The kestrel is a familiar sight hovering over the side of the road, looking out for its favourite food: small mammals like field voles. It prefers open habitats like grassland, farmland and…

Spiny lobster, crawfish, crayfish, rock lobsters - many names, one animal! This pretty lobster was made extinct in many areas through overfishing, but is now making a slow comeback.

A well known inhabitant of UK seas, common lobsters can reach up to 60cm in length.

Native oysters are a staple of our seas and our plates - but our love of their taste has lead to a sharp decline all around the UK.

A bizarre half lobster/half crab, this squat lobster is one of the true stunners of the rocky shore!

Oyster mushrooms are shell shaped fungi that grow in tiers or fabulous clusters on dead trees or stumps. Unlike many fungi, these mushrooms are not seasonal and can be found all year round,…

The Common osier is a small willow tree that is found in fens and ditches, and on riverbanks. It has been widely cultivated and coppiced for its twigs, which are used in traditional basket-making…

The sinuous otter is an excellent swimmer and can be seen hunting in wetlands, rivers and along the coast - try the west coast of Scotland, West Wales, the West Country or East Anglia for the best…

This is a predominantly subtidal species but can be found on the lowest parts of a sheltered rocky shore in summer.

These feisty crustaceans are the ‘Houdinis’ of the rocky shore, evading capture as soon as disturbed!