Juniper shieldbug
As the name suggests, this shieldbug can often be found on juniper trees. Look out for its distinctive markings.
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Chwilio
Violet sea slug
Despite its dazzling colouration, this fabulous nudibranch can be easily missed, due to its small size!
Jack snipe
This well-camouflaged wader is a winter visitor to the UK, where it can be seen feeding on wetlands with a distinctive bobbing motion.
Local Wildlife Site Gems with Viv Geen
Here's the second of our ecological surveyor Viv Geen's blogs
My secret garden
Rowan loves the fresh smell and sight of the buttercups in the wildflower meadows at Besthorpe. It's a special place because there are precious few spots like this where she can spend time…
Red-breasted merganser
The streamlined red-breasted merganser is a handsome bird and a great fisher - its long, serrated bill helps it to catch and hold its slippery fish prey. It is most commonly spotted around the…
Carrion crow
The all-black carrion crow does not nest in colonies like the similar rook. It can be seen almost everywhere.
My city break
The hustle and bustle of city life melts away when Kathryn visits Camley Street Natural Park. Without leaving central London, she can go from man-made soaring skyscrapers to an oasis-like…
Batman hoverfly
This common hoverfly can be recognised by the dark markings behind its head, which often resemble the Batman logo.
Scotch argus
As the name suggests, this beautiful brown butterfly is most common in Scotland, though it can also be seen in northern England.
My Wild Kitchen
In 2021, Emily and her partner took on an allotment. It is an amazing space that has allowed Emily to be more sustainable whilst reaping the well-being benefits of nature. Their next plan is to…
Great northern diver
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.