Wildlife & nature
Seed heritage: the hidden extinctions
The oldest known seed plant appeared in fossil records towards the second half of the Devonian period, which ended 359 million years ago...
The secrets of spiders at Smithills
Spiders are one of the most feared creatures, especially at this time of year when they are at their biggest. Find out which species live at Smithills (Photo: WTML/ Laurie Campbell)
How to make hazelnut butter and more hazelnut recipes
This time of year is perfect for finding your own hazelnuts and you can make your very own butter with this quick and simple recipe.
Three of the best elderberry recipes
Make the most of dark, fragrant elderberries while they’re in season. Try our favourite elderberry recipes.
Heart of Scotland Woodland Partnership
Woodland Trust Scotland has partnered with five landowners to link up a vast continuous native woodland on the flank of iconic Schiehallion.
Foraging in September: edible wild plants and berries to look out for
Here are five wild edible plants to forage for in September with tips on what to look for and how to gather and eat them.
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.
Help stop the decline in British woodland birds
The British Trust for Ornithology have reported significant declines in woodland bird species but citizen science is a great tool to help stop the decline.
Helicopter seeds: which trees do they come from?
In the UK you can find native and non-native trees that produce helicopter seeds. These trees are field maple, ash, sycamore, and Norway maple.
Smithills Record – Bioblitz and Wildlife Festival
This year we held our second ever Smithills Bioblitz and Wildlife Festival. Did the sun shine long enough for us to beat last year’s total?