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The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds
Bees on globe thistle Common toad, Conwy 2003_4817_002 Robin sitting on flowerpot
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A to Z of a Wildlife Garden

C

  • Cinnabar moth
  • Click beetle
  • Cockchafer
  • Common blue butterfly
  • Common blue damselfly
  • Common darter
  • Common frog
  • Common newt
  • Common toad
  • Compost heap
  • Cornelian cherry
  • Cotoneaster
  • Crab apple
  • Cranefly

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Home > Birds and wildlife > A to Z of a Wildlife Garden > A to Z > C

C

Cinnabar moth

Cinnabar moths can be found throughout Britain, except northern Scotland, and can be easily spotted because of its bright red and black colouration. More...

Illustration of cinnabar moth

Click beetle

When threatened, attacked or overturned, these beetles can flick themselves into the air emitting an audible click – hence their name. More...

Illustration of click beetle

Cockchafer

This familiar beetle has a black thorax, rusty brown elytra (wing cases) and brown legs. It has characteristic antennae that fan out, and are often seen on May evenings buzzing around the garden. More...

Illustration of cockchafer

Common darter

This small dragonfly is a regular visitor to all types and sizes of garden. It is one of the latest species on the wing each year, being seen well into the autumn. More...

Common darter dragonfly

Common frog

Common frogs are widespread in mainland Britain. They have smooth skin that varies in colour from grey, olive green and yellow to brown, which they are able to lighten or darken to match their surroundings. More...

Illustration of common frog

Common newt

Common newts are olive green or pale brown with a bright orange, black spotted underside. In the breeding season males develop a wavy crest from their heads to their tails, and entice females by wafting a glandular secretion. More...

Illustration of common newt

Common toad

Common toads have broad, squat bodies and warty skin, and tend to walk rather than hop. These toads are widespread and common in mainland Britain. More...

Illustration of common toad

Common blue butterfly

Male common blues have pale violet-blue upper wings with grey-beige undersides. However, females vary from those with predominantly brown upper wings and orange crescents, usually more common in the south, to those with more blue, found farther north and west. More...

Illustration of common blue butterfly

Common blue damselfly

Common blue damselflies are common throughout Britain. The male has a blue abdomen with black spots; the female, a yellow or bluish abdomen with variable dark markings. More...

Illustration of common blue damselfly

Compost heap

A compost heap is important in any garden. You can use it to recycle all your kitchen and garden waste into rich, organic compost that's great for the soil and plants. More...

Compost heap

Cornelian cherry

A hardy, winter flowering plant which grows well in most soils. More...

Cornelian cherries

Cotoneaster

There are many different kinds, and many are semi-evergreen through winter. More...

Cotoneaster berries and leaves

Crab apple

Crab apples which have attractive pink or white blossom in spring, make ideal trees for the garden, producing colourful fruits in autumn, much loved by birds. More...

Crab apple artwork

Cranefly

Also known as a daddy longlegs, this slender, long-legged fly is grey-brown with dark brown leading edges to its wings. More...

Illustration of cranefly

About the RSPB

The RSPB speaks out for birds and wildlife, tackling the problems that threaten our environment. We rely upon memberships and donations to fund our work. Nature is amazing - help us keep it that way. More...

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Visit our Contact us section for telephone numbers, office addresses and more.

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© 2008 The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. Charity registered in England and Wales no 207076, in Scotland no SC037654
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Last published: 15/09/2008 10:54:10
Show/hide picture credits
Illustration of cinnabar moth - Chris Shields
Illustration of click beetle - Chris Shields
Illustration of cockchafer - Chris Shields
Common darter dragonfly - Chris Shields
Illustration of common frog - Chris Shields
Illustration of common newt - Chris Shields
Illustration of common toad - Chris Shields
Illustration of common blue butterfly - Chris Shields
Illustration of common blue damselfly - Chris Shields
Compost heap illustration - Chris Shields
Cornelian cherries - Chris Shields
Cotoneaster berries and leaves - Chris Shields
Crab apple artwork - Chris Shields
Illustration of cranefly - Chris Shields
Bees on Globe thistle - Andy Hay (rspb-images.com, Ref: 2000_1312_009)
Common toad, Conwy - RSPB Images - Ben Hall (rspb-images.com)
Robin sitting on flowerpot in garden - Chris Gomersall (rspb-images.com, Ref: 2003_4817_002)
Bird illustrations by Mike Langman (RSPB)