The tightly packed, thistle-like purple flower heads of common knapweed bloom on all kinds of grasslands. Also regularly called black knapweed, this plant attracts clouds of butterflies.

The smaller of our two UK seal species, common seals are also known as harbour seals. Despite being called "Common", they are actually less common than grey seals!

Heather is also called 'ling'. Look for it on our heaths, moors and bogs, where its delicate, loosely arranged pink flowers attract all kinds of nectar-loving insects.

The caterpillars of this fluffy white moth are best admired from a distance, as their hairs can irritate the skin.

This pretty, speckled moth is now a rare sight, found only in a few parts of southern England.

This unmistakable moth spends the winter as an adult, tucked away in a sheltered spot like a cave or outbuilding.

You're more likely to see the attractive, brightly coloured caterpillars than the mullein moth itself.

This beautiful moth is often found resting on leaves, though it does also fly during the day.

The sanderling scampers about the waves looking for marine crustaceans, fish and even jellyfish to eat. It visits the UK in winter from its Arctic breeding grounds, but can also be seen as it…

The UK hosts a small, but important, breeding population of ruff. The ruff is a large sandpiper that is so-called due to the large ruff of feathers around the males' neck. This is used in a…