Cattle egret
This small, white heron is an increasingly common sight in parts of the UK as it spreads north from continental Europe.
This small, white heron is an increasingly common sight in parts of the UK as it spreads north from continental Europe.
It’s easy to identify this distinctive skate from the black and yellow marbled eye spots on each wing.
The enigmatic golden eagle disappeared from England and Wales in the 19th century due to severe persecution. Scottish birds suffered from the use of pesticides in the 20th century. Luckily, golden…
One of the earliest moths to emerge each year, spending the winter as a pupa and flying from March to May.
This brown seaweed lives in the lower shore and gets its name from the serrated edges to its fronds.
This dainty white butterfly is now only found in a few parts of Britain, where it flutters slowly through woodland clearings.
This colonial creature looks like an old-fashioned quill - that's where the name sea pen comes from.
Swifts like to leave their nests by dropping into the air from the entrance. This is why they often choose to set up camp in the eaves of buildings. If you have a wall that's at least five…
The Bird's-nest orchid gets its name from its nest-like tangle of roots. Unlike other green plants, it doesn’t get its energy from sunlight. Instead, it grows as a parasite on tree roots, so…
Living up to its name, the oak apple gall wasp produces growths, or 'galls', on oak twigs that look like little apples. Inside the gall, the larvae of the wasp feed on the host tissues,…
Elise has been coming to Potted Histories for four years. The activities help her overcome the pain that arthritis causes her, and to cope better with her diabetes because being outside makes her…
The black sea bream really is a fascinating fish. From sex changes to nest building, this fish is full of surprises!