Wildlife Explorer

Tawny owls are the familiar brown owls of Britain’s woodlands, parks and gardens. They are known for their ‘too-wit too-woo’ song that…

As its name suggests, the common crossbill has a large bill that is crossed at the tip - perfect for picking the seeds out of pine cones…

This small duck is an uncommon winter visitor to the UK, where they're usually found on lakes, reservoirs and gravel pits.

This impressive beetle digs burrows, lays thousands of eggs and has bee-riding larvae.

The bright purple flowers of this perennial herb can be seen in a range of grassy places.

This dashing diving duck is a winter visitor to the UK's seas, coastal lakes and occasionally inland water bodies.

This common hoverfly is often seen visiting flowers. It's named for its stripy thorax, which looks a bit like a football shirt.

The subject of much myth and legend, and a herbal remedy, perforate St John's-wort is a familiar flower. It has star-shaped, bright…

This hefty diving bird is a winter visitor to the UK, where it can be seen around the coast or occasionally on large inland lakes.

The common octopus is a highly intelligent, active predator. It even has a secret weapon - special glands produce a venom that it uses…

One of the earliest moths to emerge each year, spending the winter as a pupa and flying from March to May.

Largely confined to the north of the UK, the rare pine marten is nocturnal and very hard to spot. Reintroductions are helping it make a…