Nature Photographers Ltd

  • Portfolio
  • About
  • Contact
  • Archive
    • All Galleries
    • Search
    • Cart
    • Lightbox
    • Client Area
  • NPL Blog
Show Navigation

Search Results

Refine Search
Match all words
Match any word
Prints
Personal Use
Royalty-Free
Rights-Managed
(leave unchecked to
search all images)
Next
{ 185 images found }
twitterlinkedinfacebook

Loading ()...

  • 17th century oak panelling
    132974.jpg
  • oak frame in 17th century cottage
    132973.jpg
  • oak floorboards and oak frame in 17th century cottage
    132972.jpg
  • oak frame in 17th century cottage
    132967.jpg
  • Winter evening sun on the upper reaches of the River Thames near Cricklade, Wiltshire, Uk
    154544.jpg
  • Thameside farm in the winter dawn light, Streatley on Thames, Oxfordshire
    154455.jpg
  • Summer dawn over the River Thames and Houses of Parliament, London, Uk
    154473.jpg
  • View of the town of Pollenca from the road to Puig de Maria, Majorca, Balearic Islands, Spain
    154498.jpg
  • Eton and Eton Bridge over the River Thames at dawn on a winter's morning, Berkshire, Uk
    156257.jpg
  • View of Eton Bridge and Eton from the Windsor bank of the River Thames, Berkshire, Uk
    154526.jpg
  • Dusk on the River Thames at Staines Bridge, Middlesex, Uk
    154535.jpg
  • Middleham Castle in the Yorkshire Dales, Uk
    154493.jpg
  • River Kennet at Fobney Lock and Mill, Reading, Berkshire, Uk
    154453.jpg
  • View along Thames Street in Sonning on Thames looking towards The Great House and Sonning Bridge, Berkshire, Uk
    154568.jpg
  • Big and Little St John's, Lundy, Devon
    155537.jpg
  • View along Thames Street in Sonning on Thames looking towards The Great House and Sonning Bridge, Berkshire, Uk
    154567.jpg
  • Goring and Streatley on Thames from hillside at Lardon Chase, Oxfordshire, Uk
    154458.jpg
  • Ruins of Victorian mining building, Lundy Island, Devon
    156587.jpg
  • Timber Frame Building
    132971.jpg
  • Willow Podocarp Podocarpus salignus (Podocarpaceae) (Height to 20m) Sometimes grows as a multi-stemmed bush, but can form a larger tree on a stronger bole with dark orange-brown bark which peels off in strips from mature specimens. Leaves are willow-like, up to 12cm long, with a leathery appearance but a softer, more pliable texture. A native of Chile that yields useful building timber.
    135068.jpg
  • Modern Timber Frame Building
    132970.jpg
  • Willow Podocarp Podocarpus salignus (Podocarpaceae) (Height to 20m) Sometimes grows as a multi-stemmed bush, but can form a larger tree on a stronger bole with dark orange-brown bark which peels off in strips from mature specimens. Leaves are willow-like, up to 12cm long, with a leathery appearance but a softer, more pliable texture. A native of Chile that yields useful building timber.
    135085.jpg
  • Willow Podocarp Podocarpus salignus (Podocarpaceae) (Height to 20m) Sometimes grows as a multi-stemmed bush, but can form a larger tree on a stronger bole with dark orange-brown bark which peels off in strips from mature specimens. Leaves are willow-like, up to 12cm long, with a leathery appearance but a softer, more pliable texture. A native of Chile that yields useful building timber.
    135069.jpg
  • Willow Podocarp Podocarpus salignus (Podocarpaceae) (Height to 20m) Sometimes grows as a multi-stemmed bush, but can form a larger tree on a stronger bole with dark orange-brown bark which peels off in strips from mature specimens. Leaves are willow-like, up to 12cm long, with a leathery appearance but a softer, more pliable texture. A native of Chile that yields useful building timber.
    132463.jpg
  • Willow Podocarp Podocarpus salignus (Podocarpaceae) (Height to 20m) Sometimes grows as a multi-stemmed bush, but can form a larger tree on a stronger bole with dark orange-brown bark which peels off in strips from mature specimens. Leaves are willow-like, up to 12cm long, with a leathery appearance but a softer, more pliable texture. A native of Chile that yields useful building timber.
    125485.jpg
  • Osprey Pandion halieaetus W 145-160cm. The classic fish-eating raptor. Can look gull-like in flight but fishing technique is unmistakable: hovers, then plunges talons first into water. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly brown upperparts, except for pale crown; underparts are mainly whitish with darker chest band. In flight from below, looks pale overall with dark carpal patches, dark band along base of flight feathers and dark terminal band on barred tail. Juvenile is similar to adult but darker markings are less distinct. Voice Utters various whistling calls. Status Migrant visitor, seldom seen far from water even on migration. Nests close to large waterbodies, mainly in N. Breeding range is gradually extending S; also introduced in places (notably Rutland Water). Passage migrants sometimes linger for a few days at fish-rich lakes and flooded gravel pits.
    136104.jpg
  • Grey Heron Ardea cinerea L 90-98cm. Familiar wetland bird. Stands motionless for long periods. Flies on broad wings with slow, deep wingbeats; neck is held hunched. Sexes are similar. Adult has whitish grey head, neck and underparts with dark streaks on front of neck and breast; note white forecrown and black sides to crown leading to black nape feathers. Back and upperwings are blue-grey; flight feathers are black. Dagger-like bill is yellowish. Juvenile is similar but crown and forehead are dark grey. Voice Utters a harsh krrarnk in flight. Status Common resident. Favours freshwater wetlands but also on coasts in winter.
    143773.jpg
  • Grey Heron Ardea cinerea L 90-98cm. Familiar wetland bird. Stands motionless for long periods. Flies on broad wings with slow, deep wingbeats; neck is held hunched. Sexes are similar. Adult has whitish grey head, neck and underparts with dark streaks on front of neck and breast; note white forecrown and black sides to crown leading to black nape feathers. Back and upperwings are blue-grey; flight feathers are black. Dagger-like bill is yellowish. Juvenile is similar but crown and forehead are dark grey. Voice Utters a harsh krrarnk in flight. Status Common resident. Favours freshwater wetlands but also on coasts in winter.
    156637.jpg
  • White Stork Ciconia ciconia L 100-115cm. Large and unmistakable black-and-white bird. Winters in Africa, breeds in mainland Europe and turns up in small numbers, usually in spring and summer, favouring wet grassland.
    155210.jpg
  • 17th century oak nail, used for fixing oak panelling
    132957.jpg
  • Osprey Pandion halieaetus W 145-160cm. The classic fish-eating raptor. Can look gull-like in flight but fishing technique is unmistakable: hovers, then plunges talons first into water. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly brown upperparts, except for pale crown; underparts are mainly whitish with darker chest band. In flight from below, looks pale overall with dark carpal patches, dark band along base of flight feathers and dark terminal band on barred tail. Juvenile is similar to adult but darker markings are less distinct. Voice Utters various whistling calls. Status Migrant visitor, seldom seen far from water even on migration. Nests close to large waterbodies, mainly in N. Breeding range is gradually extending S; also introduced in places (notably Rutland Water). Passage migrants sometimes linger for a few days at fish-rich lakes and flooded gravel pits.
    133548.jpg
  • Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus Wingspan 110-125cm.Graceful wetland raptor.  Adult male is mostly reddish brown with blue-grey head and grey tail. In flight, note patches of grey and reddish brown on wings, and black wingtips. Adult female is mainly dark brown with pale leading edge to wings and pale cap and chin. Tail is reddish brown. Juvenile is similar to an adult female but tail is dark brown. Voice – mainly silent. Status and habitat – Commonest in summer months, but some birds are present year-round. Usually seen in flight over marshes and reedbeds. Easiest to see in East Anglia.
    145417.jpg
  • Grey Heron Ardea cinerea L 90-98cm. Familiar wetland bird. Stands motionless for long periods. Flies on broad wings with slow, deep wingbeats; neck is held hunched. Sexes are similar. Adult has whitish grey head, neck and underparts with dark streaks on front of neck and breast; note white forecrown and black sides to crown leading to black nape feathers. Back and upperwings are blue-grey; flight feathers are black. Dagger-like bill is yellowish. Juvenile is similar but crown and forehead are dark grey. Voice Utters a harsh krrarnk in flight. Status Common resident. Favours freshwater wetlands but also on coasts in winter.
    145776.jpg
  • Osprey Pandion halieaetus W 145-160cm. The classic fish-eating raptor. Can look gull-like in flight but fishing technique is unmistakable: hovers, then plunges talons first into water. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly brown upperparts, except for pale crown; underparts are mainly whitish with darker chest band. In flight from below, looks pale overall with dark carpal patches, dark band along base of flight feathers and dark terminal band on barred tail. Juvenile is similar to adult but darker markings are less distinct. Voice Utters various whistling calls. Status Migrant visitor, seldom seen far from water even on migration. Nests close to large waterbodies, mainly in N. Breeding range is gradually extending S; also introduced in places (notably Rutland Water). Passage migrants sometimes linger for a few days at fish-rich lakes and flooded gravel pits.
    135523.jpg
  • Pedunculate or English Oak Quercus robur Fagaceae Height to 36m. Spreading, deciduous tree with dense crown. Bark Grey, thick and fissured with age. Branches Dead branches emerge from canopy of ancient trees. Buds hairless. Leaves Deeply lobed with 2 auricles at base; on very short stalks (5mm or less). Reproductive parts Flowers are catkins. Acorns, in groups of 1–3, with long stalks and scaly cups. Status Widespread; prefers heavier clay soils to Sessile Oak.
    130189.jpg
  • Pedunculate or English Oak Quercus robur Fagaceae Height to 36m. Spreading, deciduous tree with dense crown. Bark Grey, thick and fissured with age. Branches Dead branches emerge from canopy of ancient trees. Buds hairless. Leaves Deeply lobed with 2 auricles at base; on very short stalks (5mm or less). Reproductive parts Flowers are catkins. Acorns, in groups of 1–3, with long stalks and scaly cups. Status Widespread; prefers heavier clay soils to Sessile Oak.
    130139.jpg
  • Pedunculate or English Oak Quercus robur Fagaceae Height to 36m. Spreading, deciduous tree with dense crown. Bark Grey, thick and fissured with age. Branches Dead branches emerge from canopy of ancient trees. Buds hairless. Leaves Deeply lobed with 2 auricles at base; on very short stalks (5mm or less). Reproductive parts Flowers are catkins. Acorns, in groups of 1–3, with long stalks and scaly cups. Status Widespread; prefers heavier clay soils to Sessile Oak.
    129641.jpg
  • Pedunculate or English Oak Quercus robur Fagaceae Height to 36m. Spreading, deciduous tree with dense crown. Bark Grey, thick and fissured with age. Branches Dead branches emerge from canopy of ancient trees. Buds hairless. Leaves Deeply lobed with 2 auricles at base; on very short stalks (5mm or less). Reproductive parts Flowers are catkins. Acorns, in groups of 1–3, with long stalks and scaly cups. Status Widespread; prefers heavier clay soils to Sessile Oak.
    129629.jpg
  • Pedunculate or English Oak Quercus robur Fagaceae Height to 36m. Spreading, deciduous tree with dense crown. Bark Grey, thick and fissured with age. Branches Dead branches emerge from canopy of ancient trees. Buds hairless. Leaves Deeply lobed with 2 auricles at base; on very short stalks (5mm or less). Reproductive parts Flowers are catkins. Acorns, in groups of 1–3, with long stalks and scaly cups. Status Widespread; prefers heavier clay soils to Sessile Oak.
    105800.jpg
  • Lesser Horseshoe Bat Rhinolophus hipposideros Wingspan 19.5-25cm Smaller than Greater Horseshoe Bat but with similar facial appearance. Adult has fluffy fur, greyish brown above and paler below. Nostrils are surrounded by afleshy, horseshoe-shaped structure. Ears and wings are greyish brown. Audible squeaks heard at nursery colonies. Echolocates in 105-115kHz range. Favours open woodland, but also feeds along hedgerows; insect caught in flight and gleaned from foliage. Roosts in roofs and cellars summer, hibernates in caves and mines. Rare, restricted to SW England and W Ireland. Emerges from roosts at dusk and feeds throughout night.
    128366.jpg
  • Blackbird Turdus merula L 25-28cm. Familiar ground-dwelling bird. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has uniformly blackish plumage. Legs are dark but bill and eyering are yellow. 1st winter male is similar but bill is dark and eyering is dull. Adult and 1st winter female are brown, darkest on wings and tail, and palest on throat and streaked breast. Juvenile is similar to adult female but marked with pale spots. Voice Utters harsh and repeated tchak alarm call, often at dusk. Male has rich, fluty and varied song. Status Common and widespread in gardens, but in woodland, farmland and coasts. Upland birds move to lower levels in winter and migrants arrive from Europe.
    110126.jpg
  • Pedunculate or English Oak Quercus robur Fagaceae Height to 36m. Spreading, deciduous tree with dense crown. Bark Grey, thick and fissured with age. Branches Dead branches emerge from canopy of ancient trees. Buds hairless. Leaves Deeply lobed with 2 auricles at base; on very short stalks (5mm or less). Reproductive parts Flowers are catkins. Acorns, in groups of 1–3, with long stalks and scaly cups. Status Widespread; prefers heavier clay soils to Sessile Oak.
    157735.jpg
  • Marisco Tavern on Lundy, Devon
    156511.jpg
  • Dusk over the River Thames at Reading Bridge, Reading, Berkshire, Uk
    156235.jpg
  • Millenium Bridge over the River Thames looking towards St Paul's Cathederal, London, Uk
    156240.jpg
  • Early morning commuters crossing Westminster Bridge on a winter's dawn looking towards the Houses of Parliament, London, Uk
    156243.jpg
  • Windsor Castle and the River Thames at sunset, Berkshire, Uk
    156256.jpg
  • Maidenhair Spleenwort - Asplenium trichomanes growing on the walls of ruined cottages, Lundy, Devon
    155433.jpg
  • Maidenhair Spleenwort - Asplenium trichomanes growing on the walls of ruined cottages, Lundy, Devon
    155434.jpg
  • Eton College on the River Thames from Romney Lock Island, Windsor, Berkshire, Uk
    154525.jpg
  • Tower Bridge and City Hall on the River Thames at dawn, London, Uk
    154552.jpg
  • City Hall and Tower Bridge at dawn, London, Uk
    154553.jpg
  • Snowdrops and All Saints Church in Somerford Keynes, Cotswolds, Gloucestershire, Uk
    154569.jpg
  • Snowdrops and All Saints Church in Somerford Keynes, Cotswolds, Gloucestershire, Uk
    154570.jpg
  • Caernarvon Castle at dusk on a cloudy summer night, Wales, Uk
    154444.jpg
  • Weir at Fobney Mill on the River Kennet in Reading, Berkshire, Uk
    154462.jpg
  • Panoramic view of Hambledon Village in the Thames Valley near Henley, Oxfordshire, Uk
    154470.jpg
  • Panoramic view of part of Hambledon Village in the Thames Valley near Henley, Oxfordshire, Uk
    154471.jpg
  • Weir on the River Thames at Hurley in Berkshire, Uk
    154481.jpg
  • Panoramic of Merton College and the Oxford skyline across Merton College playing field, Oxford, Oxfordshire, Uk
    154499.jpg
  • Panoramic of Merton College and the Oxford skyline across Merton College playing field, Oxford, Oxfordshire, Uk
    154500.jpg
  • Old ruined crofters cottage on the roadside near Corgarff, Scottish Highlands, Uk
    145520.jpg
  • Cenarth Falls on the Afon Teifi, Pembrokeshire, Wales, Uk
    145681.jpg
  • Pedunculate or English Oak Quercus robur Fagaceae Height to 36m. Spreading, deciduous tree with dense crown. Bark Grey, thick and fissured with age. Branches Dead branches emerge from canopy of ancient trees. Buds hairless. Leaves Deeply lobed with 2 auricles at base; on very short stalks (5mm or less). Reproductive parts Flowers are catkins. Acorns, in groups of 1–3, with long stalks and scaly cups. Status Widespread; prefers heavier clay soils to Sessile Oak.
    133255.jpg
  • Pedunculate or English Oak Quercus robur Fagaceae Height to 36m. Spreading, deciduous tree with dense crown. Bark Grey, thick and fissured with age. Branches Dead branches emerge from canopy of ancient trees. Buds hairless. Leaves Deeply lobed with 2 auricles at base; on very short stalks (5mm or less). Reproductive parts Flowers are catkins. Acorns, in groups of 1–3, with long stalks and scaly cups. Status Widespread; prefers heavier clay soils to Sessile Oak.
    133185.jpg
  • Pedunculate or English Oak Quercus robur Fagaceae Height to 36m. Spreading, deciduous tree with dense crown. Bark Grey, thick and fissured with age. Branches Dead branches emerge from canopy of ancient trees. Buds hairless. Leaves Deeply lobed with 2 auricles at base; on very short stalks (5mm or less). Reproductive parts Flowers are catkins. Acorns, in groups of 1–3, with long stalks and scaly cups. Status Widespread; prefers heavier clay soils to Sessile Oak.
    132588.jpg
  • Pedunculate or English Oak Quercus robur Fagaceae Height to 36m. Spreading, deciduous tree with dense crown. Bark Grey, thick and fissured with age. Branches Dead branches emerge from canopy of ancient trees. Buds hairless. Leaves Deeply lobed with 2 auricles at base; on very short stalks (5mm or less). Reproductive parts Flowers are catkins. Acorns, in groups of 1–3, with long stalks and scaly cups. Status Widespread; prefers heavier clay soils to Sessile Oak.
    130411.jpg
  • Pedunculate or English Oak Quercus robur Fagaceae Height to 36m. Spreading, deciduous tree with dense crown. Bark Grey, thick and fissured with age. Branches Dead branches emerge from canopy of ancient trees. Buds hairless. Leaves Deeply lobed with 2 auricles at base; on very short stalks (5mm or less). Reproductive parts Flowers are catkins. Acorns, in groups of 1–3, with long stalks and scaly cups. Status Widespread; prefers heavier clay soils to Sessile Oak.
    129754.jpg
  • Pedunculate or English Oak Quercus robur Fagaceae Height to 36m. Spreading, deciduous tree with dense crown. Bark Grey, thick and fissured with age. Branches Dead branches emerge from canopy of ancient trees. Buds hairless. Leaves Deeply lobed with 2 auricles at base; on very short stalks (5mm or less). Reproductive parts Flowers are catkins. Acorns, in groups of 1–3, with long stalks and scaly cups. Status Widespread; prefers heavier clay soils to Sessile Oak.
    129678.jpg
  • Pedunculate or English Oak Quercus robur Fagaceae Height to 36m. Spreading, deciduous tree with dense crown. Bark Grey, thick and fissured with age. Branches Dead branches emerge from canopy of ancient trees. Buds hairless. Leaves Deeply lobed with 2 auricles at base; on very short stalks (5mm or less). Reproductive parts Flowers are catkins. Acorns, in groups of 1–3, with long stalks and scaly cups. Status Widespread; prefers heavier clay soils to Sessile Oak.
    129679.jpg
  • Pedunculate or English Oak Quercus robur Fagaceae Height to 36m. Spreading, deciduous tree with dense crown. Bark Grey, thick and fissured with age. Branches Dead branches emerge from canopy of ancient trees. Buds hairless. Leaves Deeply lobed with 2 auricles at base; on very short stalks (5mm or less). Reproductive parts Flowers are catkins. Acorns, in groups of 1–3, with long stalks and scaly cups. Status Widespread; prefers heavier clay soils to Sessile Oak.
    127487.jpg
  • Pedunculate or English Oak Quercus robur Fagaceae Height to 36m. Spreading, deciduous tree with dense crown. Bark Grey, thick and fissured with age. Branches Dead branches emerge from canopy of ancient trees. Buds hairless. Leaves Deeply lobed with 2 auricles at base; on very short stalks (5mm or less). Reproductive parts Flowers are catkins. Acorns, in groups of 1–3, with long stalks and scaly cups. Status Widespread; prefers heavier clay soils to Sessile Oak.
    127485.jpg
  • Pedunculate or English Oak Quercus robur Fagaceae Height to 36m. Spreading, deciduous tree with dense crown. Bark Grey, thick and fissured with age. Branches Dead branches emerge from canopy of ancient trees. Buds hairless. Leaves Deeply lobed with 2 auricles at base; on very short stalks (5mm or less). Reproductive parts Flowers are catkins. Acorns, in groups of 1–3, with long stalks and scaly cups. Status Widespread; prefers heavier clay soils to Sessile Oak.
    127484.jpg
  • Pedunculate or English Oak Quercus robur Fagaceae Height to 36m. Spreading, deciduous tree with dense crown. Bark Grey, thick and fissured with age. Branches Dead branches emerge from canopy of ancient trees. Buds hairless. Leaves Deeply lobed with 2 auricles at base; on very short stalks (5mm or less). Reproductive parts Flowers are catkins. Acorns, in groups of 1–3, with long stalks and scaly cups. Status Widespread; prefers heavier clay soils to Sessile Oak.
    111588.jpg
  • Pedunculate or English Oak Quercus robur Fagaceae Height to 36m. Spreading, deciduous tree with dense crown. Bark Grey, thick and fissured with age. Branches Dead branches emerge from canopy of ancient trees. Buds hairless. Leaves Deeply lobed with 2 auricles at base; on very short stalks (5mm or less). Reproductive parts Flowers are catkins. Acorns, in groups of 1–3, with long stalks and scaly cups. Status Widespread; prefers heavier clay soils to Sessile Oak.
    100170.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.
    100121.jpg
  • Swift Apus apus L 16-17cm. Invariably seen in flight: has anchor-shaped outline and mainly dark plumage. Catches insects on the wing. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly blackish brown plumage with pale throat. Tail is forked but often held closed in active flight. Juvenile is overall darker but throat and forehead are paler. Voice Loud screaming calls uttered in flight. Status Locally common summer visitor. Nests in churches and loft spaces. Feeding birds gather where insects are numerous. Observation tips Easy to see in late spring in villages and towns. Most adults leave Britain in August.
    104747.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.
    107251.jpg
  • House Martin Delichon rubica L 12-13cm. Recognised by overall black-and-white appearance and striking white rump. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly blue-black upperparts with white rump; underparts are white. Juvenile is similar but underparts are grubby and upperparts are duller. Voice Utters distinctive prrrt call in flight. Twittering song often delivered from overhead wires near nest. Status Locally common summer visitor. Typically constructs hemi-spherical mud nest under house eaves and overhangs, in loose colonies. On migration, often feeds on insects and congregates over freshwater.
    107454.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.
    108751.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.
    109718.jpg
  • Blackbird Turdus merula L 25-28cm. Familiar ground-dwelling bird. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has uniformly blackish plumage. Legs are dark but bill and eyering are yellow. 1st winter male is similar but bill is dark and eyering is dull. Adult and 1st winter female are brown, darkest on wings and tail, and palest on throat and streaked breast. Juvenile is similar to adult female but marked with pale spots. Voice Utters harsh and repeated tchak alarm call, often at dusk. Male has rich, fluty and varied song. Status Common and widespread in gardens, but in woodland, farmland and coasts. Upland birds move to lower levels in winter and migrants arrive from Europe.
    111327.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.
    120053.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
  • Swift Apus apus L 16-17cm. Invariably seen in flight: has anchor-shaped outline and mainly dark plumage. Catches insects on the wing. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly blackish brown plumage with pale throat. Tail is forked but often held closed in active flight. Juvenile is overall darker but throat and forehead are paler. Voice Loud screaming calls uttered in flight. Status Locally common summer visitor. Nests in churches and loft spaces. Feeding birds gather where insects are numerous.
    145389.jpg
  • Vitelline Masked Weaver - Ploceus vitellinus
    163486.jpg
  • Vitelline Masked Weaver - Ploceus vitellinus
    163487.jpg
  • All Hallows Church, Whitchurch, Hampshire
    161479.jpg
  • All Hallows Church, Whitchurch, Hampshire
    161478.jpg
  • Pedunculate Oak - Quercus robur
    161364.jpg
  • Pedunculate Oak - Quercus robur
    161388.jpg
  • House Martin Delichon rubica L 12-13cm. Recognised by overall black-and-white appearance and striking white rump. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly blue-black upperparts with white rump; underparts are white. Juvenile is similar but underparts are grubby and upperparts are duller. Voice Utters distinctive prrrt call in flight. Twittering song often delivered from overhead wires near nest. Status Locally common summer visitor. Typically constructs hemi-spherical mud nest under house eaves and overhangs, in loose colonies. On migration, often feeds on insects and congregates over freshwater.
    127175.jpg
  • Serotine Eptesicus serotinus Wingspan 33-38cm Large bat, often associated with human habitation. Adult has sleek fur, dark brown above and yellowish brown below. Nose and face are dark; dark ears are oval with 5 transverse folds and tragus is sickle-shaped. Wings are long, broad and dark. Utters shrill squeaks at roost sites. Echolocates in 25-30khz range. Widespread in S, favouring open woodland, parks and mature gardens. Leaves roosts shortly after sunset; wingbeats are slow and fluttering. Roosts in tree holes and buildings in summer, hibernates in buildings and barns.
    126339.jpg
  • Serotine Eptesicus serotinus Wingspan 33-38cm Large bat, often associated with human habitation. Adult has sleek fur, dark brown above and yellowish brown below. Nose and face are dark; dark ears are oval with 5 transverse folds and tragus is sickle-shaped. Wings are long, broad and dark. Utters shrill squeaks at roost sites. Echolocates in 25-30khz range. Widespread in S, favouring open woodland, parks and mature gardens. Leaves roosts shortly after sunset; wingbeats are slow and fluttering. Roosts in tree holes and buildings in summer, hibernates in buildings and barns.
    143681.jpg
  • Serotine Eptesicus serotinus Wingspan 33-38cm Large bat, often associated with human habitation. Adult has sleek fur, dark brown above and yellowish brown below. Nose and face are dark; dark ears are oval with 5 transverse folds and tragus is sickle-shaped. Wings are long, broad and dark. Utters shrill squeaks at roost sites. Echolocates in 25-30khz range. Widespread in S, favouring open woodland, parks and mature gardens. Leaves roosts shortly after sunset; wingbeats are slow and fluttering. Roosts in tree holes and buildings in summer, hibernates in buildings and barns.
    122399.jpg
  • Serotine Eptesicus serotinus Wingspan 33-38cm Large bat, often associated with human habitation. Adult has sleek fur, dark brown above and yellowish brown below. Nose and face are dark; dark ears are oval with 5 transverse folds and tragus is sickle-shaped. Wings are long, broad and dark. Utters shrill squeaks at roost sites. Echolocates in 25-30khz range. Widespread in S, favouring open woodland, parks and mature gardens. Leaves roosts shortly after sunset; wingbeats are slow and fluttering. Roosts in tree holes and buildings in summer, hibernates in buildings and barns.
    122819.jpg
  • Serotine Eptesicus serotinus Wingspan 33-38cm Large bat, often associated with human habitation. Adult has sleek fur, dark brown above and yellowish brown below. Nose and face are dark; dark ears are oval with 5 transverse folds and tragus is sickle-shaped. Wings are long, broad and dark. Utters shrill squeaks at roost sites. Echolocates in 25-30khz range. Widespread in S, favouring open woodland, parks and mature gardens. Leaves roosts shortly after sunset; wingbeats are slow and fluttering. Roosts in tree holes and buildings in summer, hibernates in buildings and barns.
    122817.jpg
  • Serotine Eptesicus serotinus Wingspan 33-38cm Large bat, often associated with human habitation. Adult has sleek fur, dark brown above and yellowish brown below. Nose and face are dark; dark ears are oval with 5 transverse folds and tragus is sickle-shaped. Wings are long, broad and dark. Utters shrill squeaks at roost sites. Echolocates in 25-30khz range. Widespread in S, favouring open woodland, parks and mature gardens. Leaves roosts shortly after sunset; wingbeats are slow and fluttering. Roosts in tree holes and buildings in summer, hibernates in buildings and barns.
    126342.jpg
  • Serotine Eptesicus serotinus Wingspan 33-38cm Large bat, often associated with human habitation. Adult has sleek fur, dark brown above and yellowish brown below. Nose and face are dark; dark ears are oval with 5 transverse folds and tragus is sickle-shaped. Wings are long, broad and dark. Utters shrill squeaks at roost sites. Echolocates in 25-30khz range. Widespread in S, favouring open woodland, parks and mature gardens. Leaves roosts shortly after sunset; wingbeats are slow and fluttering. Roosts in tree holes and buildings in summer, hibernates in buildings and barns.
    136001.jpg
  • Serotine Eptesicus serotinus Wingspan 33-38cm Large bat, often associated with human habitation. Adult has sleek fur, dark brown above and yellowish brown below. Nose and face are dark; dark ears are oval with 5 transverse folds and tragus is sickle-shaped. Wings are long, broad and dark. Utters shrill squeaks at roost sites. Echolocates in 25-30khz range. Widespread in S, favouring open woodland, parks and mature gardens. Leaves roosts shortly after sunset; wingbeats are slow and fluttering. Roosts in tree holes and buildings in summer, hibernates in buildings and barns.
    136044.jpg
Next