Wildlife
Identify species, read the latest news stories and discover the best spots to see wildlife in Britain
Do magpies really steal shiny objects? Are frogs really unable to breathe underwater? Separating the fact from fiction in 11 common animal myths
Are these old wives tales or pearls of wisdom that have travelled down the generations?
"Remarkable" nest cam footage shows peregrine falcon chick eating first meal at Norwich Cathedral
The cathedral has become a key urban nesting site for the species, which has recovered significantly in recent decades following a period of sharp decline.
Britain's rarest flowers: The beautiful, hidden flora that could disappear from our country
Our countryside is home to a huge range of flowers, some much harder to find than others – here is a selection of Britain's rarest flowers, including how to identify and the threats that they face.
What’s the most common tree in Britain?
From ancient oaks to elegant silver birches, we explore the most common trees found across the UK
“This is not a domestic moggy”: What’s next for the Scottish lynx after its illegal release?
When four lynx appeared in a Scottish forest in January, it caught the imagination of the country and reignited debate over reintroducing these key predators.
What's new?
What’s the most common plant in Britain?
With grasses, nettles and the ever-present bracken dominating the countryside, which are actually the most commonly found plant species in the UK?
What is hibernation and which British animals hibernate?
Do squirrels hibernate? When do hedgehogs hibernate? What is hibernation and what is torpor? In this guide we delve into the secretive and sleepy world of Britain's hibernating creatures to find out...
Beaver fart caught on night cam in Cornwall
Beavers mark their territory using a scent gland near their tail, so this individual may have had a good reason to let one rip.
How do birds eat berries that poison us?
Why are some plants and fungi safe for some animals yet toxic to others? We explain
Why is the only British cicada so rare?
Just why has Britain's cicadas disappeared - and could they come back?
Birds
What is Britain's smallest bird?
Britain's smallest bird is one of the world's smallest
Do birds have ears?
How are birds able to hear so well? Sheena Harvey investigates
Why London's blackbirds are dying – and how you can help
The public's help is needed to survey the spread of a virus that targets blackbirds, say researchers from the British Trust for Ornithology.
Crustaceans
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
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.
Dinosaurs
How to identify
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.
Raven vs crow: what's the difference between these birds and how can you tell them apart?
Do you know the difference between a carrion crow and a raven? Fergus Collins explains the difference between these similar-looking birds.
Spring blossom is out now - here's how to identify it
As light flows slowly back into our woodlands and hedgerows, once-bare branches begin to bloom again. It's blossom season – but how do you tell the difference between blackthorn and hawthorn, rowan and wild cherry?
Insects & invertebrates
Why aren’t Britain’s insects better adapted to rain?
British insects are better adapted to wet wet wether than their Mediterranean cousins, but that doesn't mean they like the rain...
What’s the most common insect in Britain?
There are believed to be as many as 10 million species of insect on Earth – but which is the most common insect to be found in the UK?
No Mow May 2025: 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 2025
Mammals
Chatterboxes: bats not only sing for love, but also for food and attention - and possibly gossip
What's the most common mammal in Britain? It outnumbers humans but you've probably never seen one
With an estimated population of 75 million, this unassuming rodent quietly dominates Britain’s wild spaces – yet many of us have never even spotted one.
Rats vs mice: what's the differences between these two often-maligned rodents (and how to tell them apart)
Though closely related, rats and mice have several key differences – and they're easy to spot if you know what to look for
Marine life
What’s the most common shark in Britain?
Discover the most common sharks found in UK waters, from the small-spotted catshark lurking near the shore to the sleek blue shark swimming off the South West coast
How big are eels? Do eels bite people? 10 fascinating eel facts
Learn all about these often maligned creatures
“The largest common stingrays I have ever seen have been here in Sussex" – scuba diver shares incredible underwater footage
These hefty marine animals can measure almost a metre across.
Trees & plants
A new national forest: 20 million trees to be planted in west of England by 2050
The Western Forest – the UK's first national forest for 30 years – will cover up to 50,000 hectares, stretching from the Cotswolds to the Mendips.
Snake heads and bleeding hearts: These are Britain's weirdest flowers
The UK is home to some truly bizarre blooms, from eerie ghost orchids to flowers that look like bees. Some of these plants are rare and elusive, while others could even thrive in your garden
Do trees have feelings? We investigate the radical claims of Peter Wohlleben’s ‘The Hidden Life of Trees’
Are tees talking to each another via vast underground fungal networks? Sara Maitland explores the fascinating claims of author Peter Wohlleben
Where to see
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
Best places to go fossil hunting in the UK: these are the best spots to unearth prehistoric gems
From the Jurassic Coast to North Yorkshire's crumbling east shores, our guide explores the best beaches in the UK to find fossils
Common UK fossils: Discover the treasures beneath your feet
There are many different types of fossils that can be found on UK shores. In this guide, we reveal 10 of the most common fossils to look out for on your next trip to the beach
Wildlife stories
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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
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.