Wildlife i-SpyHere are twelve animals & plants to look out (or listen!) for right now. How many can you tick off? Species Swallow Look out for the swallow performing great aerial feats as it catches its insect-prey on the wing. You may also see it perching on a wire… Species 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 springtime… Species Bluebell In April and May, our ancient woodlands are awash with the much-loved, nodding heads of the bluebell. Millions of bulbs can exist in… Species Palmate newt The palmate newt looks similar to the Smooth Newt, but favours shallow pools on acidic soils like heathlands. During the breeding season… Species Wood anemone A spring delight, the Wood anemone grows in dappled shade in ancient woodlands. Traditional management, such as coppicing, can help such… Species Large red damselfly If you have a garden pond, look out for the Large red damselfly resting at the water's edge. As the name suggests, males are bright… Species Slow worm Despite appearances, the slow worm is actually a legless lizard, not a worm or a snake! Look out for it basking in the sun on heathlands… Species Wood-sorrel A delicate, small plant of woodlands and hedgerows, Wood-sorrel has distinctive, trefoil leaves and white flowers with purple veins;… Species Pied flycatcher The pied flycatcher is a summer visitor, migrating here from West Africa to breed. Look for this small, black-and-white bird in woodland… Species Common toad Despite its warts and ancient associations with witches, the common toad is a gardener's friend, sucking up slugs and snails. It is… Species Bloody-nosed beetle The common name of the Bloody-nosed beetle derives from its unusual defence mechanism: when threatened, it secretes a distasteful blood-… Species Cuckooflower A sure sign that spring has arrived, the Cuckooflower blooms from April. Look out for its delicate, pale pink flowers in damp meadows…
Species Swallow Look out for the swallow performing great aerial feats as it catches its insect-prey on the wing. You may also see it perching on a wire…
Species 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 springtime…
Species Bluebell In April and May, our ancient woodlands are awash with the much-loved, nodding heads of the bluebell. Millions of bulbs can exist in…
Species Palmate newt The palmate newt looks similar to the Smooth Newt, but favours shallow pools on acidic soils like heathlands. During the breeding season…
Species Wood anemone A spring delight, the Wood anemone grows in dappled shade in ancient woodlands. Traditional management, such as coppicing, can help such…
Species Large red damselfly If you have a garden pond, look out for the Large red damselfly resting at the water's edge. As the name suggests, males are bright…
Species Slow worm Despite appearances, the slow worm is actually a legless lizard, not a worm or a snake! Look out for it basking in the sun on heathlands…
Species Wood-sorrel A delicate, small plant of woodlands and hedgerows, Wood-sorrel has distinctive, trefoil leaves and white flowers with purple veins;…
Species Pied flycatcher The pied flycatcher is a summer visitor, migrating here from West Africa to breed. Look for this small, black-and-white bird in woodland…
Species Common toad Despite its warts and ancient associations with witches, the common toad is a gardener's friend, sucking up slugs and snails. It is…
Species Bloody-nosed beetle The common name of the Bloody-nosed beetle derives from its unusual defence mechanism: when threatened, it secretes a distasteful blood-…
Species Cuckooflower A sure sign that spring has arrived, the Cuckooflower blooms from April. Look out for its delicate, pale pink flowers in damp meadows…
