{"id":28816,"date":"2023-07-08T07:45:45","date_gmt":"2023-07-08T05:45:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.countryfile.com\/?p=147979"},"modified":"2023-07-08T08:39:31","modified_gmt":"2023-07-08T06:39:31","slug":"woodland-animals-12-spectacular-species-to-spot","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/rss_feed\/woodland-animals-12-spectacular-species-to-spot\/","title":{"rendered":"Woodland animals: 12 spectacular species to spot"},"content":{"rendered":"

Our woodlands and forests are home to a huge range of mammals, birds and insects. Discover which animals live in UK woodlands with BBC Countryfile Magazine’s wildlife guide. <\/p>

By Megan Shersby\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Saturday, 08 July 2023 at 12:00 am<\/p>

\n\n

Beneath the swaying canopies of Britain\u2019s woodlands, and sometimes skimming over the top of them, lives a diverse array of fauna, from snuffling badgers<\/a> and hopping red squirrels<\/a>, to fluttering butterflies<\/a> and drumming bush-crickets<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The names bestowed upon some species give you a hint that they have a strong association with trees and woodlands \u2013 treecreeper, woodcock, hazel dormouse and oak bush-cricket, to name a few.<\/p>\n

This guide introduces you to some animal species that you might spot on your next woodland wander. What you can see will vary depending on the season, but there is always something to grab the senses.<\/p>\n

Interested in learning more about wildlife identification? Check out our guides to beautiful butterflies<\/a>, fantastic fungi<\/a> and wonderful wildflowers<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Find a woodland or forest near you<\/h4>\n

Emerse yourself in trees with our guide to the most spectacular forests and woodlands<\/a> to visit in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.<\/p>\n

<\/p><\/div>

\""Dartmoor\"<\/div><\/div> <\/div> <\/section>

Woodland animals<\/h2>\n

Roe deer (Capreolus capreolus<\/em>)<\/h3>\n
\""Roe\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Male roe deer bucks have small antlers\/Credit: Getty<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Once extinct across England, Wales and southern Scotland and reintroduced to parts of England in the 19th century, the roe deer is now the mostly distributed deer species in the country. It is closely associated with woodland, but can be seen in fields when feeding. Males (bucks) have relatively small antlers compared to other deer, with up to three points, which are cast in November to December. Both females (does) and males have white rumps and will bark if startled.<\/p>\n

British deer guide<\/h4>\n

Just six species of deer live in the British countryside, but it can often be difficult to tell which is which \u2013 learn all about these spectacular animals with our deer identification guide<\/a>, plus discover the best places to see the autumn deer rut<\/a>.<\/p>\n

<\/p><\/div>

\""Red\"<\/div><\/div> <\/div> <\/section>

European badger (Meles meles<\/em>)<\/h3>\n
\""Badger\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The European badger is nocturnal, but can sometimes be seen in the daytime\/Credit: Getty<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

The European badger is one of our most well-known animals \u00ad\u2013 even if it\u2019s rarely seen. A nocturnal species, you may be lucky to spot a family group emerging from a sett before sunset on warm sunny days in summer and early autumn. But care must be taken to never disturb badgers or their setts, as they are protected and it is illegal to do so. Look out for field signs<\/a> such as large five-toed footprints, and communal latrines.<\/p>\n

Both the European badger and the roe deer are examples of tautonyms<\/a>, where the genus and species name are the same.<\/p>\n

Badger guide<\/h4>\n

Learn more about Britain\u2019s largest land carnivore \u2013 and why they are are so controversial \u2013 with our badger guide<\/a>, including where they live, diet and how to see them in the wild.<\/p>\n

<\/p><\/div>

\""Badger\"<\/div><\/div> <\/div> <\/section>

Red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris<\/em>)<\/h3>\n
\""Red\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Britain\u2019s native red squirrel is now one of the UK\u2019s most endangered species\/Credit: Getty<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Reduced in distribution and population size by the introduction of the non-native grey squirrel, the native red squirrel can require some careful planning to see. Unlike the grey, it spends more time in the trees and doesn\u2019t come down to the ground as often. It can be found in a variety of woodland types, where it feeds on fruit, bark, lichen<\/a>, seeds and nuts<\/a>. The latter are buried during autumn in preparation for food scarcity in winter.<\/p>\n

Red squirrel guide<\/h4>\n

Catching sight of the distinctive copper fur of the red squirrel is a special moment. Our expert guide to red squirrels<\/a> explains the key differences between grey and red squirrels, characteristics of each species and the best places to see them in the UK.<\/p>\n

<\/p><\/div>

\""Red\"<\/div><\/div> <\/div> <\/section>

Hazel dormouse (Muscardinus avellanarius<\/em>)<\/h3>\n
\""A\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
A young hazel dormouse peering out through the leaves of a beech tree in Leigh Woods, Bristol\/Credit: Getty<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Weighing no more than 40g, the little hazel dormouse is one of our cutest woodland residents \u2013 maybe even out of all our UK fauna. Its diet changes throughout the year, depending on what\u2019s available in the woodland. In spring when it emerge from hibernation, it feeds on flowers, adding caterpillars<\/a> to its diet in summer, and then moving onto nuts<\/a>, seeds and berries in autumn. This species is elusive, so look out for field signs such as nests and nibbled hazel nuts<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Eurasian treecreeper (Certhia familiaris<\/em>)<\/h3>\n
\""Eurasian\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The Eurasian treecreeper is common and widespread in the UK, but it can be hard to spot\/Credit: Getty<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Well-named for its habit of creeping up tree trunks and branches, the treecreeper feeds on small insects. It will start at the base of tree and gradually work its way up, sometimes spiralling round the tree as it goes up, searching for food amongst the crevices of the bark to pick out insects with its long, downcurved bill. Whilst common and widespread, it can be hard to spot thanks to its mottled brown feathers.<\/p>\n

Tawny owl (Strix aluco<\/em>)<\/h3>\n
\""A\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
You\u2019re more likely to hear a tawny owl than see one\/Credit: Getty<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

With its distinctive \u2018tu-wit, tu who\u2019 and \u2018keewik\u2019 calls, the tawny owl is more easily heard than seen, despite being the most common owl species in the UK. The species is nocturnal, spending the day roosting in a tree \u2013 if you\u2019re lucky you might spot one, or a collection of its coughed-up pellets near its roosting site. The tawny owl is normally found in broadleaved woodland, but can be in farmland and large urban parks.<\/p>\n

Owls to spot in Britain<\/h4>\n

The season of darkness and mystery belongs to the owls. Learn more about these nocturnal predators with our guide to the UK\u2019s most common owl species<\/a>, including where to see and how to identify.<\/p>\n

<\/p><\/div>

\""Barn\"<\/div><\/div> <\/div> <\/section>

Eurasian woodcock (Scolopax rusticola<\/em>)<\/h3>\n
\""Eurasian\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The Eurasian woodcock is well camouflaged among autumn leaves\/Credit: Getty<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Unusually for a wader, the woodcock lives in woodlands and is a nocturnal species. It has a mottled brown plumage that helps it blend into the leaf litter, where it spends its days and builds its nests. A recent study found that that the feathers in the underside of its tail are the brightest feathers in existence, which may play a role in the courtship behaviour where a male puts on a display called \u2018roding\u2019 to attract a female.<\/p>\n

Speckled wood butterfly (Pararge aegeria<\/em>)<\/h3>\n
\""Speckled\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The speckled wood is a common butterfly often found in woodlands\/Credit: Getty<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Widespread across much of the UK, the speckled wood butterfly actually had a contraction of its range in the late 1800s and early 1900s and has gradually been recolonising since. As the name suggests, it is a woodland butterfly and is often seen fluttering amongst sun-dappled undergrowth or feeding from aphid honeydew. The male holds a territory, often perching in a sunny spot to keep an eye out for intruders which it will then fight.<\/p>\n

UK butterflies<\/h4>\n

Britain is home to 59 species of butterfly, which all play an important role in pollination. In our expert guide to British butterflies<\/a>, we take a look at butterfly identification, common butterfly species, how long butterflies live, and where to see them in the UK.<\/p>\n

<\/p><\/div>

\""Common\"<\/div><\/div> <\/div> <\/section>

Orange ladybird (Halyzia sedecimguttata<\/em>)<\/h3>\n
\""Orange\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The orange ladybird is usually found on\u00a0sycamore and ash trees\/Credit: Getty<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Bright orange in colour with creamy-white spots, the orange ladybird is associated with sycamore and ash trees, where it feeds on the leaves\u2019 mildew. The scientific name points to how many spots it has, up to 16, as \u2018sedecim\u2019 is Latin for sixteen and is often shortened to 16-guttata. Look out for this ladybird between April and October, or over winter in leaf litter. It can be confused with the cream-spot ladybird, but that has a darker red-brown body.<\/p>\n

Forest bug (Pentatoma rufipes<\/em>)<\/h3>\n
\""Forest\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The forest bug is also known as the red-legged shieldbug\/Credit: Getty<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

This large brown shieldbug, measuring up to 15mm in length, is well-named in two respects. As the \u2018forest bug\u2019, it is usually associated with oak<\/a> and broad-leaved woodlands, as well as gardens. It mainly feeds on the sap of deciduous trees such as oak, alder and hazel. It is also known by an alternative name of the \u2018red-legged shieldbug\u2019, named for its orange-red coloured legs. Look out for the adults between July and late autumn.<\/p>\n

Oak bush-cricket (Meconema thalassinum<\/em>)<\/h3>\n
\""Adult\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Male oak bush-crickets drum hind legs on tree leaves to \u2018sing\u2019\/Credit: Getty<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

With a light lime-green body and yellow-green stripe along its back, the oak bush-cricket is our only native arboreal bush-cricket. It can be confused with the very similar-looking southern oak bush-cricket which was first recorded here in 2001 and is gradually spreading. A key difference is the wings, in oak bush-crickets they are medium-length (compared to other bush-crickets) and in southern oak bush-crickets they are vestigial. Males don\u2019t stridulate, but their drum hind legs on tree leaves to \u2018sing\u2019.<\/p>\n

Grasshoppers and bush-crickets<\/h4>\n

What do grasshoppers and bush-crickets eat, how high can they jump, and how do they make that \u2018chirp\u2019 noise? Our expert guide to grasshoppers and bush-crickets<\/a> explores all these questions, as well as some of the most common species to spot in Britain.<\/p>\n

<\/p><\/div>

\""Cricket\"<\/div><\/div> <\/div> <\/section>

Great spotted woodpecker (Dendrocopos major<\/em>)<\/h3>\n
\""Great\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The great spotted woodpecker is one of four woodpecker species found in the UK\/Credit: Getty<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Largely black and white with flashes of red on the back of its head and rear, the great spotted woodpecker is the size of a blackbird. Its bursts of drumming in spring woodlands are a courtship call. Its emits a high-pitched \u2018kik\u2019 sound and has distinctive undulating flight. Of the four woodpecker<\/a> species, it\u2019s most likely to visit garden birdfeeders.<\/p> <\/body><\/html>\n

","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Our woodlands and forests are home to a huge range of mammals, birds and insects. Discover which animals live in UK woodlands with BBC Countryfile Magazine’s wildlife guide. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":28817,"template":"","categories":[1],"acf":{"readingTimeMinutes":"9"},"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2023\/07\/woodland-animals-12-spectacular-species-to-spot.jpg",2392,1594,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2023\/07\/woodland-animals-12-spectacular-species-to-spot-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2023\/07\/woodland-animals-12-spectacular-species-to-spot-300x200.jpg",300,200,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2023\/07\/woodland-animals-12-spectacular-species-to-spot-768x512.jpg",768,512,true],"large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2023\/07\/woodland-animals-12-spectacular-species-to-spot-1024x682.jpg",800,533,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2023\/07\/woodland-animals-12-spectacular-species-to-spot-1536x1024.jpg",1536,1024,true],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2023\/07\/woodland-animals-12-spectacular-species-to-spot-2048x1365.jpg",2048,1365,true]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"importmanagerhub@sprylab.com","author_link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/author\/importmanagerhubsprylab-com\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"Our woodlands and forests are home to a huge range of mammals, birds and insects. Discover which animals live in UK woodlands with BBC Countryfile Magazine's wildlife guide.","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed\/28816"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/rss_feed"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/24"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/28817"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=28816"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=28816"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}