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Wild Isles

Have you been inspired by the BBC's Wild Isles series? Delve deeper and discover more about the surprising and dramatic woodland wildlife that's right on our doorstep.

The world’s largest grouse, the capercaillie is an impressive bird which has roamed the UK's native pine forests for thousands of years. Made extinct in the mid-18th century, it has since made a comeback, but is under threat once again.

Credit: Tomsphotos / Alamy Stock Photo

Sleepy, charming, undeniably cute. This minute mammal needs trees to survive and is seriously endangered.

Credit: Johner Images / Alamy Stock Photo

When threatened by predators, wood ants — the UK’s largest ant species — spray formic acid in a bid to defend themselves.

Credit: Kim Taylor / naturepl.com

Back in the UK’s rivers after centuries away, dam-building beavers can transform their local environment by creating new wetland habitats.

Credit: Philip Price / scotlandbigpicture.com

We are only just starting to understand the relationship between trees and fungi. The ‘wood wide web’ is a complex subterranean information-sharing network of roots, fungi and bacteria that connects organisms.

Credit: Laura Corbe / WTML

The UK is a stronghold for bluebells with about half the world's population growing here.

Credit: Adam Burton / WTML

No other tree species in the UK supports a greater diversity of life than an ancient oak.

Credit: Adam burton / Alamy.com

A specialist of oak woodland, the purple emperor is the UK's second largest butterfly (after swallowtail) but is arguably the most beautiful.

Credit: Alex Hyde / naturepl.com

Discover woodland wildlife

The UK’s woods are truly magical places that support thousands of species of remarkable and often spectacular wildlife.

From lush temperate rainforests and tangled ancient woodland to solitary ancient trees, woodland habitats are varied and complex, shaped by geology, soils, climate and generations of people.

Spring wildlife highlights in the UK

Follow in Sir David Attenborough's footsteps and embark on your own wild adventure. From iconic bluebell carpets to blossom-laden boughs, here are some unmissable spring spectacles you can witness yourself.

Visiting woods

Discover wildlife in a wood near you

Primordial landscapes, breathtaking wildlife and miles and miles of woodland trails. From the countryside to cities, we care for thousands of woods throughout the UK, all free for you to visit.

Find a wood

Woods and trees are essential

For people. For wildlife. For life.

But the UK is one of the least wooded countries in Europe. Wildlife-rich native woodlands are increasingly becoming fragmented and we continue to lose ancient woodland – our most ecologically valuable resource. Nature is paying the price - one third of all woodland wildlife species are in decline.

We must do more to protect and expand the UK's native woodland cover to help meet the needs of our wildlife.

1/3

in decline

One third of all woodland wildlife species are in decline.

1/10

at risk

One in 10 woodland wildlife species are at risk of extinction.

The Woodland Trust is the UK's largest woodland conservation charity.

Our vision is a world where woods and trees thrive for people and nature.

We work to protect and restore the woodland we have left and to create the woodlands of the future. But we can't do it without your help.

Together, we can take care of these extraordinary places and help our cherished wildlife to flourish, from the tiny dormouse to the mighty osprey. Together, we can make a difference.

Red squirrel looks into camera as it climbs down a tree trunk.

Protect woods and wildlife for the future

Support the wildlife you love by becoming a member. Together we can keep woods safe, plant the trees we all need, and keep woods open for everyone to enjoy.

Join us today