Guides, Books & Maps

Here we feature various different field guides, maps and other relevant content that you may find interesting.

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Wildlife of Britain and Ireland is a glorious visual testimony to the extraordinary scope and depth of the wildlife of the British Isles

RSPB Pocket Guide to British Birds is a compact, lightweight and informative field guide, featuring 310 bird species regularly seen in the UK

FIELD GUIDES & IDENTIFICATION

Comprehensive choice of field guides to British Wildlife

Mammals

Britains Mammals

A comprehensive and beautifully designed photographic field guide

Collins Complete Guide to British Wildlife

Well illustrated guide to every species of British wildlife

Mammal Tracks ID

Designed to be used outside: lightweight, rucksack-sized, splash-proof

Britains Habitats

A comprehensive and lavishly illustrated photographic guide-in a handy field-guide format

Birds

RSPB Pocket Guide to British Birds

Pocket guide version to British Birds

RSPB Handbook to British Birds

The larger handbook version of British Birds

The Owl Book

Stunning photography and fascinating facts, is a must-have for all owl lovers

RSPB Birdwatch Activity Book

Childrens birdwatching activity book with 170+ stickers

Insects

Concise Insect Guide

Practical pocket field guide including more than 180 species of insect

Field Studies Council: Bees of Britain

Designed to be used outside: lightweight, rucksack-sized, splash-proof

Others

Britains Reptiles & Amphibians

Produced in collaboration with the Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Trust

Collins Butterfly Guide

The Most Complete Guide to the Butterflies of Britain and Europe

River Habitats for Coarse Fish

How Fish Use Rivers and How We Can Help Them

Ponds and small lakes

Micro-organisms and freshwater ecology

MORE INTERESTING READS

More interesting Nature and wildlife related books

Chris Packham's Nature Handbook

Explore the wonders of the Natural World

The Life Trilogy Boxset

The greatest story ever told by David Attenborough (hardcover)

Wonderland

A Year of Britain's Wildlife, Day by Day

Unforgettable Behaviour

A collection of astonishing images of animal behaviour, from the award-winning Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition

Beekeeping for Beginners

Beekeeping for Beginners is a treasure trove of step-by-step instructions to help you build your first DIY beehive and nurture a flourishing honey bee colony

MAPS

Extensive mapping options available below including paper maps, free downloads and also modern GPS systems

OS Explorer Maps

OS Tour Maps

GPS Systems

Garmin GPSMAP 65s

Altimeter, Compass, Expanded Satellite Support - Multi-band Technology, impressive 2.6" Color Display

OTHER ITEMS THAT MAY BE OF INTEREST;

Various related items including clothing, packs and waterproof boots

Fjallraven Greenland Wax

A cost-effective and simple way to waterproof your clothing or walking boots

Fjallraven Pocket Bag

Small, durable pocket bag from Fjallraven

Sealskinz Waterproof Head Gaiter

Keep the rain out whilst wildlife watching with this waterproof head gaiter

Montane Dart XT Thermal Beanie

Simple and practical thermal beanie for those colder days

Harkila Reidmar Mid 2.0 GTX Boots

Waterproof walking boots without the messy laces

BINOCULARS

The following products are high-quality binoculars with premium optics and features

Nikon Sportstar Zoom Binoculars

Nikons Sportstar are lightweight spotter binoculars

Nikon Prostaff P7

High-end Nikon binoculars

Steiner Nighthunter

Suitable for low light conditions

Steiner Observer

Excellent wildlife-watching companion

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Beetles and Anti-gravity: How Elytra Help Nature's Most Successful Insects Take Flight

Few sights in the natural world are as familiar as a beetle crawling across a leaf before suddenly unfolding a pair of delicate wings and disappearing into the air. To many observers, this transformation seems almost magical. One moment the insect appears heavily armoured, protected by a tough shell; the next, it is flying with remarkable agility. This apparent contradiction has fascinated naturalists for centuries and continues to intrigue wildlife enthusiasts today. For those exploring Britain's woodlands, meadows, gardens and wetlands, beetles are impossible to ignore. They represent one of the largest and most diverse groups of animals on Earth, occupying almost every terrestrial habitat imaginable. Their extraordinary success is due to a combination of evolutionary innovations, but perhaps none is more distinctive than the elytra—the hardened forewings that shield their delicate flight wings. At first glance, these rigid covers might seem like they should make flight more dif...

Oldest Animal on Earth

The oldest known animal ever recorded depends on whether we’re talking about individual animals with a known lifespan or species with extreme longevity. Here’s a clear breakdown: By Individual Animal (Documented Age) • Ming the Quahog (clam) 507 years A deep-sea ocean quahog clam, discovered off the coast of the UK near Iceland, born ~1499, died 2006. Ming the Quahog is considered the longest-lived individual animal ever recorded. • George the Aldabra Tortoise 255 years (claimed) Giant tortoises often live 150–200+ years. George’s age is disputed but reflects the extreme longevity of tortoises. • Jonathan the Seychelles Giant Tortoise 190+ years Born ~1832, still alive as of 2025 on St. Helena. Longest-living known living terrestrial animal. • Greenland Shark 272+ years estimated Not an individual in captivity but age estimated via eye lens radiocarbon dating; slow-growing, long-lived fish species. By Species with Extreme Longevity Some species can live for centuries or mill...

When Birds Grieve: The Strange Behaviours of Grieving Birds

Birds are often treated as symbols of freedom, instinct, and simplicity—creatures driven by migration, food, and breeding cycles rather than inner emotional lives. Yet anyone who has spent time observing them closely may notice moments that seem to resist that assumption. A quiet stillness around a fallen companion. Repeated visits to a place where a bird has died. Unusual vocalisations, gathering, or agitation in species that are normally quick to move on. These behaviours have led researchers and observers to ask a difficult question: do birds grieve? The answer is not straightforward. Birds may not experience grief in the human sense, shaped by language, memory narratives, and abstract awareness of death. But in several species—particularly socially complex birds—there is strong evidence of behavioural responses to death that resemble mourning in structure, if not in subjective experience. In the UK, some of the clearest examples come from familiar species such as magpies, crow...

Structural Colouration in Butterfly Wings Explained

Structural Colouration in Butterfly Wings: The Science Behind Iridescent Beauty Discover how butterfly wings produce dazzling colours through structural colouration. Learn the science, mechanisms, and evolutionary purpose behind iridescent wings. Introduction: Why Butterfly Wings Shine Without Pigment Have you ever wondered why some butterfly wings shimmer like metal or change colour as they move? Surprisingly, this stunning display isn’t caused by pigments. Instead, it’s the result of structural colouration in butterfly wings, a fascinating natural phenomenon where microscopic structures manipulate light to produce vivid hues. From the electric blue of the Morpho butterfly to the metallic green of swallowtails, these colours are nature’s nanoscopic light show. In this article, we explore how structural colouration works, the optical mechanisms behind it, its biological roles, and why it inspires modern science. What Is Structural Colouration in Butterfly Wings? Structural c...

Nocturnal Animals UK List: A Complete Guide to Britain’s Night Wildlife

Nocturnal Animals UK List: A Complete Guide to Britain’s Night Wildlife The UK comes alive after dark. While most people are asleep, a wide range of fascinating animals begin their daily routines—hunting, feeding, and exploring under the cover of night. This guide provides a comprehensive nocturnal animals UK list, along with identification tips, habitats, and interesting facts to help you better understand Britain’s nighttime wildlife. What Are Nocturnal Animals? Nocturnal animals are species that are primarily active during the night and rest during the day. They have evolved special adaptations such as: • Enhanced night vision • Acute hearing or smell • Silent movement These traits help them survive and thrive in low-light environments. What is the difference between nocturnal and crepuscular animals? Nocturnal animals are active mainly at night. Crepuscular animals are active primarily at dawn and dusk. Some UK species, like foxes and deer, can show both behaviours...

Woodlark (Lullula arborea)

Woodlark (Lullula arborea) in the UK: In-Depth Guide The Woodlark (Lullula arborea) is one of Britain’s most enchanting yet overlooked songbirds. Despite its beautiful, fluted song and elegant aerial displays, it remains far less well known than other lark species such as the Skylark. This is largely due to its restricted distribution and preference for quiet, semi-wild landscapes such as heathlands and young forestry plantations. This in-depth guide covers Woodlark identification, UK distribution, habitat, behaviour, diet, breeding ecology, conservation status, and lesser-known facts, making it a comprehensive resource for anyone searching for information on this increasingly important UK species. What Is a Woodlark? The Woodlark is a small, ground-dwelling songbird in the lark family (Alaudidae). Unlike many open-country larks, it is strongly associated with heathland, forest clearings, and sandy soils with sparse vegetation. It is one of the UK’s most specialised br...

Goldcrest (Regulus regulus)

The Goldcrest: Britain's Smallest Bird and a Remarkable Woodland Survivor The Goldcrest (Regulus regulus) holds a special place in the natural history of the United Kingdom. As the smallest bird regularly found in Britain, this tiny woodland species captivates birdwatchers and wildlife enthusiasts with its energetic behaviour, delicate appearance, and surprising resilience. Despite weighing little more than a teaspoon of sugar, the Goldcrest survives harsh winters, undertakes seasonal movements across Europe, and thrives in a variety of habitats. Recognisable by its distinctive golden crown stripe and constant movement among branches and foliage, the Goldcrest is often easier to hear than to see. Its high-pitched calls reveal its presence in conifer plantations, mature woodlands, parks, and gardens throughout the UK. Although diminutive in size, the species demonstrates remarkable adaptations that enable it to flourish across a wide geographical range. Taxonomy and Classific...

Native Trees of Britain

This list follows the broadly accepted native tree flora of Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales), including species that naturally occur as trees. Where a species is extinct in the wild in Great Britain, that is noted. It is a list of all recognised native tree taxa in Great Britain, listed by genus, including: • true native species • widely accepted native microspecies (especially Sorbus / whitebeams) • endemic British Isles tree species • apomictic microspecies (where recognised by modern UK floras) Native trees of Great Britain — by genus 🌿 Alnus Alnus glutinosa (Common alder) 🍎 Malus Malus sylvestris (Crab apple) 🌲 Pinus Pinus sylvestris (Scots pine) 🌳 Populus Populus tremula (Aspen) Populus nigra subsp. betulifolia (Black poplar — very rare native) 🌿 Prunus Prunus avium (Wild cherry) Prunus padus (Bird cherry) 🍐 Pyrus Pyrus pyraster (Wild pear — extremely rare native) 🌳 Quercus Quercus robur (Pedunculate oak) Quercus petraea (Sessile oak) 🌿 Salix (willows) Salix al...

Ichneumon Wasps

Ichneumon Wasps in the UK: Guide to One of Nature’s Most Fascinating Parasitoids The Ichneumon wasps (family Ichneumonidae) are among the most diverse, widespread, and ecologically important insect groups in the UK. Despite their abundance and astonishing biological complexity, they remain poorly known outside naturalist circles. Many species are rarely noticed, yet they play a crucial role in controlling insect populations across British ecosystems. Ichneumon wasps are especially famous—and sometimes infamous—for their parasitoid lifestyle, in which their larvae develop inside or on other insects, ultimately leading to the host’s death. This makes them one of the most remarkable examples of evolutionary adaptation in British wildlife. This guide explores ichneumon wasp identification, UK diversity, lifecycle, behaviour, ecological role, conservation importance, and lesser-known facts. What Are Ichneumon Wasps? Ichneumon wasps belong to the family Ichneumonidae, one of the l...

Common Eider: A Complete Guide to Britain's Iconic Sea Duck

Common Eider: Identification, Habitat, Behaviour and Fascinating Facts About the UK's Heaviest Sea Duck The common eider is one of the most distinctive and remarkable sea ducks found around the United Kingdom. Known for its bulky appearance, soft cooing calls, and close association with cold northern seas, the eider is a specialist of coastal life and one of the best-adapted diving ducks in the world. Often seen bobbing in sheltered coastal waters, eiders are most famous for their extraordinary nesting behaviour, where females line their nests with soft down feathers that are among the warmest natural insulating materials known to science. This down has historically been harvested by humans, giving rise to the term "eiderdown." In the UK, eiders are most closely associated with Scotland’s rugged coastlines, where they breed in significant numbers. However, smaller populations and wintering birds can be found elsewhere around the British Isles. This guide explores common...

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