These globe-spanning seabirds can often be seen offshore in autumn, shearing low over the waves.

Ever spotted a honeycomb-like mound on the beach and wondered what it was? It's a reef built entirely by worms!

Frogbit looks like a mini water-lily as it floats on the surface of ponds, lakes and still waterways. It offers shelter to tadpoles, fish and dragonfly larve.

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

These large seals can often be seen bobbing in the sea or lying on beaches waiting for their food to go down.

This well-camouflaged wader is a winter visitor to the UK, where it can be seen feeding on wetlands with a distinctive bobbing motion.

As its name suggests, Water dock likes damp places, such as the egdes of canals, ponds and rivers. It is a tall plant with large, greenish flower spikes.

The all-black carrion crow does not nest in colonies like the similar rook. It can be seen almost everywhere.

The ragworm is highly common on our shores, though rarely seen except by the fishermen that dig them up for bait.