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  • Smooth Snake Coronella austriaca Length 50-70cm Rare snake with vaguely viperine markings. Pupil is rounded (vertical slit in Adder). Sunbathes but typically partially hidden. Hibernates October-April. Diet includes other reptiles. Sexes are similar. Adult has slender body but relatively large head; scales are satiny smooth. Overall ground colour ranges from bluish grey to reddish brown. Has darkish spots along length, sometimes combining to form Adder-like zigzag. Head has dark patch; posterior margin is sometimes rather V-shaped. From side, note dark eye stripe. Juvenile is similar but has spots along flanks. In Britain, restricted to mature heathland with bushy Heather (Calluna vulgaris). Rare because of habitat loss, inappropriate heathland management and fires.
    136124.jpg
  • Smooth Snake Coronella austriaca Length 50-70cm Rare snake with vaguely viperine markings. Pupil is rounded (vertical slit in Adder). Sunbathes but typically partially hidden. Hibernates October-April. Diet includes other reptiles. Sexes are similar. Adult has slender body but relatively large head; scales are satiny smooth. Overall ground colour ranges from bluish grey to reddish brown. Has darkish spots along length, sometimes combining to form Adder-like zigzag. Head has dark patch; posterior margin is sometimes rather V-shaped. From side, note dark eye stripe. Juvenile is similar but has spots along flanks. In Britain, restricted to mature heathland with bushy Heather (Calluna vulgaris). Rare because of habitat loss, inappropriate heathland management and fires.
    136125.jpg
  • Smooth Snake Coronella austriaca Length 50-70cm Rare snake with vaguely viperine markings. Pupil is rounded (vertical slit in Adder). Sunbathes but typically partially hidden. Hibernates October-April. Diet includes other reptiles. Sexes are similar. Adult has slender body but relatively large head; scales are satiny smooth. Overall ground colour ranges from bluish grey to reddish brown. Has darkish spots along length, sometimes combining to form Adder-like zigzag. Head has dark patch; posterior margin is sometimes rather V-shaped. From side, note dark eye stripe. Juvenile is similar but has spots along flanks. In Britain, restricted to mature heathland with bushy Heather (Calluna vulgaris). Rare because of habitat loss, inappropriate heathland management and fires.
    136130.jpg
  • Woodpigeon Columba livia L 41cm. Plump, familiar bird whose ‘song’ is a countryside familiar sound, as is loud clatter of wings heard a bird flies off. Forms flocks outside breeding season. Sexes are similar.<br />
Adult has mainly blue-grey plumage with pinkish maroon on breast. Note white patch on side of neck and, in flight, prominent, transverse white wingbars, dark wingtips and dark terminal band on tail. Juvenile is similar but white mark on neck is missing. Voice Sings a series of oo-OO-oo, oo-oo phrases. Status Abundant on farmland and lightly wooded countryside generally. Also increasingly in towns.
    130280.jpg
  • Black-browed Albatross - Thalassarche melanophris - adult feeding chick
    160481.jpg
  • Southern Elephant Seal bull - Mirounga leonina
    159585.jpg
  • Laughing Gull - Larus atricilla - summer adult
    160586.jpg
  • Grey Plover - Pluvialis squatarola
    160468.jpg
  • Brown Pelican - Pelicanus occidentalis - Pacific race
    160496.jpg
  • Brown Pelican - Pelicanus occidentalis - Pacific race
    160497.jpg
  • Brown Pelican - Pelicanus occidentalis - Pacific race
    160498.jpg
  • Southern Elephant Seal bull - Mirounga leonina - with captured pup
    159587.jpg
  • Southern Elephant Seal bull - Mirounga leonina - bull with captured pup
    159584.jpg
  • Little Blue Heron - Egretta caerulea
    160605.jpg
  • Reddish Egret - Egretta rufescens
    160640.jpg
  • Laughing Gull - Larus atricilla - summer adult
    160593.jpg
  • Canada Goose - Branta canadensis
    164150.jpg
  • Mute Swan - Cygnus olor - adult grazing
    164141.jpg
  • Mute Swan - Cygnus olor - adult male close-up of large basal knob
    164140.jpg
  • Thalessema thalassemum - A Spoon worm, phylum Echiura
    161490.jpg
  • Woodpigeon Columba livia L 41cm. Plump, familiar bird whose ‘song’ is a countryside familiar sound, as is loud clatter of wings heard a bird flies off. Forms flocks outside breeding season. Sexes are similar.<br />
Adult has mainly blue-grey plumage with pinkish maroon on breast. Note white patch on side of neck and, in flight, prominent, transverse white wingbars, dark wingtips and dark terminal band on tail. Juvenile is similar but white mark on neck is missing. Voice Sings a series of oo-OO-oo, oo-oo phrases. Status Abundant on farmland and lightly wooded countryside generally. Also increasingly in towns.
    130278.jpg
  • Brown Pelican - Pelicanus occidentalis - Californian race
    160512.jpg
  • Brown Pelican - Pelicanus occidentalis - Californian race
    160514.jpg
  • Laughing Gull - Larus atricilla - summer adult
    160587.jpg
  • Laughing Gull - Larus atricilla - summer adults mating
    160590.jpg
  • Laughing Gull - Larus atricilla - summer adult
    160592.jpg
  • Southern Elephant Seal bull - Mirounga leonina - with captured pup
    159588.jpg
  • Brown Pelican - Pelicanus occidentalis - Californian race
    160513.jpg
  • Brown Pelican - Pelicanus occidentalis - Californian race
    160515.jpg
  • Laughing Gull - Larus atricilla - summer adults mating
    160589.jpg
  • Southern Elephant Seal bull - Mirounga leonina
    159594.jpg
  • Southern Elephant Seal bull - Mirounga leonina
    159590.jpg
  • Southern Elephant Seal bull - Mirounga leonina
    159589.jpg
  • Southern Elephant Seal bull - Mirounga leonina
    159586.jpg
  • Thornback Ray Raja clavata Length to 90cm<br />
The most familiar inshore ray. Adult has a flat, roughly diamond-shaped body with a short snout. Dorsal surface of the long tail has thorny spines with swollen bases; these continue in a line along the dorsal surface of the body. Upper body surface is grey-brown with dark stripes or pale and dark spots; lower surface is pale. Tail looks banded. Lays eggs, protected in a tough case.
    142954.jpg
  • Thornback Ray Raja clavata Length to 90cm<br />
The most familiar inshore ray. Adult has a flat, roughly diamond-shaped body with a short snout. Dorsal surface of the long tail has thorny spines with swollen bases; these continue in a line along the dorsal surface of the body. Upper body surface is grey-brown with dark stripes or pale and dark spots; lower surface is pale. Tail looks banded. Lays eggs, protected in a tough case.
    142953.jpg
  • Fin Whale Balaenoptera physalus Length 18-22m Second only in terms of size to Blue Whale. Uniquely, has asymmetrical markings on head. Fast swimmer, catching shoaling fish. Adult has slender body with narrow, pointed head. Body is mainly dark grey, palest on underparts and throat. Right side of lower jaw is whitish (as are front half of right side of baleen plates and tongue) whereas left side is same colour as rest of body. Single median ridge extends from nostril to tip of rostrum. Flippers are relatively long. Dorsal fin is curved, rather large, set a long way back. Tailstock is thick and tail fin is large.
    111740.jpg
  • Fin Whale Balaenoptera physalus Length 18-22m Second only in terms of size to Blue Whale. Uniquely, has asymmetrical markings on head. Fast swimmer, catching shoaling fish. Adult has slender body with narrow, pointed head. Body is mainly dark grey, palest on underparts and throat. Right side of lower jaw is whitish (as are front half of right side of baleen plates and tongue) whereas left side is same colour as rest of body. Single median ridge extends from nostril to tip of rostrum. Flippers are relatively long. Dorsal fin is curved, rather large, set a long way back. Tailstock is thick and tail fin is large.
    111741.jpg
  • Thornback Ray Raja clavata Length to 90cm<br />
The most familiar inshore ray. Adult has a flat, roughly diamond-shaped body with a short snout. Dorsal surface of the long tail has thorny spines with swollen bases; these continue in a line along the dorsal surface of the body. Upper body surface is grey-brown with dark stripes or pale and dark spots; lower surface is pale. Tail looks banded. Lays eggs, protected in a tough case.
    142970.jpg
  • Thornback Ray Raja clavata Length to 90cm<br />
The most familiar inshore ray. Adult has a flat, roughly diamond-shaped body with a short snout. Dorsal surface of the long tail has thorny spines with swollen bases; these continue in a line along the dorsal surface of the body. Upper body surface is grey-brown with dark stripes or pale and dark spots; lower surface is pale. Tail looks banded. Lays eggs, protected in a tough case.
    142969.jpg
  • Thornback Ray Raja clavata Length to 90cm<br />
The most familiar inshore ray. Adult has flat, roughly diamond-shaped body with a short snout. Dorsal surface of long tail has thorny spines with swollen bases; these continue in a line along dorsal surface of body. Upper body surface is grey-brown with dark stripes or pale and dark spots; lower surface is pale. Tail looks banded. Lays eggs, protected in a tough case. Widespread and locally common in S and W only.
    142225.jpg
  • December Moth Poecilocampa populi Length 17-19mm. A sombre-looking moth with a hairy body. Adult has dusky-brown wings, with buff and reddish outer margins and pale cross lines. The body is hairy; front of head is whitish. Male is smaller than female. Flies mainly November-December. Larva feeds on a range of deciduous trees. Widespread and common across much of Britain.
    140904.jpg
  • Water Rail Rallus aquaticus L 23-28cm. Secretive wetland bird. Distinctive call is heard far more frequently than bird is seen. In profile, note dumpy body, short tail and long bill. Seen head-on, body is laterally compressed. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly blue-grey underparts, reddish brown upperparts, and black and white barring on flanks. Bill and legs are red. Juvenile is similar to adult but duller. Voice Utters a pig-like squeal and various choking calls. Status Favours reedbeds and marshes; migrants sometimes found on streams and watercress beds.
    136931.jpg
  • Water Rail Rallus aquaticus L 23-28cm. Secretive wetland bird. Distinctive call is heard far more frequently than bird is seen. In profile, note dumpy body, short tail and long bill. Seen head-on, body is laterally compressed. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly blue-grey underparts, reddish brown upperparts, and black and white barring on flanks. Bill and legs are red. Juvenile is similar to adult but duller. Voice Utters a pig-like squeal and various choking calls. Status Favours reedbeds and marshes; migrants sometimes found on streams and watercress beds.
    145458.jpg
  • Bearded Tit/Bearded Reedling Panurus biarmicus L 16-17cm. Reedbed specialist with a rounded body and long tail. Distinctive call leads to affectionate nickname of ‘pinger’. Forms flocks outside breeding season. Sexes are dissimilar<br />
Adult male has sandy brown body and tail, with black and white markings on wings. Head is blue-grey with black ‘moustache’. beady yellow eye and yellow bill. Adult female is similar but head is sandy brown. Juvenile is similar to adult female but back is blackish, throat is whiter and eye colour is darker. Voice Utters diagnostic, high-pitched ping call. Song is seldom heard. Status Rather scarce and associated exclusively with extensive reedbeds.
    145701.jpg
  • Bearded Tit - Panurus biarmicus - female. L 16-17cm. Reedbed specialist with a rounded body and long tail. Distinctive call leads to affectionate nickname of ‘pinger’. Forms flocks outside breeding season. Sexes are dissimilar<br />
Adult male has sandy brown body and tail, with black and white markings on wings. Head is blue-grey with black ‘moustache’. beady yellow eye and yellow bill. Adult female is similar but head is sandy brown. Juvenile is similar to adult female but back is blackish, throat is whiter and eye colour is darker. Voice Utters diagnostic, high-pitched ping call. Song is seldom heard. Status Rather scarce and associated exclusively with extensive reedbeds.
    157679.jpg
  • Bearded Tit - Panurus biarmicus - female. L 16-17cm. Reedbed specialist with a rounded body and long tail. Distinctive call leads to affectionate nickname of ‘pinger’. Forms flocks outside breeding season. Sexes are dissimilar<br />
Adult male has sandy brown body and tail, with black and white markings on wings. Head is blue-grey with black ‘moustache’. beady yellow eye and yellow bill. Adult female is similar but head is sandy brown. Juvenile is similar to adult female but back is blackish, throat is whiter and eye colour is darker. Voice Utters diagnostic, high-pitched ping call. Song is seldom heard. Status Rather scarce and associated exclusively with extensive reedbeds.
    157678.jpg
  • Bearded Tit/Bearded Reedling Panurus biarmicus - Male. L 16-17cm. Reedbed specialist with a rounded body and long tail. Distinctive call leads to affectionate nickname of ‘pinger’. Forms flocks outside breeding season. Sexes are dissimilar<br />
 Adult male has sandy brown body and tail, with black and white markings on wings. Head is blue-grey with black ‘moustache’. beady yellow eye and yellow bill. Adult female is similar but head is sandy brown. Juvenile is similar to adult female but back is blackish, throat is whiter and eye colour is darker. Voice Utters diagnostic, high-pitched ping call. Song is seldom heard. Status Rather scarce and associated exclusively with extensive reedbeds.
    157673.jpg
  • Black Redstart - Phoenicurus ochruros - female. (L 14cm) has benefited from urban sprawl and indeed often thrives in areas where industrial dereliction prevails. It is a bold bird that perches conspicuously, quivering striking red tail in an obvious manner. Adult males are particularly striking, with slate-grey body plumage darkest on the face and breast. By comparison, female and immature birds are rather drab, with mainly grey-brown body plumage. In a strange way, the Black Redstart’s song sometimes match its surroundings and includes curious crackling, static-like phrases. Between 50 and 100 pairs attempt to nest here each year but the species is more numerous as a passage migrant and occasional winter visitor to south coasts.
    157612.jpg
  • December Moth - Poecilocampa populi - larva. Length 17-19mm. A sombre-looking moth with a hairy body. Adult has dusky-brown wings, with buff and reddish outer margins and pale cross lines. The body is hairy; front of head is whitish. Male is smaller than female. Flies mainly November-December. Larva feeds on a range of deciduous trees. Widespread and common across much of Britain.
    157413.jpg
  • December Moth - Poecilocampa populi Length 17-19mm. A sombre-looking moth with a hairy body. Adult has dusky-brown wings, with buff and reddish outer margins and pale cross lines. The body is hairy; front of head is whitish. Male is smaller than female. Flies mainly November-December. Larva feeds on a range of deciduous trees. Widespread and common across much of Britain.
    157412.jpg
  • December Moth - Poecilocampa populi - Larvae. Length 17-19mm. A sombre-looking moth with a hairy body. Adult has dusky-brown wings, with buff and reddish outer margins and pale cross lines. The body is hairy; front of head is whitish. Male is smaller than female. Flies mainly November-December. Larva feeds on a range of deciduous trees. Widespread and common across much of Britain.
    157401.jpg
  • Bearded Tit/Bearded Reedling - Panurus biarmicus - male. L 16-17cm. Reedbed specialist with a rounded body and long tail. Distinctive call leads to affectionate nickname of ‘pinger’. Forms flocks outside breeding season. Sexes are dissimilar<br />
Adult male has sandy brown body and tail, with black and white markings on wings. Head is blue-grey with black ‘moustache’. beady yellow eye and yellow bill. Adult female is similar but head is sandy brown. Juvenile is similar to adult female but back is blackish, throat is whiter and eye colour is darker. Voice Utters diagnostic, high-pitched ping call. Song is seldom heard. Status Rather scarce and associated exclusively with extensive reedbeds.
    157309.jpg
  • Black Redstart - Phoenicurus ochruros - immature. (L 14cm) has benefited from urban sprawl and indeed often thrives in areas where industrial dereliction prevails. It is a bold bird that perches conspicuously, quivering striking red tail in an obvious manner. Adult males are particularly striking, with slate-grey body plumage darkest on the face and breast. By comparison, female and immature birds are rather drab, with mainly grey-brown body plumage. In a strange way, the Black Redstart’s song sometimes match its surroundings and includes curious crackling, static-like phrases. Between 50 and 100 pairs attempt to nest here each year but the species is more numerous as a passage migrant and occasional winter visitor to south coasts.
    156997.jpg
  • Black Redstart - Phoenicurus ochruros - immature. (L 14cm) has benefited from urban sprawl and indeed often thrives in areas where industrial dereliction prevails. It is a bold bird that perches conspicuously, quivering striking red tail in an obvious manner. Adult males are particularly striking, with slate-grey body plumage darkest on the face and breast. By comparison, female and immature birds are rather drab, with mainly grey-brown body plumage. In a strange way, the Black Redstart’s song sometimes match its surroundings and includes curious crackling, static-like phrases. Between 50 and 100 pairs attempt to nest here each year but the species is more numerous as a passage migrant and occasional winter visitor to south coasts.
    156996.jpg
  • Water Rail - Rallus aquaticus L 23-28cm. Secretive wetland bird. Distinctive call is heard far more frequently than bird is seen. In profile, note dumpy body, short tail and long bill. Seen head-on, body is laterally compressed. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly blue-grey underparts, reddish brown upperparts, and black and white barring on flanks. Bill and legs are red. Juvenile is similar to adult but duller. Voice Utters a pig-like squeal and various choking calls. Status Favours reedbeds and marshes; migrants sometimes found on streams and watercress beds.
    156893.jpg
  • Blue Whale Balaenoptera musculus Length 25-30m World’s largest living animal. Feeds on tiny, swarming planktonic crustaceans (krill). Adult has huge, streamlined body; bluish grey overall but mottled with greyish white. Seen just below water surface, body looks very blue. Flippers are relatively small. Single ridge extends from nostrils to tip of rostrum. Throat has 70-90 pleats that allow a huge expansion when feeding. Tail stock is thick and dorsal fin is small and set far back. Decimated by 20th Century whaling and possibly recovering.
    109128.jpg
  • Goosander Mergus merganser - Adult Male. L 58-66cm. Large, elegant diving duck. Narrow mandibles have serrated edges. In flight, upper surface of male’s inner wing is white; in female white is restricted to trailing edge. Sexes are dissimilar in other regards. Adult male has bright red bill, green-glossed head (looks dark in poor light), mainly pink-flushed white body and black back. In eclipse, resembles adult female but retains white wing pattern. Adult female has reddish bill, orange-red head with shaggy crest, and greyish body palest on breast; chin is white. Juvenile resembles dull adult female. Voice Displaying male utters ringing calls. Status Fairly common freshwater species beside wooded upland rivers; nests in tree holes. Influx from mainland Europe boosts winter numbers; found on reservoirs, lochs and flooded gravel pits.
    155552.jpg
  • Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros (L 14cm) has benefited from urban sprawl and indeed often thrives in areas where industrial dereliction prevails. It is a bold bird that perches conspicuously, quivering striking red tail in an obvious manner. Adult males are particularly striking, with slate-grey body plumage darkest on the face and breast. By comparison, female and immature birds are rather drab, with mainly grey-brown body plumage. In a strange way, the Black Redstart’s song sometimes match its surroundings and includes curious crackling, static-like phrases. Between 50 and 100 pairs attempt to nest here each year but the species is more numerous as a passage migrant and occasional winter visitor to south coasts.
    154356.jpg
  • Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros (L 14cm) has benefited from urban sprawl and indeed often thrives in areas where industrial dereliction prevails. It is a bold bird that perches conspicuously, quivering striking red tail in an obvious manner. Adult males are particularly striking, with slate-grey body plumage darkest on the face and breast. By comparison, female and immature birds are rather drab, with mainly grey-brown body plumage. In a strange way, the Black Redstart’s song sometimes match its surroundings and includes curious crackling, static-like phrases. Between 50 and 100 pairs attempt to nest here each year but the species is more numerous as a passage migrant and occasional winter visitor to south coasts.
    154355.jpg
  • Goosander Mergus merganser L 58-66cm. Large, elegant diving duck. Narrow mandibles have serrated edges. In flight, upper surface of male’s inner wing is white; in female white is restricted to trailing edge. Sexes are dissimilar in other regards. Adult male has bright red bill, green-glossed head (looks dark in poor light), mainly pink-flushed white body and black back. In eclipse, resembles adult female but retains white wing pattern. Adult female has reddish bill, orange-red head with shaggy crest, and greyish body palest on breast; chin is white. Juvenile resembles dull adult female. Voice Displaying male utters ringing calls. Status Fairly common freshwater species beside wooded upland rivers; nests in tree holes. Influx from mainland Europe boosts winter numbers; found on reservoirs, lochs and flooded gravel pits.
    153965.jpg
  • Goosander Mergus merganser L 58-66cm. Large, elegant diving duck. Narrow mandibles have serrated edges. In flight, upper surface of male’s inner wing is white; in female white is restricted to trailing edge. Sexes are dissimilar in other regards. Adult male has bright red bill, green-glossed head (looks dark in poor light), mainly pink-flushed white body and black back. In eclipse, resembles adult female but retains white wing pattern. Adult female has reddish bill, orange-red head with shaggy crest, and greyish body palest on breast; chin is white. Juvenile resembles dull adult female. Voice Displaying male utters ringing calls. Status Fairly common freshwater species beside wooded upland rivers; nests in tree holes. Influx from mainland Europe boosts winter numbers; found on reservoirs, lochs and flooded gravel pits.
    153966.jpg
  • Goosander Mergus merganser L 58-66cm. Large, elegant diving duck. Narrow mandibles have serrated edges. In flight, upper surface of male’s inner wing is white; in female white is restricted to trailing edge. Sexes are dissimilar in other regards. Adult male has bright red bill, green-glossed head (looks dark in poor light), mainly pink-flushed white body and black back. In eclipse, resembles adult female but retains white wing pattern. Adult female has reddish bill, orange-red head with shaggy crest, and greyish body palest on breast; chin is white. Juvenile resembles dull adult female. Voice Displaying male utters ringing calls. Status Fairly common freshwater species beside wooded upland rivers; nests in tree holes. Influx from mainland Europe boosts winter numbers; found on reservoirs, lochs and flooded gravel pits.
    153967.jpg
  • December Moth Poecilocampa populi Length 17-19mm. A sombre-looking moth with a hairy body. Adult has dusky-brown wings, with buff and reddish outer margins and pale cross lines. The body is hairy; front of head is whitish. Male is smaller than female. Flies mainly November-December. Larva feeds on a range of deciduous trees. Widespread and common across much of Britain.
    128185.jpg
  • Small Elephant Hawk-moth Deilephila porcellus Wingspan 40-45mm. A beautiful moth with narrow wings and a plump body. Flies May-July. Adult has a pink body and pink and yellowish-buff forewings. Larva feeds on bedstraws. Locally common in southern and central Britain, and in coastal regions further north.
    128056.jpg
  • Small Elephant Hawk-moth Deilephila porcellus Wingspan 40-45mm. A beautiful moth with narrow wings and a plump body. Flies May-July. Adult has a pink body and pink and yellowish-buff forewings. Larva feeds on bedstraws. Locally common in southern and central Britain, and in coastal regions further north.
    128055.jpg
  • Garfish Belone belone Length to 90cm<br />
Unmistakable pelagic fish. Ventures into inshore waters in summer months, along with Mackerel. Adult has a very slender body and long pointed jaws, armed with sharp teeth. Dorsal, anal and tail fins are set far back on body. Green above, silvery on sides and white below. Locally, and seasonally, common, mainly in S and W.
    153705.jpg
  • Common Stingray Dasyatis pastinaca Length to 120cm<br />
Fairly distinctive ray, renowned for ability to inflict painful wound. Favours estuary mouths and shores with muddy sand. Adult has shield-shaped body outline with a long, tapering tail, armed dorsally with a single ‘stinging’ spine. Upper surface of body is uniformly yellowish-grey. Gives birth to live young. Generally scarce, mainly in S.
    142571.jpg
  • Snake Pipefish Entelurus aequoreus Length to 40cm<br />
Similar to Greater Pipefish but separable by studying markings and head profile. Found among seaweeds and eelgrass. Adult has slender body, with small dorsal fin and tiny caudal fin; pectoral fins absent. Usually yellowish-brown with vertical dark-bordered pale lines along body, and dark line through eye. Head is not angular; snout is long with straight, or very gently concave, profile. Widespread but local, absent from much of E.
    142540.jpg
  • Spotted Ray Raja montagui Length to 75cm<br />
Similar to Thornback Ray but separable using pattern and structure. Fairly common in shallow inshore waters over sand. Adult has roughly diamond-shaped body and short, pointed snout. Upper surface is grey-brown with dark spots that do not extend to wing margins. Tail is long and does not look banded. Has spines along dorsal surface of tail and along centre of body; these lack swollen bases. Lays eggs, protected in a tough case. Widespread and locally common in S and W only.
    142226.jpg
  • Mackerel Scomber scombrus Length to 55cm<br />
Fast-swimming predatory fish. Shoals are frequent in inshore waters in summer months and popular with anglers. Adult has streamlined body, pointed head and rather small dorsal fins. Small ‘finlets’ extend along top and bottom of narrowly tapering tail stock. Body is greenish with black bands above, silver on sides and whitish below; green colour fades to blue after death. Widespread; locally and seasonally common, especially in S and W.
    141744.jpg
  • Garfish Belone belone Length to 90cm<br />
Unmistakable pelagic fish. Ventures into inshore waters in summer months, along with Mackerel. Adult has a very slender body and long pointed jaws, armed with sharp teeth. Dorsal, anal and tail fins are set far back on body. Green above, silvery on sides and white below. Locally, and seasonally, common, mainly in S and W.
    141743.jpg
  • Lesser Weever Echiichthys vipera Length to 15cm<br />
Notorious fish, capable of inflicting painful sting in a bather’s foot. Found on sandy beaches, mostly buried in substrate during daytime with just eyes visible. Adult has elongate, laterally flattened body with upturned mouth and eyes on top of head. 1st dorsal fin (with venomous spines) has black membrane; fin is raised in defence. Body is marbled reddish and yellow-grey above, paler below. Widespread and locally common, mainly in S half of Britain.
    141603.jpg
  • Lesser Weever Echiichthys vipera Length to 15cm<br />
Notorious fish, capable of inflicting painful sting in a bather’s foot. Found on sandy beaches, mostly buried in substrate during daytime with just eyes visible. Adult has elongate, laterally flattened body with upturned mouth and eyes on top of head. 1st dorsal fin (with venomous spines) has black membrane; fin is raised in defence. Body is marbled reddish and yellow-grey above, paler below. Widespread and locally common, mainly in S half of Britain.
    141597.jpg
  • Bleak Alburnus alburnus Length 12-15cm<br />
A small, shoaling fish with a streamlined, slim body and an upward-opening mouth suited to feeding on insects at the water surface. Adult has a silvery body, darkest above and palest below. The pectoral fins are brownish but other fins are pale pinkish-green. The Bleak is locally common in lowland lakes and slow-flowing rivers.
    136652.jpg
  • Mackerel Scomber scombrus Length to 55cm<br />
Fast-swimming predatory fish. Shoals are frequent in inshore waters in summer months and popular with anglers. Adult has streamlined body, pointed head and rather small dorsal fins. Small ‘finlets’ extend along top and bottom of narrowly tapering tail stock. Body is greenish with black bands above, silver on sides and whitish below; green colour fades to blue after death. Widespread; locally and seasonally common, especially in S and W.
    136627.jpg
  • Mackerel Scomber scombrus Length to 55cm<br />
Fast-swimming predatory fish. Shoals are frequent in inshore waters in summer months and popular with anglers. Adult has streamlined body, pointed head and rather small dorsal fins. Small ‘finlets’ extend along top and bottom of narrowly tapering tail stock. Body is greenish with black bands above, silver on sides and whitish below; green colour fades to blue after death. Widespread; locally and seasonally common, especially in S and W.
    136625.jpg
  • Common Bream Abramis brama Length 30-50cm <br />
This distinctive, extremely deep-bodied fish has a ‘humpback’ profile behind the head; the body is laterally compressed when viewed head-on. Adult has a golden-brown body, palest below, and dark reddish-grey fins. Bream are locally common in weedy lowland lakes and slow-flowing rivers, mainly in England. Their natural range is completely confused as a result of introductions by anglers.
    136574.jpg
  • Minnow Phoxinus phoxinus Length 4-10cm<br />
The Minnow is a small but attractively marked fish with a slim, streamlined body and rounded fins. Shoals are seen in shallows in spring but move to deeper water in winter. Adult at most times of year has a silvery body, darkest above and with dark blotches along the flanks; a breeding male has a red belly. Minnows are widespread and common in rivers and lakes.
    136554.jpg
  • Gudgeon Gobio gobio Length 7-15cm <br />
This is a distinctive fish with an extremely slim, streamlined body and sensory barbels around the mouth that help it to detect prey in sediment and sand on the bottom; it is shoal forming during the summer months. Adult has a body that is bluish above and silvery below. The Gudgeon is locally common in streams and rivers.
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  • Dace Leuciscus leuciscus Length 15-25cm <br />
The Dace is a streamlined, shoaling fish that is superficially similar to, but smaller than, a Chub: size and body colour are useful in identification. Adult has a silvery green body, darkest above and palest below. The dorsal and tail fins are dark while other fins are red. The Dace is locally common in lowland rivers and streams.
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  • Blue Whale Balaenoptera musculus Length 25-30m World’s largest living animal. Feeds on tiny, swarming planktonic crustaceans (krill). Adult has huge, streamlined body; bluish grey overall but mottled with greyish white. Seen just below water surface, body looks very blue. Flippers are relatively small. Single ridge extends from nostrils to tip of rostrum. Throat has 70-90 pleats that allow a huge expansion when feeding. Tail stock is thick and dorsal fin is small and set far back. Decimated by 20th Century whaling and possibly recovering.
    103525.jpg
  • Blue Whale Balaenoptera musculus Length 25-30m World’s largest living animal. Feeds on tiny, swarming planktonic crustaceans (krill). Adult has huge, streamlined body; bluish grey overall but mottled with greyish white. Seen just below water surface, body looks very blue. Flippers are relatively small. Single ridge extends from nostrils to tip of rostrum. Throat has 70-90 pleats that allow a huge expansion when feeding. Tail stock is thick and dorsal fin is small and set far back. Decimated by 20th Century whaling and possibly recovering.
    109003.jpg
  • Blue Whale Balaenoptera musculus Length 25-30m World’s largest living animal. Feeds on tiny, swarming planktonic crustaceans (krill). Adult has huge, streamlined body; bluish grey overall but mottled with greyish white. Seen just below water surface, body looks very blue. Flippers are relatively small. Single ridge extends from nostrils to tip of rostrum. Throat has 70-90 pleats that allow a huge expansion when feeding. Tail stock is thick and dorsal fin is small and set far back. Decimated by 20th Century whaling and possibly recovering.
    109126.jpg
  • Blue Whale Balaenoptera musculus Length 25-30m World’s largest living animal. Feeds on tiny, swarming planktonic crustaceans (krill). Adult has huge, streamlined body; bluish grey overall but mottled with greyish white. Seen just below water surface, body looks very blue. Flippers are relatively small. Single ridge extends from nostrils to tip of rostrum. Throat has 70-90 pleats that allow a huge expansion when feeding. Tail stock is thick and dorsal fin is small and set far back. Decimated by 20th Century whaling and possibly recovering.
    109129.jpg
  • Wood Mouse Apodemus sylvaticus Length 15-22cm. Adult is a classic mouse-shape with pointed head, compact body and long tail. Coat is mainly yellowish brown above, with dark vertebral band along dorsal surface of head and body. Yellowish flank colour grades to whitish on underparts. Underground nest and tunnel network serve as a refuge. After dark, forages for seeds, nuts and fruits above ground; climbs well. Utters frantic squeals in distress. Common in woodland but also found in most other terrestrial habitats including scrub and gardens.
    112529.jpg
  • Wood Mouse Apodemus sylvaticus Length 15-22cm. Adult is a classic mouse-shape with pointed head, compact body and long tail. Coat is mainly yellowish brown above, with dark vertebral band along dorsal surface of head and body. Yellowish flank colour grades to whitish on underparts. Underground nest and tunnel network serve as a refuge. After dark, forages for seeds, nuts and fruits above ground; climbs well. Utters frantic squeals in distress. Common in woodland but also found in most other terrestrial habitats including scrub and gardens.
    113716.jpg
  • Wood Mouse Apodemus sylvaticus Length 15-22cm. Adult is a classic mouse-shape with pointed head, compact body and long tail. Coat is mainly yellowish brown above, with dark vertebral band along dorsal surface of head and body. Yellowish flank colour grades to whitish on underparts. Underground nest and tunnel network serve as a refuge. After dark, forages for seeds, nuts and fruits above ground; climbs well. Utters frantic squeals in distress. Common in woodland but also found in most other terrestrial habitats including scrub and gardens.
    119933.jpg
  • Wood Mouse Apodemus sylvaticus Length 15-22cm. Adult is a classic mouse-shape with pointed head, compact body and long tail. Coat is mainly yellowish brown above, with dark vertebral band along dorsal surface of head and body. Yellowish flank colour grades to whitish on underparts. Underground nest and tunnel network serve as a refuge. After dark, forages for seeds, nuts and fruits above ground; climbs well. Utters frantic squeals in distress. Common in woodland but also found in most other terrestrial habitats including scrub and gardens.
    119934.jpg
  • Blue Whale Balaenoptera musculus Length 25-30m World’s largest living animal. Feeds on tiny, swarming planktonic crustaceans (krill). Adult has huge, streamlined body; bluish grey overall but mottled with greyish white. Seen just below water surface, body looks very blue. Flippers are relatively small. Single ridge extends from nostrils to tip of rostrum. Throat has 70-90 pleats that allow a huge expansion when feeding. Tail stock is thick and dorsal fin is small and set far back. Decimated by 20th Century whaling and possibly recovering.
    123026.jpg
  • Blue Whale Balaenoptera musculus Length 25-30m World’s largest living animal. Feeds on tiny, swarming planktonic crustaceans (krill). Adult has huge, streamlined body; bluish grey overall but mottled with greyish white. Seen just below water surface, body looks very blue. Flippers are relatively small. Single ridge extends from nostrils to tip of rostrum. Throat has 70-90 pleats that allow a huge expansion when feeding. Tail stock is thick and dorsal fin is small and set far back. Decimated by 20th Century whaling and possibly recovering.
    127933.jpg
  • Wood Mouse Apodemus sylvaticus Length 15-22cm. Adult is a classic mouse-shape with pointed head, compact body and long tail. Coat is mainly yellowish brown above, with dark vertebral band along dorsal surface of head and body. Yellowish flank colour grades to whitish on underparts. Underground nest and tunnel network serve as a refuge. After dark, forages for seeds, nuts and fruits above ground; climbs well. Utters frantic squeals in distress. Common in woodland but also found in most other terrestrial habitats including scrub and gardens.
    144406.jpg
  • Wood Mouse Apodemus sylvaticus Length 15-22cm. Adult is a classic mouse-shape with pointed head, compact body and long tail. Coat is mainly yellowish brown above, with dark vertebral band along dorsal surface of head and body. Yellowish flank colour grades to whitish on underparts. Underground nest and tunnel network serve as a refuge. After dark, forages for seeds, nuts and fruits above ground; climbs well. Utters frantic squeals in distress. Common in woodland but also found in most other terrestrial habitats including scrub and gardens.
    144408.jpg
  • Wood Mouse Apodemus sylvaticus Length 15-22cm. Adult is a classic mouse-shape with pointed head, compact body and long tail. Coat is mainly yellowish brown above, with dark vertebral band along dorsal surface of head and body. Yellowish flank colour grades to whitish on underparts. Underground nest and tunnel network serve as a refuge. After dark, forages for seeds, nuts and fruits above ground; climbs well. Utters frantic squeals in distress. Common in woodland but also found in most other terrestrial habitats including scrub and gardens.
    144407.jpg
  • Wood Mouse Apodemus sylvaticus Length 15-22cm. Adult is a classic mouse-shape with pointed head, compact body and long tail. Coat is mainly yellowish brown above, with dark vertebral band along dorsal surface of head and body. Yellowish flank colour grades to whitish on underparts. Underground nest and tunnel network serve as a refuge. After dark, forages for seeds, nuts and fruits above ground; climbs well. Utters frantic squeals in distress. Common in woodland but also found in most other terrestrial habitats including scrub and gardens.
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  • Sand Lizard Lacerta agilis Length 16-19cm Bulky lizard. Hibernates Sept-Mar. Females lay eggs. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has relatively large head. Ground colour of back is typically buffish brown but note three rows of white-centred dark spots along length of body. Head and flanks are flushed bright green in spring and summer. Adult female has smaller head and more bulky body than male. Ground colour is pale to rich brown with three longitudinal rows of eyespots. Juvenile recalls a small, slender adult female with eyespots on back and flanks. In Britain (where protected by law), restricted to heathland sites in Dorset and Surrey, and coastal sand dunes in Merseyside.
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  • Smooth Newt Triturus vulgaris Length 9-10cm Well-marked newt. Usually hibernates underground November-February. Returns to breeding ponds in early spring. Performs elaborate courtship displays prior to egg-laying. Adult is buffish brown with whitish throat variably dark-spotted. Females have small black spots over rest of body that sometimes coalesce to form lines along body and onto tail. Males are marked with large, blotchy spots, most intense in breeding season when they acquire wavy crest along back and around tail; belly is variably flushed orange and adorned with dark spots. Juvenile is similar to adult female. Favours fish-free neutral to alkaline ponds for breeding. At other times, found in open woodland, commons and mature gardens.
    115558.jpg
  • Sand Lizard Lacerta agilis Length 16-19cm Bulky lizard. Hibernates Sept-Mar. Females lay eggs. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has relatively large head. Ground colour of back is typically buffish brown but note three rows of white-centred dark spots along length of body. Head and flanks are flushed bright green in spring and summer. Adult female has smaller head and more bulky body than male. Ground colour is pale to rich brown with three longitudinal rows of eyespots. Juvenile recalls a small, slender adult female with eyespots on back and flanks. In Britain (where protected by law), restricted to heathland sites in Dorset and Surrey, and coastal sand dunes in Merseyside.
    118485.jpg
  • Sand Lizard Lacerta agilis Length 16-19cm Bulky lizard. Hibernates Sept-Mar. Females lay eggs. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has relatively large head. Ground colour of back is typically buffish brown but note three rows of white-centred dark spots along length of body. Head and flanks are flushed bright green in spring and summer. Adult female has smaller head and more bulky body than male. Ground colour is pale to rich brown with three longitudinal rows of eyespots. Juvenile recalls a small, slender adult female with eyespots on back and flanks. In Britain (where protected by law), restricted to heathland sites in Dorset and Surrey, and coastal sand dunes in Merseyside.
    119942.jpg
  • Sand Lizard Lacerta agilis Length 16-19cm Bulky lizard. Hibernates Sept-Mar. Females lay eggs. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has relatively large head. Ground colour of back is typically buffish brown but note three rows of white-centred dark spots along length of body. Head and flanks are flushed bright green in spring and summer. Adult female has smaller head and more bulky body than male. Ground colour is pale to rich brown with three longitudinal rows of eyespots. Juvenile recalls a small, slender adult female with eyespots on back and flanks. In Britain (where protected by law), restricted to heathland sites in Dorset and Surrey, and coastal sand dunes in Merseyside.
    125116.jpg
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