Weird wildlife
Nature can be fantastic, intriguing, and sometimes downright weird! From beetles that hitch rides on bees to fungi that grows in the shape of ears, we've got plenty of things for you to keep an eye out for!
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Water vole by Terry Whittaker/2020VISION
Chwilio
Wasp beetle
A clever mimic, the wasp beetle is black-and-yellow and moves in a jerky, flight-like fashion - fooling predators into thinking it is actually a more harmful common wasp. Look for it in hedgerows…
Wildlife photography
You don't need a fancy camera to take some great wildlife shots, sometimes a photo on phone can be twice as good!
Stag beetle
Famous for its fearsome jaws, the stag beetle does not have the bite to match. Look for it in woods, parks and gardens in South East England in summer. Males display their massive jaws to attract…
Identify wildlife
From birds you hear singing in the park to bees you might spot buzzing around the playground - read our identify UK wildlife guides to work out what's what!
Marine animals spotter
Be a nature detective! Can you tick off any of these?
Soldier beetle
One of our largest soldier beetles, often found on flowers where they hunt other insects.
Bloody-nosed beetle
The common name of the bloody-nosed beetle derives from its unusual defence mechanism: when threatened, it secretes a distasteful blood-red liquid from its mouth. This flightless beetle can be…
Swollen-thighed beetle
This metallic green beetle can be seen visiting flowers on sunny days in spring and summer.
Whirligig beetle
Ever wondered what that little black dot whirling in circles on the top of the water of a pond is? Those are whirligig beetles! Often seen shooting across the water surface on the hunt for its…
Coppery click beetle
The coppery click beetle is a large, coppery-purple beetle with straw-brown wing cases. It can be found on grassland and farmland, and its larvae are known to feed on roots and damage crops.
Lesser stag beetle
The lesser stag beetle may be smaller than its famous cousin, but it is still a large beetle with large jaws. It can be seen in woods, parks and hedgerows during summer, and depends on dead wood…