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Trees woods and wildlife
Arkaig ospreys: behind the scenes of a nest camera in the Scottish Highlands
No wi-fi, no plug sockets, no film crew. Meet the people behind the camera and explore the set of the UK's most remote family drama.
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Blog
British trees: folklore and mythology
Trees are deeply embedded in our history and folklore. Explore nine British trees with their own magical associations and stories.
Helen Keating • 29 Apr 2021
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Blog
Foxglove and other poisonous plants: a list of toxic plants in the UK
A quick guide to five of the most poisonous plants you may encounter on a countryside walk in the UK. Learn how to recognise them and get fascinating facts on their toxicity.
Helen Keating • 01 Jul 2020
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Trees woods and wildlife
Meadowsweet
Sweet by name, sweet by nature. Meadowsweet might not be to everyone’s taste, but you’re unlikely to mistake the sickly sweet and frothy flower in damp woodland and bubbling out of damp ditches.
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Trees woods and wildlife
Common dog violet
A charming sanctuary for butterflies, common in UK woodland. Look to the woodland floor for a flush of purple and you might see fritillary butterflies feeding and laying their eggs.
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Blog
What do blackbirds eat? And how to feed them
Ever wondered what blackbirds eat? Learn about their diet and how you can attract these delightful birds to your garden.
James Martin • 28 Jun 2019
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Trees woods and wildlife
Pendulous sedge
Attractive, strong, damp-lover. Spot pendulous sedge swooning in damp woodland and river banks. It’s useful in a pinch, with edible seeds and strong leaves that can be made into rope and matting.
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Trees woods and wildlife
White-lipped snail
These slimy damp-lovers are a familiar sight, but there’s more than meets the eye to the white-lipped snail. Look out for them munching their way through woodland, grassland and gardens.
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Trees woods and wildlife
Oriental chestnut gall wasp
This newly introduced pest is the only organism to produce galls on sweet chestnuts. If numbers grow, it could have a serious impact on our historic trees.
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About us
Conservation research grants
We fund applied and policy driven research that addresses issues facing the conservation of the UK’s native woods and trees. We welcome research proposals that address our priority research themes and will help us to achieve our strategic goals: to protect, create and restore native woods and trees, for wildlife and for people.