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…

This distinctive bug is often seen basking on low-growing plants in spring and summer.

This unique fungus is one of the most sought after spring fungi of them all.

This metallic green beetle can be seen visiting flowers on sunny days in spring and summer.

Heralding spring, a carpet of sunshine-yellow lesser celandine flowers is a joy to see on a woodland walk. Look out for it along hedgerows, in parks and even in graveyards, too, from March onwards…

Perhaps the first sign that spring is just around the corner is the snowdrop poking its way through the frosted soil of a woodland, churchyard or garden. From January, look for its famous nodding…

This sponge is found on rocky shores around the UK and looks like a thick bready crust (if you use your imagination a bit!).

A member of the buttercup family, Common water-crowfoot displays white, buttercup-like flowers with yellow centres. It can form mats in ponds, ditches and streams during spring and summer.