Woodland wildlife
The UK's native woods and trees support a great diversity of living organisms. Our species guides explore the wildlife that depends on woodland, from plants and fungi to mammals, birds, bees and beetles.
Discover woodland speciesCredit: John Bridges / WTML
Credit: John Bridges / WTML
How do you identify species? Get our top ID tips on UK animals and plants, from insects and spiders to birds, bees and trees.
Birds
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What hatched here? How to identify bird egg shells
Found a fragment of egg in the garden, woods or park? Here's a quick guide to the most common UK bird eggs too help you find out which species it came from.
Helen Keating • 05 May 2020
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Baby bird identification: UK garden birds
Learn to identify garden bird youngsters with our guide to some of the most commonly encountered little'uns.
Amy Lewis • 15 May 2020
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Bird song identification: songs and calls for beginners
How many birds can you identify by sound alone? Learn to tell some of the UK's most familiar and distinct bird songs apart with our handy guide.
Amy Lewis • 10 Apr 2019
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Bird song identification: UK garden birds
Whether you're looking to learn a new skill or simply find out who's taking centre stage, our simple guide will introduce you to the top garden regulars.
Amy Lewis • 01 May 2020
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British finches: an identification guide
A number of finches call the UK home, but can you identify them all? Tell your bullfinch from your brambling with our quick guide.
Amy Lewis • 28 Feb 2019
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Bird of prey calls and identification
Learn how to identify the UK's birds of prey with our quick guide to their calls, key features and likely hangouts.
Amy Lewis • 10 Sep 2021
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Owl calls: tell your tawny from your barn owl
Heard a screech in the night or hooting in the woods? One of the UK's five resident owl species could be at large. Learn to tell their calls apart and identify them without laying eyes on them.
Amy Lewis • 18 Dec 2017
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Chiffchaff or willow warbler? How to tell the difference
Chiffchaffs and willow warblers will start to arrive on our shores soon. Do you know how to tell the difference?
Charlotte Armitage • 19 Mar 2018
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10 common garden birds to spot on your bird feeder
Find out all about the common British garden birds, what to feed them and how to identify them.
Hannah Vickers • 21 Mar 2019
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Rook, crow or raven? How to tell the difference
Crows, rooks and ravens are all part of the crow family and can be tricky to identify. Here are our tips on how to tell them apart.
Sally Bavin • 14 Jan 2020
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How to tell male and female ospreys apart
How do you tell male and female ospreys apart? And how can you tell the difference between our resident Loch Arkaig pair, Louis and Aila, and other local birds?
George Anderson • 28 Mar 2019
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Feather identification: common feathers in the UK
Collecting nature finds is a lovely way to feel closer to the wildlife on your doorstep. Some of the most abundant of these treasures are feathers, and you can find them almost anywhere. But which bird left them behind?
Charlotte Varela • 15 Apr 2019
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10 roosting birds to spot in winter
Roosting is another word for when birds settle down to rest or sleep. Find out which roosting birds you might spot when out and about.
Laura Cottam • 11 Feb 2019
Mammals
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House mouse or field mouse? A quick guide to types of mice, voles and shrews in the UK
Are you curious about what mouse you saw in your garden or out on a walk? Or did your cat bring one in and you wondered what it was? Here's a quick guide to the more common mice, voles and shrews of the UK.
Helen Keating • 21 Jan 2019
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Stoat or weasel? How to tell the difference
Did you see a stoat on your last woodland walk? Or perhaps it was a weasel? Our guide will help you to tell these pint-sized predators apart. We also take a look at some of the other related species found here in the UK.
James Martin • 01 Feb 2019
Tracks and prints
Amphibians
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What is the difference between a frog and a toad?
Find out the difference between our two favourite amphibians, the frog and the toad.
Charlotte Varela • 29 May 2019
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When do frogs spawn? And how to spot them
Find out when frogs spawn and the best time to spot these fascinating jellified clumps in ponds near you.
Karen Hornigold • 18 Apr 2019
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British newts: an identification guide
Learn to tell the difference between the UK's three newt species with our quick and easy identification guide.
Amy Lewis • 19 Feb 2020
Invertebrates
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Insect identification: common UK insects
There are a staggering 27,000 types of insect in the UK. Some can be tricky to tell apart, even for the experts. Here we look at some of our most commonly encountered insect groups.
Amy Lewis • 24 Nov 2017
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British caterpillars: how to identify 10 common species
We run through how to identify 10 British caterpillars, what they eat, when to see them and how to attract them to your garden.
Hannah Vickers • 05 Apr 2019
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Common UK butterfly identification and facts
Identify some of the UK's most common butterflies, find out where to look for them, and learn more about their incredible lives.
Amy Lewis • 22 Jul 2019
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Types of bee in the UK: how to tell the difference
From fluffy bumblebees to pint-sized mining bees, we take a look at the key characteristics of some of our most common species.
Charlotte Varela • 14 May 2019
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Red admiral butterfly: identification and recording
Learn how to identify red admiral butterflies, their caterpillars and pupae with our handy guide, and record your sightings with Nature's Calendar.
Amy Lewis • 24 Apr 2020
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Common UK ladybird identification and facts
There are 26 types of ladybird in the UK, many of which can be spotted in gardens and woodland. Learn to tell who's who with our quick and easy guide to the some of the most commonly encountered species.
Amy Lewis • 31 Mar 2021
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11 types of day-flying moth in the UK: an identification guide
The UK is home to a number of moths that are active during the day, many of which rival butterflies for colour and beauty. Which species might you encounter on a summer's walk?
Amy Lewis • 23 Apr 2021
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Shieldbug identification: 10 common UK shieldbugs
There are a number of shieldbug species in the UK, characterised by their flat, often triangular bodies and distinctive, shield-like shapes on their backs. Learn to tell which is which with our quick and easy guide to some of Britain's most familiar types.
Amy Lewis • 14 May 2021
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UK moth identification and facts: 12 common species for beginners
There are more than 870 species of large moth in the UK, many of which can be tricky for beginners to tell apart. Get to know some of the UK's most familiar and easily-identified species with our quick guide.
Amy Lewis • 02 Jun 2021
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Hairy caterpillar identification: 16 common UK species
Spotted a furry caterpillar undulating across the path in front of you or munching leaves in your garden? Learn to tell your tussocks from your tigers with our quick guide to some common UK species.
Amy Lewis • 10 Jun 2021
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UK hawk-moth identification and facts
Hawk-moths are some of the largest and most recognisable moths in the UK. Learn to tell which is which with our visual guide to 10 of the most commonly encountered UK species.
Amy Lewis • 21 Jun 2021
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Hawk-moth caterpillar identification: eight UK species
Hawk-moth caterpillars have one thing in common: they're pretty impressive. Usually large, distinctively marked and with a characteristic horn at the tail end, they're a good group to get to grips with when learning who's who.
Amy Lewis • 21 Jul 2021
Trees and shrubs
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Trees woods and wildlife
How to identify trees
All trees have clues and features that can help with identification. You just need to know what to look out for with our quick guide.
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Autumn leaf identification quiz: can you identify these 10 trees?
Test your tree knowledge. As autumn sets in, many of the trees around us change colour, but do you know what they are?
Helen Keating • 21 Sep 2020
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Summer tree identification: can you name these nine trees?
Which trees do you recognise? Test your knowledge and see if you can get top marks!
Helen Keating • 13 Jul 2020
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Hawthorn and blackthorn: what’s the difference?
Hawthorn and blackthorn are two of the most easily confused species, so here’s a closer look at their differences to help you tell them apart.
Charlie Mellor • 09 Apr 2019
Plants and fungi
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Types of mushroom in the UK: common identification guide
Mushrooms (or toadstools) is a term given to the fleshy, spore-bearing fruiting bodies that certain fungi produce. Here are nine common mushrooms that you may come across.
Helen Keating • 31 Aug 2017
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Poisonous mushrooms: 7 of the most dangerous mushrooms in the UK
There are poisonous mushrooms out there, and some of them are deadly. With sinister names - destroying angel, funeral bell and deathcap - it's a warning to steer clear. Here are seven to watch out for in the UK.
Helen Keating • 05 Nov 2018
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9 rare and beautiful wild UK orchids
Orchids are some of the most beautiful and unique wild plants you'll see in the UK. They are rare but well worth finding if you are up for the challenge.
Laura Cottam • 29 May 2019
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12 uncommon and rare woodland flowers
Woodland is home to some of the UK's rarest flowering plants. Some are weird. Some are mysterious. And all have fascinating stories to tell. You'll be lucky to track down some of these beauties, but they're worth it if you do.
Amy Lewis • 26 Jan 2018
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Wildflower quiz: name these 10 common wildflowers
Can you name these ten common British wildflowers? Test your wildflower knowledge with our quiz.
Helen Keating • 11 Apr 2019
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Types of moss in the UK: what they are and where to find them
Moss is marvellous! Find out why and see some common species to spot.
Kate Lewthwaite • 30 Jul 2018
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What is lichen? Seven types of lichen found on trees
Lichen can be very visible on branches and bark at this time of year. They can be really difficult to identify, but here are seven common lichens that grow on trees.
Kylie Harrison Mellor • 24 Apr 2019
Get more ID tips with our swatch books
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Poos and clues
What does fox poo look like? Are those badger paw prints? Learn how to track elusive woodland animals.
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Woodland birds
From the tiny goldcrest to the magnificent goshawk. Perfect for budding birders.
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Butterflies
The perfect pocket guide to butterfly ID when you're out and about.
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Leaves
Learn your leaves. You'll find leaves and twigs from 30 common UK trees and shrubs.
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Wildflowers
From bluebells and snowdrops to greater stitchwort. All the flowers you're likely to encounter on a woodland walk.
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Minibeasts
Explore woodland creepy crawlies. From bugs and beetles to snails and spiders.
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Fungi
Know your toadstools from your puffballs. A fascinating little guide to all things fungi.
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