Your Guide to Wildlife in the UK

This page is your hub for UK wildlife, currently with a focus on birds and insects (butterflies, dragonflies and damselflies), plus a few mammal encounters. 

You'll find a mix of ID guides, species stories and photo tips you can use on your own local walks. 

New to this? Start with what bird is this? and how to identify wild birds. 

Most of what you’ll find here comes from everyday walks in the East of England – along rivers, over the fens, through small woods and village greens – along with some trips further afield.

These are the kinds of places many of us have close to home, and the species here will be familiar across much of the UK.

Whether you’re just beginning to notice the birds in your garden or already heading out with binoculars and a camera, the aim is simple: help you notice a little more each time you step outside.

Use the links below to:

  • Learn how to identify birds and insects
  • Dive into photo-led trip stories
  • Pick up practical tips for watching and photographing wildlife

All guides encourage respectful wildlife watching: keep your distance, stay on paths where requested, follow local access rules, and never disturb nests or young animals.

Bird Identification & Guides

Birds are often the easiest way to begin getting to know UK wildlife. They’re visible, noisy and happy to share our gardens, parks and towpaths.

If you’ve ever thought “I wish I knew what that was”, these are good first steps:

Bird and question mark icon - link to 'What Bird Is This?' guide.

What Bird Is This?

Identify common British garden birds by sight and sound.

Birdwatching binoculars and field guide icon - link to How to Identify Wild Birds.

Identify Wild Birds

Simple identification techniques help you add new species to your list.

Mallard duck illustration - link to Guide to Ducks in the UK.

Ducks in the UK

Learn about common duck species found across the UK throughout the seasons.


Look Closer at Bird Features

Once you’re comfortable with a few familiar species, looking at beaks and feathers makes identification much easier.

Use these guides to focus on the details:

Bird beak icon - link to guide on how to read bird beak types.

Bird Beak Types

Learn how different beak shapes reveal how a bird feeds and lives.

Patterned bird feather icon - link to guide on Understanding Bird Feather Patterns.

Bird Feather Patterns

Learn about the different types of feathers, their patterns and colours.

Bird Species Spotlights

These guides each focus on a single bird, told through one of my own encounters. Expect a mix of behaviour notes, ID tips, and plenty of photos. Pick whichever bird catches your eye:

Common Chiffchaff perched on a lichen-covered branch - link to species guide.

Common Chiffchaff

Listen for the distinctive 'chiff-chaff' song and learn key ID features to spot this common warbler

Common Cranes displaying in a wetland habitat at Nene Washes - link to comeback story.

Common Crane

The inspiring story of their return to the Cambridgeshire Fens, after 400 years.

Great Crested Grebe swimming with a chick riding on its back - link to breeding diary.

Great Crested Grebe

Follow their fascinating breeding season in this photo diary from Barnwell, Northamptonshire.

Mute Swan gliding on water with reflection - link to species page.

Mute Swan

Learn all about this beautiful bird and how to photograph it. But beware, it may not be as serene as you think.

Osprey in flight against a blue sky - link to Rutland Water page.

Osprey

Rutland Water's successful reintroduction of this fish eating bird of prey is told while cruising the reservoir.

Butterflies, Dragonflies & Photo Guides

Wildlife watching isn’t only about birds.

Once you start looking closely at hedgerows, meadows and ponds, a whole world of wings appears – butterflies, dragonflies and damselflies, each with their own character.

This section mixes trip reports with practical photography advice, so you can enjoy the stories and learn how to photograph these fast-moving subjects yourself:

Purple Emperor butterfly resting on the ground with wings open - link to Fermyn Woods page.

Purple Emperor Butterfly

Seeking this elusive woodland species at Fermyn Woods.

Swallowtail butterfly feeding on a white flower - link to species page.

Swallowtail Butterfly

Adventures searching for this rare beauty in the Norfolk Broads.

Close-up of a Ruddy Darter dragonfly perched on vegetation - link to Dragonfly & Damselfly Photos page.

Dragonfly & Damselfly Photos

A gallery and tips for photographing these aerial acrobats.

Close-up photo of a Brown Argus butterfly with wings open - link to Butterfly Photography Guide.

Butterfly Photography Guide

Techniques and advice for capturing stunning butterfly images.

Beyond Birds: Mammals and Other Wildlife

Birds (and the insects that share their spaces) feature heavily on this site, but they’re only part of the story. Over time, this section will grow to include more mammal and other wildlife encounters.

So far you can read about:

Fallow deer at RSPB Fowlmere 

Roe deer on a winter sunrise walk 

A fox by the lighthouse at Spurn Point

As new wildlife pages appear, they’ll be gathered here so you can explore more of the animals you might meet on your own walks.

The UK’s wildlife offers endless chances for discovery, even on short local walks. I hope these guides and stories give you ideas for your own trips – and the confidence to step off the main path and look more closely.

Whenever you’re ready to go deeper, come back to this page, pick another link, and see what else you can find.

Photo of Carol

About the Author

For me, it’s never been just about bird names or camera settings, but the thrill of seeing a distant speck turn into a hunting kestrel.

After years of learning how to notice and photograph those moments, my camera has become the tool - and this site the field notebook - where I share what I’ve discovered.

If you’re ready to look a little closer, you’ll find the trips, lessons, and small wins that can help you see and photograph the wildlife right on your doorstep.

Read more about me

Step Behind the Wild Lens

If you’ve enjoyed your time here, you can also follow along by email.

I send the Wild Lens newsletter occasionally. It’s where I share:

  • Fresh field notes and recent encounters
  • The stories behind favourite photos
  • Practical tips that don’t always make it onto the site

You’ll get new UK wildlife guides, photo tips, and ideas for your next walk, straight to your inbox.

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