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The Wildlife Trusts and the Greener NHS programme at NHS England are encouraging people to go wild for wellbeing this June by participating in the UK’s biggest nature challenge, 30 Days Wild 2023. The month-long initiative invites people of all ages to connect with nature in an easy and accessible way every single day throughout … Read more
Stag beetles are Britain’s largest land beetle, with males reaching up to 7.5 centimetres in size. They are also one of the most spectacular looking insects, with a male’s huge mandibles (antler-like jaws) making them easy to spot. Despite their appearance, stag beetles are harmless if left alone, and from mid-to-late-May are more likely to … Read more
The common pipistrelle bat is a very small species of bat that is native to the British Isles; in fact it is the smallest of the UK’s 18 species. It has a wing span of about 22 to 25 centimetres with an average life span of 4-5 years. It is a species of conservation concern … Read more
The robin is a familiar site in British gardens throughout the year, especially at Christmas. Males and females look identical, and young birds have no red colouring but are spotted with golden brown. They sing nearly all year round and are aggressively territorial. As well as being resident in gardens, robins also live in woodland, hedgerows … Read more
Native to mainland Britain, beavers are herbivores who were hunted to extinction in the 16th century for their fur, meat and scent glands. The loss of beavers led to the loss of the mosaic of lakes, meres, mires, tarns and boggy places that they were instrumental in creating, but they have since been re-introduced to Britain over the last … Read more
An international report focusing on the epic disappearance of plant and animal populations around the globe has been released by the IPBES this week. Backed by the UN, the report is the result of a 3-year study and shows how over a million species are threatened with extinction – more than at any other time … Read more
We share our land with some weird and wonderful wildlife here in the UK, including the wallaby, parakeet and coati, but just how they came to arrive on our shores may come as a surprise to some. The Siberian chipmunk is native to North European Russia and East Asia. Small colonies can now be found … Read more
Holiday rental provider Snaptrip.com is encouraging people to take a UK safari this summer after it was revealed that 82% of the nation has a clear lack of knowledge when it comes to native wildlife and where to spot it. With the help of the Marine Conservation Society, Snaptrip has created a beautifully hand-drawn illustrated map … Read more
In a real coup for nature lovers across the city, the Willow Emerald damselfly has been spotted at Tattenhoe Valley Park, The Parks Trust has announced. This is the first time this rare insect has been recorded in Milton Keynes and even Buckinghamshire as a whole. The Willow Emerald damselfly was spotted by one of The Parks … Read more
Get into the festive mood at WWT London Wetland Centre’s wonderful winter weekend on Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 December. Children will be thrilled to hop aboard for a husky sleigh ride, visit Santa in his magical grotto or, for the first time this year, enjoy a donkey ride. Head over to our northern pine … Read more
Over 150 Reindeer roam freely across our beautiful 30-acre site, which opens to the public for special events throughout the year. We are the only place in the country where visitors can see, fuss and even feed so many Reindeer of varying ages and types; from babies and young calves, to sleigh-pullers and our incredibly … Read more
In the wild, reindeer live between 10 and 20 years, with females outliving the males by up to 10 years. They live in large herds and migrate to breeding grounds where food is more plentiful. They are strong swimmers and readily cross rivers to reach their destination. They have an excellent sense of smell which … Read more
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