Freshwater pearl mussel
Freshwater pearl mussels spend their adult lives anchored to the river bed, filtering water through their gills and improving the quality of the water for other species.
Search
Photo, David Tipling/2020Vision
Search
Freshwater pearl mussel project
This pioneering project focused on conserving a rare and endangered species on the River Torridge. Find out more about the Freshwater Pearl Mussel Project.
freshwater
Looking at freshwater habitats and what lives in them
Freshwater
The rain-soaked lands of Britain and Northern Ireland are rich in rivers, streams, lakes, ponds, canals and ditches. Whether natural or artificial, they are the life-force behind the wildlife we…
Mussel
The Common mussel is a familiar sight on shores all around the UK and is a favourite food of people, seabirds and starfish alike.
Pearl-bordered fritillary
The pearl-bordered fritillary is a striking orange-and-black butterfly of sunny woodland rides and clearings. It gets its name from the row of 'pearls' on the underside of its hindwings…
Small pearl-bordered fritillary
The small pearl-bordered fritillary is a pretty orange-and-brown butterfly of damp grassland, moorland, and open woodland. It gets its name from the row of 'pearls' on the underside of…
Dog whelk
This sea snail is abundant on rocky shores around the UK. It is an active predator, feasting on mussels and barnacles before retreating to crevices to rest.
Rivers of Life appeal
Donations to the Rivers of Life appeal will support work to improve river, farmland and woodland habitats for wildlife on the new Northern Devon Natural Solutions project. By helping landowners to protect riverbanks, improve soil health, create wetland habitats, better manage hedges and start 'wilding' areas of land, we can make real improvements to wildlife in our rivers and on the land alongside them - from orchids and butterflies on wet grasslands to declining Atlantic salmon and endangered freshwater pearl mussels in northern Devon's rivers.
White-clawed crayfish
The White-clawed crayfish is a freshwater, bronze-coloured crustacean with pale undersides to its claws - hence the name. It is under threat from an invasive and introduced species of crayfish.…
Brown trout
A fierce predator of small fish and flying insects, the brown trout is widespread in our freshwater rivers. It is has a golden body, flanked with pale-ringed, dark spots.
River lamprey
The river lamprey is a primitive, jawless fish, with a round, sucker-mouth which it uses to attach to other fish to feed from them. Adults live in the sea and return to freshwater to spawn.