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  • Great Blue Heron - Ardea herodias - adult bird with tilapia catch
    160430.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.
    157406.jpg
  • White-tailed Eagle Haliaeetus albicilla W 190-240cm. Immense raptor with long, broad and parallel-sided wings, and by relatively short, wedge-shaped tail. Surprisingly manoeuvrable, despite it size, and catches fish and waterbirds while hunting low over water. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly brown plumage, palest on head and neck. At rest, white tail is often obscured by wings. Bill and legs are yellow. In flight from below, looks mainly dark except for paler head and neck, and white tail. Juvenile is similar to adult but looks darker overall and tail is uniformly dark. Subadult acquires adult plumage over successive moults; last immature feature to disappear is dark terminal band on tail. Voice Utters mournful whistling calls. Status Formerly just a rare visitor from mainland Europe but now reintroduced successfully to certain Scottish islands.
    136631.jpg
  • Kingfisher- Alcedo atthis - female. L 16-17cm. Dazzling bird with dagger-like bill. Perches on branches overhanging water and plunge-dives after small fish. Flies low over water on whirring wings. Excavates nest burrow in riverbank. Sexes are separable. Adult male has orange-red underparts, mainly blue upperparts with electric-blue back. Legs and feet are red and bill is all-dark. Adult female is similar but base of lower mandible is flushed red. Juvenile is similar to adult but bill tip is pale. Voice Utters high-pitched call in flight. Status Widespread resident of streams and lakes, commonest in lowland areas.
    157704.jpg
  • Green Heron - Butorides virescens
    149122.jpg
  • Green Heron - Butorides virescens
    149121.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.
    156894.jpg
  • Using a butterfly net
    156433.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.
    156192.jpg
  • Red-necked Grebe Podiceps grisegena - Summer adult. L 40-45cm. Smaller and more stocky than Great Crested, with striking summer plumage. Note diagnostic yellow-based bill. White wing panels seen in flight. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has red neck and upper breast; head has white-bordered pale grey cheeks and black cap. Upperparts otherwise grey-brown and underparts whitish with grey streaks on flanks. In winter, loses neck colours but often retains hint of reddish collar. Cheek pattern is less well defined and ear coverts are grubby. Juvenile is similar to winter adult with more extensive red on neck. Voice Mostly silent. Status Scarce winter visitor to sheltered inshore seas and estuaries; occasional on inland lakes and reservoirs.
    155977.jpg
  • Red-necked Grebe Podiceps grisegena - Summer adult. L 40-45cm. Smaller and more stocky than Great Crested, with striking summer plumage. Note diagnostic yellow-based bill. White wing panels seen in flight. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has red neck and upper breast; head has white-bordered pale grey cheeks and black cap. Upperparts otherwise grey-brown and underparts whitish with grey streaks on flanks. In winter, loses neck colours but often retains hint of reddish collar. Cheek pattern is less well defined and ear coverts are grubby. Juvenile is similar to winter adult with more extensive red on neck. Voice Mostly silent. Status Scarce winter visitor to sheltered inshore seas and estuaries; occasional on inland lakes and reservoirs.
    155979.jpg
  • Red-necked Grebe Podiceps grisegena - Summer adult. L 40-45cm. Smaller and more stocky than Great Crested, with striking summer plumage. Note diagnostic yellow-based bill. White wing panels seen in flight. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has red neck and upper breast; head has white-bordered pale grey cheeks and black cap. Upperparts otherwise grey-brown and underparts whitish with grey streaks on flanks. In winter, loses neck colours but often retains hint of reddish collar. Cheek pattern is less well defined and ear coverts are grubby. Juvenile is similar to winter adult with more extensive red on neck. Voice Mostly silent. Status Scarce winter visitor to sheltered inshore seas and estuaries; occasional on inland lakes and reservoirs.
    155978.jpg
  • Little Tern Sterna albifrons L 24cm. Tiny, pale tern that hovers before plunge-diving after fish and shrimps. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has grey back and upperwings, mainly black cap, and otherwise white plumage. Note black-tipped yellow bill and yellow-orange legs. In flight, wingtips are dark. Non-breeding plumage (acquired from late summer onwards) is similar but forehead becomes white and leg and bill colours darken. Juvenile is similar to winter adult but back looks scaly. Voice Utters a raucous cree-ick call. Status Local summer visitor with scattered coastal colonies on shingle and sandy islands and beaches.
    154070.jpg
  • Little Tern Sterna albifrons L 24cm. Tiny, pale tern that hovers before plunge-diving after fish and shrimps. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has grey back and upperwings, mainly black cap, and otherwise white plumage. Note black-tipped yellow bill and yellow-orange legs. In flight, wingtips are dark. Non-breeding plumage (acquired from late summer onwards) is similar but forehead becomes white and leg and bill colours darken. Juvenile is similar to winter adult but back looks scaly. Voice Utters a raucous cree-ick call. Status Local summer visitor with scattered coastal colonies on shingle and sandy islands and beaches.
    154072.jpg
  • Little Tern Sterna albifrons L 24cm. Tiny, pale tern that hovers before plunge-diving after fish and shrimps. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has grey back and upperwings, mainly black cap, and otherwise white plumage. Note black-tipped yellow bill and yellow-orange legs. In flight, wingtips are dark. Non-breeding plumage (acquired from late summer onwards) is similar but forehead becomes white and leg and bill colours darken. Juvenile is similar to winter adult but back looks scaly. Voice Utters a raucous cree-ick call. Status Local summer visitor with scattered coastal colonies on shingle and sandy islands and beaches.
    154076.jpg
  • Little Tern Sterna albifrons L 24cm. Tiny, pale tern that hovers before plunge-diving after fish and shrimps. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has grey back and upperwings, mainly black cap, and otherwise white plumage. Note black-tipped yellow bill and yellow-orange legs. In flight, wingtips are dark. Non-breeding plumage (acquired from late summer onwards) is similar but forehead becomes white and leg and bill colours darken. Juvenile is similar to winter adult but back looks scaly. Voice Utters a raucous cree-ick call. Status Local summer visitor with scattered coastal colonies on shingle and sandy islands and beaches.
    154077.jpg
  • Grizzly Bear Ursus arctos horribilis Length to 2m Large bear with a grizzled brown coat. Once widespread west of the Rockies, now confined to Northwest.
    133027.jpg
  • Kingfisher Alcedo atthis L 16-17cm. Dazzling bird with dagger-like bill. Perches on branches overhanging water and plunge-dives after small fish. Flies low over water on whirring wings. Excavates nest burrow in riverbank. Sexes are separable. Adult male has orange-red underparts, mainly blue upperparts with electric-blue back. Legs and feet are red and bill is all-dark. Adult female is similar but base of lower mandible is flushed red. Juvenile is similar to adult but bill tip is pale. Voice Utters high-pitched call in flight. Status Widespread resident of streams and lakes, commonest in lowland areas.
    129100.jpg
  • Kingfisher Alcedo atthis L 16-17cm. Dazzling bird with dagger-like bill. Perches on branches overhanging water and plunge-dives after small fish. Flies low over water on whirring wings. Excavates nest burrow in riverbank. Sexes are separable. Adult male has orange-red underparts, mainly blue upperparts with electric-blue back. Legs and feet are red and bill is all-dark. Adult female is similar but base of lower mandible is flushed red. Juvenile is similar to adult but bill tip is pale. Voice Utters high-pitched call in flight. Status Widespread resident of streams and lakes, commonest in lowland areas.
    136866.jpg
  • Kingfisher Alcedo atthis L 16-17cm. Dazzling bird with dagger-like bill. Perches on branches overhanging water and plunge-dives after small fish. Flies low over water on whirring wings. Excavates nest burrow in riverbank. Sexes are separable. Adult male has orange-red underparts, mainly blue upperparts with electric-blue back. Legs and feet are red and bill is all-dark. Adult female is similar but base of lower mandible is flushed red. Juvenile is similar to adult but bill tip is pale. Voice Utters high-pitched call in flight. Status Widespread resident of streams and lakes, commonest in lowland areas.
    137563.jpg
  • Kingfisher Alcedo atthis L 16-17cm. Dazzling bird with dagger-like bill. Perches on branches overhanging water and plunge-dives after small fish. Flies low over water on whirring wings. Excavates nest burrow in riverbank. Sexes are separable. Adult male has orange-red underparts, mainly blue upperparts with electric-blue back. Legs and feet are red and bill is all-dark. Adult female is similar but base of lower mandible is flushed red. Juvenile is similar to adult but bill tip is pale. Voice Utters high-pitched call in flight. Status Widespread resident of streams and lakes, commonest in lowland areas.
    139649.jpg
  • Kingfisher Alcedo atthis L 16-17cm. Dazzling bird with dagger-like bill. Perches on branches overhanging water and plunge-dives after small fish. Flies low over water on whirring wings. Excavates nest burrow in riverbank. Sexes are separable. Adult male has orange-red underparts, mainly blue upperparts with electric-blue back. Legs and feet are red and bill is all-dark. Adult female is similar but base of lower mandible is flushed red. Juvenile is similar to adult but bill tip is pale. Voice Utters high-pitched call in flight. Status Widespread resident of streams and lakes, commonest in lowland areas.
    145868.jpg
  • Kingfisher Alcedo atthis L 16-17cm. Dazzling bird with dagger-like bill. Perches on branches overhanging water and plunge-dives after small fish. Flies low over water on whirring wings. Excavates nest burrow in riverbank. Sexes are separable. Adult male has orange-red underparts, mainly blue upperparts with electric-blue back. Legs and feet are red and bill is all-dark. Adult female is similar but base of lower mandible is flushed red. Juvenile is similar to adult but bill tip is pale. Voice Utters high-pitched call in flight. Status Widespread resident of streams and lakes, commonest in lowland areas.
    157695.jpg
  • Slavonian Grebe Podiceps auritus - Winter. Feeding on Three-spined Stickleback. L 31-38cm. Buoyant little waterbird with beady red eye. Flattish crown and white-tipped, even-shaped bill (both mandibles are curved) allow separation from Black-necked. White patches on both leading and trailing edges of wings are seen in flight. Sexes are similar. Adult has reddish orange neck and flanks. Back is black and black head has golden-yellow plumes. In winter, has black upperparts and white underparts with clear demarcation between black cap and white cheeks. Juvenile is similar to winter adult. Voice Utters trills and squeals at nest. Status Scarce winter visitor to sheltered coastal waters. Rare breeding bird in Scotland, on shallow lochs with abundant sedges.
    154648.jpg
  • Grizzly Bear Ursus arctos horribilis Length to 2m Large bear with a grizzled brown coat. Once widespread west of the Rockies, now confined to Northwest.
    133033.jpg
  • Kingfisher Alcedo atthis L 16-17cm. Dazzling bird with dagger-like bill. Perches on branches overhanging water and plunge-dives after small fish. Flies low over water on whirring wings. Excavates nest burrow in riverbank. Sexes are separable. Adult male has orange-red underparts, mainly blue upperparts with electric-blue back. Legs and feet are red and bill is all-dark. Adult female is similar but base of lower mandible is flushed red. Juvenile is similar to adult but bill tip is pale. Voice Utters high-pitched call in flight. Status Widespread resident of streams and lakes, commonest in lowland areas.
    129095.jpg
  • Kingfisher Alcedo atthis L 16-17cm. Dazzling bird with dagger-like bill. Perches on branches overhanging water and plunge-dives after small fish. Flies low over water on whirring wings. Excavates nest burrow in riverbank. Sexes are separable. Adult male has orange-red underparts, mainly blue upperparts with electric-blue back. Legs and feet are red and bill is all-dark. Adult female is similar but base of lower mandible is flushed red. Juvenile is similar to adult but bill tip is pale. Voice Utters high-pitched call in flight. Status Widespread resident of streams and lakes, commonest in lowland areas.
    136868.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.
    143950.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.
    143952.jpg
  • Kingfisher Alcedo atthis L 16-17cm. Dazzling bird with dagger-like bill. Perches on branches overhanging water and plunge-dives after small fish. Flies low over water on whirring wings. Excavates nest burrow in riverbank. Sexes are separable. Adult male has orange-red underparts, mainly blue upperparts with electric-blue back. Legs and feet are red and bill is all-dark. Adult female is similar but base of lower mandible is flushed red. Juvenile is similar to adult but bill tip is pale. Voice Utters high-pitched call in flight. Status Widespread resident of streams and lakes, commonest in lowland areas.
    143985.jpg
  • Shrimp netting on the Norfolk coast
    161480.jpg
  • Marbled Godwit - Limosa fedoa
    160614.jpg
  • Double-crested Cormorant - Phalacrocorax auritis
    160528.jpg
  • Barred Warbler - Sylvia nisoria
    158149.jpg
  • Kingfisher - Alcedo atthis. L 16-17cm. Dazzling bird with dagger-like bill. Perches on branches overhanging water and plunge-dives after small fish. Flies low over water on whirring wings. Excavates nest burrow in riverbank. Sexes are separable. Adult male has orange-red underparts, mainly blue upperparts with electric-blue back. Legs and feet are red and bill is all-dark. Adult female is similar but base of lower mandible is flushed red. Juvenile is similar to adult but bill tip is pale. Voice Utters high-pitched call in flight. Status Widespread resident of streams and lakes, commonest in lowland areas.
    157969.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.
    156192.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.
    135704.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.
    135705.jpg
  • Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia L 70-80cm. Unmistakable. Flattened, spoon-shaped bill is swept from side-to-side in shallow water to catch small fish and crustaceans. Sleeps with bill tucked under wings - confusion with Little Egret possible. Sexes are similar. Adult has whitish plumage and black bill with yellow tip; in breeding season, has crest and base of bill and breast are flushed yellow. Juvenile is similar but legs and bill are dull pink. Voice Mostly silent. Status Scarce nesting species and non-breeding visitor from mainland Europe. Most records are coastal.
    143097.jpg
  • Common Tern Sterna hirundo L 35cm. Similar to Arctic Tern but separable with care. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has grey upperparts, black cap and whitish underparts. Compared to Arctic, note black-tipped orange-red bill, longer red legs, and paler underparts. In flight from below, only inner primaries look translucent and wings have diffuse dark tip. Non-breeding plumage (sometimes seen in late summer) is similar but has white on forehead and dark shoulder bar; bill and legs are dark. Juvenile has white underparts, incomplete dark cap and scaly grey upperparts; in flight from above, leading and trailing edges of inner wing are dark. Voice Utters harsh kreeear call. Status Widespread summer visitor, commonest on coasts; also nests on flooded gravel pits and reservoirs. Widespread coastal passage migrant.
    137615.jpg
  • Hobby Falco subbuteo - Juvenile. W 70-85cm. Elegant falcon. Aerial mastery allows it to catch agile prey including Swifts, hirundines, and even dragonflies. In silhouette, has proportionately longer and narrower wings than Peregrine, and longer tail. Generally unobtrusive. Sexes are similar. Adult has blue-grey upperparts and pale, dark-streaked underparts. Has dark ‘moustache’, white cheeks and reddish orange ‘trousers’. Juvenile is similar to adult but lacks reddish ‘trousers’ and underparts look buffish overall. Voice Utters a shrill kiu-kiu-kiu…in alarm. Status Scarce summer visitor; breeds mainly in S and SE England. Favours heathland and farmland with scattered woods. are favoured; on migration, a Hobby could turn up almost anywhere. Between 500 and 1,000 pairs are probably present in the region in the summer months.
    155196.jpg
  • Hobby Falco subbuteo W 70-85cm. Elegant falcon. Aerial mastery allows it to catch agile prey including Swifts, hirundines, and even dragonflies. In silhouette, has proportionately longer and narrower wings than Peregrine, and longer tail. Generally unobtrusive. Sexes are similar. Adult has blue-grey upperparts and pale, dark-streaked underparts. Has dark ‘moustache’, white cheeks and reddish orange ‘trousers’. Juvenile is similar to adult but lacks reddish ‘trousers’ and underparts look buffish overall. Voice Utters a shrill kiu-kiu-kiu…in alarm. Status Scarce summer visitor; breeds mainly in S and SE England. Favours heathland and farmland with scattered woods. are favoured; on migration, a Hobby could turn up almost anywhere. Between 500 and 1,000 pairs are probably present in the region in the summer months.
    136254.jpg
  • Hobby Falco subbuteo W 70-85cm. Elegant falcon. Aerial mastery allows it to catch agile prey including Swifts, hirundines, and even dragonflies. In silhouette, has proportionately longer and narrower wings than Peregrine, and longer tail. Generally unobtrusive. Sexes are similar. Adult has blue-grey upperparts and pale, dark-streaked underparts. Has dark ‘moustache’, white cheeks and reddish orange ‘trousers’. Juvenile is similar to adult but lacks reddish ‘trousers’ and underparts look buffish overall. Voice Utters a shrill kiu-kiu-kiu…in alarm. Status Scarce summer visitor; breeds mainly in S and SE England. Favours heathland and farmland with scattered woods. are favoured; on migration, a Hobby could turn up almost anywhere. Between 500 and 1,000 pairs are probably present in the region in the summer months.
    136263.jpg
  • Gannet Morus bassanus W 165-180cm. Our largest seabird. Has deep, powerful wingbeats and glides on stiffly held wings. Bill is large and dagger-like. Dives from a height to catch fish. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly white plumage with black wingtips; head has buffish wash. Juvenile has dark brown plumage speckled with white dots in first year; adult plumage acquired over next 4 years. Voice Silent at sea; nesting birds utter grating calls. Status Very locally common (3/4 of world population breeds here). Nests colonially but otherwise strictly marine.
    143919.jpg
  • Nightjar - Caprimulgus europaeus - Male. (L 24-27cm) may share nocturnal habits with owls but the similarities between these unrelated birds ends there. The Nightjar has a huge gape that it uses to catch flying moths. The species is hard to find in the daytime, thanks to its cryptic plumage and often observers have to satisfy themselves with the silhouette of a bird in flight: it looks long-winged and narrow-tailed. All birds have intricate brown, grey and black markings that, in combination, resemble tree bark; males have striking white patches near the wingtips and corners of the tail. Territorial males utter a distinctive churring song for hours on end, after dark. The Nightjar is a migrant visitor to the region, found mainly on lowland heathland (where it is easiest to find) and heather moors.
    158083.jpg
  • The Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus (L 24-27cm) may share nocturnal habits with owls but the similarities between these unrelated birds ends there. The Nightjar has a huge gape that it uses to catch flying moths. The species is hard to find in the daytime, thanks to its cryptic plumage and often observers have to satisfy themselves with the silhouette of a bird in flight: it looks long-winged and narrow-tailed. All birds have intricate brown, grey and black markings that, in combination, resemble tree bark; males have striking white patches near the wingtips and corners of the tail. Territorial males utter a distinctive churring song for hours on end, after dark. The Nightjar is a migrant visitor to the region, found mainly on lowland heathland (where it is easiest to find) and heather moors.
    157965.jpg
  • Hobby - Falco subbuteo W 70-85cm. Elegant falcon. Aerial mastery allows it to catch agile prey including Swifts, hirundines, and even dragonflies. In silhouette, has proportionately longer and narrower wings than Peregrine, and longer tail. Generally unobtrusive. Sexes are similar. Adult has blue-grey upperparts and pale, dark-streaked underparts. Has dark ‘moustache’, white cheeks and reddish orange ‘trousers’. Juvenile is similar to adult but lacks reddish ‘trousers’ and underparts look buffish overall. Voice Utters a shrill kiu-kiu-kiu…in alarm. Status Scarce summer visitor; breeds mainly in S and SE England. Favours heathland and farmland with scattered woods. are favoured; on migration, a Hobby could turn up almost anywhere. Between 500 and 1,000 pairs are probably present in the region in the summer months.
    157931.jpg
  • Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia L 70-80cm. Unmistakable. Flattened, spoon-shaped bill is swept from side-to-side in shallow water to catch small fish and crustaceans. Sleeps with bill tucked under wings - confusion with Little Egret possible. Sexes are similar. Adult has whitish plumage and black bill with yellow tip; in breeding season, has crest and base of bill and breast are flushed yellow. Juvenile is similar but legs and bill are dull pink. Voice Mostly silent. Status Scarce nesting species and non-breeding visitor from mainland Europe. Most records are coastal.
    157025.jpg
  • Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia L 70-80cm. Unmistakable. Flattened, spoon-shaped bill is swept from side-to-side in shallow water to catch small fish and crustaceans. Sleeps with bill tucked under wings - confusion with Little Egret possible. Sexes are similar. Adult has whitish plumage and black bill with yellow tip; in breeding season, has crest and base of bill and breast are flushed yellow. Juvenile is similar but legs and bill are dull pink. Voice Mostly silent. Status Scarce nesting species and non-breeding visitor from mainland Europe. Most records are coastal.
    156751.jpg
  • Gannet Morus bassanus W 165-180cm. Our largest seabird. Has deep, powerful wingbeats and glides on stiffly held wings. Bill is large and dagger-like. Dives from a height to catch fish. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly white plumage with black wingtips; head has buffish wash. Juvenile has dark brown plumage speckled with white dots in first year; adult plumage acquired over next 4 years. Voice Silent at sea; nesting birds utter grating calls. Status Very locally common (3/4 of world population breeds here). Nests colonially but otherwise strictly marine.
    156540.jpg
  • Nightjar - Caprimulgus europeus - Chicks in nest. (L 24-27cm) may share nocturnal habits with owls but the similarities between these unrelated birds ends there. The Nightjar has a huge gape that it uses to catch flying moths. The species is hard to find in the daytime, thanks to its cryptic plumage and often observers have to satisfy themselves with the silhouette of a bird in flight: it looks long-winged and narrow-tailed. All birds have intricate brown, grey and black markings that, in combination, resemble tree bark; males have striking white patches near the wingtips and corners of the tail. Territorial males utter a distinctive churring song for hours on end, after dark. The Nightjar is a migrant visitor to the region, found mainly on lowland heathland (where it is easiest to find) and heather moors.
    156479.jpg
  • Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus - male. (L 24-27cm) may share nocturnal habits with owls but the similarities between these unrelated birds ends there. The Nightjar has a huge gape that it uses to catch flying moths. The species is hard to find in the daytime, thanks to its cryptic plumage and often observers have to satisfy themselves with the silhouette of a bird in flight: it looks long-winged and narrow-tailed. All birds have intricate brown, grey and black markings that, in combination, resemble tree bark; males have striking white patches near the wingtips and corners of the tail. Territorial males utter a distinctive churring song for hours on end, after dark. The Nightjar is a migrant visitor to the region, found mainly on lowland heathland (where it is easiest to find) and heather moors.
    156328.jpg
  • Nightjar - Caprimulgus europaeus - Male. (L 24-27cm) may share nocturnal habits with owls but the similarities between these unrelated birds ends there. The Nightjar has a huge gape that it uses to catch flying moths. The species is hard to find in the daytime, thanks to its cryptic plumage and often observers have to satisfy themselves with the silhouette of a bird in flight: it looks long-winged and narrow-tailed. All birds have intricate brown, grey and black markings that, in combination, resemble tree bark; males have striking white patches near the wingtips and corners of the tail. Territorial males utter a distinctive churring song for hours on end, after dark. The Nightjar is a migrant visitor to the region, found mainly on lowland heathland (where it is easiest to find) and heather moors.
    156272.jpg
  • Zelotes apricorum - Female. One of our all-black Zelotes species with a patchy distribution but mostly occurring on the ground in dry open habitats. They move very fast and are hard to catch.
    155999.jpg
  • Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia L 70-80cm. Unmistakable. Flattened, spoon-shaped bill is swept from side-to-side in shallow water to catch small fish and crustaceans. Sleeps with bill tucked under wings - confusion with Little Egret possible. Sexes are similar. Adult has whitish plumage and black bill with yellow tip; in breeding season, has crest and base of bill and breast are flushed yellow. Juvenile is similar but legs and bill are dull pink. Voice Mostly silent. Status Scarce nesting species and non-breeding visitor from mainland Europe. Most records are coastal.
    154340.jpg
  • Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia L 70-80cm. Unmistakable. Flattened, spoon-shaped bill is swept from side-to-side in shallow water to catch small fish and crustaceans. Sleeps with bill tucked under wings - confusion with Little Egret possible. Sexes are similar. Adult has whitish plumage and black bill with yellow tip; in breeding season, has crest and base of bill and breast are flushed yellow. Juvenile is similar but legs and bill are dull pink. Voice Mostly silent. Status Scarce nesting species and non-breeding visitor from mainland Europe. Most records are coastal.
    154341.jpg
  • Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia L 70-80cm. Unmistakable. Flattened, spoon-shaped bill is swept from side-to-side in shallow water to catch small fish and crustaceans. Sleeps with bill tucked under wings - confusion with Little Egret possible. Sexes are similar. Adult has whitish plumage and black bill with yellow tip; in breeding season, has crest and base of bill and breast are flushed yellow. Juvenile is similar but legs and bill are dull pink. Voice Mostly silent. Status Scarce nesting species and non-breeding visitor from mainland Europe. Most records are coastal.
    154342.jpg
  • Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia L 70-80cm. Unmistakable. Flattened, spoon-shaped bill is swept from side-to-side in shallow water to catch small fish and crustaceans. Sleeps with bill tucked under wings - confusion with Little Egret possible. Sexes are similar. Adult has whitish plumage and black bill with yellow tip; in breeding season, has crest and base of bill and breast are flushed yellow. Juvenile is similar but legs and bill are dull pink. Voice Mostly silent. Status Scarce nesting species and non-breeding visitor from mainland Europe. Most records are coastal.
    154343.jpg
  • Gannets -  Morus bassanus feeding on the ocean, Isles of Scilly, UK. W 165-180cm. Our largest seabird. Has deep, powerful wingbeats and glides on stiffly held wings. Bill is large and dagger-like. Dives from a height to catch fish. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly white plumage with black wingtips; head has buffish wash. Juvenile has dark brown plumage speckled with white dots in first year; adult plumage acquired over next 4 years. Voice Silent at sea; nesting birds utter grating calls. Status Very locally common (3/4 of world population breeds here). Nests colonially but otherwise strictly marine.
    154404.jpg
  • The Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus (L 24-27cm) may share nocturnal habits with owls but the similarities between these unrelated birds ends there. The Nightjar has a huge gape that it uses to catch flying moths. The species is hard to find in the daytime, thanks to its cryptic plumage and often observers have to satisfy themselves with the silhouette of a bird in flight: it looks long-winged and narrow-tailed. All birds have intricate brown, grey and black markings that, in combination, resemble tree bark; males have striking white patches near the wingtips and corners of the tail. Territorial males utter a distinctive churring song for hours on end, after dark. The Nightjar is a migrant visitor to the region, found mainly on lowland heathland (where it is easiest to find) and heather moors.
    145982.jpg
  • The Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus (L 24-27cm) may share nocturnal habits with owls but the similarities between these unrelated birds ends there. The Nightjar has a huge gape that it uses to catch flying moths. The species is hard to find in the daytime, thanks to its cryptic plumage and often observers have to satisfy themselves with the silhouette of a bird in flight: it looks long-winged and narrow-tailed. All birds have intricate brown, grey and black markings that, in combination, resemble tree bark; males have striking white patches near the wingtips and corners of the tail. Territorial males utter a distinctive churring song for hours on end, after dark. The Nightjar is a migrant visitor to the region, found mainly on lowland heathland (where it is easiest to find) and heather moors.
    153713.jpg
  • The Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus (L 24-27cm) may share nocturnal habits with owls but the similarities between these unrelated birds ends there. The Nightjar has a huge gape that it uses to catch flying moths. The species is hard to find in the daytime, thanks to its cryptic plumage and often observers have to satisfy themselves with the silhouette of a bird in flight: it looks long-winged and narrow-tailed. All birds have intricate brown, grey and black markings that, in combination, resemble tree bark; males have striking white patches near the wingtips and corners of the tail. Territorial males utter a distinctive churring song for hours on end, after dark. The Nightjar is a migrant visitor to the region, found mainly on lowland heathland (where it is easiest to find) and heather moors.
    153629.jpg
  • The Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus (L 24-27cm) may share nocturnal habits with owls but the similarities between these unrelated birds ends there. The Nightjar has a huge gape that it uses to catch flying moths. The species is hard to find in the daytime, thanks to its cryptic plumage and often observers have to satisfy themselves with the silhouette of a bird in flight: it looks long-winged and narrow-tailed. All birds have intricate brown, grey and black markings that, in combination, resemble tree bark; males have striking white patches near the wingtips and corners of the tail. Territorial males utter a distinctive churring song for hours on end, after dark. The Nightjar is a migrant visitor to the region, found mainly on lowland heathland (where it is easiest to find) and heather moors.
    153632.jpg
  • The Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus (L 24-27cm) may share nocturnal habits with owls but the similarities between these unrelated birds ends there. The Nightjar has a huge gape that it uses to catch flying moths. The species is hard to find in the daytime, thanks to its cryptic plumage and often observers have to satisfy themselves with the silhouette of a bird in flight: it looks long-winged and narrow-tailed. All birds have intricate brown, grey and black markings that, in combination, resemble tree bark; males have striking white patches near the wingtips and corners of the tail. Territorial males utter a distinctive churring song for hours on end, after dark. The Nightjar is a migrant visitor to the region, found mainly on lowland heathland (where it is easiest to find) and heather moors.
    153633.jpg
  • The Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus (L 24-27cm) may share nocturnal habits with owls but the similarities between these unrelated birds ends there. The Nightjar has a huge gape that it uses to catch flying moths. The species is hard to find in the daytime, thanks to its cryptic plumage and often observers have to satisfy themselves with the silhouette of a bird in flight: it looks long-winged and narrow-tailed. All birds have intricate brown, grey and black markings that, in combination, resemble tree bark; males have striking white patches near the wingtips and corners of the tail. Territorial males utter a distinctive churring song for hours on end, after dark. The Nightjar is a migrant visitor to the region, found mainly on lowland heathland (where it is easiest to find) and heather moors.
    153643.jpg
  • The Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus (L 24-27cm) may share nocturnal habits with owls but the similarities between these unrelated birds ends there. The Nightjar has a huge gape that it uses to catch flying moths. The species is hard to find in the daytime, thanks to its cryptic plumage and often observers have to satisfy themselves with the silhouette of a bird in flight: it looks long-winged and narrow-tailed. All birds have intricate brown, grey and black markings that, in combination, resemble tree bark; males have striking white patches near the wingtips and corners of the tail. Territorial males utter a distinctive churring song for hours on end, after dark. The Nightjar is a migrant visitor to the region, found mainly on lowland heathland (where it is easiest to find) and heather moors.
    153645.jpg
  • The Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus (L 24-27cm) may share nocturnal habits with owls but the similarities between these unrelated birds ends there. The Nightjar has a huge gape that it uses to catch flying moths. The species is hard to find in the daytime, thanks to its cryptic plumage and often observers have to satisfy themselves with the silhouette of a bird in flight: it looks long-winged and narrow-tailed. All birds have intricate brown, grey and black markings that, in combination, resemble tree bark; males have striking white patches near the wingtips and corners of the tail. Territorial males utter a distinctive churring song for hours on end, after dark. The Nightjar is a migrant visitor to the region, found mainly on lowland heathland (where it is easiest to find) and heather moors.
    153644.jpg
  • The Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus (L 24-27cm) may share nocturnal habits with owls but the similarities between these unrelated birds ends there. The Nightjar has a huge gape that it uses to catch flying moths. The species is hard to find in the daytime, thanks to its cryptic plumage and often observers have to satisfy themselves with the silhouette of a bird in flight: it looks long-winged and narrow-tailed. All birds have intricate brown, grey and black markings that, in combination, resemble tree bark; males have striking white patches near the wingtips and corners of the tail. Territorial males utter a distinctive churring song for hours on end, after dark. The Nightjar is a migrant visitor to the region, found mainly on lowland heathland (where it is easiest to find) and heather moors.
    104727.jpg
  • Gannet Morus bassanus W 165-180cm. Our largest seabird. Has deep, powerful wingbeats and glides on stiffly held wings. Bill is large and dagger-like. Dives from a height to catch fish. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly white plumage with black wingtips; head has buffish wash. Juvenile has dark brown plumage speckled with white dots in first year; adult plumage acquired over next 4 years. Voice Silent at sea; nesting birds utter grating calls. Status Very locally common (3/4 of world population breeds here). Nests colonially but otherwise strictly marine.
    121953.jpg
  • Gannet Morus bassanus W 165-180cm. Our largest seabird. Has deep, powerful wingbeats and glides on stiffly held wings. Bill is large and dagger-like. Dives from a height to catch fish. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly white plumage with black wingtips; head has buffish wash. Juvenile has dark brown plumage speckled with white dots in first year; adult plumage acquired over next 4 years. Voice Silent at sea; nesting birds utter grating calls. Status Very locally common (3/4 of world population breeds here). Nests colonially but otherwise strictly marine.
    121954.jpg
  • Gannet Morus bassanus W 165-180cm. Our largest seabird. Has deep, powerful wingbeats and glides on stiffly held wings. Bill is large and dagger-like. Dives from a height to catch fish. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly white plumage with black wingtips; head has buffish wash. Juvenile has dark brown plumage speckled with white dots in first year; adult plumage acquired over next 4 years. Voice Silent at sea; nesting birds utter grating calls. Status Very locally common (3/4 of world population breeds here). Nests colonially but otherwise strictly marine.
    122244.jpg
  • Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia L 70-80cm. Unmistakable. Flattened, spoon-shaped bill is swept from side-to-side in shallow water to catch small fish and crustaceans. Sleeps with bill tucked under wings - confusion with Little Egret possible. Sexes are similar. Adult has whitish plumage and black bill with yellow tip; in breeding season, has crest and base of bill and breast are flushed yellow. Juvenile is similar but legs and bill are dull pink. Voice Mostly silent. Status Scarce nesting species and non-breeding visitor from mainland Europe. Most records are coastal.
    128806.jpg
  • The Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus (L 24-27cm) may share nocturnal habits with owls but the similarities between these unrelated birds ends there. The Nightjar has a huge gape that it uses to catch flying moths. The species is hard to find in the daytime, thanks to its cryptic plumage and often observers have to satisfy themselves with the silhouette of a bird in flight: it looks long-winged and narrow-tailed. All birds have intricate brown, grey and black markings that, in combination, resemble tree bark; males have striking white patches near the wingtips and corners of the tail. Territorial males utter a distinctive churring song for hours on end, after dark. The Nightjar is a migrant visitor to the region, found mainly on lowland heathland (where it is easiest to find) and heather moors.
    134064.jpg
  • Hobby Falco subbuteo W 70-85cm. Elegant falcon. Aerial mastery allows it to catch agile prey including Swifts, hirundines, and even dragonflies. In silhouette, has proportionately longer and narrower wings than Peregrine, and longer tail. Generally unobtrusive. Sexes are similar. Adult has blue-grey upperparts and pale, dark-streaked underparts. Has dark ‘moustache’, white cheeks and reddish orange ‘trousers’. Juvenile is similar to adult but lacks reddish ‘trousers’ and underparts look buffish overall. Voice Utters a shrill kiu-kiu-kiu…in alarm. Status Scarce summer visitor; breeds mainly in S and SE England. Favours heathland and farmland with scattered woods. are favoured; on migration, a Hobby could turn up almost anywhere. Between 500 and 1,000 pairs are probably present in the region in the summer months.
    136109.jpg
  • Hobby Falco subbuteo W 70-85cm. Elegant falcon. Aerial mastery allows it to catch agile prey including Swifts, hirundines, and even dragonflies. In silhouette, has proportionately longer and narrower wings than Peregrine, and longer tail. Generally unobtrusive. Sexes are similar. Adult has blue-grey upperparts and pale, dark-streaked underparts. Has dark ‘moustache’, white cheeks and reddish orange ‘trousers’. Juvenile is similar to adult but lacks reddish ‘trousers’ and underparts look buffish overall. Voice Utters a shrill kiu-kiu-kiu…in alarm. Status Scarce summer visitor; breeds mainly in S and SE England. Favours heathland and farmland with scattered woods. are favoured; on migration, a Hobby could turn up almost anywhere. Between 500 and 1,000 pairs are probably present in the region in the summer months.
    136246.jpg
  • Hobby Falco subbuteo W 70-85cm. Elegant falcon. Aerial mastery allows it to catch agile prey including Swifts, hirundines, and even dragonflies. In silhouette, has proportionately longer and narrower wings than Peregrine, and longer tail. Generally unobtrusive. Sexes are similar. Adult has blue-grey upperparts and pale, dark-streaked underparts. Has dark ‘moustache’, white cheeks and reddish orange ‘trousers’. Juvenile is similar to adult but lacks reddish ‘trousers’ and underparts look buffish overall. Voice Utters a shrill kiu-kiu-kiu…in alarm. Status Scarce summer visitor; breeds mainly in S and SE England. Favours heathland and farmland with scattered woods. are favoured; on migration, a Hobby could turn up almost anywhere. Between 500 and 1,000 pairs are probably present in the region in the summer months.
    136248.jpg
  • Hobby Falco subbuteo W 70-85cm. Elegant falcon. Aerial mastery allows it to catch agile prey including Swifts, hirundines, and even dragonflies. In silhouette, has proportionately longer and narrower wings than Peregrine, and longer tail. Generally unobtrusive. Sexes are similar. Adult has blue-grey upperparts and pale, dark-streaked underparts. Has dark ‘moustache’, white cheeks and reddish orange ‘trousers’. Juvenile is similar to adult but lacks reddish ‘trousers’ and underparts look buffish overall. Voice Utters a shrill kiu-kiu-kiu…in alarm. Status Scarce summer visitor; breeds mainly in S and SE England. Favours heathland and farmland with scattered woods. are favoured; on migration, a Hobby could turn up almost anywhere. Between 500 and 1,000 pairs are probably present in the region in the summer months.
    136249.jpg
  • Hobby Falco subbuteo W 70-85cm. Elegant falcon. Aerial mastery allows it to catch agile prey including Swifts, hirundines, and even dragonflies. In silhouette, has proportionately longer and narrower wings than Peregrine, and longer tail. Generally unobtrusive. Sexes are similar. Adult has blue-grey upperparts and pale, dark-streaked underparts. Has dark ‘moustache’, white cheeks and reddish orange ‘trousers’. Juvenile is similar to adult but lacks reddish ‘trousers’ and underparts look buffish overall. Voice Utters a shrill kiu-kiu-kiu…in alarm. Status Scarce summer visitor; breeds mainly in S and SE England. Favours heathland and farmland with scattered woods. are favoured; on migration, a Hobby could turn up almost anywhere. Between 500 and 1,000 pairs are probably present in the region in the summer months.
    136250.jpg
  • Hobby Falco subbuteo W 70-85cm. Elegant falcon. Aerial mastery allows it to catch agile prey including Swifts, hirundines, and even dragonflies. In silhouette, has proportionately longer and narrower wings than Peregrine, and longer tail. Generally unobtrusive. Sexes are similar. Adult has blue-grey upperparts and pale, dark-streaked underparts. Has dark ‘moustache’, white cheeks and reddish orange ‘trousers’. Juvenile is similar to adult but lacks reddish ‘trousers’ and underparts look buffish overall. Voice Utters a shrill kiu-kiu-kiu…in alarm. Status Scarce summer visitor; breeds mainly in S and SE England. Favours heathland and farmland with scattered woods. are favoured; on migration, a Hobby could turn up almost anywhere. Between 500 and 1,000 pairs are probably present in the region in the summer months.
    136255.jpg
  • Hobby Falco subbuteo W 70-85cm. Elegant falcon. Aerial mastery allows it to catch agile prey including Swifts, hirundines, and even dragonflies. In silhouette, has proportionately longer and narrower wings than Peregrine, and longer tail. Generally unobtrusive. Sexes are similar. Adult has blue-grey upperparts and pale, dark-streaked underparts. Has dark ‘moustache’, white cheeks and reddish orange ‘trousers’. Juvenile is similar to adult but lacks reddish ‘trousers’ and underparts look buffish overall. Voice Utters a shrill kiu-kiu-kiu…in alarm. Status Scarce summer visitor; breeds mainly in S and SE England. Favours heathland and farmland with scattered woods. are favoured; on migration, a Hobby could turn up almost anywhere. Between 500 and 1,000 pairs are probably present in the region in the summer months.
    136256.jpg
  • Hobby Falco subbuteo W 70-85cm. Elegant falcon. Aerial mastery allows it to catch agile prey including Swifts, hirundines, and even dragonflies. In silhouette, has proportionately longer and narrower wings than Peregrine, and longer tail. Generally unobtrusive. Sexes are similar. Adult has blue-grey upperparts and pale, dark-streaked underparts. Has dark ‘moustache’, white cheeks and reddish orange ‘trousers’. Juvenile is similar to adult but lacks reddish ‘trousers’ and underparts look buffish overall. Voice Utters a shrill kiu-kiu-kiu…in alarm. Status Scarce summer visitor; breeds mainly in S and SE England. Favours heathland and farmland with scattered woods. are favoured; on migration, a Hobby could turn up almost anywhere. Between 500 and 1,000 pairs are probably present in the region in the summer months.
    136257.jpg
  • Hobby Falco subbuteo W 70-85cm. Elegant falcon. Aerial mastery allows it to catch agile prey including Swifts, hirundines, and even dragonflies. In silhouette, has proportionately longer and narrower wings than Peregrine, and longer tail. Generally unobtrusive. Sexes are similar. Adult has blue-grey upperparts and pale, dark-streaked underparts. Has dark ‘moustache’, white cheeks and reddish orange ‘trousers’. Juvenile is similar to adult but lacks reddish ‘trousers’ and underparts look buffish overall. Voice Utters a shrill kiu-kiu-kiu…in alarm. Status Scarce summer visitor; breeds mainly in S and SE England. Favours heathland and farmland with scattered woods. are favoured; on migration, a Hobby could turn up almost anywhere. Between 500 and 1,000 pairs are probably present in the region in the summer months.
    136264.jpg
  • Gannet Morus bassanus W 165-180cm. Our largest seabird. Has deep, powerful wingbeats and glides on stiffly held wings. Bill is large and dagger-like. Dives from a height to catch fish. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly white plumage with black wingtips; head has buffish wash. Juvenile has dark brown plumage speckled with white dots in first year; adult plumage acquired over next 4 years. Voice Silent at sea; nesting birds utter grating calls. Status Very locally common (3/4 of world population breeds here). Nests colonially but otherwise strictly marine.
    137938.jpg
  • Gannet Morus bassanus W 165-180cm. Our largest seabird. Has deep, powerful wingbeats and glides on stiffly held wings. Bill is large and dagger-like. Dives from a height to catch fish. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly white plumage with black wingtips; head has buffish wash. Juvenile has dark brown plumage speckled with white dots in first year; adult plumage acquired over next 4 years. Voice Silent at sea; nesting birds utter grating calls. Status Very locally common (3/4 of world population breeds here). Nests colonially but otherwise strictly marine.
    138295.jpg
  • Gannet Morus bassanus W 165-180cm. Our largest seabird. Has deep, powerful wingbeats and glides on stiffly held wings. Bill is large and dagger-like. Dives from a height to catch fish. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly white plumage with black wingtips; head has buffish wash. Juvenile has dark brown plumage speckled with white dots in first year; adult plumage acquired over next 4 years. Voice Silent at sea; nesting birds utter grating calls. Status Very locally common (3/4 of world population breeds here). Nests colonially but otherwise strictly marine.
    140267.jpg
  • Gannet Morus bassanus W 165-180cm. Our largest seabird. Has deep, powerful wingbeats and glides on stiffly held wings. Bill is large and dagger-like. Dives from a height to catch fish. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly white plumage with black wingtips; head has buffish wash. Juvenile has dark brown plumage speckled with white dots in first year; adult plumage acquired over next 4 years. Voice Silent at sea; nesting birds utter grating calls. Status Very locally common (3/4 of world population breeds here). Nests colonially but otherwise strictly marine.
    140303.jpg
  • Gannet Morus bassanus W 165-180cm. Our largest seabird. Has deep, powerful wingbeats and glides on stiffly held wings. Bill is large and dagger-like. Dives from a height to catch fish. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly white plumage with black wingtips; head has buffish wash. Juvenile has dark brown plumage speckled with white dots in first year; adult plumage acquired over next 4 years. Voice Silent at sea; nesting birds utter grating calls. Status Very locally common (3/4 of world population breeds here). Nests colonially but otherwise strictly marine.
    140307.jpg
  • Gannet Morus bassanus W 165-180cm. Our largest seabird. Has deep, powerful wingbeats and glides on stiffly held wings. Bill is large and dagger-like. Dives from a height to catch fish. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly white plumage with black wingtips; head has buffish wash. Juvenile has dark brown plumage speckled with white dots in first year; adult plumage acquired over next 4 years. Voice Silent at sea; nesting birds utter grating calls. Status Very locally common (3/4 of world population breeds here). Nests colonially but otherwise strictly marine.
    140308.jpg
  • Gannet Morus bassanus W 165-180cm. Our largest seabird. Has deep, powerful wingbeats and glides on stiffly held wings. Bill is large and dagger-like. Dives from a height to catch fish. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly white plumage with black wingtips; head has buffish wash. Juvenile has dark brown plumage speckled with white dots in first year; adult plumage acquired over next 4 years. Voice Silent at sea; nesting birds utter grating calls. Status Very locally common (3/4 of world population breeds here). Nests colonially but otherwise strictly marine.
    140309.jpg
  • Gannet Morus bassanus W 165-180cm. Our largest seabird. Has deep, powerful wingbeats and glides on stiffly held wings. Bill is large and dagger-like. Dives from a height to catch fish. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly white plumage with black wingtips; head has buffish wash. Juvenile has dark brown plumage speckled with white dots in first year; adult plumage acquired over next 4 years. Voice Silent at sea; nesting birds utter grating calls. Status Very locally common (3/4 of world population breeds here). Nests colonially but otherwise strictly marine.
    142582.jpg
  • Gannet Morus bassanus W 165-180cm. Our largest seabird. Has deep, powerful wingbeats and glides on stiffly held wings. Bill is large and dagger-like. Dives from a height to catch fish. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly white plumage with black wingtips; head has buffish wash. Juvenile has dark brown plumage speckled with white dots in first year; adult plumage acquired over next 4 years. Voice Silent at sea; nesting birds utter grating calls. Status Very locally common (3/4 of world population breeds here). Nests colonially but otherwise strictly marine.
    143049.jpg
  • Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia L 70-80cm. Unmistakable. Flattened, spoon-shaped bill is swept from side-to-side in shallow water to catch small fish and crustaceans. Sleeps with bill tucked under wings - confusion with Little Egret possible. Sexes are similar. Adult has whitish plumage and black bill with yellow tip; in breeding season, has crest and base of bill and breast are flushed yellow. Juvenile is similar but legs and bill are dull pink. Voice Mostly silent. Status Scarce nesting species and non-breeding visitor from mainland Europe. Most records are coastal.
    143055.jpg
  • Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia L 70-80cm. Unmistakable. Flattened, spoon-shaped bill is swept from side-to-side in shallow water to catch small fish and crustaceans. Sleeps with bill tucked under wings - confusion with Little Egret possible. Sexes are similar. Adult has whitish plumage and black bill with yellow tip; in breeding season, has crest and base of bill and breast are flushed yellow. Juvenile is similar but legs and bill are dull pink. Voice Mostly silent. Status Scarce nesting species and non-breeding visitor from mainland Europe. Most records are coastal.
    143098.jpg
  • Hobby Falco subbuteo W 70-85cm. Elegant falcon. Aerial mastery allows it to catch agile prey including Swifts, hirundines, and even dragonflies. In silhouette, has proportionately longer and narrower wings than Peregrine, and longer tail. Generally unobtrusive. Sexes are similar. Adult has blue-grey upperparts and pale, dark-streaked underparts. Has dark ‘moustache’, white cheeks and reddish orange ‘trousers’. Juvenile is similar to adult but lacks reddish ‘trousers’ and underparts look buffish overall. Voice Utters a shrill kiu-kiu-kiu…in alarm. Status Scarce summer visitor; breeds mainly in S and SE England. Favours heathland and farmland with scattered woods. are favoured; on migration, a Hobby could turn up almost anywhere. Between 500 and 1,000 pairs are probably present in the region in the summer months.
    143472.jpg
  • Gannet Morus bassanus W 165-180cm. Our largest seabird. Has deep, powerful wingbeats and glides on stiffly held wings. Bill is large and dagger-like. Dives from a height to catch fish. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly white plumage with black wingtips; head has buffish wash. Juvenile has dark brown plumage speckled with white dots in first year; adult plumage acquired over next 4 years. Voice Silent at sea; nesting birds utter grating calls. Status Very locally common (3/4 of world population breeds here). Nests colonially but otherwise strictly marine.
    143734.jpg
  • Gannet Morus bassanus W 165-180cm. Our largest seabird. Has deep, powerful wingbeats and glides on stiffly held wings. Bill is large and dagger-like. Dives from a height to catch fish. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly white plumage with black wingtips; head has buffish wash. Juvenile has dark brown plumage speckled with white dots in first year; adult plumage acquired over next 4 years. Voice Silent at sea; nesting birds utter grating calls. Status Very locally common (3/4 of world population breeds here). Nests colonially but otherwise strictly marine.
    143735.jpg
  • Gannet Morus bassanus W 165-180cm. Our largest seabird. Has deep, powerful wingbeats and glides on stiffly held wings. Bill is large and dagger-like. Dives from a height to catch fish. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly white plumage with black wingtips; head has buffish wash. Juvenile has dark brown plumage speckled with white dots in first year; adult plumage acquired over next 4 years. Voice Silent at sea; nesting birds utter grating calls. Status Very locally common (3/4 of world population breeds here). Nests colonially but otherwise strictly marine.
    143736.jpg
  • Gannet Morus bassanus W 165-180cm. Our largest seabird. Has deep, powerful wingbeats and glides on stiffly held wings. Bill is large and dagger-like. Dives from a height to catch fish. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly white plumage with black wingtips; head has buffish wash. Juvenile has dark brown plumage speckled with white dots in first year; adult plumage acquired over next 4 years. Voice Silent at sea; nesting birds utter grating calls. Status Very locally common (3/4 of world population breeds here). Nests colonially but otherwise strictly marine.
    143920.jpg
  • Gannet Morus bassanus W 165-180cm. Our largest seabird. Has deep, powerful wingbeats and glides on stiffly held wings. Bill is large and dagger-like. Dives from a height to catch fish. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly white plumage with black wingtips; head has buffish wash. Juvenile has dark brown plumage speckled with white dots in first year; adult plumage acquired over next 4 years. Voice Silent at sea; nesting birds utter grating calls. Status Very locally common (3/4 of world population breeds here). Nests colonially but otherwise strictly marine.
    143922.jpg
  • Gannet Morus bassanus W 165-180cm. Our largest seabird. Has deep, powerful wingbeats and glides on stiffly held wings. Bill is large and dagger-like. Dives from a height to catch fish. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly white plumage with black wingtips; head has buffish wash. Juvenile has dark brown plumage speckled with white dots in first year; adult plumage acquired over next 4 years. Voice Silent at sea; nesting birds utter grating calls. Status Very locally common (3/4 of world population breeds here). Nests colonially but otherwise strictly marine.
    156539.jpg
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