The Bank of England opened its public vote on Wednesday, 3 June, to decide which UK wildlife species could feature on the next series of bank notes.

Following a nationwide consultation showing overwhelming support for nature-themed currency, a shortlist of 18 species has now been revealed and the public will ultimately decide which four species appear on future £5, £10, £20 and £50 notes.

The shortlist was developed by a panel of wildlife experts, including Ulster Wildlife’s Senior Conservation Officer, Katy Bell.

From barn owls and hedgehogs to puffins, pine martens, and marsh fritillary butterflies, many of the species shortlisted can be found right here in Northern Ireland — and many are species Ulster Wildlife works every day to help protect and restore.

See the full list and vote!

Katy Bell, from Ulster Wildife, said:

“From marine, river and woodland wildlife to familiar farmland and urban species, it’s fantastic to see so many much-loved species from across Northern Ireland included on the shortlist.

“It’s incredibly encouraging to know the public wants to see nature celebrated on our bank notes for years to come. But many of these species are still facing huge pressures from habitat loss, climate change and changes in how land and sea are managed.

“As a nation of nature lovers, we all have a role to play in helping wildlife recover — whether that’s creating wildlife-friendly gardens, supporting habitat restoration, or advocating for stronger protection for nature across the UK.

“This vote is a chance to celebrate the species that make these islands so special — and a reminder that nature is something worth investing in.”

The species we’re banking on

Across Northern Ireland, Ulster Wildlife is helping to restore habitats, reconnect people with nature, and support the recovery of species included on the shortlist.

Cast your vote

Banking on pine martens

Ulster Wildlife has been monitoring the spread of pine martens across Northern Ireland — helping improve understanding of woodland ecosystems and supporting the recovery of native red squirrels.

Every two years, the charity carries out squirrel and pine marten surveys across Northern Ireland, alongside sightings submitted by the public, to help track changes in species distribution and guide conservation efforts.

Banking on puffins

Last summer, puffins were discovered nesting on Ulster Wildlife’s Isle of Muck Nature Reserve for the first time in the charity’s 25-year history of managing the seabird sanctuary.

The milestone follows years of seabird recovery work, including the removal of invasive brown rats — one of the biggest threats to nesting seabirds and their chicks.

Banking on barn owls

Changes in agriculture and habitat loss have contributed to major declines in barn owl numbers, but nature-friendly farming practices are helping them recover.

Ulster Wildlife works with local farmers to monitor and install barn owl nest boxes, while annual surveys and public sightings help build a clearer picture of local populations and where support is most needed.

Banking on marsh fritillaries

At Fedian Nature Reserve in Fermanagh, nature-friendly farming methods are helping protect devil’s-bit scabious plants — a lifeline for one of the UK’s most threatened butterflies, the marsh fritillary.

Once widespread, marsh fritillaries have declined severely and are now extinct across large parts of the UK.

Banking on hedgehogs

Ulster Wildlife is currently undertaking Northern Ireland’s first-ever GPS tracking project for hedgehogs, revealing the hidden and often hazardous journeys these familiar garden visitors make each night.

The project is helping inform conservation action, wildlife-friendly urban planning, and highlight the importance of connected gardens and “hedgehog highways” in towns and cities.

Which species are you banking on?

Over the coming weeks, Ulster Wildlife staff will be championing the species they think deserve a place on future bank notes as part of our “Banking on Wildlife” campaign.

Now it’s your turn to decide.

Voting opens on Wednesday, 3 June and runs until Friday, 3 July via the Bank of England website.

Shortlisted species

- red fox
- pine marten
- European hedgehog
- grey seal
- brown hare
- bottlenose dolphin
- great-spotted woodpecker
- Atlantic puffin
- barn owl
- white-tailed sea eagle
- common kingfisher
- Eurasian curlew
- common frog
- marsh fritillary butterfly
- Atlantic salmon
- basking shark
- emperor dragonfly
- buff-tailed bumblebee