Nature & wildlife

From ancient trees to butterflies and otters, our places are full of life. We're working hard to safeguard nature for years to come

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A Manx shearwater flies close to the surface

Seabird numbers soar on Lundy

Seabirds such as puffins and Manx shearwaters are booming on the island of Lundy off the coast of Devon. According to research, led by RSPB, seabird numbers on Lundy have tripled to 21,000 during the last 15 years. The increase follows a project we were involved in to rid the island of rats, which were threatening the chicks and eggs of burrow nesting birds.

Discover an island full of wildlife

Get closer to nature

Help birds in your own garden by making a bird feeder

The tempting array of dishes on offer to birds in our gardens is enticing rarely-seen goldfinches, woodpigeons and long-tailed tits. According to research, more than half of British homeowners feed the birds in the garden, supporting 133 different species. Do your bit for the birds near you by making your own feeder.

Bird flying above the garden at Mount Stewart House, Garden and Temple of the Winds, County Down

How to improve your bird spotting skills

Discover some top tips to help you improve your chances of spotting and identifying feathered friends in the British countryside.

Affectionate puffins on the Farne Islands — Affectionate puffins 'billing' on the Farne Islands, Northumberland

Why we’re counting puffins every year

To protect puffins as much as we can, amid fears that climate change is affecting their sources of food and numbers, we're changing the five-yearly census on the Farne Islands to an annual count. The good news is that after the final 2018 count, rangers found more than 43,000 pairs of puffins on the Farne Islands - an increase of nine per cent since 2013.

Keeping count

Brockhampton surrounded by damson trees in blossom — Damson blossom at Brockhampton

Reimagining orchards at Brockhampton

Blossoming orchards are being brought back to life at Brockhampton in Herefordshire. Two new orchards will be created and the original Victorian orchard will be reimagined to tell the story of how apple trees were brought to England from Russia and Kazakhstan. This project is thanks to funding from Postcode Earth Trust, raised by players of People’s Postcode Lottery, and funds from Arts Council England.

Discover the full story

Shortlisted entry for the 2019 Handbook photo competition: Souter Lighthouse, Sunderland, Tyne & Wear by Adrian Potts

Send us your best shots

Our annual photography competition is now open for entries. This year we're looking for an outstanding image to feature on our 2020 Handbook, on the theme of 'places that make you feel good'. Show us how your visits to a favourite National Trust countryside spot, or newly-discovered garden or historic house, can inspire you and change the way you feel.

Find out how to enter

Ranger inspecting sunflowers at Rhossili and South Gower Coast, Wales

Meet our rangers

From counting grey seals to caring for wildflower meadows, our rangers go to extraordinary lengths to look after nature. Learn more about their work and meet some of the men and women who work hard throughout the year to protect the countryside.

Our rangers and their work

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Help save the nation's meadows

Sadly, 95 per cent of our meadows have disappeared. So we’re doing something about it. Amid the sounds of skylarks and long grass swishing, Rachel Bennett, the National Trust’s Peak District lead ranger tells us what can be done to save these vital and beautiful habitats. Help us protect species like the large blue butterfly, the turtledove and the great yellow bumblebee before it's too late.

Donate to the Making Meadows appeal

Fluffy white grey seal pup lying on the sand — Grey Seal pup

Record-breaking pupping season

The winter of 2018/19 brought record numbers of grey seal pups to two of the UK's largest colonies. On the Farne Islands, rangers counted more than 2,600 pups, an increase of 50% compared to just five years ago. At Blakeney Point in Norfolk, the numbers topped 3000. Find out what's behind the baby boom and how our rangers keep count.

Meet the seal rangers