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Trees woods and wildlife
Elm, wych
Decimated by Dutch elm disease, the sweeping and majestic wych elm is a much rarer sight these days. Its loss goes hand-in-hand with the decline of the elusive white-letter hairstreak butterfly, whose caterpillars rely on elm leaves.
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Trees woods and wildlife
Wild strawberry
Sweet in both flower and in taste, wild strawberries flourish on woodland edges and in hedgerows. Spot them in bloom in spring and in fruit in summer.
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Trees woods and wildlife
Barbastelle bat
Distinctive, rare, elusive. The barbastelle bat lives in deciduous woodland and looks unlike any other bat. If you’re lucky, you might spot it hunting in wet woodland.
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Trees woods and wildlife
Kingfisher
Lightning fast and technicoloured, seeing a kingfisher always feels special. Spot them near rivers, diving low to catch tiny fish with impressive dexterity.
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Trees woods and wildlife
Starling
Social songsters with shiny feathers and common garden visitors. These gregarious birds are probably most famed for their stunning murmuration displays.
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Trees woods and wildlife
Peacock
Big. Bold. Beautiful. This stunning showstopper is instantly recognisable, with its captivating azure ‘eyes’ and orange-brown wings. Widespread and common throughout the UK, it is one of our most-loved butterflies.
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Trees woods and wildlife
Hornet
The king of the wasps with a fearsome reputation, the hornet is actually much less aggressive than its smaller cousin, the common wasp.
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Trees woods and wildlife
Garden spider
A patient predator and web-spinning extraordinaire. Garden spiders are a common sight across the UK, devouring the flying insects that fall victim to their webs.
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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
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.