As winter fades and the countryside awakens, one of the most uplifting signs of spring is the song of the skylark. This small, streaky brown bird can often be heard long before it is seen, filling…

Atlantic salmon have one of the most remarkable life cycles in the natural world. Born in the clean gravels of rivers like the River Itchen, these powerful fish travel thousands of miles across…

As flooding risks rise across the country we have put together some handy tips to help communities better prepare and cope with the risk of flooding.

Along hedgerows and woodland edges in early spring, an explosion of delicate white flowers against a backdrop of spiny branches takes place. This is blackthorn (Prunus spinosa), a familiar yet…

When winter settles in and insects vanish, some UK mammals either hibernate or slow their bodies to save fuel. The common shrew, Sorex araneus, however, keeps racing. This thumb sized hunter has…

The small tortoiseshell is one of the most recognisable butterflies in the UK. Its wings are a rich reddish-orange, marked with bold black patches and flashes of yellow on the forewings, while a…

As winter loosens its grip, one of the earliest signs of the changing season can be found quietly emerging from the ground. Snowdrops, with their distinctive nodding white flowers, begin to appear…

The dark-bellied brent goose is among the Solent’s most recognisable winter visitors. Smaller than many other geese, it is distinguished by its dark brown body, black neck and head, and a small…

For centuries we have known that chalk streams are often several kilometres longer in winter than in summer. In recent years however, it has become clear that the sections that go through flowing…

One of our most familiar birds is also one of our smallest. The wren (Troglodytes troglodytes) may be tiny, but during the winter months this charismatic bird proves that size is no barrier to…