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.

Region by region

Recent UK & Ireland Wildlife news

More UK & Ireland Wildlife news

Are Sea eagles coming back to Suffolk? Vote on what you think should happen

In any debate about conservation, it is always important to discount 10% of the arguments at either end of the range, as some people will support all conservation, no matter what the cost or practicalities, and others would complain about spending 5 Euros to save the last elephant. Somewhere in the middle is a rational debate and, usually, the right answer.

Unusual birdlife in residence after just 1 year at Saltholme

Britain’s only resident orca pod – No breeding for 20 years

The conservation status of the group is thought to be critical since no live calves have been sighted since research began almost two decades ago.

418 species of bird recorded in Britain in 2008

With up to 418 species of bird spotted in Britain, 2008 is looking likely to smash records for the number of bird species seen within a single year.

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UK wildlife photography competition - 2009 - results

Successful wildlife and wilderness photography does not necessarily involve long flights and equally long immigration queues. The inaugural Wildlife Extra UK wildlife photography competition is not only a fabulous example of just how beautiful the British Isles are, but also that it does not need a fat pay cheque to seduce talented photographers into wanting their work displayed. There are no remote cameras involved (yes, that is a dig) and no ludicrous Photoshop sorcery either, just a litany of belting images.

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Queen of Spain Fritillary butterfly breeding in Sussex

A rare migrant butterfly from Europe, the Queen of Spain Fritillary, has been breeding at a location on the Sussex coast.

First ever recorded Humpback in Thames found dead

. A 28ft (9.5m) Humpback whale has been found dead in the River Thames near the Dartford Bridge.

Basking shark strands in Cornwall

A young basking shark, which stranded on a beach in west Cornwall in August, was the first of its kind in England to be examined by veterinary pathologists. At over four metres long, the fish was so huge it wouldn't fit on the examination table and was too heavy to be weighed on their scales.

Scottish beaver trial – Beaver disappears after shots heard

After the first week, one adult female disappeared; the time of her disappearance coincided with unauthorized shooting heard in the same area. There has been no sign of the animal since and the matter has been reported to the local police for further investigation.

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Harlequin ladybird invasion could endanger 1000 native UK species

Rapid spread of harlequin ladybird could threaten over 1000 native British species.

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Golden eagle poisoned in West Scotland

Strathclyde Police officers have carried out an extensive search of Beinn Udlaidh in the Glen Orchy area of Argyll following the discovery of a dead golden eagle.

Ospreys breed in Northumberland for first time in over two centuries

For the first time in at least 200 years ospreys are nesting and are believed to have hatched chicks in Northumberland.

The First Great Bustard chicks hatch in the UK for 177 years

For the first time since 1832, the Great Bustard - one of Europe's most threatened birds - has nested in the UK with two separate females successfully hatching chicks.

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Scotland welcomes back the beaver – Wildlife Extra questions the cost

Marking the first formal reintroduction of a native mammal species into the wild in the UK, three beaver families have now been released at carefully selected sites in Knapdale Forest, Mid-Argyll.

First confirmed Polecat sighting in Buckinghamshire

UK Seahorse tagging project at Studland Bay in Dorset

Since the discovery of Seahorses at Studland Bay, the site has proven to be internationally important and has thrown up some amazing surprises. The bay has a surprising concentration of Seahorses; with more than 40 in recorded in 2008. This density has made it a site of international importance as nowhere else in the British Isles, or indeed for that matter in the world; except the Rio Formosa in Portugal is there this concentration of Seahorses.

Albino Fallow deer spotted in Sussex

Volunteer rescuers had a surprise when they went to rescue a deer that was caught in a rope swing in some Sussex woods. To their amazement the deer, a male fallow deer, was completely white and is thought to be a very rare albino.

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UK butterfly numbers plunge to new low

UK Butterfly numbers have fallen to a new low, according to data from the Butterfly Monitoring Scheme.

Scottish snow storms are good for wildlife

Court approves destruction of marshes and its protected wildlife

The three-year battle to save West Thurrock Marshes from destruction suffered a massive set-back when the Court of Appeal judged that the decision to build on the site was lawful.