Waders can be a tough group to define. The term is used to describe members of a number of bird families, all from the order Charadriiformes (which also includes gulls, terns, skuas, and auks). As the name suggests, most waders are usually found wading through shallow water, or along its muddy ...

Are birds of prey under threat? During the 20 th century, many of our birds of prey were persecuted to near extinction such as the white-tailed eagle, or severely suffered from the effects of organochlorine pesticides like DDT - such as the merlin. Today, massive conservation efforts offer them a lifeline. Not only are The Wildlife Trusts …

‘Garden birds’ are any species of bird that visit our gardens for food and shelter on a regular basis. Every garden attracts a different set of birds depending on the plants, trees and shrubs present, whether extra food is provided, what water sources there are, and what the surrounding habitats are like.

Owls are some of our most captivating birds. Their love of hunting at dawn, dusk and even in the dark gives them a sense of mystery. With a good view, it’s easy to tell an owl from any other bird of prey thanks to their large head with big, forward-facing eyes.

The Wildlife Trusts are a federation of 46 independent wildlife conservation charities covering the whole of the UK. We manage nature reserves, help children to learn about nature and campaign to protect our seas.

Great spotted woodpecker. The great spotted woodpecker is black and white, with white shoulder patches and red underneath the tail. Males have a red patch at the back of the head.

Found a bird skull or mammal bone in the UK? Our ID guide below has some of the most common animal skulls you might find. Even if you aren’t able to identify the species you can still tell some really interesting stuff about the animal and how it lives its life.

Gulls are members of a large, widespread family of seabirds. Often known as seagulls (though no species is actually called a seagull, and many are found far from the sea), they sometimes get a bad reputation for stealing chips. But gulls are intelligent, …

Each of the 46 Wildlife Trusts is an independent charity and together we employ more than 3,000 people. We are always looking for passionate, dedicated and resourceful people to join us.

Whether you are looking for a hike that lasts until sunset, a yomp through dense vegetation or a trek through some of the most remote and wild trails – our nature reserves have it all!