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    • First signs of spring in nature

      Charlie Mellor  •  19 Feb 2021

    • UK blossom quiz: how well do you know tree flowers? 

      Rachel Hoskins  •  14 Mar 2020

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    • Woodland Walks podcast with Adam Shaw - Avoncliff, Wiltshire

      Adam Shaw  •  17 May 2022

    • Swifts, swallows and martins: easy ID guide

      Fritha West  •  05 May 2022

    • What woodland wildlife is doing in May

      Charlie Mellor  •  01 May 2022

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Spiders and harvestmen

They might not be the UK's most loved animal, but spiders are pretty special. They are air-breathing arthropods with eight legs and special glands for producing strong and sticky webs. Some species of spider thrive in woodland habitats, decorating trees with their webs and prowling wood edges and canopies for a tasty morsel.

  • Trees woods and wildlife

    Buzzing spider

    Keep a keen ear out for this leaf-lover with real rhythm. Look for the buzzing spider on leaves and stems of deciduous trees and shrubs in woods and parks.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Trees woods and wildlife

    Woodlouse spider

    Woodlouse assassin and protective mum. This feisty arachnid is perfectly equipped to take on tough customers – and other spiders won’t mess with it either.

Keep exploring

Blog

Do conkers keep spiders away? And other conker facts and uses

Rachel Hoskins  •  30 Aug 2019

Trees woods and wildlife

Other invertebrates

Find out about the millions of woodland insects and invertebrates that live among the leaves, under bark, in dead wood, leaf litter and soil.

Trees woods and wildlife

Slugs and snails

Find out how slugs and snails are key parts of the woodland ecosystem, providing food for many. 

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The Woodland Trust is a charity registered in England and Wales (No. 294344) and in Scotland (No. SC038885).  A non-profit-making company limited by guarantee. Registered in England No. 1982873.

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