National Marine Week
From the beach and shoreline, to the seabed and deepest waters. Find out more about the importance of our marine world and the creatures that live there.
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Water vole by Terry Whittaker/2020VISION
Chwilio
Moorhen
A familiar black bird of our lakes, ponds and rivers, the moorhen is widespread; look out for its large and untidy-looking nest on the water in spring. It can be distinguished from the similar…
Kelp forests
Forests of kelp sway in shallow sunlit waters, offering shelter to a host of sea life from tiny worms to juvenile fish.
2-spot ladybird
A common ladybird, the black-on-red markings of the 2-spot Ladybird are familiar to many of us.
Cinnamon bug
This distinctive black and red bug is an increasingly common sight across much of Britain.
Thick topshell
The thick topshell is a common sight on rocky shores in Wales and South West England.
Chalk rivers
Cool, crystal-clear waters flow over gravelly beds, streaming through white-flowered water-crowfoot and watercress in serene lowland landscapes.
Cellar spider
You've probably spotted this long-legged spider hiding in the corner of a house or building.
Purple laver
This purply-brown seaweed is a common feature on our rocky shores and on our dinner plates.
Rosemary beetle
This beautiful beetle only arrived in the UK in 1960s but is now a common sight on garden herbs.
Dryad's saddle
This big, beautiful fungus is a common one that can often be spotted popping out of trees.
Edible periwinkle
Edible periwinkles are a common sight when rockpooling and can be found in huge numbers on the shore.