Ben Hoare
Science writer and author, and editorial consultant, BBC Wildlife
Ben Hoare is a wildlife writer and editor, and proud to be an all-round ‘nature nerd’. He was features editor at BBC Wildlife magazine from 2008 to 2018, and after that its editorial consultant. Ben writes about seasonal natural-history highlights in every issue of the magazine, and also contributes longer conservation stories. His interviews of everyone’s hero Sir David Attenborough remain a career highlight. When not working for magazines, Ben writes illustrated natural-history books for children – the kind of books he adored looking at as a kid. Several have been international bestsellers, no doubt because his two daughters read and test everything first. Ben lives in rural Somerset, UK, with owls and dormice in the garden, and is a keen birder who spends as much time as possible exploring outdoors.
Recent articles by Ben Hoare
Are there any poisonous birds?
Yes we have discovered some poisonous birds says Ben Hoare, and there could be more...
Best wildlife and nature books of 2024, chosen by experts
Wildlife expert Ben Hoare rounds up his favourite wildlife and nature books of 2024
Weirdest birds: meet 14 strange and weird wonders of the avian world
There are plenty of contenders for the weirdest bird list from the 'stinky' hoatzin to the strange-looking secretary bird. Here are our favourite weirdest birds
Weirdest plants in the world: Discover some of the planet's wackiest flora
Meet some of the weirdest and oddest plants on Earth.
Weirdest sea creatures - meet 13 strange sea creatures of the deep
Have you heard of the Johnson's abyssal seadevil? Read about this strange ocean animal and more in our guide to the world's weirdest sea creatures
How to grow an oak tree from an acorn
Autumn is the perfect time to try growing an oak tree, here's how
Crane flies: Why adults are too busy to eat and why their fragile limbs are a secret survival weapon
We take a look at crane flies, a gangly fly that is also known as daddy longlegs in the UK
Why are so many insects iridescent?
Ben Hoare takes a look at why so many insects possess spectacular iridescent colours
Ospreys' migration: a guide to when, where and how long these magnificent birds travel for
We reveal the secrets of the osprey's migration
Frog breeding behaviour: How frogs mate and produce spawn
Early spring is a busy time in the pond as it's time for frogs to find a mate and breed
Do birds pee?
When it comes to excretions, birds do a two-for-one deal
How David Attenborough has championed climate change
For over 15 years, Sir David has been at the forefront of efforts to move the dial on climate change and during the last decade his warnings have became even bleaker.
Do birds hibernate?
Are there any birds that can hibernate? Ben Hoare takes a look
Lichens: what they are and how to identify the different types
Naturalist and presenter Brett Westwood shares his top tips for identifying lichen in this illustrated guide.
What is a dioecious plant?
Discover the rather special reproductive strategy of dioecious plants.
Venomous vs poisonous: what's the difference?
We explore the differences between venomous and poisonous
British wildlife in September
Enjoy summer's swan song with our guide to what different species are up to at this time of year.
British wildlife in June
Our countryside is being energised by the longer, warmer summer days. What will you spy in June?
White-tailed eagle guide: what they eat, why they went extinct in the UK, and where they've been reintroduced
Reintroduced to Scotland, Ireland and the Isle of Wight, are white-tailed eagles set to become a familiar sight across much of the UK and British Isles? Learn more about the UK's largest bird of prey in our expert guide.
British wildlife in May
With birdsong in full force and summer knocking on the door, there’s plenty to discover this month.
British wildlife in April
Spring’s in full swing, so keep an eye out for everything from bijou beetles and butterflies to sizeable storks. Enjoy nature and wildlife across the UK and Ireland with our guide to what different species are up to now.
British wildlife in March
As spring brings an abundance of new life, it’s time to talk about the birds and the bee-flies. Here is selection of the month's best wildlife spectacles from around the British countryside in March.
How to do a nature scavenger hunt for kids
Both adults and children have an instinct for collecting natural treasures. Here are 10 beautiful natural objects to try and find in the UK this year.
British wildlife in February
From fruiting fungus to winter birds, here is selection of the month's best wildlife spectacles from around the British countryside in February.