Tawny Owl (Strix aluco)              

Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus)    

A familiar sight with its pointed wings and long tail, hovering beside a roadside verge. Kestrels have been recently declining as a result of habitat degradation due to continuing intensive management of farmland and so it is included on the Amber List. They have adapted readily to man-made environments and can survive right in the centre of cities.

        7 Spot Ladybird (Cocinella septempunctata)

Among the best-known and most well-loved beetles, ladybirds are easy to recognise. They have bright red elytra (wing cases) with black spots. The commonest species are the two-spot (Adalia bipunctata) and larger seven-spot ladybirds, although about 40 others can also be found in the British Isles. Ladybirds are brightly coloured, warning predators of their bitter taste, which helps survival. They are also able to exude a pungent fluid to ward off ants, birds and people.

Pipisrelle Bat (Pipistrellus pipistrellus)    

 Pipistrelles are tiny bats with reddish-brown coats and blackish-brown ears, nose and wing membranes. They are common throughout Britain. Like other bats, pipistrelles are nocturnal. They emerge at dusk to feed for a couple of hours before returning to their roosts. In the winter they hibernate in trees and buildings. In the summer they use trees, buildings and bat boxes to roost. Pipistrelles are agile, fast fliers.

     Grey Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis)

These squirrels have grey fur and often sit upright with their large bushy tails arched over their backs. Grey squirrels, originally from North America, were released in the UK by 19th century landowners. They are now very common and widespread. Grey squirrels are active during the day, foraging for food in trees and on the ground – they often visit peanut feeders in gardens. In the autumn they spend time storing nuts to eat during the winter.

Common Toad (Bufo bufo)    

 Common toads vary from dark brown, grey and olive green to sandy-coloured. They have broad, squat bodies and warty skin. They tend to walk rather than hop. These toads are widespread and common in mainland Britain. Common toads excavate a shallow burrow that they return to after foraging for prey. They secrete an irritant substance from their skin and puff themselves up to deter predators.

     Wasp (Vespula vulgaris)

Wasps are sociable insects, living in colonies of up to 10,000 workers. They build their paper nests in disused animal burrows or in cavities in trees or buildings. Only newly-mated queen wasps hibernate during winter, and emerge in spring to begin building a nest. Queens lay eggs that hatch into sterile females workers. The workers take over nest building and food collection, while the queen continues egg laying.

Jay (Garrulus glandarius)    

Although they are the most colourful members of the crow family, jays are actually quite difficult to see. They are shy woodland birds, rarely moving far from cover. The screaming call usually lets you know a jay is about and it is usually given when a bird is on the move, so watch for a bird flying between the trees with its distinctive flash of white on the rump. Jays are famous for their acorn feeding habits and in the autumn you may see them burying acorns for retrieving later in the winter.