Wildlife explorer

Want to learn more about wildlife near you? You're in the right place, search below and discover the nature you can help protect in Kent.

Spiny seahorse in seagrass ©Julie Hatcher

Long-snouted seahorse

One of 2 seahorses found in UK seas, long snouted seahorses are recognisable by their longer snout and fleshy "mane".

A male long-tailed duck drifting in front of the stone wall of a harbour
Long-tailed duck (drake) © Pete Richman

Long-tailed duck

This dainty seaduck is a winter visitor to our coasts, particularly in northern and eastern Scotland.

Long-tailed tit
Long-tailed tit ©Jon Hawkins - Surrey Hills Photography

Long-tailed tit

Living up to its name, the long-tailed tit can be easily recognised by its long tail. It is a small, pretty, pink, black and white bird that can be seen in woodlands, gardens and parks.

Long-winged Conehead
Long-winged Conehead ©Giles San Martin

Long-winged conehead

The long-winged conehead is so-named for the angled shape of its head. It can be found in grasslands, heaths and woodland rides throughout summer.

Lords-and-ladies

Look for the unusual flowers of lords-and-ladies in spring woodlands: a pale green sheath surrounds a spike of tiny, yellow flowers. This spike eventually forms a familiar, short stalk of striking red berries.

Lugworm

Have you ever seen those worm-like mounds on beaches? Those are a sign of lugworms! The worms themselves are very rarely seen except by fishermen who dig them up for bait.

Lumpsucker

This funny-looking fish certainly won't be winning any beauty pageants, but it's a real contender for Father of the Year!

Mackerel

Mackerel are a sign of summer's arrival, when they appear inshore in huge numbers all around the UK. As well as being a sustainable seafood choice, they are an important food source for many of our marine predators.

A black and white magpie sat on a wooden post.
©️ Vaughn Matthews

Magpie

"One for sorrow, two for joy…" is a popular rhyme associated with the magpie - a bird of much myth and legend. An unmistakeable member of the crow family, it can be seen almost anywhere.

Magpie Moth
©Les Binns

Magpie moth

The magpie is a distinctive moth with striking black and yellow spots on white wings. It is a frequent garden visitor, but also likes woodland, scrub and heathland.

Maidenhair Spleenwort
©Tom Marshall

Maidenhair spleenwort

A small, tufted fern, maidenhair spleenwort can be found growing out of crevices between rocks, in walls and on mossy branches across the UK.

Male-fern
©Mark Hamblin/2020VISION

Male-fern

A classic fern of woodlands across the UK, the male-fern is also a great addition to any garden. It grows impressive stands from underground rhizomes, dying back in autumn.