July 26, 2013

Wonderful woodland wildlife

From ospreys to otters, red squirrels to fallow deer, a walk through an English forest will take you into a magical animal kingdom

England's forests: osprey chicks waiting to be ringed weighed and measured — At the turn of the millennium, ospreys began nesting in England for the first time in 150 years. In 2009 they returned to Kielder Forest, which now has two breeding pairs. Photograph: Isobel Cameron/Forestry Commission

England's forests: Nightjars bird — Nightjars are rarely seen by day, but after dark their distinctive ‘churring’ call may give away their location. These migratory birds like woods and heathland, mainly in the south, although Sherwood Forest has proved another good spot of late. Photograph: David Tipling/Naturepl.com

England's forests: otters — Despite having been listed as ‘vulnerable to extinction’, otters are making a comeback in England – including returning to the river Mersey. The Forestry Commission created viewing areas after otter pawprints were spotted near Fiddlers Ferry, Merseyside. Photograph: Andy Rouse/Naturepl.com

England's forests: A deer forages for food — While fallow deer are most common north of the border, smaller groups are dotted all around England, from Grizedale Forest in the Lake District (home of England’s only remaining indigenous woodland herd) down to the New Forest – plus plenty of stately homes along the way Photograph: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images

England's forests: butterflies — The heath fritillary is one of Britain’s rarest (and smallest) butterflies, confined to a few habitats in Kent, Essex, and the south-west of England, such as Lydford Forest on the western edge of Dartmoor. Photograph: Alamy

England's forests: snake adders — Of England’s three snake species, adders are the most often seen, in forests and on heathland mainly in the south-west and north-east. Spot them in early spring when they first emerge from hibernation. Photograph: Alamy

England's forests: Red Squirrel — Rudely edged out of their own home by American grey squirrels, Britain’s native reds are now only found at a few sites in England: notably Kielder Forest Park, which has a red squirrel reserve and education centre. Photograph: Alamy

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