Woodland wildlife
The UK's native woods and trees support a great diversity of living organisms. Our species guides explore the wildlife that depends on woodland, from plants and fungi to mammals, birds, bees and beetles.
Discover woodland speciesIdentify wildlife
Discover British wildlife with our easy identification guides. From bird calls and prints to shell fragments and real-life encounters, our all-season guides will enhance your wildlife knowledge.
Trees and shrubs
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Common tree identification: top 10 beginner's trees
Our top ten trees to give you a crash course in common tree identification.
Helen Keating • 26 May 2021
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Trees woods and wildlife
How to identify trees
All trees have clues and features that can help with identification. You just need to know what to look out for with our quick guide.
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Autumn leaf ID quiz: can you identify 10 trees?
Test your tree knowledge. As autumn sets in, many of the trees around us change colour, but do you know what they are?
Helen Keating • 21 Sep 2020
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Summer tree identification: can you name these nine trees?
Which trees do you recognise? Test your knowledge and see if you can get top marks!
Helen Keating • 13 Jul 2020
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How to identify winter trees quiz - twigs, buds and silhouettes
When deciduous trees shed their leaves in winter, identification can be tricky. But even on bare trees there are clues to look out for. Take this quiz and test your winter tree ID knowledge.
Helen Keating • 17 Dec 2020
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Hawthorn and blackthorn: what’s the difference?
Hawthorn and blackthorn are two of the most easily confused species, so here’s a closer look at their differences to help you tell them apart.
Charlie Mellor • 09 Apr 2019
Birds
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Empty bird nests: 7 to identify in the garden
Who nested here? Learn which clues point to the previous occupants of old bird nests with our photographic guide.
Amy Lewis • 16 Feb 2022
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What hatched here? How to identify bird egg shells
Found a fragment of egg in the garden, woods or park? Here's a quick guide to the most common UK bird eggs too help you find out which species it came from.
Helen Keating • 05 May 2020
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Baby bird identification: UK garden birds
Learn to identify garden bird youngsters with our guide to some of the most commonly encountered little'uns.
Amy Lewis • 15 May 2020
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Swifts, swallows and martins: easy ID guide
When swifts, swallows and martins appear you know spring has arrived too! Find how to tell them apart and when to see them with our top identification tips.
Fritha West • 05 May 2022
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Bird song identification: songs and calls for beginners
How many birds can you identify by sound alone? Learn to tell some of the UK's most familiar and distinct bird songs apart with our handy guide.
Kayleigh Jacobs-Rutter • 13 Feb 2024
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Bird song identification: UK garden birds
Whether you're looking to learn a new skill or simply find out who's taking centre stage, our simple guide will introduce you to the top garden regulars.
Amy Lewis • 01 May 2020
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Bird song identification: UK warblers
Every spring, trees and shrubs across the land burst into a riot of song from a famously musical group of birds - the warblers. Here we get to grips with their songs and how to tell them apart by sound alone.
Amy Lewis • 11 Apr 2022
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British finches: identification guide and songs
A number of finches call the UK home, but can you identify them all? Tell your bullfinch from your brambling with our quick guide.
Amy Lewis • 28 Feb 2019
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Bird of prey calls and identification
Learn how to identify the UK's birds of prey with our quick guide to their calls, key features and likely hangouts.
Amy Lewis • 10 Sep 2021
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How to identify UK owl calls
Heard a screech in the night or a hoot in the woods? One of the UK's five resident owl species could be at large. Learn how to identify owl calls, from tawny owl to barn owl.
Charlotte Varela • 21 Dec 2023
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Chiffchaff or willow warbler? How to tell the difference
Chiffchaffs and willow warblers will start to arrive on our shores soon. Do you know how to tell the difference?
Charlotte Armitage • 19 Mar 2018
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10 common garden birds to spot on your bird feeder
Find out all about the common British garden birds, what to feed them and how to identify them.
Hannah Vickers • 21 Mar 2019
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Rook, crow or raven? How to tell the difference
Crows, rooks and ravens are all part of the crow family and can be tricky to identify. Here are our tips on how to tell them apart.
Sally Bavin • 14 Jan 2020
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How to tell male and female ospreys apart
How do you tell male and female ospreys apart? And how can you tell the difference between our resident Loch Arkaig pair, Louis and Dorcha, and other local birds?
George Anderson • 05 Apr 2023
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Feather identification: common feathers in the UK
Collecting nature finds is a lovely way to feel closer to the wildlife on your doorstep. Some of the most abundant of these treasures are feathers, and you can find them almost anywhere. But which bird left them behind?
Charlotte Varela • 15 Apr 2019
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British woodpeckers: identification guide and calls
Learn to tell the difference between Britain's three resident woodpecker species with our quick guide to their appearance, sounds and behaviour.
Amy Lewis • 30 Sep 2021
Mammals
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House mouse or field mouse? Easy guide to types of UK mice, voles and shrews
Are you curious about what mouse or vole you saw in your garden or out on a walk? Or did your cat bring one in and you wondered what it was? Here's a quick guide to the more common mice, voles and shrews of the UK.
Helen Keating • 28 Mar 2022
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Stoat or weasel? How to tell the difference
Did you see a stoat on your last woodland walk? Or perhaps it was a weasel? Our guide will help you to tell these pint-sized predators apart. We also take a look at some of the other related species found here in the UK.
James Martin • 01 Feb 2019
Tracks and prints
Amphibians
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What is the difference between a frog and a toad?
Find out the difference between our two favourite amphibians, the frog and the toad.
Charlotte Varela • 23 Feb 2024
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What is the difference between a newt and a lizard?
Found a small, brown, cold-blooded animal and not sure what it might be? You're not alone! Our guide looks at the telltale signs for separating your newts from your lizards.
Amy Lewis • 25 Mar 2022
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When do frogs spawn? And how to spot them
Find out when frogs spawn and the best time to spot these fascinating jellified clumps in ponds near you.
Karen Hornigold • 18 Apr 2019
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British newts: an identification guide
Learn to tell the difference between the UK's three newt species with our quick and easy identification guide.
Amy Lewis • 19 Feb 2020
Invertebrates
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Insect identification: common UK insects
There are a staggering 27,000 types of insect in the UK. Let's take a look at some of our most common insect groups and how you can identify them.
Charlotte Varela • 09 Oct 2023
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British caterpillars: how to identify 10 common species
Learn how to identify 10 common British caterpillars, find out what they eat and when to see them.
Charlotte Varela • 11 Aug 2023
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Common UK butterfly identification and facts
Identify some of the UK's most common butterflies, find out where to look for them, and learn more about their incredible lives.
Amy Lewis • 22 Jul 2019
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Types of bee in the UK: how to tell the difference
From fluffy bumblebees to pint-sized mining bees, we take a look at the key characteristics of some of our most common species.
Charlotte Varela • 31 Jul 2023
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Red admiral butterfly: identification and recording
Learn how to identify red admiral butterflies, their caterpillars and pupae with our handy guide, and record your sightings with Nature's Calendar.
Amy Lewis • 24 Apr 2020
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Common UK ladybird identification and facts
There are 26 types of ladybird in the UK, many of which can be spotted in gardens and woodland. Learn to tell who's who with our quick and easy guide to the some of the most commonly encountered species.
Amy Lewis • 31 Mar 2021
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11 types of day-flying moth in the UK: an identification guide
The UK is home to a number of moths that are active during the day, many of which rival butterflies for colour and beauty. Which species might you encounter on a summer's walk?
Amy Lewis • 23 Apr 2021
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Shieldbug identification: 10 common UK shieldbugs
There are a number of shieldbug species in the UK, characterised by their flat, often triangular bodies and distinctive, shield-like shapes on their backs. Learn to tell which is which with our quick and easy guide to some of Britain's most familiar types.
Amy Lewis • 14 May 2021
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UK moth identification and facts: 12 common species for beginners
There are more than 870 species of large moth in the UK, many of which can be tricky for beginners to tell apart. Get to know some of the UK's most familiar and easily-identified species with our quick guide.
Amy Lewis • 02 Jun 2021
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Hairy caterpillar identification: 16 common UK species
Spotted a furry caterpillar undulating across the path in front of you or munching leaves in your garden? Learn to tell your tussocks from your tigers with our quick guide to some common UK species.
Amy Lewis • 10 Jun 2021
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UK hawk-moth identification and facts
Hawk-moths are some of the largest and most recognisable moths in the UK. Learn to tell which is which with our visual guide to 10 of the most commonly encountered UK species.
Amy Lewis • 21 Jun 2021
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Hawk-moth caterpillar identification: eight UK species
Hawk-moth caterpillars have one thing in common: they're pretty impressive. Usually large, distinctively marked and with a characteristic horn at the tail end, they're a good group to get to grips with when learning who's who.
Amy Lewis • 21 Jul 2021
Plants and fungi
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Types of mushroom in the UK: common identification guide
Mushrooms (or toadstools) is a term given to the fleshy, spore-bearing fruiting bodies that certain fungi produce. Here are nine common mushrooms that you may come across.
Helen Keating • 31 Aug 2017
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7 funny fungi names to help mushroom identification
The UK's 15,000 different fungi have a rich collection of fascinating, descriptive and hilarious names. Let’s take a look at some of the more eyebrow-raising.
Charlotte Varela • 06 Jan 2023
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Poisonous mushrooms: 8 most dangerous UK mushrooms
Your guide to 8 of the most poisonous mushrooms in the UK, including the terrifyingly named death cap, destroying angel and funeral bell. Find out where they grow, how to identify them and why you should steer clear!
Helen Keating • 27 Oct 2022
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9 rare and beautiful wild UK orchids
Orchids are some of the most beautiful and unique wild plants you'll see in the UK. They are rare but well worth finding if you are up for the challenge.
Laura Cottam • 29 May 2019
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12 uncommon and rare woodland flowers
Woodland is home to some of the UK's rarest flowering plants. Some are weird. Some are mysterious. And all have fascinating stories to tell. You'll be lucky to track down some of these beauties, but they're worth it if you do.
Amy Lewis • 26 Jan 2018
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Wildflower quiz: name these 10 common wildflowers
Can you name these ten common British wildflowers? Test your wildflower knowledge with our quiz.
Helen Keating • 11 Apr 2019
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Types of moss in the UK: what they are and where to find them
Moss is marvellous! Find out why and see some common species to spot.
Kate Lewthwaite • 30 Jul 2018
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What is lichen? Seven types of lichen found on trees
Lichen can be very visible on branches and bark at this time of year. They can be really difficult to identify, but here are seven common lichens that grow on trees.
Kylie Harrison Mellor • 24 Apr 2019
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Bracket fungi identification: 10 common UK species for beginners
Bracket fungi, also known as shelf or polypore fungi, grow on both dead and living trees. Here we list some of the UK's more common and easily distinguished types to get to grips with.
Amy Lewis • 21 Oct 2021
Get more ID tips with our swatch books
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Poos and clues
What does fox poo look like? Are those badger paw prints? Learn how to track elusive woodland animals.
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Woodland birds
From the tiny goldcrest to the magnificent goshawk. Perfect for budding birders.
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Butterflies
The perfect pocket guide to butterfly ID when you're out and about.
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Leaves
Learn your leaves. You'll find leaves and twigs from 30 common UK trees and shrubs.
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Wildflowers
From bluebells and snowdrops to greater stitchwort. All the flowers you're likely to encounter on a woodland walk.
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Minibeasts
Explore woodland creepy crawlies. From bugs and beetles to snails and spiders.
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Fungi
Know your toadstools from your puffballs. A fascinating little guide to all things fungi.
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