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Trees woods and wildlife

Purple emperor

Despite its exotic appearance, the purple emperor is as typical of UK woodland as the mighty oak. It’s elusive and beautiful, but has quite the unsavoury appetite.

Trees woods and wildlife

Tree sparrow

Shy and sweet countryside-lovers. The tree sparrow is rarely seen around humans, but might be spotted in lowland farmland when there's some grain to snaffle.

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Christmas nature quiz

Test your knowledge of the plants and animals connected with our festive traditions.

Charlie Mellor  •  11 Dec 2024

Trees woods and wildlife

Pine marten reintroduction: how we're helping and where to find them

Once persecuted to extinction, find out how we're helping pine martens make a welcome return to the UK's woods.

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12 rare wild flowers in the UK's woods

Woodlands are home to some of the UK's rarest wild flowers. From parasitic plants to alluring orchids, discover 12 rare woodland flowers and what makes them so uncommon.

Charlotte Varela  •  13 May 2025

Trees woods and wildlife

Buckthorn, purging

Prickly and with the ability to purge. This plant’s common name harks back its use as a laxative. It’s a fierce, invasive species in North America.

Trees woods and wildlife

Brandt's bat

Small and shaggy, this pink-faced bat is often found in wet woodland. Keep your eyes peeled for them at dusk when they come out to hunt.

Trees woods and wildlife

Lynx

These solitary, stealthy hunters are currently extinct in the UK, but some advocates of rewilding would like to see them return.

Trees woods and wildlife

Beard lichens

Dripping off the trees in clean-air woodlands, these beautiful bushy beard lichens adorn branches and trunks.