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Spending time in the great outdoors is the best way to reconnect with nature and camping in the wilderness is the perfect opportunity to spot some of the UK’s incredible wildlife. Whether you’re a seasoned solo camper or embarking on your first outdoor family adventure, keeping an eye out for all the different plants and animals is a must.
What wildlife did you spot?
Birds
With the UK being home to over 550 native and migratory birds, you’ll have definitely seen some birds during camp. Some the nation’s most well-known birds – robins, magpies and sparrows – you can usually find in your garden at home, but there are a few birds that stick to the wilderness. Out in the woodlands you might be lucky enough to see birds of prey including kestrels, buzzards and owls!
Deer
A rarer find than the others on our list, spotting a deer in the forest is an incredible and memorable experience. With 6 different types of deer in the UK, ranging from the smaller muntjac and roe to the large red deer, wilderness camping offers a great opportunity to see deer as they make their way through the forest.
Creepy crawlies
Nature finds are not just limited to the easy to spot animals! If you get down closer to the ground you’ll find a whole new tiny world. Nestled in among the roots at the bed of the forest you’ll come across some of nature’s most important residents. From beetles to ladybirds to centipedes, if you take the time to explore the forest floor you will be able to spot a huge range of creatures.
Plants
Woodlands have some of the most beautiful and interesting plants found in the UK. Against the backdrop of the huge forest trees, it can be more difficult to pick out different species of plants but it is worth it – pretty flowers like bluebell sweep across forest floors, while alien-looking fungi finds its way into all sorts of nooks and crannies.
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Respecting the home of wildlife
While the UK’s magnificent woodlands are packed full of interesting creatures and plants, it is important that we leave the landscape as we find it. We have previously written about the Leave No Trace approach to spending time in the countryside, which provides a vital set of easy rules to stick to, to make sure our wild areas are left unharmed by visitors and can continue to flourish.
