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  • Brent Goose Branta bernicla L 56-61cm. Our smallest goose – similar size to Shelduck. Subtle plumage patterns allow separation of two subspecies that winter here: Pale-bellied Brent B.b.hrota (breeds on Svalbard and Greenland) and Dark-bellied Brent B.b.bernicla (breeds in Russia). Seen in sizeable and noisy flocks. In flight, looks dark except for white rear end. All birds have a black bill and black legs. Sexes are similar. Adult Pale-bellied has blackish head, neck and breast; side of neck has narrow band of white feathers. Note neat division between dark breast and pale grey-buff belly. Back is uniform dark brownish grey. Adult Dark-bellied is similar but belly is darker and flanks are paler. Juveniles are similar to respective adults but note pale feather margins on back and absence of white markings on side of neck; white on neck is acquired in New Year. Voice Very vocal, uttering a nasal krrrut. Status Winter visitor to coasts.
    143002.jpg
  • Brent Goose Branta bernicla L 56-61cm. Our smallest goose – similar size to Shelduck. Subtle plumage patterns allow separation of two subspecies that winter here: Pale-bellied Brent B.b.hrota (breeds on Svalbard and Greenland) and Dark-bellied Brent B.b.bernicla (breeds in Russia). Seen in sizeable and noisy flocks. In flight, looks dark except for white rear end. All birds have a black bill and black legs. Sexes are similar. Adult Pale-bellied has blackish head, neck and breast; side of neck has narrow band of white feathers. Note neat division between dark breast and pale grey-buff belly. Back is uniform dark brownish grey. Adult Dark-bellied is similar but belly is darker and flanks are paler. Juveniles are similar to respective adults but note pale feather margins on back and absence of white markings on side of neck; white on neck is acquired in New Year. Voice Very vocal, uttering a nasal krrrut. Status Winter visitor to coasts.
    143003.jpg
  • Brent Goose, dark bellied race - Branta bernicla bernicla - in flight. L 56-61cm. Our smallest goose – similar size to Shelduck. Subtle plumage patterns allow separation of two subspecies that winter here: Pale-bellied Brent B.b.hrota (breeds on Svalbard and Greenland) and Dark-bellied Brent B.b.bernicla (breeds in Russia). Seen in sizeable and noisy flocks. In flight, looks dark except for white rear end. All birds have a black bill and black legs. Sexes are similar. Adult Pale-bellied has blackish head, neck and breast; side of neck has narrow band of white feathers. Note neat division between dark breast and pale grey-buff belly. Back is uniform dark brownish grey. Adult Dark-bellied is similar but belly is darker and flanks are paler. Juveniles are similar to respective adults but note pale feather margins on back and absence of white markings on side of neck; white on neck is acquired in New Year. Voice Very vocal, uttering a nasal krrrut. Status Winter visitor to coasts
    154636.jpg
  • Brent Goose Branta bernicla L 56-61cm. Our smallest goose – similar size to Shelduck. Subtle plumage patterns allow separation of two subspecies that winter here: Pale-bellied Brent B.b.hrota (breeds on Svalbard and Greenland) and Dark-bellied Brent B.b.bernicla (breeds in Russia). Seen in sizeable and noisy flocks. In flight, looks dark except for white rear end. All birds have a black bill and black legs. Sexes are similar. Adult Pale-bellied has blackish head, neck and breast; side of neck has narrow band of white feathers. Note neat division between dark breast and pale grey-buff belly. Back is uniform dark brownish grey. Adult Dark-bellied is similar but belly is darker and flanks are paler. Juveniles are similar to respective adults but note pale feather margins on back and absence of white markings on side of neck; white on neck is acquired in New Year. Voice Very vocal, uttering a nasal krrrut. Status Winter visitor to coasts.
    136060.jpg
  • Lesser Crested Tern - Sterna bengalensis - Non breeding adults
    155270.jpg
  • Lesser Crested Tern - Sterna bengalensis - Non breeding adults
    155268.jpg
  • Lesser Crested Tern - Sterna bengalensis - Non breeding adults
    155269.jpg
  • Lesser Crested Tern - Sterna bengalensis - Non breeding adults
    155271.jpg
  • Laughing Gull - Larus atricilla - summer adults
    160591.jpg
  • Smew Mergus albellus - Adult winter male. L 38-44cm. Elegant little diving duck. Male is stunning and unmistakable. Female might be confused with grebe in winter plumage. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male looks pure white at a distance but close view reveals black patch through eye and black lines on breast and back. In eclipse (not seen here) resembles adult female but retains more extensive white on wing. Adult female, Juvenile and 1st winter birds (so-called ‘Redhead’ Smews) have orange-red cap and nape, white on cheek and throat, and grey-brown body. Voice Silent. Status Occasional and unpredictable winter visitor. Turns up on flooded gravel pits, reservoirs and lakes.
    155643.jpg
  • Gadwall Anas strepera L 46-55cm. Rather nondescript dabbling duck. Distant male looks grey and brown but close view reveals intricate feather patterns. In flight, both sexes show white in speculum; male also has chestnut on inner wing. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has buffish head and neck, with a clear separation from grey, finely-patterned breast and flanks. Centre of belly is white; black stern is useful identification feature. Has dark bill and yellow legs. In eclipse, male resembles adult female. Adult female has mottled brown plumage with greyish head and yellow bill. Juvenile resembles adult female. Voice Male utters croaking call and female utters mallard-like quack. Status Found on shallow freshwater; dabbles for water plants.
    133043.jpg
  • Little Egret Egretta garzetta L 55-65cm. Unmistakable pure white, heron-like bird. Long, black legs have bright yellow toes. Feeds actively in water, often chasing small fish. Has a hunched posture when resting. In flight, neck is held ‘S-shaped’ and legs are trailing. Sexes are similar. Adult has pure white plumage. Note yellow eye. Nape plumes seen in breeding plumage. Juvenile is similar to adult. Voice Mostly silent. Status Recent arrival to Britain, now locally common on coasts and increasingly on inland wetlands.
    133056.jpg
  • Gadwall Anas strepera L 46-55cm. Rather nondescript dabbling duck. Distant male looks grey and brown but close view reveals intricate feather patterns. In flight, both sexes show white in speculum; male also has chestnut on inner wing. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has buffish head and neck, with a clear separation from grey, finely-patterned breast and flanks. Centre of belly is white; black stern is useful identification feature. Has dark bill and yellow legs. In eclipse, male resembles adult female. Adult female has mottled brown plumage with greyish head and yellow bill. Juvenile resembles adult female. Voice Male utters croaking call and female utters mallard-like quack. Status Found on shallow freshwater; dabbles for water plants.
    135907.jpg
  • Least Auklet - Aethia pusilla - breeding adult
    149757.jpg
  • Elegant Tern - Thalasseus elegans - adult breeding
    148397.jpg
  • Elegant Tern - Thalasseus elegans - adult breeding
    148401.jpg
  • Elegant Tern - Thalasseus elegans - adult breeding
    148404.jpg
  • Elegant Tern - Thalasseus elegans - adult breeding
    148405.jpg
  • Elegant Tern - Thalasseus elegans - adult breeding
    148407.jpg
  • Elegant Tern - Thalasseus elegans - adult breeding
    148408.jpg
  • Blue Tit Cyanistes caeruleus L 11-12cm. Familiar garden and woodland bird. Sexes are similar. Adult has greenish back, blue wings and yellow underparts. Mainly white head is demarcated by dark blue collar, connecting to dark eyestripe and dark bib; cap is blue. Bill is short and stubby and legs are bluish. Male is brighter than female. Juvenile is similar but colours are subdued. Voice Call is chattering tser err-err-err. Song contains whistling and trilling elements. Status Common resident of deciduous woodland, parks and gardens.
    100295.jpg
  • Blue Tit Cyanistes caeruleus L 11-12cm. Familiar garden and woodland bird. Sexes are similar. Adult has greenish back, blue wings and yellow underparts. Mainly white head is demarcated by dark blue collar, connecting to dark eyestripe and dark bib; cap is blue. Bill is short and stubby and legs are bluish. Male is brighter than female. Juvenile is similar but colours are subdued. Voice Call is chattering tser err-err-err. Song contains whistling and trilling elements. Status Common resident of deciduous woodland, parks and gardens.
    143202.jpg
  • Least Auklet - Aethia pusilla - breeding adult
    149758.jpg
  • Elegant Tern - Thalasseus elegans - adult breeding
    148399.jpg
  • Elegant Tern - Thalasseus elegans - adult breeding
    148398.jpg
  • Elegant Tern - Thalasseus elegans - adult breeding
    148400.jpg
  • Elegant Tern - Thalasseus elegans - adult breeding
    148402.jpg
  • Elegant Tern - Thalasseus elegans - adult breeding
    148403.jpg
  • Elegant Tern - Thalasseus elegans - adult breeding
    148406.jpg
  • Whooper Swan Cygnus cygnus L 150-160cm. Similar to Mute Swan but separable using bill shape and colour. Typically holds neck straight, not curved. Seen in medium-sized flocks comprising several family groups. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly pure white plumage although head and upper neck is sometimes stained orange. Bill is triangular and rather long, with yellow patch that extends beyond nostril. Juvenile has grubby buffish grey plumage and dark-tipped pale pink bill. Voice Utters loud, bugling calls. Status Handful of pairs breed here each year, but best known as a winter visitor; several thousand present Oct-Mar.
    133163.jpg
  • Barn Owl Tyto alba L 34-38cm. Mainly nocturnal but sometimes hunts from late afternoon onwards. Feeds mainly on grassland small mammals. Flight is leisurely and slow on rounded wings. Responds well to nestbox schemes. Sexes are similar. Adult and juvenile have orange-buff upperparts speckled with tiny black and white dots. Facial disc is heart-shaped and white. In flight, underwings pure white. Voice Utters blood-curdling at night. Status Vulnerable and generally scarce resident species.
    136111.jpg
  • Red Deer Cervus elaphus Shoulder height 100-130cm Male (stag) is our heaviest deer. Size varies with region – southern animals are larger than northern ones. Lives in separate sex herds for much or year. Adult is reddish in summer but dark brown in winter. Has whitish rump patch and buffish brown tail. Only male has antlers: appear in spring, mature in autumn, shed in winter. Number of antler points increases with age. Calf is reddish brown with white spots. Female (hind) bleats and male utters bellowing roars during autumn rut. Common and native in Scotland. Locally also in Lake District, Exmoor, the New Forest and Norfolk.
    144379.jpg
  • Window-winged Sedge - Hagenella clathrata
    162591.jpg
  • Window-winged Sedge - Hagenella clathrata
    162563.jpg
  • Greenbottle - Lucila caesar
    156418.jpg
  • Mottled Sedge - Glyphotaelius pellucidus
    141281.jpg
  • Grousewing Caddisfly - Mystacides longicornis
    141278.jpg
  • Red Ant - Myrmica rubra - larvae and pupae
    125965.jpg
  • Yellow Dung Fly - Scatophaga stercoraria
    105519.jpg
  • Bluebottle - Calliphora erythrocephala
    105518.jpg
  • Lesser House-fly - Fannia canicularis
    105514.jpg
  • Volucella bombylans
    105509.jpg
  • Greenbottle - Lucila caesar
    105511.jpg
  • Drone Fly - Eristalis tenax
    105504.jpg
  • Empid Fly - Empis tessellata
    105500.jpg
  • Crane Fly - Tipula maxima
    105482.jpg
  • Capsid Bug - Campyloneura virgula
    105449.jpg
  • Capsid Bug - Deraeocoris ruber
    105448.jpg
  • Southern Elephant Seal Mirounga leonina Length 2-3m, weight 400-850kg Massive seal. Male is up to four times larger than female, with distinctive proboscis. Breeds on Sub-Antarctic islands, notably South Georgia.
    143429.jpg
  • King Penguins - Apternodytes patagonica
    127002.jpg
  • Laughing Gull - Larus atricilla Breeding pair in courtship display
    133546.jpg
  • Window-winged Sedge - Hagenella clathrata
    162564.jpg
  • Scarce Brown Sedge - Ironoquia dubia
    162548.jpg
  • Scarce Brown Sedge - Ironoquia dubia
    162547.jpg
  • Cleg-fly - Haematopota pluvialis
    156482.jpg
  • Cleg-fly - Haematopota pluvialis
    156481.jpg
  • Cleg-fly - Haematopota pluvialis
    156465.jpg
  • Bluebottle - Calliphora erythrocephala
    156312.jpg
  • Yellow Dung Fly - Scatophaga stercoraria
    156278.jpg
  • Bog Hoverfly - Sericomyia silentis
    105506.jpg
  • Snipe Fly - Rhagio scolopacea
    105502.jpg
  • Bee-fly - Bombylius major
    105498.jpg
  • Band-eyed Brown Horse Fly - Tabanus bromius
    105496.jpg
  • Black-horned Cleg - Haematopota crassicornis
    105495.jpg
  • Notch-horned Cleg Fly or Common Horse Fly Haematopa pluvialis
    105494.jpg
  • St Mark's Fly - Bibio marci
    105492.jpg
  • Glassworm or Phantom Midge Larvae - Chaoborus
    105485.jpg
  • King Penguin & Chick - Apterodytes patagonica
    126229.jpg
  • King Penguins - Apternodytes patagonica
    135520.jpg
  • Large Marsh Horsefly - Tabanus autumnalis
    160110.jpg
  • Gadwall - Anas strepera
    159991.jpg
  • Brent Goose - Branta bernicla
    159997.jpg
  • Mute Swan - Cygnus olor
    161371.jpg
  • Brent Goose - Branta bernicla
    160322.jpg
  • Large Marsh Horsefly - Tabanus autumnalis
    160109.jpg
  • Coot - Fulica atra
    159987.jpg
  • Drone Fly - Eristalis tenax
    159814.jpg
  • Drone Fly - Eristalis tenax
    159815.jpg
  • King Penguin Feeding Chick - Apterodytes patagonica
    118560.jpg
  • Black-tailed Godwit - Limosa limosa - Winter Adults. L 35-40cm. Large wader with long, slightly upturned bill. Looks shorter-legged than Black-tailed. In flight, note absence of wingbar on upperwing; white rump extends as wedge to lower back and tail is barred. Sexes are dissimilar in summer. Adult male in breeding plumage has reddish orange head, neck and underparts. Back is spangled grey, black and pale buff. Adult female in breeding plumage has buffish orange wash on head, neck and breast, pale belly and greyish back. Winter adult has grey-brown head, neck and upperparts; underparts are pale. Juvenile recalls winter adult but has buffish wash to head, neck and upperparts. Voice Utters a sharp kve-wee call in flight. Status Nests in Arctic; non-breeding visitor to coastal Britain and Ireland.
    155400.jpg
  • Arctic Skua Stercorarius parasiticus L 46cm. Aerobatic, graceful seabird with deep wingbeats and narrow, pointed wings. Food parasite of Arctic Tern and Kittiwake. Adult has wedge-shaped tail and pointed streamers. Sexes are similar but adults occur in two morphs. Adult pale phase has white neck, breast and belly, dark cap and otherwise grey-brown plumage. Note faint yellowish flush on cheeks. Adult dark phase is uniformly dark grey-brown. Juvenile is dark rufous brown. Voice Utters nasal calls near nest. Status Local summer visitor to Scottish coasts; coastal passage migrant elsewhere.
    154230.jpg
  • Arctic Skua Stercorarius parasiticus L 46cm. Aerobatic, graceful seabird with deep wingbeats and narrow, pointed wings. Food parasite of Arctic Tern and Kittiwake. Adult has wedge-shaped tail and pointed streamers. Sexes are similar but adults occur in two morphs. Adult pale phase has white neck, breast and belly, dark cap and otherwise grey-brown plumage. Note faint yellowish flush on cheeks. Adult dark phase is uniformly dark grey-brown. Juvenile is dark rufous brown. Voice Utters nasal calls near nest. Status Local summer visitor to Scottish coasts; coastal passage migrant elsewhere.
    154228.jpg
  • Arctic Skua Stercorarius parasiticus L 46cm. Aerobatic, graceful seabird with deep wingbeats and narrow, pointed wings. Food parasite of Arctic Tern and Kittiwake. Adult has wedge-shaped tail and pointed streamers. Sexes are similar but adults occur in two morphs. Adult pale phase has white neck, breast and belly, dark cap and otherwise grey-brown plumage. Note faint yellowish flush on cheeks. Adult dark phase is uniformly dark grey-brown. Juvenile is dark rufous brown. Voice Utters nasal calls near nest. Status Local summer visitor to Scottish coasts; coastal passage migrant elsewhere.
    154229.jpg
  • Brambling Fringilla montifringilla L 14-15cm. Distinctive finch with white rump. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male in winter has orange throat, breast and lesser wing coverts; underparts are white with small dark spots on flanks. Head and back are darkish but with pale feather fringes. Dark wings have pale feather margins and whitish orange wingbars. Bill is yellow. In breeding plumage (sometimes acquired here) head, back and bill are black. Adult female has similar markings to winter male on wings, breast and underparts but head is grey brown with dark lines on sides. Juveniles are similar to winter adults but duller. Voice Calls include a harsh eeerrp. Song is series of buzzing notes. Status Mainly a common winter visitor, found mainly in mature Beech woodland. A few pairs breed.
    153845.jpg
  • Common Toad Bufo bufo Length 5-9cm A widespread toad; the only common species in Britain. Skin is covered in toxin-containing warts. Spawn is laid in double-rowed spawn strings. Gait consists of short hops. Adult is olive-brown to greenish buff (hue is influenced by ambient light). Has red iris and webbed hind feet. Female is larger than male. Juvenile recalls a tiny, large-headed adult. Courting male utters croaking calls in spring. More terrestrial than most other amphibians and adults spend much of their lives on land:  woodland, scrub, grassland and moors are favoured. Must return to water to breed and most are found within 2km or so of suitable ponds. Not deterred by fish: tadpole’ toxic skin acts as deterrent to predation. Observation tips Courting is easy to watch in suitable ponds in spring (February-March are typical months). Sometimes found hibernating under logs in winter.
    142204.jpg
  • Common Toad Bufo bufo Length 5-9cm A widespread toad; the only common species in Britain. Skin is covered in toxin-containing warts. Spawn is laid in double-rowed spawn strings. Gait consists of short hops. Adult is olive-brown to greenish buff (hue is influenced by ambient light). Has red iris and webbed hind feet. Female is larger than male. Juvenile recalls a tiny, large-headed adult. Courting male utters croaking calls in spring. More terrestrial than most other amphibians and adults spend much of their lives on land:  woodland, scrub, grassland and moors are favoured. Must return to water to breed and most are found within 2km or so of suitable ponds. Not deterred by fish: tadpole’ toxic skin acts as deterrent to predation. Observation tips Courting is easy to watch in suitable ponds in spring (February-March are typical months). Sometimes found hibernating under logs in winter.
    144144.jpg
  • Brent Goose Branta bernicla L 56-61cm. Our smallest goose – similar size to Shelduck. Subtle plumage patterns allow separation of two subspecies that winter here: Pale-bellied Brent B.b.hrota (breeds on Svalbard and Greenland) and Dark-bellied Brent B.b.bernicla (breeds in Russia). Seen in sizeable and noisy flocks. In flight, looks dark except for white rear end. All birds have a black bill and black legs. Sexes are similar. Adult Pale-bellied has blackish head, neck and breast; side of neck has narrow band of white feathers. Note neat division between dark breast and pale grey-buff belly. Back is uniform dark brownish grey. Adult Dark-bellied is similar but belly is darker and flanks are paler. Juveniles are similar to respective adults but note pale feather margins on back and absence of white markings on side of neck; white on neck is acquired in New Year. Voice Very vocal, uttering a nasal krrrut. Status Winter visitor to coasts.
    128784.jpg
  • Brent Goose Branta bernicla L 56-61cm. Our smallest goose – similar size to Shelduck. Subtle plumage patterns allow separation of two subspecies that winter here: Pale-bellied Brent B.b.hrota (breeds on Svalbard and Greenland) and Dark-bellied Brent B.b.bernicla (breeds in Russia). Seen in sizeable and noisy flocks. In flight, looks dark except for white rear end. All birds have a black bill and black legs. Sexes are similar. Adult Pale-bellied has blackish head, neck and breast; side of neck has narrow band of white feathers. Note neat division between dark breast and pale grey-buff belly. Back is uniform dark brownish grey. Adult Dark-bellied is similar but belly is darker and flanks are paler. Juveniles are similar to respective adults but note pale feather margins on back and absence of white markings on side of neck; white on neck is acquired in New Year. Voice Very vocal, uttering a nasal krrrut. Status Winter visitor to coasts.
    128786.jpg
  • Brambling Fringilla montifringilla L 14-15cm. Distinctive finch with white rump. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male in winter has orange throat, breast and lesser wing coverts; underparts are white with small dark spots on flanks. Head and back are darkish but with pale feather fringes. Dark wings have pale feather margins and whitish orange wingbars. Bill is yellow. In breeding plumage (sometimes acquired here) head, back and bill are black. Adult female has similar markings to winter male on wings, breast and underparts but head is grey brown with dark lines on sides. Juveniles are similar to winter adults but duller. Voice Calls include a harsh eeerrp. Song is series of buzzing notes. Status Mainly a common winter visitor, found mainly in mature Beech woodland. A few pairs breed.
    129387.jpg
  • Brambling Fringilla montifringilla L 14-15cm. Distinctive finch with white rump. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male in winter has orange throat, breast and lesser wing coverts; underparts are white with small dark spots on flanks. Head and back are darkish but with pale feather fringes. Dark wings have pale feather margins and whitish orange wingbars. Bill is yellow. In breeding plumage (sometimes acquired here) head, back and bill are black. Adult female has similar markings to winter male on wings, breast and underparts but head is grey brown with dark lines on sides. Juveniles are similar to winter adults but duller. Voice Calls include a harsh eeerrp. Song is series of buzzing notes. Status Mainly a common winter visitor, found mainly in mature Beech woodland. A few pairs breed.
    133133.jpg
  • Brambling Fringilla montifringilla L 14-15cm. Distinctive finch with white rump. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male in winter has orange throat, breast and lesser wing coverts; underparts are white with small dark spots on flanks. Head and back are darkish but with pale feather fringes. Dark wings have pale feather margins and whitish orange wingbars. Bill is yellow. In breeding plumage (sometimes acquired here) head, back and bill are black. Adult female has similar markings to winter male on wings, breast and underparts but head is grey brown with dark lines on sides. Juveniles are similar to winter adults but duller. Voice Calls include a harsh eeerrp. Song is series of buzzing notes. Status Mainly a common winter visitor, found mainly in mature Beech woodland. A few pairs breed.
    133135.jpg
  • Brambling Fringilla montifringilla L 14-15cm. Distinctive finch with white rump. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male in winter has orange throat, breast and lesser wing coverts; underparts are white with small dark spots on flanks. Head and back are darkish but with pale feather fringes. Dark wings have pale feather margins and whitish orange wingbars. Bill is yellow. In breeding plumage (sometimes acquired here) head, back and bill are black. Adult female has similar markings to winter male on wings, breast and underparts but head is grey brown with dark lines on sides. Juveniles are similar to winter adults but duller. Voice Calls include a harsh eeerrp. Song is series of buzzing notes. Status Mainly a common winter visitor, found mainly in mature Beech woodland. A few pairs breed.
    133142.jpg
  • Brambling Fringilla montifringilla L 14-15cm. Distinctive finch with white rump. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male in winter has orange throat, breast and lesser wing coverts; underparts are white with small dark spots on flanks. Head and back are darkish but with pale feather fringes. Dark wings have pale feather margins and whitish orange wingbars. Bill is yellow. In breeding plumage (sometimes acquired here) head, back and bill are black. Adult female has similar markings to winter male on wings, breast and underparts but head is grey brown with dark lines on sides. Juveniles are similar to winter adults but duller. Voice Calls include a harsh eeerrp. Song is series of buzzing notes. Status Mainly a common winter visitor, found mainly in mature Beech woodland. A few pairs breed.
    133143.jpg
  • Brambling Fringilla montifringilla L 14-15cm. Distinctive finch with white rump. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male in winter has orange throat, breast and lesser wing coverts; underparts are white with small dark spots on flanks. Head and back are darkish but with pale feather fringes. Dark wings have pale feather margins and whitish orange wingbars. Bill is yellow. In breeding plumage (sometimes acquired here) head, back and bill are black. Adult female has similar markings to winter male on wings, breast and underparts but head is grey brown with dark lines on sides. Juveniles are similar to winter adults but duller. Voice Calls include a harsh eeerrp. Song is series of buzzing notes. Status Mainly a common winter visitor, found mainly in mature Beech woodland. A few pairs breed.
    133144.jpg
  • Brambling Fringilla montifringilla L 14-15cm. Distinctive finch with white rump. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male in winter has orange throat, breast and lesser wing coverts; underparts are white with small dark spots on flanks. Head and back are darkish but with pale feather fringes. Dark wings have pale feather margins and whitish orange wingbars. Bill is yellow. In breeding plumage (sometimes acquired here) head, back and bill are black. Adult female has similar markings to winter male on wings, breast and underparts but head is grey brown with dark lines on sides. Juveniles are similar to winter adults but duller. Voice Calls include a harsh eeerrp. Song is series of buzzing notes. Status Mainly a common winter visitor, found mainly in mature Beech woodland. A few pairs breed.
    133149.jpg
  • Brambling Fringilla montifringilla L 14-15cm. Distinctive finch with white rump. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male in winter has orange throat, breast and lesser wing coverts; underparts are white with small dark spots on flanks. Head and back are darkish but with pale feather fringes. Dark wings have pale feather margins and whitish orange wingbars. Bill is yellow. In breeding plumage (sometimes acquired here) head, back and bill are black. Adult female has similar markings to winter male on wings, breast and underparts but head is grey brown with dark lines on sides. Juveniles are similar to winter adults but duller. Voice Calls include a harsh eeerrp. Song is series of buzzing notes. Status Mainly a common winter visitor, found mainly in mature Beech woodland. A few pairs breed.
    133150.jpg
  • Bean Goose Anser fabalis L 65-85cm. Heavy-looking ‘grey’ goose with bulky bill and orange legs. Neck is long compared to that of Pink-foot. In flight, wings are mainly dark but note pale bars on upper surface. Dark rump and tail contrast with narrow white band that defines tail-base. Typically forms single-species flocks. Sexes are similar but 2 subspecies occur. Adult has dark brown on head and neck, grading to paler brown on breast and belly. Stern is white and back is dark brown, feathers having pale margins. Ssp. fabilis (from N Europe) is long-necked; large bill is well-marked with orange. Ssp. rossicus (from N Siberia) is smaller with shorter neck; smaller bill has small extent of orange. Some adults of both ssp. show white at base of bill. Juvenile is similar to respective adult but bill and leg colours are dull. Voice Utters a nasal, trumpeting cackle. Status Scarce winter visitor; favours marshes and wet grassland.
    133353.jpg
  • Brent Goose Branta bernicla L 56-61cm. Our smallest goose – similar size to Shelduck. Subtle plumage patterns allow separation of two subspecies that winter here: Pale-bellied Brent B.b.hrota (breeds on Svalbard and Greenland) and Dark-bellied Brent B.b.bernicla (breeds in Russia). Seen in sizeable and noisy flocks. In flight, looks dark except for white rear end. All birds have a black bill and black legs. Sexes are similar. Adult Pale-bellied has blackish head, neck and breast; side of neck has narrow band of white feathers. Note neat division between dark breast and pale grey-buff belly. Back is uniform dark brownish grey. Adult Dark-bellied is similar but belly is darker and flanks are paler. Juveniles are similar to respective adults but note pale feather margins on back and absence of white markings on side of neck; white on neck is acquired in New Year. Voice Very vocal, uttering a nasal krrrut. Status Winter visitor to coasts.
    136029.jpg
  • Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea Length 18cm. Elegant waterside bird. Strikingly long tail is continually pumped up and down. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male in summer has blue-grey upperparts and lemon-yellow underparts. Note black bib, white sub-moustachial stripe and white supercilium. Bill is dark, legs are reddish and outer tail feathers are white. Adult female in summer is similar but bib is whitish and variably marked with grey while underparts are paler with yellow colour confined mainly to vent. Winter adults and juveniles are similar to respective summer plumages but with white throats. Voice Utters a sharp chsee-tsit call in flight. Status Favours fast-flowing stony streams and rivers; commonest in N and W.
    136118.jpg
  • Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea Length 18cm. Elegant waterside bird. Strikingly long tail is continually pumped up and down. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male in summer has blue-grey upperparts and lemon-yellow underparts. Note black bib, white sub-moustachial stripe and white supercilium. Bill is dark, legs are reddish and outer tail feathers are white. Adult female in summer is similar but bib is whitish and variably marked with grey while underparts are paler with yellow colour confined mainly to vent. Winter adults and juveniles are similar to respective summer plumages but with white throats. Voice Utters a sharp chsee-tsit call in flight. Status Favours fast-flowing stony streams and rivers; commonest in N and W.
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