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Blog
Winter wildlife watching: what, where and when to spot
The winter weather might be frightful, but nature is always delightful. Here are our top tips on what wildlife to look out for, where and when on your winter walks.
Rory Morrow • 13 Jan 2025
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Blog
How to identify elderflower and what to do with it
Elderflowers are an all-time favourite forager's treat. Get our top identification tips, along with ideas and recipes on how to use the fragrant flowers.
Helen Keating • 03 Jun 2021
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Visiting woods
Love your woods
Our woods are home to amazing plants and animals and they're all free for people to enjoy responsibly. Show them you care with our top tips for your visit.
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Trees woods and wildlife
Deadly nightshade
Attractive, psychoactive, dangerous. Found in scrub and woodland, the deadly nightshade lives up to its name. Though highly poisonous, it feeds woodland animals and even has medicinal properties.
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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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Support us
Smithills Estate appeal, Bolton
The largest English site we've ever acquired is being restored to its full glory thanks to your donations.
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Trees woods and wildlife
Spindle
Industrious, delicate, colourful. The spindle is at its loveliest in autumn when its leaves turn russet and its pink and orange fruits ripen. Wildlife loves its leaves and fruit, and aphids flock to it, bringing with them an array of their predators.
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Trees woods and wildlife
Jay
A highly intelligent loudmouth. The jay is known for its love of acorns which it often leaves hidden. These forgotten snacks are credited with the rapid spread of oaks after the last Ice Age.
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Trees woods and wildlife
Horse chestnut
Spiky cases, gleaming seeds, celebrated by children. Horse chestnuts, with their mahogany-bright conkers, are the very essence of autumn.
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Press centre
Bugs on planes: volunteers hunt for new insect threat to iconic trees
Hardy volunteers are scouring trees across the UK in search of a hitchhiking bug that has made its way to our shores.