These mat like growths found on kelp and seaweed are actually colonies of tiny individuals animals.

Large scale drainage in the UK has seen a massive reduction in the range of this sensitive aquatic plant which now only occurs in around 50 sites in England.

This brightly-coloured beetle is often found feeding on flowers on warm days in late spring and summer.

These bulky beetles can sometimes be found on flowers in woodland rides or along hedgerows.

This huge gull can be seen around most of the UK's coasts in summer, with some venturing inland in winter.

Water-plantain is an aquatic plant of shallow water and muddy banks. In bloom over summer, it displays tall branches of loosely clustered, pale lilac flowers.

Water-cress has become so popular as a salad addition that it is now cultivated on a wide scale. In the wild, it grows in shallow, fast-flowing streams and is an indicator of clean water.

Hornwrack is often found washed up on our beaches, with many believing that it is dried seaweed. In fact, it is a colony of animals!

Found in compost heaps and under stones in gardens, the White-legged snake millipede is a common minibeast. Despite its name, it has about 100 legs. It is an important recycler of nutrients,…