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

uk/UK_reserves/dinas_head_wx

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.
Read about Damselflies and Dragonflies in the UK.


Region by region

birds/2013/Little_tern-credit_INCA Little tern colony facing extinction after massive egg theft
The little tern colony that breeds on the beach at Crimdon, near Hartlepool, has had all of its eggs stolen. The colony is still suffering from a 100% nesting failure last year due to predation by sparrow hawks and kestrels, and this unbelievably callous act may well drive the colony to extinction. 
Read more »
birds/2013/rspb_w-t_eagle_release Only White-tailed eagle nest in Eastern Scotland destroyed.
Police are investigating allegations that the only known white-tailed eagle nest in Eastern Scotland has been destroyed. The nest, believed to be the first white-tailed eagle nest in the east of Scotland for over a century, was on the Invermark Estate, inland from Montrose, but the tree holding the nest has been cut down.
Read more »
birds/2013/wwt_crane_nest Fist wild crane chick in Western Britain for 400 years has died
The first wild crane egg in Western Britain for four centuries has hatched at Slimbridge Wetland Centre in Gloucestershire. But sadly the chick hasn't survived its crucial first couple of days.
Read more »
birds/2013/dyfi_egg_2013 First osprey chicks appearing across the country
Osprey chicks have been appearing across the UK in the last week, and, amazingly, more osprey eggs too. We think the first chicks to hatch were, as usual, in north Wales, at the Glaslyn Osprey project. Amazingly, just a few miles down the road, the Cors Dyfi ospreys have laid their first egg of the season and it's one of the latest eggs ever laid by an osprey in the UK. 
Read more »
uk/2012/Bug_life_stag_beetle_falk Sixty per cent of UK species in decline, groundbreaking study finds
Scientists working side-by-side from 25 wildlife organisations have compiled a stock take of our native species - the first of its kind in the UK. The report reveals that 60% of the species studied have declined over recent decades. More than one in ten of all the species assessed are under threat of disappearing from our shores altogether.
Read more »
whales/2012/Sperm_forth_McCormack Largest pod of Scottish sperm whales for nearly 20 years
A pod of 14 sperm whales was spotted off North Berwick last week; the whales were thought to be heading towards Fife. This is the largest group ever seen in the North Sea and one of the largest pods ever seen off the UK coast - according to marine research and conservation charity Sea Watch Foundation.
Read more »
uk/uk_2010/argyll-Beaver-snh Surprise - Beavers fell trees near the water's edge -
A study of beavers introduced into the wild in Scotland that will cost nearly £2 million has discovered that beavers mostly effect trees near the water's edge, with 500 metres of their lodge. 
Read more »
birds/2012/osprey_03_97_rspb Remarkable Osprey, 'Lady', returns to Scotland for 23rd year - Ospreys update
A sure sign of spring (ignoring the weather) is when ospreys return to the UK after their winter break in the warmer climes of West Africa. The first ospreys have foolishly returned a few days earlier than last year, to be greeted by rain, fog and even snow.
Read more »
uk/2012/Bearded-Seal2-jn Bearded seal on Shetland
Following the recent sighting of a walrus on the Orkney Islands a few weeks ago, a bearded seal, usually only found in the Arctic, has appeared on Shetland.
Read more »
birds/2012/osprey_03_97_rspb Ospreys are back in the UK
A sure sign of spring (ignoring the weather) is when ospreys return to the UK after their winter break in the warmer climes of West Africa. The first ospreys have foolishly returned a few days earlier than last year, to be greeted by rain, fog and even snow.
Read more »
uk/2012/walrus_orkney Walrus in Scotland
On Sunday March 3rd, a walrus was spotted near the North Ronaldsay Bird Observatory in the Orkney Islands, causing quite a stir. The walrus appears to be a young male, and is quite possibly the same animal that was seen in the Faroe Islands recently.
Read more »
whales/2012/sperm_whales_scotland_davies A pod of five sperm whales sighted inshore off North West Scotland
An extraordinary winter sighting of five Sperm whales off the coast of North West Scotland this week could be a reflection of climate change and warming sea temperatures, says a leading marine scientist.
Read more »
world/europe/frog_koblenz Exposure to pesticides can kill frogs
Pesticides, fully authorised by the relevant authorities, and used in recommended amounts can lead to mortality rates of up to 100 percent on amphibians according to a new study in Germany.
Read more »
uk/wildlife_june_09/badger_crop_wx New research reveals that more than 10% of Welsh livestock farmers have killed badgers illegally
The research has shown that more than 10% of livestock farmers in Wales have illegally killed badgers in the 12 months preceding the study. 
Read more »
uk/2012/highgate_spider Rare and spectacular spider find in 150 year-old tombs in London!
A large, rare spider has been recorded for the first time in London - deep in tombs at Highgate Cemetery.
Read more »
whales/nov 2009/orca_uk 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.
Read more »
uk/uk_2010/argyll-Beaver-snh 150 beavers found living in Scotland 'unofficially'
A study, run by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), has confirmed that approximately 146 beavers are presently living in the wild in rivers in Tayside. The beavers in Tayside have been in the area since at least 2006, and originate either from escapes or deliberate releases from private collections.
Read more »
birds/2012_december/leucistic_robin_wilson_bto Leucistic robin has 'Santa beard'
This remarkable bird has been reported to the British Trust for Ornithology's (BTO) Abnormal Plumage Survey. The timely ‘Santa Robin', which was seen by Ian Wilson in Derbyshire, is a leucistic bird.
Read more »
birds/Birds_april_09/house_sparrow_wx 44 million birds have disappeared from UK since 1966, including an average of 50 house sparrows every hour!
Since 1966, the UK has lost breeding birds from our countryside at an average rate of a nesting pair every minute, say a group of conservation organisations in a new report. These shocking statistics are contained in the State of the UK's Birds 2012 report that charts the ups and downs of our bird populations over the last few decades.
Read more »
uk/wildlife_june_09/pine_marten_vwt Pine Marten found in Wales – the first in 40 years!
A road casualty pine marten has been found near Newtown in Powys - the first known carcass in Wales since 1971. ‘The significance of this find cannot be overstated,' said Natalie Buttriss, Chief Executive with The Vincent Wildlife Trust. ‘It adds to the body of evidence supporting the long-held view of mammal experts that this attractive tree-dwelling animal does exist in Wales, but in such low numbers that very few people ever see one.'
Read more »

Top wildlife and bird watching in the South East

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GARDENING FOR WILDLIFE

Lorraine Kelly launches the 'Wild about gardens' campaign in conjunction with the Royal Horticultural Society and the UK Wildlife Trusts. More.
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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.
reviews/reviews_2010/book_of_shells

The Book of Shells

We've all picked up a shell or two on the beach, but outside the very most common ones, we have no idea what we are handling. The glorious 652 page book will be able to answer that question for you, no matter where in the world you are. 
Read full review »     

Latest competitions

British Moth ID

reviews/british_moths

British Moths and Butterflies - A photographic guide

The book covers 1420 species of moth, 850 macros and 500 micros, as well as 314 caterpillars, pupae and eggs and 74 butterflies.
Read full review »
uk/UK_reserves/sugwas_lakes_wx

Why is Herefordshire ignored by national conservation bodies? RSPB, we need you.

There are no RSPB reserves, no WWT reserves, and no National Parks. To my surprise, I have discovered that there are 3 National Nature Reserves in Herefordshire, covering just 200 hectares between them, but 2 of them are permanently closed to the public.

Why is Herefordshire ignored by national conservation bodies? RSPB, we need you. 

reviews/reviews_2010/britain_birds

Where to Watch Birds in Britain - Second edition

The familiar format contains 34 new sites, giving a total of 454, now including 5 sites on the Isle of Wight. Each site now has a grid reference to aid those of you who are GPS dependent, and there is also a list of 100 birds you might want to see and the best places to see them.
Read full review »
reviews/reviews_2010/great_british_marine_animals

Great British Marine Animals - 3rd Edition

Many people think of the waters around Great Britain as cold, grey and fairly lifeless. This book will put you right (though noone can argue about the water temperature).
Read full review »
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Britain's butterflies

Comprehensive photo field guide to the butterflies of Britain.

Click Britain's Butterflies to find out more.

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Butterflies

This isn't just a guide to British butterflies, it is a lot more. Matthew Oates is the National Trust's, and one of Britain's, leading experts. He fell in love with butterflies, and particularly the purple emperor, at an early age, and has been following them all around Britain ever since.

Highly recommended. 

Read full review »
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Garden wildlife photos

Having taken 2-3 photos, I walked back towards the office, but just before I reached the door, I notice something buzzing around in front of the flowers. The buzz was actually the hum of the very distinctive Hummingbird Hawkmoth, the first we have seen here. 

A top 10 minutes. 

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Studying butterflies & moths

As the weather (eventually) warms up in spring, and the butterflies start to appear, how do we get youngsters more interested in the wildlife around us?
Read full review »
uk/uk_2010/glow_worm_Dave_Kilbey

Where to see glow worms in the UK

Once far more widespread than they are today, glow-worms have cast a spell over humans for centuries. Shakespeare mentions them in Hamlet and their soft glow on mid-summer nights must have seemed like a scene from a magical world.

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