Wildlife
Identify species, read the latest news stories and discover the best spots to see wildlife in Britain
How do owls twist their heads so far round?
We take a look at how owls are able to twist their heads so far round without hurting themselves
No Mow May 2024: Why it's time to let the weeds grow
Want to help the wildlife in your garden? All you have to do this month is… nothing. Welcome to No Mow May 2024
"I survived Lyme Disease!"
All you need to know about this tick-borne disease from a man who contracted, diagnosed and survived it – Kevin Parr
Fox cubs: when to see them, what they're called and what they sound like
Discover the fascinating behaviours and development milestones of these charming young creatures.
What's the difference between a buzzard and a kite?
Whether you're a birdwatcher, nature enthusiast, or simply curious about wildlife, identifying the differences between buzzards and kites will help to identify these majestic birds of prey in the wild.
What's new?
Strange blue animals are washing up on Guernsey’s beaches. Scientists think they know why
The colony of animals, closely related to jellyfish, are harmless to humans, say the scientists.
Red kite guide: how to identify, what they sound like and where to see
Subject of the world’s longest continuous conservation effort and most successful reintroduction programme, red kites are a dramatic emblem of what we are capable of.
Watch: incredibly rare (and very cute) seahorse found on Cornish beach walk
Only seven long-snouted seahorses have been spotted in the last 10 years, making the sighting in Cornwall particularly exciting.
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.
Britain's lost beasts: when did the moose, wolf and bear go extinct in UK?
We take a look at some of the animals Britain has lost - although a couple could be making a reappearance soon...
Birds
Save 30% and receive a 25l VangoEarth Trail rucksack when you subscribe to BBC Countryfile Magazine!
Enjoy the best of the British outdoors with a subscription to BBC Countryfile Magazine. Save 30% and receive a 25l Vango Earth Trail rucksack.
Hen harrier numbers up in Scotland but "persecution continues", according to new RSPB survey
Your chances of catching a glimpse of a hen harrier in the Scottish countryside are improving, according to a new report by the RSPB. But this recovery needs to be sustained in the long term to meet biodiversity goals, says the charity.
Scottish grouse shooting faces shake up as new law introduced to stop raptor persecution
The new Scottish law to regulate the grouse industry could provide a blueprint for England.
Crustaceans
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
What do ladybirds eat?
What do ladybirds eat? Do ladybirds bite? How long do they live? And where do they live? Find out all about these spotted insects with our expert guide.
Stunning bee photographs shine light on the life (and death) of more than 20,000 species
A provocative new exhibition aimed at highlighting the existential threat to thousands of bee species around the world is coming to the UK. We look at what to expect from 'Bees: A Story of Survival' through a series of spectacular images...
All you need to know about earthworms, including why they are so good for our soil
There’s a lot more to earthworms than meets the eye says Joanna Carter. Here she explains how these little critters play a crucial role in keeping our soil healthy.
Mammals
Beavers have been recruited to reduce flooding in an ancient English village. And it's working
Five years after being released on Spains Hall Estate in Essex, beavers are rewriting the landscape and reducing the risks of both drought and flooding.
Scientists are using AI to save hedgehogs. And they need your help
A ground-breaking new project combining artificial intelligence, trail cameras and volunteers will provide robust estimates of hedgehog numbers, which can be used to inform practical conservation measures.
Roe deer guide: how to identify, where to see and species facts
Once abundant, then almost gone, now rising again, this native species knew this land before we named it and has become a parable of ecological change.
Marine life
A Somerset schoolgirl has discovered what may be the largest marine reptile ever found
The remains of an enormous jawbone more than two metres long have been found on a beach at Blue Anchor in south-west England. Scientists believe the bones belong to a new species of giant ichthyosaur that was the size of a blue whale.
185 hectares of new seagrass meadows discovered in UK waters
Almost 100 new seagrass beds covering a surface area the size of 200 football pitches have been found as part of the inaugural Great Seagrass Survey.
Jellyfish boom: sightings up 32% in UK waters
A new report by the Marine Conservation Society has revealed a huge rise in jellyfish sightings in UK and Irish waters over the past year.
Trees & plants
Why are crab apples sour?
Botanist Phil Gates explains just why crab apples have a sour taste when their cousins taste so sweet
Blackthorn guide: how to identify, folklore and uses
As February turns to March, millions of tiny blooms spring from the spiny shrubs in our hedgerows, covering their dark stems in creamy white blossom – later in the year, sloe berries appear. Learn all about blackthorn through the seasons with our expert guide.
Snowdrops guide: best walks, how to grow and when they bloom
After the darkness of winter, snowdrops are a welcome sign that spring will soon be here. Our snowdrop guide looks at the best snowdrop walks in the UK, when to plant snowdrops, when they bloom and how to care for them.
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
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
How to prepare your garden for autumn and winter birds
Providing natural food and shelter for garden birds can make a huge difference to species survival in the colder months. Our guide explains how to make your garden bird-friendly this autumn and winter.