Oyster
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.
Photo, David Tipling/2020Vision
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.
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,…
This is a predominantly subtidal species but can be found on the lowest parts of a sheltered rocky shore in summer.
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…
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.
A bizarre half lobster/half crab, this squat lobster is one of the true stunners of the rocky shore!
The common carp is a very large fish that is popular with anglers due to its size and fighting spirit. It frequents ponds, gravel pits and lakes, but is not native to the UK, being introduced in…
The smaller of our two UK seal species, common seals are also known as harbour seals. Despite being called "Common", they are actually less common than grey seals!
The fluffy, white heads of common cotton-grass dot our brown, boggy moors and heaths as if a giant bag of cotton wool balls has been thrown across the landscape!
The common walnut tree produces a large, brown nut that is familiar to so many of us. It is an introduced species in the UK, and can be seen in towns, gardens and parks.