My oasis
Growing up and living in the countryside for much of her life, Helen is used to big wide open spaces and loves being outside. She enjoys coming to the Centre for Wildlife Gardening, as it’s like…
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Water vole by Terry Whittaker/2020VISION
Chwilio
Jay
The jay is a colourful member of the crow family, with brilliant blue wing patches. It is famous for searching out acorns in autumnal woodlands and parks, often storing them for the winter ahead…
Great spotted woodpecker
The 'drumming' of a great spotted woodpecker is a familiar sound in spring woodlands.
Horseshoe vetch
Horseshoe vetch is a member of the pea family, so displays bright yellow, pea-like flowers and seed pods. Look for this low-growing plant on chalk grasslands from May to July.
Fox moth
The large, fluffy caterpillars of this moth are often seen in summer and early spring.
Morel
This unique fungus is one of the most sought after spring fungi of them all.
Seasonal wildlife
Follow nature's changes through the year. From the red and gold leaves of autumn to the colourful woodland flowers of spring - there's always something special to see.
Orange-tip
It’s easy to see where these butterflies get their name – the males have bright orange tips on their wings! See them from early spring through to summer in meadows, woodland and hedges.
Swollen-thighed beetle
This metallic green beetle can be seen visiting flowers on sunny days in spring and summer.
Black-and-yellow longhorn beetle
This brightly-coloured beetle is often found feeding on flowers on warm days in late spring and summer.
Wood sandpiper
This wading bird is mainly a visitor on its spring and autumn migration, though a small number nest in Scotland.
Lapwing
The distinctive rounded wings of the lapwing are displayed beautifully when it wheels around a winter sky in a massive flock. In spring, these flocks disperse and some birds breed in the UK.…