your cat hunting wildlife
From enrichment activities to indoor stimulation, learn humane methods to redirect their natural instincts and foster a harmonious environment for both your pets and local wildlife.
Chris Packham is moving his dogs to a plant-based diet – should you? Here’s what the research says
Chris Packham has explained why he's transitioning his dogs onto a vegan diet
Nature’s GPS: how birds navigate the globe without a map (and don’t get lost in the process)
How birds traverse thousands of miles – and why remote outposts like the Isles of Scilly become a lifeline if they lose their way
What's new?
Beneath the surface: 7 creatures that might bite you in UK waters
Splashing about in open water is one of life's great joys - but which animals might sink their teeth in?
More than just a change of clothes: This is what ACTUALLY happens when a caterpillar turns into a butterfly
Discover what takes place inside the chrysalis of one of nature’s most extraordinary transformations
This giant "horror movie" plant can cause skin burns and blindness – and it's taking over the UK
It lies in wait for the unwary and can cause serious skin burns, ulcers, even blindness. Richard Baynes reports from the frontline of the battle against giant hogweed, an invasive plant that’s remarkably hard to kill
Vampires, hijackers and masters of deception: nature's 7 most bizarre relationships (number 4 will blow your mind)
The British Isles are alive with extraordinary symbiotic alliances. Meet the lichens, worms, orchids, wasps and others whose strange relationships reveal the secret workings of our woods, shores and meadows
British snake guide: identification, where they live 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.
Birds
Killer rats were eradicated on this beautiful British island in 2006. Something remarkable has been happening to the seabird populations ever since
Puffins and Manx shearwaters are thriving since removal of predators
Predators, pests and pack animals: 6 invasive species that Britain unleashed on the world, and are still causing issues today
Deer-eating fish, wallabies, 6-foot snakes and scorpions? Meet the UK's most bonkers invasive species
Whether they've been accidental stowaways, purposeful relocations or zoo escapees, the UK is now home to plenty of non-native species
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
13 fantastical beasts and where to find them – the mythical sea creatures that inspired Rowling and Tolkien (number 11 is terrifying)
Who knew there was so many mythical creatures swimming in UK waters? Meet these 13 strange and supernatural beasts
"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…
Fungi
How to identify
Summer wildlife guide: The best animals to spot and where to find them
High summer is when many of us have a bit more free time to explore. And although the birdsong is much quieter than in spring, there is much to be seen and enjoyed. In our summer wildlife guide, learn how to identify common species and where to see them in the UK.
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.
Insects & invertebrates
5 surprising flea facts every dog and cat owner needs to know
Discover the surprising facts behind flea infestations – and why prevention is far easier than dealing with a home full of them.
Asian hornets: how to identify the invasive wasp and report a sighting
In our expert guide to Asian hornets, entomologist Richard Jones provides advice on how to identify, species facts and where to report a sighting
Bloodsuckers, stings and bites – how to outsmart Britain's most irritating insects this summer
Britain's insect population surges in spring and summer, with humans often becoming unfortunate prey. Here is our guide to UK insects that bite or sting with tips on how to protect against bug bites.
Mammals
These are the species disappearing before our eyes in Britain – Meet the UK's 17 most endangered animals
From once-common garden visitors to creatures now clinging to survival, Britain’s wildlife is in crisis. Discover the species on the brink – and the fragile places they still call home
With up to 178 entrances, 50 chambers and getting on for a kilometre of passageways this ancestral home can rival the grandest of houses
Just how big do badger setts get?
This 30cm long foreign reptile could dominate habitats near Bournemouth
A colony of western green lizards – which
are native to mainland Europe – could
have a negative impact on native lizard
populations at Boscombe Cliffs in Dorset
Marine life
Does this centenarian marine giant that can grow to the size of a dinner table still exist in UK waters?
The magnificent and rare flapper skate can live up to 100 years, weigh up to 100kg and grow to three metres in length
The world's second largest bony fish is an enormous, bizarre, jellyfish-gobbling hunter that likes to drift in British waters in summer
It's pale, heavy, flat and round - and seems to be missing half its body
Shocking new study reveals sheer scale of dolphins, seals and seabirds killed due to fishing each year
First study of bycatch reveals scale of destruction, warning that issue is widespread and underreported
Trees & plants
Did you know you can grow your own plants from slices of tomato? Here's how to do it
Grow new plants just from your weekly shop with tips from gardening expert Simon Akeroyd.
Robin Hood's world-famous Major Oak is dead. Here’s what happened to the 1,200-year-old tree
"I'm a toxicology expert: these are the poisonous plants and trees all gardeners and hikers should avoid this summer"
Where to see
Where to encounter wildlife this summer: Our favourite 10 must-see nature hotspots
From the Cornish coastline to the far-flung reaches of the Shetland Islands, Britain is brimming with stunning wildlife spectacles to waiting to be discovered. Here are some of the best wildlife experiences to see this summer...
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.
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.
Wildlife stories
Ecological concerns arise after Welsh reservoir emptied during toad breeding season
The untimely reservoir drawdown could have killed as many as 1,000 toads that local conservationists had been working so hard to support
Astonishing video reveals the moment a trout jumps a beaver dam, as beavers return to the UK
Close your eyes, and you'll miss it! Beaver Trust captures the amazing moment a trout finds its way past a new beaver dam.
“Don’t forget your hat”. Wildlife photographer couldn’t believe what this deer was wearing on its head
Check out the video captured at just the right moment
