Mud
From vast plains spreading across the seabed to intertidal flats exposed by the low tide, mud supports an incredible variety of wildlife.
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Water vole by Terry Whittaker/2020VISION
Chwilio
Cormorant
The cormorant is an excellent fisher. It is most easily spotted when it is perched, stretching its wings out in the sun to dry after a dive. The UK holds internationally important wintering…
Lords-and-ladies
Look for the unusual flowers of lords-and-ladies in spring woodlands: a pale green sheath surrounds a spike of tiny, yellow flowers. This spike eventually forms a familiar, short stalk of striking…
Barrel jellyfish
Giants of the jellyfish world, these incredible creatures are the UK’s largest jellyfish! They can grow to the size of dustbin lids – giving them their other common name: dustbin-lid jellyfish.…
Germander speedwell
A good luck charm for travellers, Germander speedwell can be seen along roadsides, grassy lanes and hedgerows. Look for clumps of bright blue flowers.
Thick topshell
The thick topshell is a common sight on rocky shores in Wales and South West England.
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.
Perforate st John's-wort
The subject of much myth and legend, and a herbal remedy, Perforate st John's-wort is a familiar flower. It has star-shaped, bright yellow flowers and lots of tiny holes in its leaves that…
Black-spotted longhorn beetle
These bulky beetles can sometimes be found on flowers in woodland rides or along hedgerows.
My breath of fresh air
Michael manages Stanley Moss Nature Reserve; he loves the serenity of the area and the different wildlife that he can see. The area was once used for coal mining, and was drained and planted with…