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Trees woods and wildlife
Weasel
Relentless and always hungry. What they lack in size, weasels make up for in appetite, eating a third of their own body weight daily. From birds to bank voles, the small creatures of the forest floor must be ever wary of this energetic hunter.
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Visiting woods
Nature's Calendar
Help monitor the effects of climate change on wildlife near you. Your records contribute to a growing body of evidence on global warming.
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Trees woods and wildlife
Harvestman
Spindly, gangly, with small, rounded bodies. These oddly proportioned spider relatives escape predators by losing their limbs. Look for them in damp woodland environments.
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Blog
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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Video
Geraint Davies, upland sheep and beef farmer
Find out why Geraint has planted new hedgerows, more streamside trees, and increased tree cover on his Ffridd.
00:04:00
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Video
Autumn message to Woodland Trust members
A message from our chief executive
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Press centre
What happened at climate COP29 in Azerbaijan?
The recent climate COP in Azerbaijan spent two weeks discussing rules for carbon markets, emissions trading and climate finance. But what were the outcomes?
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Press centre
Commercial and conservation sectors condemn Forest Grant Scheme cuts
Enormous cuts to the woodland grant budget will torpedo Scotland’s chances of meeting climate and nature targets.
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Blog
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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Press centre
Politicians plant six millionth tree of the Northern Forest
A host of dignitaries joined together to plant the six millionth tree of the Northern Forest, marking five years since the start of the ambitious project to link up Liverpool and Hull with trees.
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Blog
Do worms have eyes? And other worm facts
They're unassuming, but worms make the world go round. Find out if they have eyes, mouths and brains. Plus discover what they eat and how they move with our fascinating worm facts.
Rachel Hoskins • 25 Apr 2019
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Blog
Elephant hawk-moth: caterpillar, lifecycle and is it poisonous?
Elephant hawk-moths are big, bright and very, very beautiful. But what do elephant hawk-moth caterpillars look like, where does their name come from, and are they poisonous?
Charlotte Varela • 08 Jul 2024
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Blog
House mouse or field mouse? Easy guide to types of UK mice, voles, rats 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, rats and shrews of the UK.
Helen Keating • 28 Mar 2022
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Blog
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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Blog
10 easy butterfly crafts for kids
Discover 10 colourful butterfly crafts for kids, from simple symmetry paintings to fun mosaic art.
Danielle Wesley • 03 Jul 2023
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Blog
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
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Blog
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
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Blog
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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Blog
UK spider identification: 10 common species
Don't wait until spider season to appreciate these misunderstood creatures. Take a look at our guide to some of the most common spiders in the UK and learn how to identify them.
Charlotte Varela • 30 Oct 2024
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Blog
British dragonflies: larvae, wings and lifecycle
Charismatic and brightly coloured dragonflies capture our imaginations every summer. Learn more about this iconic insect and which ones you can spot near woodland.
Joe Bates • 25 Jul 2018
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Blog
Woodland wildlife Olympics quiz
Test your nature knowledge as we pit fur against feather in an imaginary woodland Olympics. Some of the results might surprise you!
Charlie Mellor • 10 Jul 2024
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Blog
Grass snake or adder? How to tell the difference between UK reptiles
Discover more about our common native reptiles and where you can find them with this snakes and lizards guide.
Karen Hornigold • 01 Feb 2018
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Blog
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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Blog
Conker crafts and activities
Discover creative and fun ways to use conkers in autumn. From simple crafts to activities and games the whole family can enjoy together.
Danielle Wesley • 23 Sept 2019
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Blog
What is pollination?
Learn about pollination and why it is so important for the natural world.
Danielle Wesley • 08 Apr 2019
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Blog
Animal mating rituals: 12 eye-opening breeding habits
Discover the extraordinary mating behaviours of 12 wild animals, including hares, stag beetles, newts and snakes!
Danielle Wesley • 12 Feb 2024
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Blog
9 easy Easter crafts for kids
Discover fun Easter crafts for kids, from egg decorations and cute Easter bunnies to chocolate nests and fingerprint animals.
Danielle Wesley • 30 Mar 2026
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Blog
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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Blog
How long do spiders live? And other spider facts
Discover more about spiders like how long they live, how many eyes they have, how big UK species can grow and more.
Rachel Hoskins • 09 Sept 2019
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Blog
Ticks: what do they look like and how to remove them
Learn how to identify ticks and the steps you can take to avoid them when walking in woodland.
Rachel Hoskins • 15 May 2019
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Blog
How to whittle for kids and beginners
Follow our easy whittling instructions for children and beginners with guidance, safety tips and project ideas.
Rachel Hoskins • 02 May 2019
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Blog
What is a minibeast? And other bug facts
Creepy crawlies are fascinating! But what is a minibeast? Where do they live? And what do they eat? Find out all about them with our minibeast facts.
Danielle Wesley • 13 May 2019
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Blog
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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Blog
What is the difference between a bug and a beetle?
The words 'bug' and 'beetle' are often used interchangeably, but there’s actually a big difference between bugs and beetles. Learn how to tell them apart.
Charlotte Varela • 06 Jun 2023
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Blog
How do heatwaves affect wildlife?
As the UK experiences extreme heat and drought, we take a look at the potentially catastrophic effects of heatwaves on wildlife from early fruit ripening to a false autumn.
Fritha West • 10 Aug 2022
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Blog
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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Blog
Minibeast hunt – top tips for finding bugs
Go on a minibeast hunt with your kids and see how many creepy crawlies you can find. Plus get tips on what to pack in your bug hunting kit.
Danielle Wesley • 26 May 2023
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Blog
What is a Root Protection Area and what does it mean?
Healthy and adequate rooting space is essential for trees to thrive. How does a root protection area help, how is it calculated and who needs to use it?
Emma Gilmartin • 06 Apr 2021
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Blog
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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Blog
Stick crafts and activities for kids
Sticks have endless possibilities! From Poohsticks to twig towers and journey sticks to stick men, we've got plenty of ideas for your family to try on your next woodland walk.
Danielle Wesley • 04 Nov 2019
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Blog
Rainy day activities for kids: mud kitchens and pies
Don’t get stuck indoors when the weather’s wet. Try our rainy outdoor activities including mud kitchens, mud pies, leaf boats and puddle jumping.
Danielle Wesley • 01 Apr 2019
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Blog
When do blue tits nest?
A sure sign of the start of spring is the sight of blue tits zipping back and forth to nest boxes, beaks full of moss. Find out when, where and how long blue tits nest, when their chicks fledge, and how important it is that they time things just right.
Amy Lewis • 12 Feb 2019
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Blog
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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Blog
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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Blog
9 of the UKs rarest animals
Much of our beloved wildlife is in decline. Find out about nine of the rarest species in the UK right now, and what we are doing to help save these precious creatures.
Hannah Vickers • 15 Apr 2019
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Blog
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 Sept 2021
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Blog
11 animals that live in the UK's rainforest
Discover the weird and wonderful animals living in our very own rainforests.
Annabel Kemp • 19 Jun 2025
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Blog
13 Halloween nature crafts and activities for kids
Get set for spooky season with leaf ghosts, conker pumpkins, twig wands and a thrilling Halloween scavenger hunt!
Danielle Wesley • 04 Oct 2023
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Blog
How to make felt animals: easy step-by-step guide
Follow our simple guide to make your own stuffed woodland animals. This fun craft is ideal for kids and grown-ups alike!
Becca Smith • 28 Apr 2023
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Blog
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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Blog
Four examples of how UK wildlife camouflages
Find out how animals in the UK use camouflage to hide in plain sight. In this blog, we explore four types of camouflage and why it is important for animals.
Julia Lock • 23 May 2022
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Blog
Life cycle of a plant: seeds, shoots and roots
Plant lives have a beginning and end just like ours. Here's a roundup of the different stages plants go through, from a new seed to eventual death.
Sally Bavin • 02 Mar 2021
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Blog
Minibeast activities and crafts
Our arts and crafts are ideal for nature-loving kids. Make a butterfly symmetry painting, minibeast masks, rock bugs, ladybird potato stamps and more.
Danielle Wesley • 10 Jun 2019
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Blog
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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Blog
SSSI definition: what is it and what does it mean for conservation and development?
A Site of Special Scientific Interest is a formal conservation designation. Learn how they are determined, why we have them and where to see them in the UK.
Laura Cottam • 01 Mar 2019
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Blog
Do bats hibernate in winter? And more bat facts
What do British bats do when winter is coming? Find out more about six UK bat species and what you can do to help them.
Joe Bates • 03 Dec 2018
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Blog
10 eco-friendly gifts for under £10
On a budget this Christmas? We’ve handpicked 10 affordable eco-friendly gifts that show you care for your loved ones and the environment too.
Charlie Mellor • 04 Nov 2025
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Blog
10 best winter woodland walks
Embrace the simpler things in life with a winter woodland walk, when spectacular frosty landscapes and leafless trees reveal hidden history and elusive wildlife. Check out 10 of our favourite woods for inspiration.
Charlie Mellor • 16 Nov 2023
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Blog
5 homemade advent calendars: how to make DIY advent calendars
With a range of shapes and sizes to choose from, these homemade advent calendars are the perfect way to get into the festive spirit.
Annabel Kemp • 07 Nov 2024
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Blog
7 amazing woodland wildlife walks in Scotland
From otters and ospreys to fascinating fungi and flowers, Scotland's wildlife and scenery are spectacular. Check out 7 of our favourite woods for wildlife walks.
Charlie Mellor • 15 Jul 2022