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  • Fox Moth Macrothylacia rubi Wingspan 40-60mm. A broad-winged moth. Males fly from late afternoon onwards, females are nocturnal.  Adult has rounded wings with two pale, waved crossbands; male is reddish-brown, female is greyish-brown. Larva is large, with black and golden hairs; feeds on Heather and Bramble. Widespread in western and northern Britain; much more local elsewhere.
    140739.jpg
  • Peach Blossom Thyatira batis Length 17mm. A splendid and well-marked moth. Adult has brown forewings with striking pinkish spots and blotches, some of which are brown-centred. Flies June–July. Larva feeds on Bramble. Widespread and locally common in southern and central Britain; scarce further north. Favours hedgerows and scrub where the larval foodplant flourishes.
    140359.jpg
  • Chinese Character Cilix glaucata Length 12-13mm. An interesting moth: at rest on a leaf it looks remarkably like a bird-dropping. Adult has whitish forewings, blotched with brown and purplish-blue. Double-brooded: flies May-June, and again in August. Larva feeds on Hawthorn, Blackthorn and Bramble. Locally common in southern and central England.
    119994.jpg
  • Chinese Character Cilix glaucata Length 12-13mm. An interesting moth: at rest on a leaf it looks remarkably like a bird-dropping. Adult has whitish forewings, blotched with brown and purplish-blue. Double-brooded: flies May-June, and again in August. Larva feeds on Hawthorn, Blackthorn and Bramble. Locally common in southern and central England.
    118995.jpg
  • Grasshopper Warbler Locustella naevia L 13cm. Skulking, unobtrusive warbler, heard more often than it is seen. Sexes are similar. Adult has streaked olive-brown upperparts; underparts are paler but flushed buffish brown on breast. Long undertail coverts are adorned with dark streaks. Juvenile is similar but underparts are usually tinged yellow-buff. Voice Utters a sharp tssvet call. Song is reeling and insect-like; sung mainly at night. Almost inaudible to people with poor hearing. Status Local summer visitor to rank grassland with bramble patches and clumps of rushes.
    125697.jpg
  • Grasshopper Warbler Locustella naevia L 13cm. Skulking, unobtrusive warbler, heard more often than it is seen. Sexes are similar. Adult has streaked olive-brown upperparts; underparts are paler but flushed buffish brown on breast. Long undertail coverts are adorned with dark streaks. Juvenile is similar but underparts are usually tinged yellow-buff. Voice Utters a sharp tssvet call. Song is reeling and insect-like; sung mainly at night. Almost inaudible to people with poor hearing. Status Local summer visitor to rank grassland with bramble patches and clumps of rushes.
    137862.jpg
  • Fox Moth Macrothylacia rubi Wingspan 40-60mm. A broad-winged moth. Males fly from late afternoon onwards, females are nocturnal.  Adult has rounded wings with two pale, waved crossbands; male is reddish-brown, female is greyish-brown. Larva is large, with black and golden hairs; feeds on Heather and Bramble. Widespread in western and northern Britain; much more local elsewhere.
    141642.jpg
  • Chinese Character Cilix glaucata Length 12-13mm. An interesting moth: at rest on a leaf it looks remarkably like a bird-dropping. Adult has whitish forewings, blotched with brown and purplish-blue. Double-brooded: flies May-June, and again in August. Larva feeds on Hawthorn, Blackthorn and Bramble. Locally common in southern and central England.
    140248.jpg
  • Chinese Character Cilix glaucata Length 12-13mm. An interesting moth: at rest on a leaf it looks remarkably like a bird-dropping. Adult has whitish forewings, blotched with brown and purplish-blue. Double-brooded: flies May-June, and again in August. Larva feeds on Hawthorn, Blackthorn and Bramble. Locally common in southern and central England.
    128316.jpg
  • Peach Blossom Thyatira batis Length 17mm. A splendid and well-marked moth. Adult has brown forewings with striking pinkish spots and blotches, some of which are brown-centred. Flies June–July. Larva feeds on Bramble. Widespread and locally common in southern and central Britain; scarce further north. Favours hedgerows and scrub where the larval foodplant flourishes.
    120570.jpg
  • Grasshopper Warbler Locustella naevia L 13cm. Skulking, unobtrusive warbler, heard more often than it is seen. Sexes are similar. Adult has streaked olive-brown upperparts; underparts are paler but flushed buffish brown on breast. Long undertail coverts are adorned with dark streaks. Juvenile is similar but underparts are usually tinged yellow-buff. Voice Utters a sharp tssvet call. Song is reeling and insect-like; sung mainly at night. Almost inaudible to people with poor hearing. Status Local summer visitor to rank grassland with bramble patches and clumps of rushes.
    137863.jpg
  • Fox Moth Macrothylacia rubi Wingspan 40-60mm. A broad-winged moth. Males fly from late afternoon onwards, females are nocturnal.  Adult has rounded wings with two pale, waved crossbands; male is reddish-brown, female is greyish-brown. Larva is large, with black and golden hairs; feeds on Heather and Bramble. Widespread in western and northern Britain; much more local elsewhere.
    140670.jpg
  • Grasshopper Warbler Locustella naevia L 13cm. Skulking, unobtrusive warbler, heard more often than it is seen. Sexes are similar. Adult has streaked olive-brown upperparts; underparts are paler but flushed buffish brown on breast. Long undertail coverts are adorned with dark streaks. Juvenile is similar but underparts are usually tinged yellow-buff. Voice Utters a sharp tssvet call. Song is reeling and insect-like; sung mainly at night. Almost inaudible to people with poor hearing. Status Local summer visitor to rank grassland with bramble patches and clumps of rushes.
    137850.jpg
  • Fox Moth Macrothylacia rubi Wingspan 40-60mm. A broad-winged moth. Males fly from late afternoon onwards, females are nocturnal.  Adult has rounded wings with two pale, waved crossbands; male is reddish-brown, female is greyish-brown. Larva is large, with black and golden hairs; feeds on Heather and Bramble. Widespread in western and northern Britain; much more local elsewhere.
    141640.jpg
  • Buff Arches Habrosyne pyritoides Length 20-22mm. A distinctive moth. Colours and intricate patterns on forewings make it look like a flake of cut wood. Adult has and orange-brown area on forewing, marked with a swirly woodgrain-like pattern; adjacent is a grey triangle framed by white lines. Flies July-August. Larva feeds on Bramble. Common only in southern Britain.
    140976.jpg
  • Fox Moth Macrothylacia rubi Wingspan 40-60mm. A broad-winged moth. Males fly from late afternoon onwards, females are nocturnal.  Adult has rounded wings with two pale, waved crossbands; male is reddish-brown, female is greyish-brown. Larva is large, with black and golden hairs; feeds on Heather and Bramble. Widespread in western and northern Britain; much more local elsewhere.
    140750.jpg
  • Grasshopper Warbler Locustella naevia L 13cm. Skulking, unobtrusive warbler, heard more often than it is seen. Sexes are similar. Adult has streaked olive-brown upperparts; underparts are paler but flushed buffish brown on breast. Long undertail coverts are adorned with dark streaks. Juvenile is similar but underparts are usually tinged yellow-buff. Voice Utters a sharp tssvet call. Song is reeling and insect-like; sung mainly at night. Almost inaudible to people with poor hearing. Status Local summer visitor to rank grassland with bramble patches and clumps of rushes.
    104782.jpg
  • Buff Arches Habrosyne pyritoides Length 20-22mm. A distinctive moth. Colours and intricate patterns on forewings make it look like a flake of cut wood. Adult has and orange-brown area on forewing, marked with a swirly woodgrain-like pattern; adjacent is a grey triangle framed by white lines. Flies July-August. Larva feeds on Bramble. Common only in southern Britain.
    140065.jpg
  • Grasshopper Warbler - Locustella naevia. L 13cm. Skulking, unobtrusive warbler, heard more often than it is seen. Sexes are similar. Adult has streaked olive-brown upperparts; underparts are paler but flushed buffish brown on breast. Long undertail coverts are adorned with dark streaks. Juvenile is similar but underparts are usually tinged yellow-buff. Voice Utters a sharp tssvet call. Song is reeling and insect-like; sung mainly at night. Almost inaudible to people with poor hearing. Status Local summer visitor to rank grassland with bramble patches and clumps of rushes.
    157987.jpg
  • Emperor Moth Saturnia pavonia Wingspan 40-60mm. An unmistakable and beautiful moth; males are day-flying, females are nocturnal. Adult male has beautifully patterned brown forewings and orange hindwings, each with a striking central eyespot; female has beautifully patterned grey wings, with maroon bands and larger eyespots than male. Larva is green with clusters of hairs arising from yellow, warty spots; feeds on Heather and Bramble. Widespread but local; associated mainly with heaths and moorland.
    144911.jpg
  • Emperor Moth Saturnia pavonia Wingspan 40-60mm. An unmistakable and beautiful moth; males are day-flying, females are nocturnal. Adult male has beautifully patterned brown forewings and orange hindwings, each with a striking central eyespot; female has beautifully patterned grey wings, with maroon bands and larger eyespots than male. Larva is green with clusters of hairs arising from yellow, warty spots; feeds on Heather and Bramble. Widespread but local; associated mainly with heaths and moorland.
    144910.jpg
  • Emperor Moth Saturnia pavonia Wingspan 40-60mm. An unmistakable and beautiful moth; males are day-flying, females are nocturnal. Adult male has beautifully patterned brown forewings and orange hindwings, each with a striking central eyespot; female has beautifully patterned grey wings, with maroon bands and larger eyespots than male. Larva is green with clusters of hairs arising from yellow, warty spots; feeds on Heather and Bramble. Widespread but local; associated mainly with heaths and moorland.
    144908.jpg
  • Emperor Moth Saturnia pavonia Wingspan 40-60mm. An unmistakable and beautiful moth; males are day-flying, females are nocturnal. Adult male has beautifully patterned brown forewings and orange hindwings, each with a striking central eyespot; female has beautifully patterned grey wings, with maroon bands and larger eyespots than male. Larva is green with clusters of hairs arising from yellow, warty spots; feeds on Heather and Bramble. Widespread but local; associated mainly with heaths and moorland.
    140239.jpg
  • Emperor Moth Saturnia pavonia Wingspan 40-60mm. An unmistakable and beautiful moth; males are day-flying, females are nocturnal. Adult male has beautifully patterned brown forewings and orange hindwings, each with a striking central eyespot; female has beautifully patterned grey wings, with maroon bands and larger eyespots than male. Larva is green with clusters of hairs arising from yellow, warty spots; feeds on Heather and Bramble. Widespread but local; associated mainly with heaths and moorland.
    144909.jpg
  • Emperor Moth Saturnia pavonia Wingspan 40-60mm. An unmistakable and beautiful moth; males are day-flying, females are nocturnal. Adult male has beautifully patterned brown forewings and orange hindwings, each with a striking central eyespot; female has beautifully patterned grey wings, with maroon bands and larger eyespots than male. Larva is green with clusters of hairs arising from yellow, warty spots; feeds on Heather and Bramble. Widespread but local; associated mainly with heaths and moorland.
    155568.jpg
  • Bramble Leaf Miner - caused by moth Stigmella aurella
    115905.jpg
  • Emperor Moth Saturnia pavonia Wingspan 40-60mm. An unmistakable and beautiful moth; males are day-flying, females are nocturnal. Adult male has beautifully patterned brown forewings and orange hindwings, each with a striking central eyespot; female has beautifully patterned grey wings, with maroon bands and larger eyespots than male. Larva is green with clusters of hairs arising from yellow, warty spots; feeds on Heather and Bramble. Widespread but local; associated mainly with heaths and moorland.
    136212.jpg
  • Emperor Moth Saturnia pavonia Wingspan 40-60mm. An unmistakable and beautiful moth; males are day-flying, females are nocturnal. Adult male has beautifully patterned brown forewings and orange hindwings, each with a striking central eyespot; female has beautifully patterned grey wings, with maroon bands and larger eyespots than male. Larva is green with clusters of hairs arising from yellow, warty spots; feeds on Heather and Bramble. Widespread but local; associated mainly with heaths and moorland.
    122994.jpg
  • Lesser Whitethroat Sylvia curruca L 12-13cm. Small, rather short-tailed warbler with retiring habits but distinctive song. Sexes are similar. Adult and juvenile have blue-grey crown, dark mask and grey-brown back and wings. Underparts are pale, whitish on throat but washed pale buff on flanks. Has dark legs, dark-tipped grey bill and pale iris. Voice Utters a harsh chek alarm call. Song is a tuneless rattle, sung on one note, usually preceded by short warbling phrase. Status Fairly common summer visitor, mostly to S and SE England. Favours areas scrub and hedgerows with dense Hawthorn and Blackthorn.
    136231.jpg
  • Lesser Whitethroat Sylvia curruca L 12-13cm. Small, rather short-tailed warbler with retiring habits but distinctive song. Sexes are similar. Adult and juvenile have blue-grey crown, dark mask and grey-brown back and wings. Underparts are pale, whitish on throat but washed pale buff on flanks. Has dark legs, dark-tipped grey bill and pale iris. Voice Utters a harsh chek alarm call. Song is a tuneless rattle, sung on one note, usually preceded by short warbling phrase. Status Fairly common summer visitor, mostly to S and SE England. Favours areas of scrub.
    154256.jpg
  • Buff Arches - Habrosyne pyritoides
    162645.jpg
  • Buff Arches - Habrosyne pyritoides
    162644.jpg
  • Dunnock Prunella modularis L 13-14cm. House Sparrow-like bird with a thin, warbler-like bill. Mostly rather skulking. Sexes are similar. Adult has streaked chestnut-brown back. Underparts are mostly bluish grey but flanks are streaked with brown and chestnut. Face is bluish grey with brown streaking on ear coverts and crown. Bill is dark and legs are reddish pink. Juvenile is similar but has bolder streaking. Voice Song is warbler-like; usually delivered from prominent perch. Alarm call is a thin tseer. Status Common resident of woodlands, hedgerows and gardens with plenty of cover.
    122754.jpg
  • Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus L 14cm. Delightful, long-tailed bird with an almost spherical body. Seen in acrobatic flocks. Sexes are similar. Adult looks overall black and white but note pinkish chestnut patch on shoulders and whitish feather fringes on otherwise black back and wings. Head is mainly whitish with black band above eye; underparts are whitish, suffused pink on flanks and belly. Bill is dark, short and stubby. Juvenile is similar but duller and darker. Voice Utters rattling tsrrr contact call and thin tsee-tsee-tsee. Soft, twittering song is easily missed. Status Common resident of deciduous woodland, scrub and heathland fringes.
    129362.jpg
  • Marsh Tit Poecile palustris L 12-13cm. Pugnacious woodland bird. Similar to Willow Tit but separable using subtle differences in plumage and voice. Sexes are similar. Adult and juvenile have black cap and bib; compared to Willow, cap is glossy, not dull, and bib is relatively small. Cheeks are whitish, upperparts are grey brown and underparts are pale grey-buff. Bill is short and legs are bluish. Voice Utters a loud pitchoo call. Song is loud and repeated chip-chip-chip… Status Locally common resident of deciduous woodland and mature gardens; commonest in S.
    144817.jpg
  • Lesser Whitethroat Sylvia curruca L 12-13cm. Small, rather short-tailed warbler with retiring habits but distinctive song. Sexes are similar. Adult and juvenile have blue-grey crown, dark mask and grey-brown back and wings. Underparts are pale, whitish on throat but washed pale buff on flanks. Has dark legs, dark-tipped grey bill and pale iris. Voice Utters a harsh chek alarm call. Song is a tuneless rattle, sung on one note, usually preceded by short warbling phrase. Status Fairly common summer visitor, mostly to S and SE England. Favours areas scrub and hedgerows with dense Hawthorn and Blackthorn.
    136226.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.
    144810.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.
    144811.jpg
  • Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus L 14cm. Delightful, long-tailed bird with an almost spherical body. Seen in acrobatic flocks. Sexes are similar. Adult looks overall black and white but note pinkish chestnut patch on shoulders and whitish feather fringes on otherwise black back and wings. Head is mainly whitish with black band above eye; underparts are whitish, suffused pink on flanks and belly. Bill is dark, short and stubby. Juvenile is similar but duller and darker. Voice Utters rattling tsrrr contact call and thin tsee-tsee-tsee. Soft, twittering song is easily missed. Status Common resident of deciduous woodland, scrub and heathland fringes.
    144821.jpg
  • Scrub Patch
    129408.jpg
  • Lesser Whitethroat Sylvia curruca L 12-13cm. Small, rather short-tailed warbler with retiring habits but distinctive song. Sexes are similar. Adult and juvenile have blue-grey crown, dark mask and grey-brown back and wings. Underparts are pale, whitish on throat but washed pale buff on flanks. Has dark legs, dark-tipped grey bill and pale iris. Voice Utters a harsh chek alarm call. Song is a tuneless rattle, sung on one note, usually preceded by short warbling phrase. Status Fairly common summer visitor, mostly to S and SE England. Favours areas scrub and hedgerows with dense Hawthorn and Blackthorn.
    136216.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.
    144816.jpg
  • Robin Erithacus rubecula L 13-14cm. Distinctive bird. Garden-dwellers are bold and inquisitive. Sexes are similar. Adult has orange-red face, throat and breast, bordered by blue-grey on sides but with sharp demarcation from white belly. Upperparts are buffish brown with faint buff wingbar. Juvenile has brown upperparts, marked with buff spots and teardrop-shaped streaks; pale buff underparts have darker spots and crescent-shaped markings. Voice Song is plaintive and melancholy. Alarm call is a sharp tic. Status Widespread resident, commonest in S.
    144818.jpg
  • Great Tit Parus major L 14-15cm. Bold, well-marked bird with distinctive song. Sexes are separable with care. Adult male has white cheeks on otherwise black head; black throat continues as black line down centre of breast on otherwise yellow underparts. Upperparts are greenish and blue but note white wingbar. Adult female is similar but with narrower black line on breast. Juvenile is duller than adult. Voice Utters harsh tche-tche-tche alarm call. Song is variation on teecha-teecha-teecha theme. Status Common resident of lowland woodlands and gardens.
    144819.jpg
  • Stonechat Saxicola torquata - Male at nest. L 12-13cm. Small, compact bird. When perched, flicks short, dark tail and utters harsh alarm call. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has blackish head, white on side of neck, and dark back. Breast is orange-red, grading into pale underparts. In autumn, pale feather fringes make head appear paler. Adult female is similar but colours are muted and plumage is more streaked. 1st winter bird has streaked sandy brown upperparts and head, and buffish orange underparts. Voice Utters harsh tchak call, like two pebbles knocked together. Song is rapid and warbling. Status Locally common heaths, commons and gorse-covered slopes near coast. Some dispersal, mainly to coasts, occurs in winter.
    120944.jpg
  • Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus schoenobaenus L 12-13cm. Well-marked wetland warbler with distinctive song. Sexes are similar. Adult has dark-streaked sandy brown upperparts and pale underparts, flushed orange-buff on breast and flanks. Head has dark-streaked crown, striking pale supercilium and dark eyestripe. Juvenile is similar but breast is faintly streaked. Voice Utters a sharp chek alarm call. Song comprises rasping and grating phrases interspersed with trills and whistles. Status Widespread summer visitor to rank marshy vegetation, scrub patches on fringes of reedbeds and overgrown ditches.
    136440.jpg
  • Stonechat - Saxicola torquata
    162498.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.
    133123.jpg
  • Grasshopper Warbler - Locustella naevia
    158163.jpg
  • Long-tailed Tit - Aegithalos caudatus. L 14cm. Delightful, long-tailed bird with an almost spherical body. Seen in acrobatic flocks. Sexes are similar. Adult looks overall black and white but note pinkish chestnut patch on shoulders and whitish feather fringes on otherwise black back and wings. Head is mainly whitish with black band above eye; underparts are whitish, suffused pink on flanks and belly. Bill is dark, short and stubby. Juvenile is similar but duller and darker. Voice Utters rattling tsrrr contact call and thin tsee-tsee-tsee. Soft, twittering song is easily missed. Status Common resident of deciduous woodland, scrub and heathland fringes.
    157977.jpg
  • Stonechat Saxicola torquata - Juvenile/First winter. L 12-13cm. Small, compact bird. When perched, flicks short, dark tail and utters harsh alarm call. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has blackish head, white on side of neck, and dark back. Breast is orange-red, grading into pale underparts. In autumn, pale feather fringes make head appear paler. Adult female is similar but colours are muted and plumage is more streaked. 1st winter bird has streaked sandy brown upperparts and head, and buffish orange underparts. Voice Utters harsh tchak call, like two pebbles knocked together. Song is rapid and warbling. Status Locally common heaths, commons and gorse-covered slopes near coast. Some dispersal, mainly to coasts, occurs in winter.<br />
nature photographers #
    155951.jpg
  • Stonechat Saxicola torquata - Female. L 12-13cm. Small, compact bird. When perched, flicks short, dark tail and utters harsh alarm call. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has blackish head, white on side of neck, and dark back. Breast is orange-red, grading into pale underparts. In autumn, pale feather fringes make head appear paler. Adult female is similar but colours are muted and plumage is more streaked. 1st winter bird has streaked sandy brown upperparts and head, and buffish orange underparts. Voice Utters harsh tchak call, like two pebbles knocked together. Song is rapid and warbling. Status Locally common heaths, commons and gorse-covered slopes near coast. Some dispersal, mainly to coasts, occurs in winter.
    154192.jpg
  • Lesser Grey Shrike Lanius minor L 19-21cm. Smaller than similar Great Grey Shrike with more white on the longer wings and black eyepatch that extends to the forehead. It winters in Africa and breeds in S and SE Europe.
    129336.jpg
  • Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus schoenobaenus L 12-13cm. Well-marked wetland warbler with distinctive song. Sexes are similar. Adult has dark-streaked sandy brown upperparts and pale underparts, flushed orange-buff on breast and flanks. Head has dark-streaked crown, striking pale supercilium and dark eyestripe. Juvenile is similar but breast is faintly streaked. Voice Utters a sharp chek alarm call. Song comprises rasping and grating phrases interspersed with trills and whistles. Status Widespread summer visitor to rank marshy vegetation, scrub patches on fringes of reedbeds and overgrown ditches.
    136439.jpg
  • Lesser Whitethroat Sylvia curruca L 12-13cm. Small, rather short-tailed warbler with retiring habits but distinctive song. Sexes are similar. Adult and juvenile have blue-grey crown, dark mask and grey-brown back and wings. Underparts are pale, whitish on throat but washed pale buff on flanks. Has dark legs, dark-tipped grey bill and pale iris. Voice Utters a harsh chek alarm call. Song is a tuneless rattle, sung on one note, usually preceded by short warbling phrase. Status Fairly common summer visitor, mostly to S and SE England. Favours areas scrub and hedgerows with dense Hawthorn and Blackthorn.
    137867.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.
    143686.jpg
  • Grasshopper Warbler - Locustella naevia
    158164.jpg
  • Grasshopper Warbler - Locustella naevia
    158162.jpg
  • Dunnock Prunella modularis L 13-14cm. House Sparrow-like bird with a thin, warbler-like bill. Mostly rather skulking. Sexes are similar. Adult has streaked chestnut-brown back. Underparts are mostly bluish grey but flanks are streaked with brown and chestnut. Face is bluish grey with brown streaking on ear coverts and crown. Bill is dark and legs are reddish pink. Juvenile is similar but has bolder streaking. Voice Song is warbler-like; usually delivered from prominent perch. Alarm call is a thin tseer. Status Common resident of woodlands, hedgerows and gardens with plenty of cover.
    129517.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.
    133126.jpg
  • Lesser Whitethroat - Sylvia curruca
    160846.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.
    133122.jpg
  • Stonechat Saxicola torquata - Female. L 12-13cm. Small, compact bird. When perched, flicks short, dark tail and utters harsh alarm call. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has blackish head, white on side of neck, and dark back. Breast is orange-red, grading into pale underparts. In autumn, pale feather fringes make head appear paler. Adult female is similar but colours are muted and plumage is more streaked. 1st winter bird has streaked sandy brown upperparts and head, and buffish orange underparts. Voice Utters harsh tchak call, like two pebbles knocked together. Song is rapid and warbling. Status Locally common heaths, commons and gorse-covered slopes near coast. Some dispersal, mainly to coasts, occurs in winter.
    154193.jpg
  • Stonechat Saxicola torquata L 12-13cm. Small, compact bird. When perched, flicks short, dark tail and utters harsh alarm call. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has blackish head, white on side of neck, and dark back. Breast is orange-red, grading into pale underparts. In autumn, pale feather fringes make head appear paler. Adult female is similar but colours are muted and plumage is more streaked. 1st winter bird has streaked sandy brown upperparts and head, and buffish orange underparts. Voice Utters harsh tchak call, like two pebbles knocked together. Song is rapid and warbling. Status Locally common heaths, commons and gorse-covered slopes near coast. Some dispersal, mainly to coasts, occurs in winter.
    136149.jpg
  • Stonechat - Saxicola torquata - male
    160222.jpg
  • Stonechat - Saxicola torquata - female
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  • Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus schoenobaenus L 12-13cm. Well-marked wetland warbler with distinctive song. Sexes are similar. Adult has dark-streaked sandy brown upperparts and pale underparts, flushed orange-buff on breast and flanks. Head has dark-streaked crown, striking pale supercilium and dark eyestripe. Juvenile is similar but breast is faintly streaked. Voice Utters a sharp chek alarm call. Song comprises rasping and grating phrases interspersed with trills and whistles. Status Widespread summer visitor to rank marshy vegetation, scrub patches on fringes of reedbeds and overgrown ditches.
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  • Stonechat - Saxicola torquata - male
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  • Stonechat - Saxicola torquata - male
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  • Stonechat - Saxicola torquata - male
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  • Stonechat - Saxicola torquata - female
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  • Brambling - Fringilla montifringilla
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  • Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla L 14-15cm. Distinctive warbler with a musical song. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has grey-brown upperparts, dusky grey underparts, palest on throat and undertail, pale eyering and diagnostic black cap. Adult female and juveniles have grey-brown upperparts, pale buffish grey underparts (palest on throat and undertail) and reddish chestnut cap. Voice Utters a sharp tchek alarm call. Song is rich and musical warble; similar to Garden Warbler’s but contains jaunty phrases. Status Common summer visitor to deciduous woodland with dense undergrowth, scrub and mature gardens. Migrants from N Europe pass through in autumn and some remain throughout winter.
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  • Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla L 14-15cm. Distinctive warbler with a musical song. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has grey-brown upperparts, dusky grey underparts, palest on throat and undertail, pale eyering and diagnostic black cap. Adult female and juveniles have grey-brown upperparts, pale buffish grey underparts (palest on throat and undertail) and reddish chestnut cap. Voice Utters a sharp tchek alarm call. Song is rich and musical warble; similar to Garden Warbler’s but contains jaunty phrases. Status Common summer visitor to deciduous woodland with dense undergrowth, scrub and mature gardens. Migrants from N Europe pass through in autumn and some remain throughout winter.
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  • Blackcap - Sylvia atricapilla - male.  L 14-15cm. Distinctive warbler with a musical song. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has grey-brown upperparts, dusky grey underparts, palest on throat and undertail, pale eyering and diagnostic black cap. Adult female and juveniles have grey-brown upperparts, pale buffish grey underparts (palest on throat and undertail) and reddish chestnut cap. Voice Utters a sharp tchek alarm call. Song is rich and musical warble; similar to Garden Warbler’s but contains jaunty phrases. Status Common summer visitor to deciduous woodland with dense undergrowth, scrub and mature gardens. Migrants from N Europe pass through in autumn and some remain throughout winter.
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  • STONE BRAMBLE Rubus saxatilis (Rosaceae) Height to 40cm<br />
Creeping perennial with slender stems that either bear weak prickles, or none at all. Favours rocky ground. FLOWERS are 5-10mm across with 5 narrow, white petals (Jun-Aug). FRUITS are shiny and red with 2-6 segments. LEAVES are trifoliate with toothed leaflets that are downy below. STATUS-Locally common, but mainly in W and N.
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  • STONE BRAMBLE Rubus saxatilis (Rosaceae) Height to 40cm<br />
Creeping perennial with slender stems that either bear weak prickles, or none at all. Favours rocky ground. FLOWERS are 5-10mm across with 5 narrow, white petals (Jun-Aug). FRUITS are shiny and red with 2-6 segments. LEAVES are trifoliate with toothed leaflets that are downy below. STATUS-Locally common, but mainly in W and N.
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  • BRAMBLE Rubus fruticosus agg. (Rosaceae) Height to 3m<br />
Scrambling shrub that comprises hundreds of microspecies. Arching stems are armed with variably shaped prickles and root when they touch the ground. Found in hedgerows and scrub. FLOWERS are 2-3cm across and white or pink (May-Aug). FRUITS are familiar blackberries. LEAVES have 3-5 toothed leaflets. STATUS-Widespread and common.
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  • Bramble Shoot Moth - Epiblema uddmanniana
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  • STONE BRAMBLE Rubus saxatilis (Rosaceae) Height to 40cm<br />
Creeping perennial with slender stems that either bear weak prickles, or none at all. Favours rocky ground. FLOWERS are 5-10mm across with 5 narrow, white petals (Jun-Aug). FRUITS are shiny and red with 2-6 segments. LEAVES are trifoliate with toothed leaflets that are downy below. STATUS-Locally common, but mainly in W and N.
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  • BRAMBLE Rubus fruticosus agg. (Rosaceae) Height to 3m<br />
Scrambling shrub that comprises hundreds of microspecies. Arching stems are armed with variably shaped prickles and root when they touch the ground. Found in hedgerows and scrub. FLOWERS are 2-3cm across and white or pink (May-Aug). FRUITS are familiar blackberries. LEAVES have 3-5 toothed leaflets.
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  • BRAMBLE Rubus fruticosus agg. (Rosaceae) Height to 3m<br />
Scrambling shrub that comprises hundreds of microspecies. Arching stems are armed with variably shaped prickles and root when they touch the ground. Found in hedgerows and scrub. FLOWERS are 2-3cm across and white or pink (May-Aug). FRUITS are familiar blackberries. LEAVES have 3-5 toothed leaflets. STATUS-Widespread and common.
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  • Silver-washed Fritillary Argynnis paphia Wingspan 60mm. An iconic woodland butterfly associated with sunny rides and clearing; adults are often seen feeding on flowers of Bramble and thistles. Adult has orange-brown upperwings with black markings; underside of hindwing has silvery sheen. Flies June–August. Larva feed on violets.  Status Locally common woodland species in S and SW England and Ireland.
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  • Silver-washed Fritillary Argynnis paphia Wingspan 60mm. An iconic woodland butterfly associated with sunny rides and clearing; adults are often seen feeding on flowers of Bramble and thistles. Adult has orange-brown upperwings with black markings; underside of hindwing has silvery sheen. Flies June–August. Larva feed on violets.  Status Locally common woodland species in S and SW England and Ireland.
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  • Bramble - Rubus fruticosus
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  • Silver-washed Fritillary Argynnis paphia Wingspan 60mm. An iconic woodland butterfly associated with sunny rides and clearing; adults are often seen feeding on flowers of Bramble and thistles. Adult has orange-brown upperwings with black markings; underside of hindwing has silvery sheen. Flies June–August. Larva feed on violets.  Status Locally common woodland species in S and SW England and Ireland.
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  • violet bramble rust<br />
Phragmidium violaceum
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  • White-letter Hairstreak Satyriuim w-album Wingspan 35mm. Small, active butterfly that is hard to observe closely. Usually flies around treetops but also visits Bramble flowers to feed. Adult seldom reveals upperwings. Underwings are brown with jagged orange band and white ‘w’ on hindwing. Flies July-Aug. Larva is rather slug-like and feeds on elms. Widespread loss of larval foodplants from Dutch elm disease has caused decline. Today it is very local, in central and southern England and Wales.
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  • White-letter Hairstreak Satyriuim w-album Wingspan 35mm. Small, active butterfly that is hard to observe closely. Usually flies around treetops but also visits Bramble flowers to feed. Adult seldom reveals upperwings. Underwings are brown with jagged orange band and white ‘w’ on hindwing. Flies July-Aug. Larva is rather slug-like and feeds on elms. Widespread loss of larval foodplants from Dutch elm disease has caused decline. Today it is very local, in central and southern England and Wales.
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  • White Admiral Limenitis camilla Wingspan 50mm. Glides with ease, flies swiftly and visits Bramble flowers along woodland rides. Adult has blackish upperwings with white bands; chestnut underwings have similar pattern of white to upperwings. Flies June-July. Larva is mainly green with tufts of spiny, orange hairs; feeds on Honeysuckle. Locally common in broadleaved woodland in southern England.
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  • White Admiral Limenitis camilla Wingspan 50mm. Glides with ease, flies swiftly and visits Bramble flowers along woodland rides. Adult has blackish upperwings with white bands; chestnut underwings have similar pattern of white to upperwings. Flies June-July. Larva is mainly green with tufts of spiny, orange hairs; feeds on Honeysuckle. Locally common in broadleaved woodland in southern England.
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  • Silver-washed Fritillary Argynnis paphia Wingspan 60mm. An iconic woodland butterfly associated with sunny rides and clearing; adults are often seen feeding on flowers of Bramble and thistles. Adult has orange-brown upperwings with black markings; underside of hindwing has silvery sheen. Flies June–August. Larva feed on violets.  Status Locally common woodland species in S and SW England and Ireland.
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  • Gatekeeper Pyronia tithonus Wingspan 40mm. A classic hedgerow and wayside butterfly, and a sign that summer has arrived; often feeds on Bramble flowers. Adult has brown upperwings with broad orange patches and an eyespot with twin highlights on the forewing. Underside of hindwing is marbled brown and buffish-white; forewing has large orange patch with an eyespot. Flies July–Aug. Larva feeds on grasses and is nocturnal. Locally common in central and southern England and Wales, and southern Ireland.
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  • Gatekeeper Pyronia tithonus Wingspan 40mm. A classic hedgerow and wayside butterfly, and a sign that summer has arrived; often feeds on Bramble flowers. Adult has brown upperwings with broad orange patches and an eyespot with twin highlights on the forewing. Underside of hindwing is marbled brown and buffish-white; forewing has large orange patch with an eyespot. Flies July–Aug. Larva feeds on grasses and is nocturnal. Locally common in central and southern England and Wales, and southern Ireland.
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  • Gatekeeper Pyronia tithonus Wingspan 40mm. A classic hedgerow and wayside butterfly, and a sign that summer has arrived; often feeds on Bramble flowers. Adult has brown upperwings with broad orange patches and an eyespot with twin highlights on the forewing. Underside of hindwing is marbled brown and buffish-white; forewing has large orange patch with an eyespot. Flies July–Aug. Larva feeds on grasses and is nocturnal. Locally common in central and southern England and Wales, and southern Ireland.
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  • Harvest Mouse Micromys minutus Length 10-15cm Britain’s smallest rodent. In summer, constructs a tennis ball-sized spherical nest, woven among grass stems. Adult has tiny, compact body. Coat is mainly golden brown but throat, chest and belly are white. Ears are rounded and feet possess a good grip, essential for climbing; prehensile tail serves as fifth limb in this regard. Mostly silent. Once widespread and common (in England at least) in arable fields but now much reduced and confined to wildlife-managed meadows, bramble patches and dry reedbeds.
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  • Slow-worm Anguis fragilis Length 30-40cm Legless lizard. Hibernates Oct-Mar. Length comprises 50-60% tail but this can be shed in dire distress. Female gives birth to live young. Sexes are similar. Adult male has slender, shiny body and no discernible ‘neck’. Male is usually coppery brown or greyish brown, sometimes with darker markings on head. Adult female is similar but with a thin, dark vertebral stripe along back (may end in faint ‘v’ at anterior end) and broken black line on flanks. Belly is marbled bluish and some animals have blue spots on sides. Juvenile has golden or silvery back with thin, dark vertebral stripe and dark flanks. Favours sunny, open habitats with areas of grass and bramble.
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  • Slow-worm Anguis fragilis Length 30-40cm Legless lizard. Hibernates Oct-Mar. Length comprises 50-60% tail but this can be shed in dire distress. Female gives birth to live young. Sexes are similar. Adult male has slender, shiny body and no discernible ‘neck’. Male is usually coppery brown or greyish brown, sometimes with darker markings on head. Adult female is similar but with a thin, dark vertebral stripe along back (may end in faint ‘v’ at anterior end) and broken black line on flanks. Belly is marbled bluish and some animals have blue spots on sides. Juvenile has golden or silvery back with thin, dark vertebral stripe and dark flanks. Favours sunny, open habitats with areas of grass and bramble.
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  • Bramble - Rubus fruticosus
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  • Silver-washed Fritillary - Argynnis paphia - male (top) - typical female (bottom left) - valezina female (bottom right). Wingspan 60mm. An iconic woodland butterfly associated with sunny rides and clearing; adults are often seen feeding on flowers of Bramble and thistles. Adult has orange-brown upperwings with black markings; underside of hindwing has silvery sheen. Flies June–August. Larva feed on violets.  Status Locally common woodland species in S and SW England and Ireland.
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