Pond patrol
Discover some of the special species living in a garden pond, with entomologist Ben Keywood.
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Chwilio
Giant hogweed
As its name suggests, giant hogweed it a large umbellifer with distinctively ridged, hollow stems. An introduced species, it is an invasive weed of riverbanks, where it prevents native species…
Yellowhammer
Like many of our farmland birds, the yellowhammer has declined in number in recent years. Spot this bright yellow bird singing from the top of a bush or fence, or in a mixed-species flock in…
Sweet vernal-grass
Flowering in spring, the cylindrical, densely packed flower spikes of Sweet vernal-grass are easily spotted in a meadow. It also tastes of sweet vanilla and was once a favourite 'chewing…
Cowslip
One of our most familiar spring flowers, the cowslip brightens up ancient meadows and woodlands with its egg-yolk-yellow, nodding blooms.
Moths in the mail
As moths get the Royal Mail stamp of approval, we celebrate the ten special species they’ve chosen to spotlight.
Bringing beavers back to Wales
Beavers will help nature recover in Wales!
Beavers are very special animals because they play a vital role in restoring and managing river and wetland ecosystems. This creates diverse habitats for other species to thrive, benefiting a wide range of other animals and plants. Beavers are often referred to as a ‘keystone species’ or ‘nature’s engineers’ because of the positive impact they can have on the environment.
Beavers are very special animals because they play a vital role in restoring and managing river and wetland ecosystems. This creates diverse habitats for other species to thrive, benefiting a wide range of other animals and plants. Beavers are often referred to as a ‘keystone species’ or ‘nature’s engineers’ because of the positive impact they can have on the environment.
Bringing beavers back to Wales
Beavers will help nature recover in Wales!
Beavers are very special animals because they play a vital role in restoring and managing river and wetland ecosystems. This creates diverse habitats for other species to thrive, benefiting a wide range of other animals and plants. Beavers are often referred to as a ‘keystone species’ or ‘nature’s engineers’ because of the positive impact they can have on the environment.
Beavers are very special animals because they play a vital role in restoring and managing river and wetland ecosystems. This creates diverse habitats for other species to thrive, benefiting a wide range of other animals and plants. Beavers are often referred to as a ‘keystone species’ or ‘nature’s engineers’ because of the positive impact they can have on the environment.
Quaking-grass
As its name suggests, quaking-grass can be seen quivering or 'quaking' in a breezy, summer wildflower meadow. Its purple-and-green, heart-shaped flower heads hang from delicate stems.…
Common eelgrass
This seagrass species is a kind of flowering plant that lives beneath the sea, providing an important habitat for many rare and wonderful species.
Pepper saxifrage
Pepper saxifrage is a classic plant of unimproved hay meadows and roadside verges. It's upright, branching stems carry umbrella-like clusters of creamy-yellow, flowers in summer.
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…