Unsung wildlife heroes of England's national parks - in pictures

Many people are aware of the endangered hedgehog, red squirrel or tortoiseshell butterfly, but little attention is given to the less photogenic species that are just as important to the British ecosystem. ‘Unsung heroes’ such as the bog hoverfly and tadpole shrimp also reflect the diversity and quality of habitats found in England’s national parks and the ongoing conservation work to protect them

  • Fen mason-wasp (Odynerus simillimus) – The Broads national park

    Previously thought to be extinct in Britain, this species was rediscovered in the park in 1986. It forages for nectar sources and prey in reedbed, fen or other wetlands and requires both wet and dry habitats.
    <strong>Fen mason-wasp (<em>Odynerus simillimus</em>) – The Broads national park<br></strong>Previously thought to be extinct in Britain, this species was rediscovered in the park in 1986. It forages for nectar sources and prey in reedbed, fen or other wetlands and requires both wet and dry habitats.

  • It nests in areas of bare, exposed material, often those resulting from human activity such as flood banking. Conservation groups are working to restore lost fenland to provide the habitat that the fen mason-wasp and other broads-specialist species need.
    It nests in areas of bare, exposed material, often those resulting from human activity such as flood banking.

  • No parking whitebeam (Sorbus admonitor) – Exmoor national park

    Exmoor is home to a number of endemic species of the whitebeam tree, the No parking whitebeam, named because the first individual to be noticed was a tree next to a lay-by with a ‘No parking’ sign fixed to it. the park is recording and conserving these special trees which provide winter berries for birds and are a food plant for moth caterpillars.
    <strong>No parking whitebeam (<em>Sorbus admonitor</em>) – Exmoor national park<br></strong>Exmoor is home to a number of endemic species of the whitebeam tree, the No parking whitebeam, named because the first individual to be noticed was a tree next to a lay-by with a ‘No parking’ sign fixed to it. the park is recording and conserving these special trees which provide winter berries for birds and are a food plant for moth caterpillars.

  • Tadpole shrimp (Triops cancriformis) – New Forest national park

    The New Forest holds one of only two sites where you can find the British species of tadpole shrimp. It is the oldest known species of animal in the world, having been around for over 220 million years. These fascinating creatures live in temporary ponds and even when their eggs dry out, they can survive up to 27 years before being rehydrated and hatching out. Unpolluted pond water can be hard to find, but traditional land management and pond conservation efforts maintain the clean conditions that the shrimp needs.
    <strong>Tadpole shrimp (<em>Triops cancriformis</em>) – New Forest national park<br></strong>The New Forest holds one of only two sites where you can find the British species of tadpole shrimp. It is the oldest known species of animal in the world, having been around for over 220 million years. These fascinating creatures live in temporary ponds and even when their eggs dry out, they can survive up to 27 years before being rehydrated and hatching out. Unpolluted pond water can be hard to find, but traditional land management and pond conservation efforts maintain the clean conditions that the shrimp needs.

  • Bog hoverfly (Eristalis cryptarum) – Dartmoor national park

    Since the 1950s this hoverfly, which mimics a bee in appearance, has only been recorded on Dartmoor in the UK. It plays an important role in pollinating the wildflowers of its rhôs pasture habitat. The park and its partners work together to ensure that the pastures are managed and grazed to keep them in good condition, and to monitor the special species that make their home there.
    <strong>Bog hoverfly (<em>Eristalis cryptarum</em>) – Dartmoor national park<br></strong>Since the 1950s this hoverfly, which mimics a bee in appearance, has only been recorded on Dartmoor in the UK. It plays an important role in pollinating the wildflowers of its <a href="http://www.dartmoor.gov.uk/lookingafter/laf-naturalenv/laf-ecologywildlife/la-wowhabitats/la-rhospasture">rhôs pasture habitat</a>. The park and its partners work together to ensure that the pastures are managed and grazed to keep them in good condition, and to monitor the special species that make their home there.

  • Round-headed rampion (Phyteuma orbiculare) - South Downs national park

    The chalk grasslands of the South Downs provide the best opportunity to enjoy the sight of round-headed rampion. The striking tall blue flowers provide nectar for the multitude of butterfly species that share its habitat. It is known locally as the Pride of Sussex, and is the official county flower. Local authorities are working together to enhance and join up chalk grasslands, creating conditions for plantlife to flourish and rare butterflies to benefit.
    <strong>Round-headed rampion (<em>Phyteuma orbiculare</em>) - South Downs national park<br></strong>The chalk grasslands of the South Downs provide the best opportunity to enjoy the sight of round-headed rampion. The striking tall blue flowers provide nectar for the multitude of butterfly species that share its habitat. It is known locally as the Pride of Sussex, and is the official county flower. Local authorities are working together to enhance and join up chalk grasslands, creating conditions for plantlife to flourish and rare butterflies to benefit.

  • Freshwater pearl mussel (Margaritifera margaritifera) - North York Moors national park

    The freshwater pearl mussel is one of the longest-living invertebrates in existence, and has been known to live to more than 130 years old. The mussels need a very clean river, so the park is working with partners to create buffer zones from farmland to reduce the amount of river bank erosion and sediment and limit the amount of farmland chemicals entering the River Esk. Once the River Esk has been restored to the right conditions, juvenile mussels will be reintroduced.
    <strong>Freshwater pearl mussel (<em>Margaritifera margaritifera</em>) - North York Moors national park<br></strong>The freshwater pearl mussel is one of the longest-living invertebrates in existence, and has been known to live to more than 130 years old. The mussels need a very clean river, so the park is working with partners to create buffer zones from farmland to reduce the amount of river bank erosion and sediment and limit the amount of farmland chemicals entering the River Esk. Once the River Esk has been restored to the right conditions, juvenile mussels will be reintroduced.

  • Mountain/bilberry bumblebee (Bombus monticola) – Northumberland national park

    The mountain or bilberry bumblebee is an upland specialist found on and around heaths and moorlands feeding on bilberry, willows, heathers and other upland flowering plants. Bumblebees are vital pollinators and their ability to fly in cold conditions, even in light rain, means they are an important part of the moorland ecosystem. The park has been helping this species by planting goat willow around the edges of moorland as the queen bees need an early food source when they emerge in April.
    <strong>Mountain/bilberry bumblebee (<em>Bombus monticola</em>) – Northumberland national park<br></strong>The mountain or bilberry bumblebee is an upland specialist found on and around heaths and moorlands feeding on bilberry, willows, heathers and other upland flowering plants. Bumblebees are vital pollinators and their ability to fly in cold conditions, even in light rain, means they are an important part of the moorland ecosystem. The park has been helping this species by planting goat willow around the edges of moorland as the queen bees need an early food source when they emerge in April.

  • Sphagnum moss (various) – Peak District national park

    Sphagnum is a tiny plant with a big job. Together millions of mosses make up one of our most important habitats – bogs. The sphagnum acts as a giant sponge, soaking up water and forming peat, which is a crucial carbon store. Conservationists have been working in the park to reintroduce sphagnum moss to bare peat areas. This has involved developing innovative ways to apply the sphagnum, with millions of specially developed gel beads containing sphagnum moss being delivered by helicopter and then spread by hand.
    <strong>Sphagnum moss (various) – Peak District national park<br></strong>Sphagnum is a tiny plant with a big job. Together millions of mosses make up one of our most important habitats – bogs. The sphagnum acts as a giant sponge, soaking up water and forming peat, which is a crucial carbon store. Conservationists have been working in the park to reintroduce sphagnum moss to bare peat areas. This has involved developing innovative ways to apply the sphagnum, with millions of specially developed gel beads containing sphagnum moss being delivered by helicopter and then spread by hand.

  • Large timberworm beetle (Hylecoetus dermestoides) – Lake District national park

    When the female lays its eggs, it also deposits fungal spores that it carries in a special pocket. The beetle larva hatches and the fungal spores infect the surrounding wood, lining the wooden tunnel with a layer of white fungus. The beetle larva takes care of the growing fungi by keeping the tunnel tidy and making sure that there is an oxygen supply from outside. In turn the larva feeds on the fungus - its very own fungi garden.
    <strong>Large timberworm beetle (<em>Hylecoetus dermestoides</em>) – Lake District national park<br></strong>When the female lays its eggs, it also deposits fungal spores that it carries in a special pocket. The beetle larva hatches and the fungal spores infect the surrounding wood, lining the wooden tunnel with a layer of white fungus. The beetle larva takes care of the growing fungi by keeping the tunnel tidy and making sure that there is an oxygen supply from outside. In turn the larva feeds on the fungus - its very own fungi garden.

  • Yellow-rattle (

    Rhinanthus minor) – Yorkshire Dales Yellow-rattle is important for more than just its pretty flowers - it has been crucial to the success of projects to restore traditional hay meadows. This plant parasitises the roots of dominant and vigorous grasses such as rye grass, weakening them enough to allow other wildflower species to become established. A traditionally managed meadow can support up to 120 different species of wildflowers and other plants, as well as many species of invertebrates, bats, mammals and birds.
    <strong>Yellow-rattle (</strong><strong><em>Rhinanthus minor</em>) – Yorkshire Dales<br></strong>Yellow-rattle is important for more than just its pretty flowers - it has been crucial to the success of projects to restore traditional hay meadows. This plant parasitises the roots of dominant and vigorous grasses such as rye grass, weakening them enough to allow other wildflower species to become established. A traditionally managed meadow can support up to 120 different species of wildflowers and other plants, as well as many species of invertebrates, bats, mammals and birds.
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