A guide to the wildlife and nature reserves of the UK.

Wildlife and bird watching in the UK

You don't need to go far to see some great wildlife, there is some near you. There are very well known sites across the UK, National Parks, National nature reserves, RSPB reserves and WWT (Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust) reserves, but there are many other great wildlife spots all over the place. Every county has a wildlife trust that will run a series of local reserves, county councils have their own nature reserves and there are plenty of other places where there is ample wildlife.

We will point you in the direction of all the best sites in any given area, though we have no doubt that there are plenty we don't know about (please let us know by emailing us about anywhere that you can recommend).

For information and recommendations on whale and dolphin watching in the UK, click here.

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Recent UK & Ireland Wildlife news

More UK & Ireland Wildlife news

Only breeding female Golden eagle in Scottish Borders poisoned.

A joint investigation by Lothian and Borders Police, RSPB Scotland, the Scottish SPCA and the Scottish Executive discovered poisoned bait on a grouse moor in the Borders.

Starving seabirds being found across Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Staff at RSPB Scotland and Scottish Natural Heritage are concerned about the number of common guillemots that have been found dead or dying.

Harriers and Peregrines being persecuted in Northern Ireland.

It appears that there has been an upsurge in raptor persecution in Northern Ireland in the last 3 years.

Lyme Bay Reefs devastated.

Devon Wildlife Trust has collected evidence that the Reefs in Lyme Bay have been trashed by some fishing techniques.

Otter comeback is good news for water voles, bad news for mink.

A recent fall in mink numbers in the UK has been attributed to a rise in Otter numbers.

First wild beavers in Scotland for 250 years to be caught.

A pair of beavers has been found living in the wild in a remote Scottish Loch near the Bridge of Earn.

'Extinct' dove breeds at London Zoo.

A Socorro dove, extinct in the wild for 30 years, has bred for the first time at London Zoo.

Scotland's wildcats down to the last 400

Research shows that probably only 400 true wildcats are left in Scotland. Persecution used to be the main problem, but now hybridisation with domestic cats threatens the future of Scottish wildcats.

Black Grouse turn the corner in England as numbers climb above 1000.

Although times have been hard for the Black grouse, conservationists hope that the species may have turned the corner after years of decline thanks to more sensitive land management.

Two Sightings of Northern Bald Ibis in Middle East Bring a Spark of Hope

Sightings of this incredibly rare bird in Djibouti and Ethiopia have raised hope that it might avoid extinction.

Adonis unexpectedly reappears in the Cotswolds

The beautiful Adonis Blue butterfly has unexpectedly reappeared in the Cotswolds having become locally extinct more than 40 years previously.

Very rare 'Leucistic' moorhens seen in the UK.

We have now been sent 4 photos of different leucistic moorhens in the UK. Leucism is very rare and to have four birds in the country simultaneously is highly unusual.

Garden Birds in Sharp Decline Across Europe

An analysis of 124 of Europe’s common birds has revealed that over a 26-year period 56 species (45 percent) have declined across 20 European countries.

Very Rare Leucistic White Red Deer Stag Spotted in the Highlands

An extremely rare white red deer has been spotted by staff of the John Muir Trust on the west coast of Scotland.

Campaign of cruelty to Birds Continues in East Sussex

After last week’s report of 5 gulls being shot in Sussex, we have today (April 21st) received 2 further reports of appalling cruelty from the Hastings/Eastbourne area.

Bitterns breeding in the Fens for the first time for 70 years

September 2007. The recovery of the bittern, took a small step forward with news that, despite flood problems, male bitterns were recorded at more sites than any other year since 1990.

Great Bustards nest again in UK after 175 years wait

Earlier this spring a female Great Bustard from the Great Bustard Group (GBG) reintroduction trial in Wiltshire nested and laid two eggs. Due to fears of egg thieves and disturbance from bird watchers, the announcement was delayed and the location of the nest is being kept secret.

Great Bustards in the UK

The thrid batch of Great bustard eggs is due to arrive shortly from Russia, and many of last years hatchlings have returned to the project site.

Squacco heron in London

A Squacco heron, a very unusual sight in the UK, has taken up residence in London.

Many beetles in Britain have gone missing, possibly extinct.

250 species of beetle have not been seen in Britain since 1970, and many others are disappearing fast.

Top wildlife and bird watching in the South East

GARDENING FOR WILDLIFE

Lorraine Kelly launches the 'Wild about gardens' campaign in conjunction with the Royal Horticultural Society and the UK Wildlife Trusts. More.

Plants recommended for a wildlife garden

The RSPB and RHS have got together to create a list of plants recommended for wildlife gardening.
See the full list.

England nature

Read about the nature of England, and see a guide to nature reserves in England.
Click here to see more about English Nature

Region by Region

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