Our largest shieldbug, the red-and-green hawthorn shieldbug can be seen in gardens, parks and woodlands, feeding on hawthorn, rowan and whitebeam. The adults hibernate over winter.

An attractive, green-and-yellow bird, the siskin regularly visits birdtables and feeders in gardens. Look for the bright yellow barring on its black wings, and the black crown of the males.

The coal tit is mainly found in coniferous woodland, but can also be spotted in gardens and parks. It is smaller than the great tit, but has a similar bicycle pump-like song.

Great mullein is an impressive, tall plant of waste ground, roadside verges and gardens. Its candle-like flower spikes rise from rosettes of furry, silver-green leaves.

These gruesome sounding creatures are actually a type of coral! They get their name as they branch out into lobes as they grow - making them look like fingers on a hand.

This black and grey solitary bee takes to the wing in spring, when it can be seen buzzing around burrows in open ground.

A non-native species originating from Asia, the harlequin ladybird is prevalent in towns and gardens.

This tiny wading bird is most often seen in autumn, feeding on the muddy margins of wetlands.

Wild privet is a shrub of hedgerows, woodlands and scrub, but is also a popular garden-hedge plant. It has white flowers in summer and matt-black berries in winter that are very poisonous.

This distinctive moth is a common sight in gardens and around houses, where it's often attracted to lights.

This streaky brown bird is a winter visitor, occasionally found walking around the muddy margins of marshes.