Sandwich tern
Found around our coasts during the breeding season, the large Sandwich tern can be spotted diving into the sea for fish such as sandeels. It nests in colonies on sand and shingle beaches, and…
Chwilio
Speckled wood butterfly - Vicky Nall
Chwilio
Spiral wrack
This brown seaweed lives high up on rocky shores, just below the high water mark. Its blades are usually twisted, giving it the name Spiral Wrack.
Shag
Shag' is a very old name that means 'tufted' and refers to the small crest that this bird sports. Look out for it in spring and summer either diving for fish from the surface of the…
Shoresearch Cymru rocky shore surveys November 2021
Now we’re properly into winter, we’re expecting to see less living on shore, especially in terms of some algae. This month we tried a different approach with our volunteers and were rewarded…
Calaminarian grassland
This is a strange, sparse habitat of grassland growing on old mining tracks and slag heaps, on river gravels and naturally exposed metal-rich soils in the mountains. Only the toughest metal-loving…
Guillemot
Guillemots really know how to live life on the edge – quite literally! They nest tightly packed on steep ledges and cliffs around the coast. This may sound like a strange nesting spot, but it…
The Wildlife Trusts’ marine review 2023
Sensational bait ball spectacles at sea, new marine protection and hope for whales and bluefin tuna. The Wildlife Trusts’ annual round-up of life in UK seas presents tales of hope and heartache…
Water rail
From grunts and groans, to 'purring' and 'piglet squealing', the water rail is more often heard than it is seen! This shy bird lives in reedbeds and wetlands, hiding among the…
What is a Nudibranch?
Nudibranchs, also known as sea slugs, are much like their land-based relatives that you may spot in your garden. But, unlike your regular garden slug, the nudibranch can incorporate the stinging…
Orange underwing
This birch-loving moth can be seen flying on sunny days in early spring.
Large heath
This bog-loving butterfly is mostly found in the north of the UK, where it takes to the wing in summer.
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.