Natural World No. 2 — cryptic crossword

A themed (Natural World) standard puzzle: 28 clues on a 11×11 grid. Solve it online — check your answers as you go, ask for a hint, and read how each clue works once it is solved.

Across

1. Unknown swallowed by church law — a deep valley (6)
5. Amid confusion, a servant girl (4)
8. Freezing opal shattered by the river (5)
9. Time on a strange islet produces names of books (6)
10. Waters, we hear, gets the point (4)
11. Latest from leaders of North, East, West and South (4)
13. Steal in on a garden bird (5)
14. Two under par for the bird (5)
16. Notions cast aside (5)
18. A dance for the odd graduate (5)
19. Sued, unfortunately, and taken advantage of (4)
21. Clock face turned over and set down (4)
23. Cry for the editor, who screamed (6)
24. Ages when mites are stirred up (5)
25. Faith, losing time, becomes decay (4)
26. Sorted out and put away (6)

Down

1. Provide food and support for the grub (11)
2. Lord accepting thanks is eminent (7)
3. An exposed headland shows candour (8)
4. Reportedly knows the wine's bouquet (4)
5. Indian tea, say, returned to a Tuscan city (5)
6. Measure of land found in the warehouse (3)
7. Daughter is esteemed, yet overlooked (11)
12. Dire stew cooked up is the most peculiar (8)
15. Take a chance with the king — a betting man (7)
17. German car and time for a check (5)
20. Votes of approval heard from the peepers (4)
22. Belonging to that, as seen in exhibits (3)

More: Natural World cryptic crosswords.

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