How to identify

Forage for fungi confidently with our pick of the best mushroom identification books.

The muddy and snowy footpaths of the countryside are the perfect canvas for animal hoof, paw and footprints. Learn how to identify animal tracks in winter in the British countryside with our handy wildlife guide.

Britain is home to 59 species of butterfly, which all play an important role in pollination. In our expert guide, we take a look at butterfly identification, common butterfly species, how long butterflies live, and where to see them in the UK.

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. 

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.

Here is our expert guide to British snakes, including where they live and how to identify them from their markings and length.

Our guide explores some of the UK's most common types of seabird, where they live and the best places to see them.

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.

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

During autumn and winter you may notice an influx of spiders appearing in your garden and home. Learn why this is, as well as how long they live, what they eat and common UK species with our expert guide to British spiders.

Jellyfish swarm British seas in the summer months and often wash up along the shoreline. Learn how to identify, what they eat and what to do if you're unlucky enough to be stung by one.

Just six species of deer live in the British countryside, but it can often be difficult to tell which is which – learn all about these spectacular animals with our deer identification guide, plus discover the best places to see the autumn deer rut.

Summer is a great time for spotting insects on the wing in the British countryside – our expert guide explains how to identify and where to find common dragonflies, damselflies and demoiselles species.

A walk in the British countryside wouldn't be the same without passing a field of cows. From Herefords to Highlands, here's our guide to 10 of the UK's most loved native cattle breeds.

Britain's native wildflowers bring splashes of colour in the spring and summer months, while also providing an important food source for pollinators. Our species guide looks at common native British wildflower species, explaining how to identify and the best places to see them.

The UK's woods, riverbanks and meadows are home to roughly 15,000 species of wild mushrooms. Find out how to identify the most common species found in Britain, plus essential safety tips on which mushrooms are edible or poisonous with our British fungi guide.

Trees festooned with catkins are a sure sign that spring has finally arrived. Our expert guide looks at which species of British tree has catkins, the role they play in pollination and how to identify catkins, plus where to see.

Late January, February and March is a key time for frogs and toads as they spawn in ponds across Britain. Our expert guide to frogs and toads explains what to look out for and how to care for the amphibians in your garden.

There are six species of thrush in the UK – this BBC Countryfile Magazine guide looks how to identify them, calls, diet and where and when they can be seen.

Catching sight of the distinctive copper fur of the red squirrel is a special moment. Our expert guide to red squirrels explains the key differences between grey and red squirrels, characteristics of each species and the best places to see them in the UK.

Geese are a familiar sight in the UK's estuaries, marshes and wetlands, particularly in autumn and winter. Learn all about these majestic birds, including identification tips, migration patterns and the best places to see them in the UK.

The rockpool is home to many mysterious and exotic creatures, but do you know your Bladderwrack from your Prickly Cockle? Our expert rockpool identification guide reveals what creatures you're likely to spot when rockpooling and how to identify them.

Want to get to know the bugs on your hikes a little better? Look no further than our selection of the best insect identification books.