UK Nature through the seasons

Awaken your senses and get inspired by what the UK has to offer throughout the year.

The UK is extraordinarily diverse, with low-lying countryside through gentle heath, harsh remote moorland, rolling hills and mellow river valleys to impressive glaciated mountains cut through by tumbling streams. From Dartmoor to the Cairngorms our small island is home to a plethora of wildlife, including deer, otters, mountain hare, orca, pine martens, and 600 species of birds. ^[1]

Autumn

Marvel at our autumn colours, as the leaves on our deciduous trees turn a glorious yellow, orange and red. Take a trip to a local deer park and listen out for the roar of red deer stags in rut. Or go on a nature-inspired treasure hunt and spot the gleam of an acorn or ‘conker’ among the mosaic of fallen leaves.

What to spot in the Autumn months

Red deer

Autumn signals the most significant time of the year for red deer (the UK’s largest land mammal): their mating season, or the ‘red deer rut’. Red deer stags will channel all their energy into competing for hinds (female deer). It’s a high stakes scenario – only the victorious stag will get to assemble a harem (group of hinds), which they will proceed to guard at all times. The dramatic displays of dominance are less about actual violence, but rather audible (stags emit loud, grunting noises) and visual threats, like ripping up vegetation and ‘strutting’ around, sizing one another up. They clash their sharp antlers together, which can result in injury. The rut takes its toll: within a few weeks, stags may lose a quarter of their body weight.^[2],[3]
Hedgehog

The onset of autumn is a crucial time for hedgehogs, as they are one of the few UK species to hibernate in the winter, so in autumn they are working hard to fatten up and ready themselves for their winter hibernation. During this time, hedgehogs will feast on autumn insects and sift through autumn leaves for nest building materials. Hedgehogs typically hibernate from autumn through to spring (October – March) but this can vary depending on the temperature and food availability. This is because a hedgehog’s diet consists largely of invertebrates which hide away during the colder winter period. ^[4]
Conkers

Conkers - the glossy brown seeds of the horse chestnut tree - ripen in autumn and fall to the ground during September and October. Look for them around the scattered base of the trees – the spiky outer casing will often be split open, showing the glossy brown seeds inside. ^[5]
Acorns

English oaks can grow to a very old age, many living well over 500 years and some thought to be nearly 1,000 years old! They can support a mighty 2,300 wildlife species, providing spaces to eat, shelter and breed. Acorns are the fruit of oak trees that fall to the ground in autumn. Young acorns are green and can usually be seen from August. As they mature, they turn brown, before falling to the ground in autumn. Most acorns will never get the chance to germinate as they are a rich food source, eaten by many wild creatures: birds like the rook, nuthatch and the jay as well as mammals such as mice, squirrels, badgers and deer.^[5]
The jay

The  jay (Garrulus glandarius - which means chattering acorn gatherer) is a real acorn enthusiast, burying any it can’t eat to store them for later. It remembers where most of them are, but any left behind have chance to grow into new oak trees that you never know, might live for another 1,000 years!

Find out more

Things to do in the Autumn

© Shutterstock / arturaska / WWF

More Close
Visit a deer park near you

Why not take yourself off to a local park or nature reserve that is home to a population of red deer and witness the spectacle of the rutting season for yourself. It's important to keep a respectful distance from the action, especially if you’re trying to take photographs. Do not approach any deer to within closer than 50m, and stay at least 100m from rutting deer.
© Ben Andrew (rspb-images.com)

More Close
Help the hedgehogs

You can help hedgehogs during this time by building a hedgehog house – log piles, garden branches and sticks, as well as compost heaps – all good options for providing space for hedgehogs to nest. Resist tidying away fallen autumn leaves (especially oak, hazel and beech) – hedgehogs use these to build their cosy nests.
© Karen-Cann-unsplash

More Close
Play Conkers

Play conkers with friends and family. If you’re collecting conkers to play, go for the ripe ones on the ground. Conkers still on the tree will likely still be very solid, which aren’t the safest for a conker fight!

Winter

During the short winter days it's important for our wellbeing that we stay connected with the natural world. Step outside and see your breath condense in the crisp winter air, spot lacy spider webs sparkling with frost, or wrap up warm and find a starling murmuration. While a hush might fall upon wild areas in winter, listen out for the song of a robin, or the crunch of icy puddles or frozen grass underfoot.

What to spot during the winter months

Robin

The robin redbreast is a welcome splash of natural colour at this time of year and is a common symbol of winter. The robin is one of our few bird species to sing throughout winter. This is thought to be a way of maintaining territories ready for the breeding season.^[6],[7],[8]
Starlings

In winter, the UK’s starling population grows as migrating starlings arrive from the colder regions of northern and eastern Europe to the milder climate of the British Isles. In the evening, as the skies start to darken, birds will flock together and soar above their roosting sites before they settle down for the night. In groups of many thousands, the birds fly in unison, creating mesmerising swirling patterns that grow and shrink as flocks merge together. This group behaviour creates a wonderful natural sound, as the birds dip and dive and rush past as one. These ‘murmurations’ are one of the UK’s greatest wildlife spectacles, and take place from autumn through to early spring, with winter being the best time to see them. It is thought this swirling spectacle of complex patterns of thousands of birds is a way to confuse predators.
Otter

Winter is a good time to spot animal tracks – preserved in the frozen ground! A typical otter paw print features five toes and sometimes shows the webbing. You should also keep an eye out for marks left by their tails scraping the ground, evidence of mudslides along the water’s edge, and otter droppings which will contain fish bones and scales.
Otters in Britain are, for the most part, nocturnal or crepuscular (which means active at dawn or dusk). However, the lower availability of food in the wintertime prompts more of them to hunt during the daytime, so you may get an opportunity to see them at this time of year – if you’re quiet and very lucky! ^[9],[10]
Barn owls

Winter is a good time of year to see a barn owl, as they spend a lot of their time hunting in order to survive the cold winter weather. They are most active at dusk, but due to scarcity of prey, barn owls may also hunt during the day in search of an extra meal. They are renowned for their silent flight, but their call is not so subtle – keep an ear out for their haunting screeches breaking the winter stillness. ^[11]
Great spotted woodpecker

Although great spotted woodpeckers are active all year round, late winter is a great time to hear and see this striking woodland bird, as the sound of their drumming may carry further through the winter hush which falls upon our woodlands (as many species lie dormant) and the bare trees make them easier to spot too!
Flitting from tree to tree in their (preferred) broadleaved woodland habitat, woodpeckers use their long, sticky tongues to feed on beetle larvae, caterpillars, spiders, and sometimes seeds and nuts. Their iconic drumming is mainly used for communication, especially marking out their territories. These striking birds have white cheeks with black lines running from their strong beaks – a little bit like a mask - and males have a distinctive bright red patch on the back of their neck.^{[12], [13]}

Find out more

Things to do in Winter

© Ola Jennersten / WWF-Sweden

More Close
Find a starling murmuration

Wrap up warm and arrive at least half an hour before sundown, find a good spot where you can see both the roost site and the sky above, and witness one of the UK’s most magical wildlife spectacles. You can find out more on the Wildlife Trust website.
Wildlife Trust
© Silverback Films / WWF-UK

More Close
Go for a winter walk

A winter walk next to a local canal or river, or through a local park or forest can be an invigorating adventure – and help blow away those mid-winter cobwebs!
© Global Warming Images / WWF

More Close
Make a wreath from holly

Holly is a popular symbol of Christmas but also the winter months. Its glossy deep green leaves and bright crimson berries are classic colours of the season and are often used to adorn our festive items, like wreaths. Be sure to wear gloves so you don't cut your hands, and please forage responsibly, making sure to leave plenty behind for nature. See the Woodland Trusts Foraging Guidelines for help.
Remember: holly berries are toxic to people and pets – this festive plant is purely for decoration!
© Anne Coatesy / Shutterstock

More Close
Help the Robins

In winter, like other small birds, robins seek to get the most energy from their food. Sunflower hearts are a great choice for them, offering high nutritional value. They also enjoy fat balls and are particularly fond of mealworms.

Spring

Now in March, spring is in full swing. With the chilliest days almost behind us, its the perfect chance to soak up the energy of the natural world awakening. It’s an ideal time to step outside, helping us feel refreshed and restored after a long winter. Look to the skies for swallows, dipping and diving as they catch insects on the wing. Wander through ancient woodlands, where stunning carpets of bluebells or wood anemones paint the forest floor. Or visit a local wetland and listen closely for the distinctive, echoing boom of a Bittern.

What to spot during the spring months

Swallow

With spring in full swing, swallows make their long journey back to the UK from their winter refuge in Africa. They build sturdy nests of mud and straw on outcrops or ledges of buildings or other spots they deem suitable. Swallows have glossy dark – almost blue – feathers on their topside. Their underside is white, with a splash of dark red on their forehead and throat.^[14]
Bluebells

Woodlands draped in a carpet of bluebells are a stunning display of springtime beauty. Bluebells are perennial, which means they you won’t see them above ground over winter, before they bloom in the springtime to soak up energy from the sun.^[15]
Swifts

Fair-weather birds, swifts return to the UK from Africa in early May where they stay to breed and make use of the summer riches – warm weather, insects hatching – before departing again in August. The arrival of swifts is often celebrated as a sign that summer is around the corner. Swifts are sooty brown all over, and their arched wings give the look of a tailed boomerang as they soar, dip and dive through the skies. Swifts spend almost all their time in the air, including to drink and eat – even sleep! They only touchdown to nest. This means you’ll never see them perched on wires or other resting spots, which differentiates them from their lookalikes: swallows.^{[16],[17],[18]}
Fox cubs

After their mating season in January – marked by screeching calls – most vixens (female foxes) will give birth in March. Cubs are born extremely vulnerable – deaf and blind, and relying on their mother for warmth. She will keep them hidden within the den, rarely leaving them. By May, however, the den will be alive with boisterous activity as the cubs, now confident enough to venture above ground, begin to explore. They will tumble and chase each other near the entrance. Their playful antics will be most noticeable at dawn and dusk. If disturbed, the fox family will relocate to a new home.^[19]

Find out more

Things to do in the Spring

© Global Warming Images / WWF

More Close
Find a bluebell meadow

Keep an eye out for bluebells blooming along hedgerows, gardens and fields. For a vivid violet sea of bluebells, consider a visit to your nearest ancient woodland, where the rich, undisturbed soils provide the perfect conditions for bluebells to flourish.
© Andrew Parkinson

More Close
Look out for cygnets

After the pens (female swans) lay their eggs around April, the first cygnets hatch in May and continue through June. A whole clutch of eggs – usually around 5 to 12 – will typically hatch within a 24-hour period. See if you can spot any at your local lake. It’s best not to get too close – parent swans are particularly territorial during breeding season and can be quite feisty when defending their young.
© David Bebber / WWF-UK

More Close
Build a small pond in your garden

You can find frogspawn and tadpoles in ponds at this time of year. See if you can spot that at a local lake. The best way to admire frogspawn is to look from a distance; please don’t be tempted to shift the gloopy mass from one pond to another.

Summer

Summer is here at last, bringing longer days and the welcome warmth of the sun. The sweet scent of honeysuckle and elderflower will fill the air, while bees and other pollinators flit between flowers, drawn by the promise of nectar. Keep an eye out for butterflies basking on sun-soaked surfaces, warming their wings before taking flight. With the milder weather, you might just be able to catch a glimpse of a badger, more active after a quiet winter and spring. Listen closely for the distinctive call of the cuckoo, back in the UK after a long migration.

What to spot during the summer months

Badgers

June and July are the best months to spot these elusive woodland dwellers – and the UK’s largest land predator. Badgers are nocturnal, so will rarely be seen out and about during the day. However, during the warmer summer months, they may be seen foraging in the daylight, just before sunset. Badgers are a territorial social species. Their clans consist of around four to eight individuals. They live in underground in a network of burrows and tunnels, known as a badger ‘sett’. ^[20]
Cuckoo

Cuckoos are dove-sized. They have a grey head with a bright yellow ring around their eye and yellow feet, with a black beak. Despite their beloved ‘cuckoo’ call, these summertime visitors have a dark reputation as “brood parasites”. Rather than building their own nests, the cunning cuckoo will make use of nests crafted by other birds, especially Meadow Pipits, Dunnocks and Reed Warblers. The female cuckoo will remove one of the existing eggs and lay her own in its place. After about 12 days, the imposter egg will hatch, and the young cuckoo chick will push the host’s own young out of the nest. Now the sole resident of the nest, it will consume all the food brought by the host parents, who thinks the chick is one of her own.^[21],[22]
Wildflowers

Common Knapweed - this thistle-like plant is a common site in the British summertime! In July, you’ll likely spot it blooming alongside roadside verges, cliff tops, and other grasslands. A valuable source of nectar, which attracts all sorts of vital pollinators including bees and butterflies.
Meadowsweet - its flowers look like fluffy cream-coloured bunches on tall stems. The larvae of many moth species rely on meadowsweet for food, including the emperor moth, mottled beauty, and satellite.
Kingfisher

August is a great time of year to try your luck at spotting the charismatic kingfisher. During summertime, parent birds are busy feeding their chicks, meaning they’ll be out and about in search of prey more often. Kingfishers are small birds. They have a wingspan of about 25cm and body length of 16cm, making them only slightly larger than a robin. Kingfishers are active near rivers, canals and wetlands. They’re shy, elusive birds, and move incredibly quickly, so you’ll need to stay very quiet to maximise your chances of spotting one! ^{[23],[24],[25]}
Basking Sharks

Basking sharks are the largest fish in UK seas, reaching up to 12m in length (about the same length as a double decker bus). They are the second largest fish globally, behind whale sharks. These endangered sharks can appear quite intimidating, but you needn’t fear them - they only feed on zooplankton! They filter the plankton out of the water by swimming with their huge mouths open wide. Basking sharks are most commonly seen in British coastal waters in summertime (between May and September). They arrive to feed in warmer waters, but potentially also to mate.^[26],[27]

Find out more

Things to do in the summer

© Joseph Gray / WWF-UK

More Close
Spot dragonflies and damselflies

June is also the time to watch for dragonflies and damselflies. Spot these iridescent aerial insects hovering over ponds, as well as moorlands, feeding on flies and midges.
© SCOTLAND: The Big Picture / naturepl.com / WWF

More Close
Spot juvenile lizards

August brings the exciting chance of spotting juvenile lizards. Common lizards are viviparous, which means they give birth to live young. After mating season in late spring, the young lizards develop inside the female. She’ll then ‘birth’ her young in late summer.
© Nadin Thomson / Unsplash

More Close
Make or buy a bird bath

In the heat birds can struggle to cool down. If you have a bird bath you can help them by making sure to top it up to help them cool off and stay hydrated. You can always make one if you don't want to buy one.