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  • Sycamore - Acer pseudoplatanus Aceraceae. Height to 35m <br />
Vigorous, spreading deciduous tree. Bark Greyish, fissured and flaking. Branches Thick, with grey-green twigs and reddish buds. Leaves To 15cm long, with 5 toothed lobes. Reproductive parts Flowers in pendulous, yellowbloom, blooming, blossom, blossoming, close, close-up, closeup, deciduous, flower, flowering, flowers, in, portrait, spread, spreading, tree, trees, up, vertical clusters, to 12cm long. Paired wings of fruits spread acutely, curve in slightly towards tip. Status Introduced, widely planted and naturalised.
    157996.jpg
  • Sycamore - Acer pseudoplatanus Aceraceae. Height to 35m <br />
Vigorous, spreading deciduous tree. Bark Greyish, fissured and flaking. Branches Thick, with grey-green twigs and reddish buds. Leaves To 15cm long, with 5 toothed lobes. Reproductive parts Flowers in pendulous, yellowbloom, blooming, blossom, blossoming, close, close-up, closeup, deciduous, flower, flowering, flowers, in, portrait, spread, spreading, tree, trees, up, vertical clusters, to 12cm long. Paired wings of fruits spread acutely, curve in slightly towards tip. Status Introduced, widely planted and naturalised.
    157995.jpg
  • Sycamore - Acer pseudoplatanus Aceraceae. Height to 35m <br />
Vigorous, spreading deciduous tree. Bark Greyish, fissured and flaking. Branches Thick, with grey-green twigs and reddish buds. Leaves To 15cm long, with 5 toothed lobes. Reproductive parts Flowers in pendulous, yellowbloom, blooming, blossom, blossoming, close, close-up, closeup, deciduous, flower, flowering, flowers, in, portrait, spread, spreading, tree, trees, up, vertical clusters, to 12cm long. Paired wings of fruits spread acutely, curve in slightly towards tip. Status Introduced, widely planted and naturalised.
    157994.jpg
  • Sycamore - Acer pseudoplatanus Aceraceae. Height to 35m <br />
Vigorous, spreading deciduous tree. Bark Greyish, fissured and flaking. Branches Thick, with grey-green twigs and reddish buds. Leaves To 15cm long, with 5 toothed lobes. Reproductive parts Flowers in pendulous, yellowbloom, blooming, blossom, blossoming, close, close-up, closeup, deciduous, flower, flowering, flowers, in, portrait, spread, spreading, tree, trees, up, vertical clusters, to 12cm long. Paired wings of fruits spread acutely, curve in slightly towards tip. Status Introduced, widely planted and naturalised.
    157993.jpg
  • Little Auk Alle alle - Summer Adult. L 20cm. Our smallest auk with a dumpy body, short neck and tiny, stubby bill. Flies on whirring wingbeats and can look almost Starling-like in flight. Swims well and dive frequently. Sexes are similar. Adult in winter has black cap, nape and back, and white underparts; at close range, note white lines on wings and tiny white crescent above eye. Not seen in breeding plumage in our region. Voice Silent at sea. Status Winter visitor from Arctic breeding grounds where it is locally abundant. Probably numerous in N North Sea in winter but seldom comes close to land by choice.
    155555.jpg
  • Southern Elephant - Seal Mirounga leonina - bull. Length 2-3m, weight 400-850kg Massive seal. Male is up to four times larger than female, with distinctive proboscis. Breeds on Sub-Antarctic islands, notably South Georgia.
    157634.jpg
  • Southern Elephant Seal - Mirounga leonina - pup. Length 2-3m, weight 400-850kg Massive seal. Male is up to four times larger than female, with distinctive proboscis. Breeds on Sub-Antarctic islands, notably South Georgia.
    157632.jpg
  • Mute Swan - Cygnus olor. Close up of adult head. L 150-160cm. Large, distinctive water bird and a familiar sight. Swimming birds hold long neck in an elegant curve. Family groups are a feature of lowland lakes in spring. Typically tolerant of people. In flight, shallow, powerful wingbeats produce and characteristic, throbbing whine. Sexes are similar but bill’s basal knob is largest in males. Adult has white plumage although crown may have orange-buff suffusion. Bill is orange-red with black base. Juvenile has grubby grey-brown plumage and dull pinkish grey bill. Voice Mostly silent. Status Our commonest swan; the only resident species. Found on freshwater habitats besides which it nests; in winter, also on sheltered coasts.
    155089.jpg
  • Close up of Horse-fly eyes
    119177.jpg
  • Nursehound (Bull Huss) Scyliorhinus stellaris egg case Length to 9cm<br />
Long, slender capsule; has a tough skin and long curled tendrils at the corners. May get washed up in bunches.
    142026.jpg
  • Purple Hairstreak - Neozephyrus quercus - pupa. Wingspan 38mm. A rather enigmatic butterfly that can be hard to observe closely. As an adult it usually remains close to the top of the mature tree where its life-cycle began. Lives in colonies. Adults have brown upperwings; males have purple sheen on both wings, in females it is restricted to hindwings. Underwings are grey with hairstreak line. Larva is brown and rather slug-like; feeds on oak buds. Widespread but locally common only in southern England and Wales.
    157506.jpg
  • Lodgepole Pine Pinus contorta (ssp. latifolia). Similar to Beach Pine (ssp. Pinaceae) Columnar with a less dense crown; usually grows on a much straighter, but sometimes divided trunk. Needles are broader than those of Beach Pine, and more spread apart. Grows in the mountains well inland away from sea. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS All trees have male flowers in dense clusters near the tips of shoots. Female flowers grow in groups of up to 4 close to the tip of the shoot. Cones are rounded to ovoid, up to 6cm long and 3cm in diameter, and usually a shiny yellow-brown. Each cone scale has a slender, sharp tip, which easily breaks off.<br />
STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native to coastal western North America, widely planted here for timber on poor soils and exposed, often upland, sites.
    134330.jpg
  • Mallard - Anas platyrhynchos. Close up of drake head. L 50-65cm. Our most familiar duck. In flight, both sexes show white-bordered blue speculum. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has yellow bill and green, shiny head and upper neck, separated from chestnut breast by striking white collar. Underparts are grey-brown except for black stern and white tail. Back is grey-brown grading to reddish brown. Legs and feet are orange. In eclipse, male resembles adult female but note yellow bill and well-defined reddish brown breast. Adult female has orange-brown bill and mottled brown plumage. Legs and feet are dull orange-yellow. Juvenile is similar to adult female. Voice Male utters whistles and nasal calls. Female utters familiar quack. Status Widespread, commonest on lowland lakes, rivers and urban ornamental lakes.
    155087.jpg
  • Little Auk Alle alle L 20cm. Our smallest auk with a dumpy body, short neck and tiny, stubby bill. Flies on whirring wingbeats and can look almost Starling-like in flight. Swims well and dive frequently. Sexes are similar. Adult in winter has black cap, nape and back, and white underparts; at close range, note white lines on wings and tiny white crescent above eye. Not seen in breeding plumage in our region. Voice Silent at sea. Status Winter visitor from Arctic breeding grounds where it is locally abundant. Probably numerous in N North Sea in winter but seldom comes close to land by choice.
    120123.jpg
  • Little Auk Alle alle L 20cm. Our smallest auk with a dumpy body, short neck and tiny, stubby bill. Flies on whirring wingbeats and can look almost Starling-like in flight. Swims well and dive frequently. Sexes are similar. Adult in winter has black cap, nape and back, and white underparts; at close range, note white lines on wings and tiny white crescent above eye. Not seen in breeding plumage in our region. Voice Silent at sea. Status Winter visitor from Arctic breeding grounds where it is locally abundant. Probably numerous in N North Sea in winter but seldom comes close to land by choice.
    137121.jpg
  • Black Kite Milvus migrans. Wingspan 145-155cm. A medium-sized raptor that is most easily confused with a Red Kite or Marsh Harrier. All birds have mainly brown plumage that is palest on the head. In flight, note the forked tail, although this can appear straight-ended when broadly fanned. Note also the pale panel on the outer flight feathers of the otherwise rather dark wings. At very close range, the yellow base to the bill and the yellow legs can sometimes be discerned. The Black Kite breeds in mainland Europe and winters in Africa. Vagrants to our region usually turn up in spring and autumn, and perhaps 10 or so might be recorded in a good year. However, most individuals seldom linger in one location for very long and so usually they are seen by just a handful of lucky observers.
    156472.jpg
  • Black Kite Milvus migrans - Adult. Wingspan 145-155cm. A medium-sized raptor that is most easily confused with a Red Kite or Marsh Harrier. All birds have mainly brown plumage that is palest on the head. In flight, note the forked tail, although this can appear straight-ended when broadly fanned. Note also the pale panel on the outer flight feathers of the otherwise rather dark wings. At very close range, the yellow base to the bill and the yellow legs can sometimes be discerned. The Black Kite breeds in mainland Europe and winters in Africa. Vagrants to our region usually turn up in spring and autumn, and perhaps 10 or so might be recorded in a good year. However, most individuals seldom linger in one location for very long and so usually they are seen by just a handful of lucky observers.
    155173.jpg
  • Black Kite Milvus migrans - Adult. Wingspan 145-155cm. A medium-sized raptor that is most easily confused with a Red Kite or Marsh Harrier. All birds have mainly brown plumage that is palest on the head. In flight, note the forked tail, although this can appear straight-ended when broadly fanned. Note also the pale panel on the outer flight feathers of the otherwise rather dark wings. At very close range, the yellow base to the bill and the yellow legs can sometimes be discerned. The Black Kite breeds in mainland Europe and winters in Africa. Vagrants to our region usually turn up in spring and autumn, and perhaps 10 or so might be recorded in a good year. However, most individuals seldom linger in one location for very long and so usually they are seen by just a handful of lucky observers.
    155174.jpg
  • Smew Mergus albellus L 38-44cm. Elegant little diving duck. Male is stunning and unmistakable. Female might be confused with grebe in winter plumage. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male looks pure white at a distance but close view reveals black patch through eye and black lines on breast and back. In eclipse (not seen here) resembles adult female but retains more extensive white on wing. Adult female, Juvenile and 1st winter birds (so-called ‘Redhead’ Smews) have orange-red cap and nape, white on cheek and throat, and grey-brown body. Voice Silent. Status Occasional and unpredictable winter visitor. Turns up on flooded gravel pits, reservoirs and lakes.
    128889.jpg
  • Smew Mergus albellus L 38-44cm. Elegant little diving duck. Male is stunning and unmistakable. Female might be confused with grebe in winter plumage. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male looks pure white at a distance but close view reveals black patch through eye and black lines on breast and back. In eclipse (not seen here) resembles adult female but retains more extensive white on wing. Adult female, Juvenile and 1st winter birds (so-called ‘Redhead’ Smews) have orange-red cap and nape, white on cheek and throat, and grey-brown body. Voice Silent. Status Occasional and unpredictable winter visitor. Turns up on flooded gravel pits, reservoirs and lakes.
    128890.jpg
  • Black Kite Milvus migrans. Wingspan 145-155cm. A medium-sized raptor that is most easily confused with a Red Kite or Marsh Harrier. All birds have mainly brown plumage that is palest on the head. In flight, note the forked tail, although this can appear straight-ended when broadly fanned. Note also the pale panel on the outer flight feathers of the otherwise rather dark wings. At very close range, the yellow base to the bill and the yellow legs can sometimes be discerned. The Black Kite breeds in mainland Europe and winters in Africa. Vagrants to our region usually turn up in spring and autumn, and perhaps 10 or so might be recorded in a good year. However, most individuals seldom linger in one location for very long and so usually they are seen by just a handful of lucky observers.
    128914.jpg
  • Little Auk Alle alle L 20cm. Our smallest auk with a dumpy body, short neck and tiny, stubby bill. Flies on whirring wingbeats and can look almost Starling-like in flight. Swims well and dive frequently. Sexes are similar. Adult in winter has black cap, nape and back, and white underparts; at close range, note white lines on wings and tiny white crescent above eye. Not seen in breeding plumage in our region. Voice Silent at sea. Status Winter visitor from Arctic breeding grounds where it is locally abundant. Probably numerous in N North Sea in winter but seldom comes close to land by choice.
    137122.jpg
  • Marsh Warbler Acrocephalus palustris (L 13-14cm) is very similar to a Reed Warbler and the best way to separate the two is by song: a Marsh’ is rich and varied, including amazing mimicry of both other European songsters and species learnt in its African wintering grounds. It also favours subtly different habitats, namely rank waterside vegetation (including nettles and brambles) rather than reedebeds. On close inspection, subtle plumage and structural differences also exist between the two species. An adult Marsh has grey-brown upperparts (not ‘warm’) including the rump, and pale underparts suffused yellow-buff. The legs are pinkish (not dark) and the soles of the feet look yellowish. The species is a rare summer visitor and just a handful of pairs breed.
    137764.jpg
  • Razorbill Alca torda L 41cm. Bulky seabird with distinctive bill and essentially black and white plumage. Swims well and flies on whirring wingbeats. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has black head, neck and upperparts, and white underparts; note white wingbar. Bill is large and flattened with vertical ridges and white lines. In winter, similar but throat and cheeks are white and bill is smaller. Voice Mostly silent. Status Locally common on rocky coast seabird colonies in W and N. Nests under boulders and in crevices on cliff ledges. Pelagic outside breeding season; healthy birds seldom seen close to land. Vulnerable to oil spills.
    140121.jpg
  • Razorbill Alca torda L 41cm. Bulky seabird with distinctive bill and essentially black and white plumage. Swims well and flies on whirring wingbeats. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has black head, neck and upperparts, and white underparts; note white wingbar. Bill is large and flattened with vertical ridges and white lines. In winter, similar but throat and cheeks are white and bill is smaller. Voice Mostly silent. Status Locally common on rocky coast seabird colonies in W and N. Nests under boulders and in crevices on cliff ledges. Pelagic outside breeding season; healthy birds seldom seen close to land. Vulnerable to oil spills.
    143498.jpg
  • Razorbill Alca torda L 41cm. Bulky seabird with distinctive bill and essentially black and white plumage. Swims well and flies on whirring wingbeats. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has black head, neck and upperparts, and white underparts; note white wingbar. Bill is large and flattened with vertical ridges and white lines. In winter, similar but throat and cheeks are white and bill is smaller. Voice Mostly silent. Status Locally common on rocky coast seabird colonies in W and N. Nests under boulders and in crevices on cliff ledges. Pelagic outside breeding season; healthy birds seldom seen close to land. Vulnerable to oil spills.
    143506.jpg
  • HONEY-BUZZARD Pernis apivorus Wingspan 135-150cm. Feeds exclusively on larvae and adults of bees and wasps. In flight, recalls Buzzard but has proportionately longer tail, with wings held slightly downcurved when soaring. Adult plumage is variable but typically has brownish upperparts, pale underparts, a grey head and evenly barred grey tail. At close range, note yellow eye and longish, narrow bill. In flight from below, note evenly barred tail, dark carpal patch and conspicuous barring on underwing. Juvenile is similar to adult but usually browner overall and with less distinct barring on underwing coverts. Voice – mainly silent. Status and habitat – Summer visitor to Britain, present May-September. Favours mature, open woodland and New Forest is a stronghold.
    143863.jpg
  • HONEY-BUZZARD Pernis apivorus Wingspan 135-150cm. Feeds exclusively on larvae and adults of bees and wasps. In flight, recalls Buzzard but has proportionately longer tail, with wings held slightly downcurved when soaring. Adult plumage is variable but typically has brownish upperparts, pale underparts, a grey head and evenly barred grey tail. At close range, note yellow eye and longish, narrow bill. In flight from below, note evenly barred tail, dark carpal patch and conspicuous barring on underwing. Juvenile is similar to adult but usually browner overall and with less distinct barring on underwing coverts. Voice – mainly silent. Status and habitat – Summer visitor to Britain, present May-September. Favours mature, open woodland and New Forest is a stronghold.
    143867.jpg
  • Goshawk Accipiter gentilis W 100-115cm. Impressive, buzzard-sized raptor. In flight, note broad, rounded wings and relatively long but thickset barred tail. Soaring birds fan their tails and splay white, fluffy, undertail. Close view (an unusual event) reveals orange eye, yellow legs and feet, and striking pale supercilium. Xexes are similar but male is smaller than female. Adult has mainly grey-brown upperparts; pale underparts are marked with fine dark barring. Juvenile has brown upperparts; buffish underparts are marked with dark, teardrop-shaped spots. Voice Utters a harsh kie-kie-kie in breeding season. Status Scarce but easily overlooked. Favours wooded habitats with adjacent open country.
    157927.jpg
  • Eider - Somateria mollissima - male. L 50-70cm. Bulky seaduck with distinctive profile: wedge-shaped bill forms continuous line with slope of forehead. Gregarious for most of year. In summer, female flocks supervise ‘creche’ of youngsters. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has mainly black underparts and white upperparts, except for black cap, lime green nape and pinkish flush on breast. In eclipse, plumage is brown and black, with some white feathers on back, and pale stripe above eye. Adult female is brown with darker barring. Juvenile is similar to adult female but with pale stripe above eye. Voice Male utters endearing, cooing ah-whooo. Status Almost exclusively coastal. Nests close to seashore and feeds in inshore waters, diving for prey such as mussels.
    157693.jpg
  • Marsh Warbler Acrocephalus palustris (L 13-14cm) is very similar to a Reed Warbler and the best way to separate the two is by song: a Marsh’ is rich and varied, including amazing mimicry of both other European songsters and species learnt in its African wintering grounds. It also favours subtly different habitats, namely rank waterside vegetation (including nettles and brambles) rather than reedebeds. On close inspection, subtle plumage and structural differences also exist between the two species. An adult Marsh has grey-brown upperparts (not ‘warm’) including the rump, and pale underparts suffused yellow-buff. The legs are pinkish (not dark) and the soles of the feet look yellowish. The species is a rare summer visitor and just a handful of pairs breed.
    156426.jpg
  • Ivory Gull - Pagophila eburnea - Juvenile. Length 41-45cm. An elegant and distinctive high Arctic gull. Adult has pure white plumage and black legs. The rounded head, dark eye and dainty bill create an almost dove-like appearance. At close range, note the bluish base and yellow tip to the bill. Juvenile is similar, but the face is grubby-looking and the wings are adorned with neat black spots. The Ivory Gull is typically discovered in the dead of winter and records from our region (a couple in a good year) have a northerly bias. The species often feeds on beached seal and porpoise carcasses in our region.
    155102.jpg
  • Horse Mackerel Trachurus trachurus Length to 70cm<br />
Pelagic, open water fish, also known as Scad. Ventures into inshore waters in summer; young fish associate with floating seaweed rafts. Adult often looks pale and silvery overall. Close view reveals green tinge to upperparts. Note also the striking curve in the lateral line. Eyes are proportionately large. Fairly common in S and SW only.
    142679.jpg
  • Horse Mackerel Trachurus trachurus Length to 70cm<br />
Pelagic, open water fish, also known as Scad. Ventures into inshore waters in summer; young fish associate with floating seaweed rafts. Adult often looks pale and silvery overall. Close view reveals green tinge to upperparts. Note also the striking curve in the lateral line. Eyes are proportionately large. Fairly common in S and SW only.
    142110.jpg
  • Caucasian Wingnut Pterocarya fraxinifolia (Juglandaceae) HEIGHT to 35m. Spreading tree with domed crown and stout bole from which many branches arise close to same point. Suckers freely. BARK Grey, fissured and gnarled. LEAVES Compound, with 11–20 pairs of leaflets, each to 18cm long, ovate to lanceolate with a pointed tip and toothed margins. Midribs bear stellate hairs on underside. Leaves turn yellow in autumn. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male catkins solitary, female catkins pendent with many flowers and give rise to broad-winged nutlets. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of SW Asia, planted here for ornament.
    134569.jpg
  • IVY-LEAVED CROWFOOT Ranunculus hederaceus (Ranunculaceae) Creeping. Creeping annual or biennial, associated with bare muddy places close to water. FLOWERS are 3-6mm across with 5 white petals, and sepals of similar length (May-Aug). FRUITS are borne in rounded heads. LEAVES are vaguely ivy-like, being rounded or kidney-shaped with lobed margins. STATUS-Widespread but local.
    141337.jpg
  • European Beaver Castor fiber Length 120-150cm including tail. Large, aquatic rodent with proportionately large head, water-repellent fur and broad, paddle-like tail used for swimming. Once hunted (for fur) close to extinction across its temperate European range. Now re-introduced in places and recovering.
    143526.jpg
  • Common Seal Phoca vitulina Length 1.2-1.9m Has a ‘friendly’-looking face. Hauled-out seals are easy to observe. Adult is greyish brown but variably mottled with darker spots. Underside is paler than upperside. Dry coat looks shiny if coated in sand. Bridge of nose has concave outline (convex in Grey Seal) and muzzle is blunt, creating a dog-like appearance. Seen from front, nostrils are close together at base and splayed in V-shaped fashion (separated from, and more parallel to, one another in Grey Seal). Front flippers have claws and powerful hind flippers effect propulsion when swimming. Males are larger and heavier than females. Pup is born with marbled grey-brown coat. Widespread on E coast of England and around Scotland and Ireland generally.
    144274.jpg
  • European Beaver Castor fiber Length 120-150cm including tail. Large, aquatic rodent with proportionately large head, water-repellent fur and broad, paddle-like tail used for swimming. Once hunted (for fur) close to extinction across its temperate European range. Now re-introduced in places and recovering.
    144277.jpg
  • European Beaver Castor fiber Length 120-150cm including tail. Large, aquatic rodent with proportionately large head, water-repellent fur and broad, paddle-like tail used for swimming. Once hunted (for fur) close to extinction across its temperate European range. Now re-introduced in places and recovering.
    144282.jpg
  • Marsh Warbler Acrocephalus palustris (L 13-14cm) is very similar to a Reed Warbler and the best way to separate the two is by song: a Marsh’ is rich and varied, including amazing mimicry of both other European songsters and species learnt in its African wintering grounds. It also favours subtly different habitats, namely rank waterside vegetation (including nettles and brambles) rather than reedebeds. On close inspection, subtle plumage and structural differences also exist between the two species. An adult Marsh has grey-brown upperparts (not ‘warm’) including the rump, and pale underparts suffused yellow-buff. The legs are pinkish (not dark) and the soles of the feet look yellowish. The species is a rare summer visitor and just a handful of pairs breed.
    137765.jpg
  • Marsh Warbler Acrocephalus palustris (L 13-14cm) is very similar to a Reed Warbler and the best way to separate the two is by song: a Marsh’ is rich and varied, including amazing mimicry of both other European songsters and species learnt in its African wintering grounds. It also favours subtly different habitats, namely rank waterside vegetation (including nettles and brambles) rather than reedebeds. On close inspection, subtle plumage and structural differences also exist between the two species. An adult Marsh has grey-brown upperparts (not ‘warm’) including the rump, and pale underparts suffused yellow-buff. The legs are pinkish (not dark) and the soles of the feet look yellowish. The species is a rare summer visitor and just a handful of pairs breed.
    137767.jpg
  • Marsh Warbler Acrocephalus palustris (L 13-14cm) is very similar to a Reed Warbler and the best way to separate the two is by song: a Marsh’ is rich and varied, including amazing mimicry of both other European songsters and species learnt in its African wintering grounds. It also favours subtly different habitats, namely rank waterside vegetation (including nettles and brambles) rather than reedebeds. On close inspection, subtle plumage and structural differences also exist between the two species. An adult Marsh has grey-brown upperparts (not ‘warm’) including the rump, and pale underparts suffused yellow-buff. The legs are pinkish (not dark) and the soles of the feet look yellowish. The species is a rare summer visitor and just a handful of pairs breed.
    137766.jpg
  • HONEY-BUZZARD Pernis apivorus Wingspan 135-150cm. Feeds exclusively on larvae and adults of bees and wasps. In flight, recalls Buzzard but has proportionately longer tail, with wings held slightly downcurved when soaring. Adult plumage is variable but typically has brownish upperparts, pale underparts, a grey head and evenly barred grey tail. At close range, note yellow eye and longish, narrow bill. In flight from below, note evenly barred tail, dark carpal patch and conspicuous barring on underwing. Juvenile is similar to adult but usually browner overall and with less distinct barring on underwing coverts. Voice – mainly silent. Status and habitat – Summer visitor to Britain, present May-September. Favours mature, open woodland and New Forest is a stronghold.
    139755.jpg
  • HONEY-BUZZARD Pernis apivorus Wingspan 135-150cm. Feeds exclusively on larvae and adults of bees and wasps. In flight, recalls Buzzard but has proportionately longer tail, with wings held slightly downcurved when soaring. Adult plumage is variable but typically has brownish upperparts, pale underparts, a grey head and evenly barred grey tail. At close range, note yellow eye and longish, narrow bill. In flight from below, note evenly barred tail, dark carpal patch and conspicuous barring on underwing. Juvenile is similar to adult but usually browner overall and with less distinct barring on underwing coverts. Voice – mainly silent. Status and habitat – Summer visitor to Britain, present May-September. Favours mature, open woodland and New Forest is a stronghold.
    139756.jpg
  • HONEY-BUZZARD Pernis apivorus Wingspan 135-150cm. Feeds exclusively on larvae and adults of bees and wasps. In flight, recalls Buzzard but has proportionately longer tail, with wings held slightly downcurved when soaring. Adult plumage is variable but typically has brownish upperparts, pale underparts, a grey head and evenly barred grey tail. At close range, note yellow eye and longish, narrow bill. In flight from below, note evenly barred tail, dark carpal patch and conspicuous barring on underwing. Juvenile is similar to adult but usually browner overall and with less distinct barring on underwing coverts. Voice – mainly silent. Status and habitat – Summer visitor to Britain, present May-September. Favours mature, open woodland and New Forest is a stronghold.
    139757.jpg
  • HONEY-BUZZARD Pernis apivorus Wingspan 135-150cm. Feeds exclusively on larvae and adults of bees and wasps. In flight, recalls Buzzard but has proportionately longer tail, with wings held slightly downcurved when soaring. Adult plumage is variable but typically has brownish upperparts, pale underparts, a grey head and evenly barred grey tail. At close range, note yellow eye and longish, narrow bill. In flight from below, note evenly barred tail, dark carpal patch and conspicuous barring on underwing. Juvenile is similar to adult but usually browner overall and with less distinct barring on underwing coverts. Voice – mainly silent. Status and habitat – Summer visitor to Britain, present May-September. Favours mature, open woodland and New Forest is a stronghold.
    139758.jpg
  • HONEY-BUZZARD Pernis apivorus Wingspan 135-150cm. Feeds exclusively on larvae and adults of bees and wasps. In flight, recalls Buzzard but has proportionately longer tail, with wings held slightly downcurved when soaring. Adult plumage is variable but typically has brownish upperparts, pale underparts, a grey head and evenly barred grey tail. At close range, note yellow eye and longish, narrow bill. In flight from below, note evenly barred tail, dark carpal patch and conspicuous barring on underwing. Juvenile is similar to adult but usually browner overall and with less distinct barring on underwing coverts. Voice – mainly silent. Status and habitat – Summer visitor to Britain, present May-September. Favours mature, open woodland and New Forest is a stronghold.
    141310.jpg
  • HONEY-BUZZARD Pernis apivorus Wingspan 135-150cm. Feeds exclusively on larvae and adults of bees and wasps. In flight, recalls Buzzard but has proportionately longer tail, with wings held slightly downcurved when soaring. Adult plumage is variable but typically has brownish upperparts, pale underparts, a grey head and evenly barred grey tail. At close range, note yellow eye and longish, narrow bill. In flight from below, note evenly barred tail, dark carpal patch and conspicuous barring on underwing. Juvenile is similar to adult but usually browner overall and with less distinct barring on underwing coverts. Voice – mainly silent. Status and habitat – Summer visitor to Britain, present May-September. Favours mature, open woodland and New Forest is a stronghold.
    141321.jpg
  • HONEY-BUZZARD Pernis apivorus Wingspan 135-150cm. Feeds exclusively on larvae and adults of bees and wasps. In flight, recalls Buzzard but has proportionately longer tail, with wings held slightly downcurved when soaring. Adult plumage is variable but typically has brownish upperparts, pale underparts, a grey head and evenly barred grey tail. At close range, note yellow eye and longish, narrow bill. In flight from below, note evenly barred tail, dark carpal patch and conspicuous barring on underwing. Juvenile is similar to adult but usually browner overall and with less distinct barring on underwing coverts. Voice – mainly silent. Status and habitat – Summer visitor to Britain, present May-September. Favours mature, open woodland and New Forest is a stronghold.
    141322.jpg
  • HONEY-BUZZARD Pernis apivorus Wingspan 135-150cm. Feeds exclusively on larvae and adults of bees and wasps. In flight, recalls Buzzard but has proportionately longer tail, with wings held slightly downcurved when soaring. Adult plumage is variable but typically has brownish upperparts, pale underparts, a grey head and evenly barred grey tail. At close range, note yellow eye and longish, narrow bill. In flight from below, note evenly barred tail, dark carpal patch and conspicuous barring on underwing. Juvenile is similar to adult but usually browner overall and with less distinct barring on underwing coverts. Voice – mainly silent. Status and habitat – Summer visitor to Britain, present May-September. Favours mature, open woodland and New Forest is a stronghold.
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  • Razorbill Alca torda L 41cm. Bulky seabird with distinctive bill and essentially black and white plumage. Swims well and flies on whirring wingbeats. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has black head, neck and upperparts, and white underparts; note white wingbar. Bill is large and flattened with vertical ridges and white lines. In winter, similar but throat and cheeks are white and bill is smaller. Voice Mostly silent. Status Locally common on rocky coast seabird colonies in W and N. Nests under boulders and in crevices on cliff ledges. Pelagic outside breeding season; healthy birds seldom seen close to land. Vulnerable to oil spills.
    141389.jpg
  • Razorbill Alca torda L 41cm. Bulky seabird with distinctive bill and essentially black and white plumage. Swims well and flies on whirring wingbeats. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has black head, neck and upperparts, and white underparts; note white wingbar. Bill is large and flattened with vertical ridges and white lines. In winter, similar but throat and cheeks are white and bill is smaller. Voice Mostly silent. Status Locally common on rocky coast seabird colonies in W and N. Nests under boulders and in crevices on cliff ledges. Pelagic outside breeding season; healthy birds seldom seen close to land. Vulnerable to oil spills.
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  • Common Gull Larus canus L 40-42cm. Medium-sized gull. Slimmer bodied and smaller billed, than larger Herring Gull. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has grey back and upperwings with white trailing margin; black wingtips have white spots. Plumage is otherwise white. Bill is yellowish and legs are yellowish green. In winter, similar but with dark streaks on head and neck; bill is duller with dark sub-terminal band. Juvenile has pale-margined brown back feathers and upperwings. Head and underparts are pale with dark streaks while neck and breast look grubby. Adult plumage acquired over 2 years. 1st winter is similar to juvenile but has grey back; bill is pink with dark tip. 2nd winter is similar to adult but with more black on outerwing and broader band on bill. Voice Utters a mewing keeow. Status Locally common. Nests close to water, often inland. Outside breeding season, migrants from Europe boost numbers and then widespread on farmland and grassy fields.
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  • Common Gull Larus canus L 40-42cm. Medium-sized gull. Slimmer bodied and smaller billed, than larger Herring Gull. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has grey back and upperwings with white trailing margin; black wingtips have white spots. Plumage is otherwise white. Bill is yellowish and legs are yellowish green. In winter, similar but with dark streaks on head and neck; bill is duller with dark sub-terminal band. Juvenile has pale-margined brown back feathers and upperwings. Head and underparts are pale with dark streaks while neck and breast look grubby. Adult plumage acquired over 2 years. 1st winter is similar to juvenile but has grey back; bill is pink with dark tip. 2nd winter is similar to adult but with more black on outerwing and broader band on bill. Voice Utters a mewing keeow. Status Locally common. Nests close to water, often inland. Outside breeding season, migrants from Europe boost numbers and then widespread on farmland and grassy fields.
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  • HONEY-BUZZARD Pernis apivorus Wingspan 135-150cm. Feeds exclusively on larvae and adults of bees and wasps. In flight, recalls Buzzard but has proportionately longer tail, with wings held slightly downcurved when soaring. Adult plumage is variable but typically has brownish upperparts, pale underparts, a grey head and evenly barred grey tail. At close range, note yellow eye and longish, narrow bill. In flight from below, note evenly barred tail, dark carpal patch and conspicuous barring on underwing. Juvenile is similar to adult but usually browner overall and with less distinct barring on underwing coverts. Voice – mainly silent. Status and habitat – Summer visitor to Britain, present May-September. Favours mature, open woodland and New Forest is a stronghold.
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  • Common Gull Larus canus L 40-42cm. Medium-sized gull. Slimmer bodied and smaller billed, than larger Herring Gull. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has grey back and upperwings with white trailing margin; black wingtips have white spots. Plumage is otherwise white. Bill is yellowish and legs are yellowish green. In winter, similar but with dark streaks on head and neck; bill is duller with dark sub-terminal band. Juvenile has pale-margined brown back feathers and upperwings. Head and underparts are pale with dark streaks while neck and breast look grubby. Adult plumage acquired over 2 years. 1st winter is similar to juvenile but has grey back; bill is pink with dark tip. 2nd winter is similar to adult but with more black on outerwing and broader band on bill. Voice Utters a mewing keeow. Status Locally common. Nests close to water, often inland. Outside breeding season, migrants from Europe boost numbers and then widespread on farmland and grassy fields.
    143373.jpg
  • Common Gull Larus canus L 40-42cm. Medium-sized gull. Slimmer bodied and smaller billed, than larger Herring Gull. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has grey back and upperwings with white trailing margin; black wingtips have white spots. Plumage is otherwise white. Bill is yellowish and legs are yellowish green. In winter, similar but with dark streaks on head and neck; bill is duller with dark sub-terminal band. Juvenile has pale-margined brown back feathers and upperwings. Head and underparts are pale with dark streaks while neck and breast look grubby. Adult plumage acquired over 2 years. 1st winter is similar to juvenile but has grey back; bill is pink with dark tip. 2nd winter is similar to adult but with more black on outerwing and broader band on bill. Voice Utters a mewing keeow. Status Locally common. Nests close to water, often inland. Outside breeding season, migrants from Europe boost numbers and then widespread on farmland and grassy fields.
    143378.jpg
  • Razorbill Alca torda L 41cm. Bulky seabird with distinctive bill and essentially black and white plumage. Swims well and flies on whirring wingbeats. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has black head, neck and upperparts, and white underparts; note white wingbar. Bill is large and flattened with vertical ridges and white lines. In winter, similar but throat and cheeks are white and bill is smaller. Voice Mostly silent. Status Locally common on rocky coast seabird colonies in W and N. Nests under boulders and in crevices on cliff ledges. Pelagic outside breeding season; healthy birds seldom seen close to land. Vulnerable to oil spills.
    143522.jpg
  • HONEY-BUZZARD Pernis apivorus Wingspan 135-150cm. Feeds exclusively on larvae and adults of bees and wasps. In flight, recalls Buzzard but has proportionately longer tail, with wings held slightly downcurved when soaring. Adult plumage is variable but typically has brownish upperparts, pale underparts, a grey head and evenly barred grey tail. At close range, note yellow eye and longish, narrow bill. In flight from below, note evenly barred tail, dark carpal patch and conspicuous barring on underwing. Juvenile is similar to adult but usually browner overall and with less distinct barring on underwing coverts. Voice – mainly silent. Status and habitat – Summer visitor to Britain, present May-September. Favours mature, open woodland and New Forest is a stronghold.
    143861.jpg
  • HONEY-BUZZARD Pernis apivorus Wingspan 135-150cm. Feeds exclusively on larvae and adults of bees and wasps. In flight, recalls Buzzard but has proportionately longer tail, with wings held slightly downcurved when soaring. Adult plumage is variable but typically has brownish upperparts, pale underparts, a grey head and evenly barred grey tail. At close range, note yellow eye and longish, narrow bill. In flight from below, note evenly barred tail, dark carpal patch and conspicuous barring on underwing. Juvenile is similar to adult but usually browner overall and with less distinct barring on underwing coverts. Voice – mainly silent. Status and habitat – Summer visitor to Britain, present May-September. Favours mature, open woodland and New Forest is a stronghold.
    143860.jpg
  • HONEY-BUZZARD Pernis apivorus Wingspan 135-150cm. Feeds exclusively on larvae and adults of bees and wasps. In flight, recalls Buzzard but has proportionately longer tail, with wings held slightly downcurved when soaring. Adult plumage is variable but typically has brownish upperparts, pale underparts, a grey head and evenly barred grey tail. At close range, note yellow eye and longish, narrow bill. In flight from below, note evenly barred tail, dark carpal patch and conspicuous barring on underwing. Juvenile is similar to adult but usually browner overall and with less distinct barring on underwing coverts. Voice – mainly silent. Status and habitat – Summer visitor to Britain, present May-September. Favours mature, open woodland and New Forest is a stronghold.
    143862.jpg
  • HONEY-BUZZARD Pernis apivorus Wingspan 135-150cm. Feeds exclusively on larvae and adults of bees and wasps. In flight, recalls Buzzard but has proportionately longer tail, with wings held slightly downcurved when soaring. Adult plumage is variable but typically has brownish upperparts, pale underparts, a grey head and evenly barred grey tail. At close range, note yellow eye and longish, narrow bill. In flight from below, note evenly barred tail, dark carpal patch and conspicuous barring on underwing. Juvenile is similar to adult but usually browner overall and with less distinct barring on underwing coverts. Voice – mainly silent. Status and habitat – Summer visitor to Britain, present May-September. Favours mature, open woodland and New Forest is a stronghold.
    143864.jpg
  • HONEY-BUZZARD Pernis apivorus Wingspan 135-150cm. Feeds exclusively on larvae and adults of bees and wasps. In flight, recalls Buzzard but has proportionately longer tail, with wings held slightly downcurved when soaring. Adult plumage is variable but typically has brownish upperparts, pale underparts, a grey head and evenly barred grey tail. At close range, note yellow eye and longish, narrow bill. In flight from below, note evenly barred tail, dark carpal patch and conspicuous barring on underwing. Juvenile is similar to adult but usually browner overall and with less distinct barring on underwing coverts. Voice – mainly silent. Status and habitat – Summer visitor to Britain, present May-September. Favours mature, open woodland and New Forest is a stronghold.
    143865.jpg
  • HONEY-BUZZARD Pernis apivorus Wingspan 135-150cm. Feeds exclusively on larvae and adults of bees and wasps. In flight, recalls Buzzard but has proportionately longer tail, with wings held slightly downcurved when soaring. Adult plumage is variable but typically has brownish upperparts, pale underparts, a grey head and evenly barred grey tail. At close range, note yellow eye and longish, narrow bill. In flight from below, note evenly barred tail, dark carpal patch and conspicuous barring on underwing. Juvenile is similar to adult but usually browner overall and with less distinct barring on underwing coverts. Voice – mainly silent. Status and habitat – Summer visitor to Britain, present May-September. Favours mature, open woodland and New Forest is a stronghold.
    143866.jpg
  • Razorbill Alca torda L 41cm. Bulky seabird with distinctive bill and essentially black and white plumage. Swims well and flies on whirring wingbeats. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has black head, neck and upperparts, and white underparts; note white wingbar. Bill is large and flattened with vertical ridges and white lines. In winter, similar but throat and cheeks are white and bill is smaller. Voice Mostly silent. Status Locally common on rocky coast seabird colonies in W and N. Nests under boulders and in crevices on cliff ledges. Pelagic outside breeding season; healthy birds seldom seen close to land. Vulnerable to oil spills.
    144675.jpg
  • Razorbill Alca torda L 41cm. Bulky seabird with distinctive bill and essentially black and white plumage. Swims well and flies on whirring wingbeats. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has black head, neck and upperparts, and white underparts; note white wingbar. Bill is large and flattened with vertical ridges and white lines. In winter, similar but throat and cheeks are white and bill is smaller. Voice Mostly silent. Status Locally common on rocky coast seabird colonies in W and N. Nests under boulders and in crevices on cliff ledges. Pelagic outside breeding season; healthy birds seldom seen close to land. Vulnerable to oil spills.
    144674.jpg
  • Razorbill Alca torda L 41cm. Bulky seabird with distinctive bill and essentially black and white plumage. Swims well and flies on whirring wingbeats. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has black head, neck and upperparts, and white underparts; note white wingbar. Bill is large and flattened with vertical ridges and white lines. In winter, similar but throat and cheeks are white and bill is smaller. Voice Mostly silent. Status Locally common on rocky coast seabird colonies in W and N. Nests under boulders and in crevices on cliff ledges. Pelagic outside breeding season; healthy birds seldom seen close to land. Vulnerable to oil spills.
    144676.jpg
  • Goshawk Accipiter gentilis W 100-115cm. Impressive, buzzard-sized raptor. In flight, note broad, rounded wings and relatively long but thickset barred tail. Soaring birds fan their tails and splay white, fluffy, undertail. Close view (an unusual event) reveals orange eye, yellow legs and feet, and striking pale supercilium. Xexes are similar but male is smaller than female. Adult has mainly grey-brown upperparts; pale underparts are marked with fine dark barring. Juvenile has brown upperparts; buffish underparts are marked with dark, teardrop-shaped spots. Voice Utters a harsh kie-kie-kie in breeding season. Status Scarce but easily overlooked. Favours wooded habitats with adjacent open country.
    144855.jpg
  • Goshawk Accipiter gentilis W 100-115cm. Impressive, buzzard-sized raptor. In flight, note broad, rounded wings and relatively long but thickset barred tail. Soaring birds fan their tails and splay white, fluffy, undertail. Close view (an unusual event) reveals orange eye, yellow legs and feet, and striking pale supercilium. Xexes are similar but male is smaller than female. Adult has mainly grey-brown upperparts; pale underparts are marked with fine dark barring. Juvenile has brown upperparts; buffish underparts are marked with dark, teardrop-shaped spots. Voice Utters a harsh kie-kie-kie in breeding season. Status Scarce but easily overlooked. Favours wooded habitats with adjacent open country.
    144856.jpg
  • Goshawk Accipiter gentilis W 100-115cm. Impressive, buzzard-sized raptor. In flight, note broad, rounded wings and relatively long but thickset barred tail. Soaring birds fan their tails and splay white, fluffy, undertail. Close view (an unusual event) reveals orange eye, yellow legs and feet, and striking pale supercilium. Xexes are similar but male is smaller than female. Adult has mainly grey-brown upperparts; pale underparts are marked with fine dark barring. Juvenile has brown upperparts; buffish underparts are marked with dark, teardrop-shaped spots. Voice Utters a harsh kie-kie-kie in breeding season. Status Scarce but easily overlooked. Favours wooded habitats with adjacent open country.
    144857.jpg
  • Goshawk Accipiter gentilis W 100-115cm. Impressive, buzzard-sized raptor. In flight, note broad, rounded wings and relatively long but thickset barred tail. Soaring birds fan their tails and splay white, fluffy, undertail. Close view (an unusual event) reveals orange eye, yellow legs and feet, and striking pale supercilium. Xexes are similar but male is smaller than female. Adult has mainly grey-brown upperparts; pale underparts are marked with fine dark barring. Juvenile has brown upperparts; buffish underparts are marked with dark, teardrop-shaped spots. Voice Utters a harsh kie-kie-kie in breeding season. Status Scarce but easily overlooked. Favours wooded habitats with adjacent open country.
    144858.jpg
  • Goshawk Accipiter gentilis W 100-115cm. Impressive, buzzard-sized raptor. In flight, note broad, rounded wings and relatively long but thickset barred tail. Soaring birds fan their tails and splay white, fluffy, undertail. Close view (an unusual event) reveals orange eye, yellow legs and feet, and striking pale supercilium. Xexes are similar but male is smaller than female. Adult has mainly grey-brown upperparts; pale underparts are marked with fine dark barring. Juvenile has brown upperparts; buffish underparts are marked with dark, teardrop-shaped spots. Voice Utters a harsh kie-kie-kie in breeding season. Status Scarce but easily overlooked. Favours wooded habitats with adjacent open country.
    144859.jpg
  • Goshawk Accipiter gentilis W 100-115cm. Impressive, buzzard-sized raptor. In flight, note broad, rounded wings and relatively long but thickset barred tail. Soaring birds fan their tails and splay white, fluffy, undertail. Close view (an unusual event) reveals orange eye, yellow legs and feet, and striking pale supercilium. Xexes are similar but male is smaller than female. Adult has mainly grey-brown upperparts; pale underparts are marked with fine dark barring. Juvenile has brown upperparts; buffish underparts are marked with dark, teardrop-shaped spots. Voice Utters a harsh kie-kie-kie in breeding season. Status Scarce but easily overlooked. Favours wooded habitats with adjacent open country.
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  • Eider - Somateria mollissima - male. L 50-70cm. Bulky seaduck with distinctive profile: wedge-shaped bill forms continuous line with slope of forehead. Gregarious for most of year. In summer, female flocks supervise ‘creche’ of youngsters. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has mainly black underparts and white upperparts, except for black cap, lime green nape and pinkish flush on breast. In eclipse, plumage is brown and black, with some white feathers on back, and pale stripe above eye. Adult female is brown with darker barring. Juvenile is similar to adult female but with pale stripe above eye. Voice Male utters endearing, cooing ah-whooo. Status Almost exclusively coastal. Nests close to seashore and feeds in inshore waters, diving for prey such as mussels.
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  • Razorbill - Alca torda.  L 41cm. Bulky seabird with distinctive bill and essentially black and white plumage. Swims well and flies on whirring wingbeats. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has black head, neck and upperparts, and white underparts; note white wingbar. Bill is large and flattened with vertical ridges and white lines. In winter, similar but throat and cheeks are white and bill is smaller. Voice Mostly silent. Status Locally common on rocky coast seabird colonies in W and N. Nests under boulders and in crevices on cliff ledges. Pelagic outside breeding season; healthy birds seldom seen close to land. Vulnerable to oil spills.
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  • Goshawk - Accipiter gentilis - male. W 100-115cm. Impressive, buzzard-sized raptor. In flight, note broad, rounded wings and relatively long but thickset barred tail. Soaring birds fan their tails and splay white, fluffy, undertail. Close view (an unusual event) reveals orange eye, yellow legs and feet, and striking pale supercilium. Sexes are similar but male is smaller than female. Adult has mainly grey-brown upperparts; pale underparts are marked with fine dark barring. Juvenile has brown upperparts; buffish underparts are marked with dark, teardrop-shaped spots. Voice Utters a harsh kie-kie-kie in breeding season. Status Scarce but easily overlooked. Favours wooded habitats with adjacent open country.
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  • Golden Pheasant - Chrysolophus pictus - female. L 60-100cm. Male is gaudy and unmistakable; female is superficially similar to female Pheasant but separable on close inspection. Typically secretive. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has mainly red body plumage with golden-yellow crown and barred ‘cape’, yellow rump and blue on wings and back; tail is buffish with intricate dark markings. Adult female is buffish brown with distinct dark barring all over; note contrast between pale brown face and darker crown and nape. Juvenile recalls a small, short-tailed female. Voice Territorial male utters a shrill, disyllabic call. Status Native of China. Introduced and now very locally established; favours dense woodland.
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  • Marsh Warbler Acrocephalus palustris (L 13-14cm) is very similar to a Reed Warbler and the best way to separate the two is by song: a Marsh’ is rich and varied, including amazing mimicry of both other European songsters and species learnt in its African wintering grounds. It also favours subtly different habitats, namely rank waterside vegetation (including nettles and brambles) rather than reedebeds. On close inspection, subtle plumage and structural differences also exist between the two species. An adult Marsh has grey-brown upperparts (not ‘warm’) including the rump, and pale underparts suffused yellow-buff. The legs are pinkish (not dark) and the soles of the feet look yellowish. The species is a rare summer visitor and just a handful of pairs breed.
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  • Marsh Warbler Acrocephalus palustris (L 13-14cm) is very similar to a Reed Warbler and the best way to separate the two is by song: a Marsh’ is rich and varied, including amazing mimicry of both other European songsters and species learnt in its African wintering grounds. It also favours subtly different habitats, namely rank waterside vegetation (including nettles and brambles) rather than reedebeds. On close inspection, subtle plumage and structural differences also exist between the two species. An adult Marsh has grey-brown upperparts (not ‘warm’) including the rump, and pale underparts suffused yellow-buff. The legs are pinkish (not dark) and the soles of the feet look yellowish. The species is a rare summer visitor and just a handful of pairs breed.
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  • Common Gull Larus canus - 2nd winter. L 40-42cm. Medium-sized gull. Slimmer bodied and smaller billed, than larger Herring Gull. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has grey back and upperwings with white trailing margin; black wingtips have white spots. Plumage is otherwise white. Bill is yellowish and legs are yellowish green. In winter, similar but with dark streaks on head and neck; bill is duller with dark sub-terminal band. Juvenile has pale-margined brown back feathers and upperwings. Head and underparts are pale with dark streaks while neck and breast look grubby. Adult plumage acquired over 2 years. 1st winter is similar to juvenile but has grey back; bill is pink with dark tip. 2nd winter is similar to adult but with more black on outerwing and broader band on bill. Voice Utters a mewing keeow. Status Locally common. Nests close to water, often inland. Outside breeding season, migrants from Europe boost numbers and then widespread on farmland and grassy fields.
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  • Common Gull Larus canus - Winter adult. L 40-42cm. Medium-sized gull. Slimmer bodied and smaller billed, than larger Herring Gull. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has grey back and upperwings with white trailing margin; black wingtips have white spots. Plumage is otherwise white. Bill is yellowish and legs are yellowish green. In winter, similar but with dark streaks on head and neck; bill is duller with dark sub-terminal band. Juvenile has pale-margined brown back feathers and upperwings. Head and underparts are pale with dark streaks while neck and breast look grubby. Adult plumage acquired over 2 years. 1st winter is similar to juvenile but has grey back; bill is pink with dark tip. 2nd winter is similar to adult but with more black on outerwing and broader band on bill. Voice Utters a mewing keeow. Status Locally common. Nests close to water, often inland. Outside breeding season, migrants from Europe boost numbers and then widespread on farmland and grassy fields.
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  • Gadwall Anas strepera - Male. L 46-55cm. Rather nondescript dabbling duck. Distant male looks grey and brown but close view reveals intricate feather patterns. In flight, both sexes show white in speculum; male also has chestnut on inner wing. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has buffish head and neck, with a clear separation from grey, finely-patterned breast and flanks. Centre of belly is white; black stern is useful identification feature. Has dark bill and yellow legs. In eclipse, male resembles adult female. Adult female has mottled brown plumage with greyish head and yellow bill. Juvenile resembles adult female. Voice Male utters croaking call and female utters mallard-like quack. Status Found on shallow freshwater; dabbles for water plants.
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  • Ivory Gull - Pagophila eburnea - 1st winter. Length 41-45cm. An elegant and distinctive high Arctic gull. Adult has pure white plumage and black legs. The rounded head, dark eye and dainty bill create an almost dove-like appearance. At close range, note the bluish base and yellow tip to the bill. Juvenile is similar, but the face is grubby-looking and the wings are adorned with neat black spots. The Ivory Gull is typically discovered in the dead of winter and records from our region (a couple in a good year) have a northerly bias. The species often feeds on beached seal and porpoise carcasses in our region.
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  • Ivory Gull - Pagophila eburnea - Juvenile. Length 41-45cm. An elegant and distinctive high Arctic gull. Adult has pure white plumage and black legs. The rounded head, dark eye and dainty bill create an almost dove-like appearance. At close range, note the bluish base and yellow tip to the bill. Juvenile is similar, but the face is grubby-looking and the wings are adorned with neat black spots. The Ivory Gull is typically discovered in the dead of winter and records from our region (a couple in a good year) have a northerly bias. The species often feeds on beached seal and porpoise carcasses in our region.
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  • Goshawk Accipiter gentilis - Immature Male. W 100-115cm. Impressive, buzzard-sized raptor. In flight, note broad, rounded wings and relatively long but thickset barred tail. Soaring birds fan their tails and splay white, fluffy, undertail. Close view (an unusual event) reveals orange eye, yellow legs and feet, and striking pale supercilium. Xexes are similar but male is smaller than female. Adult has mainly grey-brown upperparts; pale underparts are marked with fine dark barring. Juvenile has brown upperparts; buffish underparts are marked with dark, teardrop-shaped spots. Voice Utters a harsh kie-kie-kie in breeding season. Status Scarce but easily overlooked. Favours wooded habitats with adjacent open country.
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  • Goshawk Accipiter gentilis - Immature Male. W 100-115cm. Impressive, buzzard-sized raptor. In flight, note broad, rounded wings and relatively long but thickset barred tail. Soaring birds fan their tails and splay white, fluffy, undertail. Close view (an unusual event) reveals orange eye, yellow legs and feet, and striking pale supercilium. Xexes are similar but male is smaller than female. Adult has mainly grey-brown upperparts; pale underparts are marked with fine dark barring. Juvenile has brown upperparts; buffish underparts are marked with dark, teardrop-shaped spots. Voice Utters a harsh kie-kie-kie in breeding season. Status Scarce but easily overlooked. Favours wooded habitats with adjacent open country.
    154981.jpg
  • Goshawk Accipiter gentilis W 100-115cm. Impressive, buzzard-sized raptor. In flight, note broad, rounded wings and relatively long but thickset barred tail. Soaring birds fan their tails and splay white, fluffy, undertail. Close view (an unusual event) reveals orange eye, yellow legs and feet, and striking pale supercilium. Xexes are similar but male is smaller than female. Adult has mainly grey-brown upperparts; pale underparts are marked with fine dark barring. Juvenile has brown upperparts; buffish underparts are marked with dark, teardrop-shaped spots. Voice Utters a harsh kie-kie-kie in breeding season. Status Scarce but easily overlooked. Favours wooded habitats with adjacent open country.
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  • Purple Hairstreak Neozephyrus quercus Wingspan 38mm. A rather enigmatic butterfly that can be hard to observe closely. As an adult it usually remains close to the top of the mature tree where its life-cycle began. Lives in colonies. Adults have brown upperwings; males have purple sheen on both wings, in females it is restricted to hindwings. Underwings are grey with hairstreak line. Larva is brown and rather slug-like; feeds on oak buds. Widespread but locally common only in southern England and Wales.
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  • Maidenhair Tree Ginkgo biloba (Ginkgoaceae) HEIGHT to 28m<br />
Tall, slender to slightly conical deciduous tree with one main trunk. BARK Grey-brown, corky and deeply ridged in mature trees. BRANCHES spreading with long, greenish-brown shoots, which in turn bear shorter brown shoots. LEAVES Yellowish-green to dark-green, fan-shaped, divided at least once and up to 10-12cm long; radiating veins reach margins. Leaves on long shoots widely separated; those on the short shoots close-packed. FLOWERS Male catkins yellow, in small upright clusters; female flowers grow singly on a 5cm-long pedicel. Flowers seldom seen in Britain; most mature trees in our region are male. FRUITS to 3cm long and usually ovoid, containing a single seed inside a harder shell. Green at first, yellowing with age, becoming foul-smelling. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Chekiang Province of China. Endangered in the wild but widely cultivated.
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  • Maidenhair Tree Ginkgo biloba (Ginkgoaceae) HEIGHT to 28m<br />
Tall, slender to slightly conical deciduous tree with one main trunk. BARK Grey-brown, corky and deeply ridged in mature trees. BRANCHES spreading with long, greenish-brown shoots, which in turn bear shorter brown shoots. LEAVES Yellowish-green to dark-green, fan-shaped, divided at least once and up to 10-12cm long; radiating veins reach margins. Leaves on long shoots widely separated; those on the short shoots close-packed. FLOWERS Male catkins yellow, in small upright clusters; female flowers grow singly on a 5cm-long pedicel. Flowers seldom seen in Britain; most mature trees in our region are male. FRUITS to 3cm long and usually ovoid, containing a single seed inside a harder shell. Green at first, yellowing with age, becoming foul-smelling. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Chekiang Province of China. Endangered in the wild but widely cultivated.
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  • Maidenhair Tree Ginkgo biloba (Ginkgoaceae) HEIGHT to 28m<br />
Tall, slender to slightly conical deciduous tree with one main trunk. BARK Grey-brown, corky and deeply ridged in mature trees. BRANCHES spreading with long, greenish-brown shoots, which in turn bear shorter brown shoots. LEAVES Yellowish-green to dark-green, fan-shaped, divided at least once and up to 10-12cm long; radiating veins reach margins. Leaves on long shoots widely separated; those on the short shoots close-packed. FLOWERS Male catkins yellow, in small upright clusters; female flowers grow singly on a 5cm-long pedicel. Flowers seldom seen in Britain; most mature trees in our region are male. FRUITS to 3cm long and usually ovoid, containing a single seed inside a harder shell. Green at first, yellowing with age, becoming foul-smelling. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Chekiang Province of China. Endangered in the wild but widely cultivated.
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  • Maidenhair Tree Ginkgo biloba (Ginkgoaceae) HEIGHT to 28m<br />
Tall, slender to slightly conical deciduous tree with one main trunk. BARK Grey-brown, corky and deeply ridged in mature trees. BRANCHES spreading with long, greenish-brown shoots, which in turn bear shorter brown shoots. LEAVES Yellowish-green to dark-green, fan-shaped, divided at least once and up to 10-12cm long; radiating veins reach margins. Leaves on long shoots widely separated; those on the short shoots close-packed. FLOWERS Male catkins yellow, in small upright clusters; female flowers grow singly on a 5cm-long pedicel. Flowers seldom seen in Britain; most mature trees in our region are male. FRUITS to 3cm long and usually ovoid, containing a single seed inside a harder shell. Green at first, yellowing with age, becoming foul-smelling. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Chekiang Province of China. Endangered in the wild but widely cultivated.
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  • Little Auk - Alle alle. L 20cm. Our smallest auk with a dumpy body, short neck and tiny, stubby bill. Flies on whirring wingbeats and can look almost Starling-like in flight. Swims well and dive frequently. Sexes are similar. Adult in winter has black cap, nape and back, and white underparts; at close range, note white lines on wings and tiny white crescent above eye. Not seen in breeding plumage in our region. Voice Silent at sea. Status Winter visitor from Arctic breeding grounds where it is locally abundant. Probably numerous in N North Sea in winter but seldom comes close to land by choice.
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  • Eider - Somateria mollissima - male. L 50-70cm. Bulky seaduck with distinctive profile: wedge-shaped bill forms continuous line with slope of forehead. Gregarious for most of year. In summer, female flocks supervise ‘creche’ of youngsters. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has mainly black underparts and white upperparts, except for black cap, lime green nape and pinkish flush on breast. In eclipse, plumage is brown and black, with some white feathers on back, and pale stripe above eye. Adult female is brown with darker barring. Juvenile is similar to adult female but with pale stripe above eye. Voice Male utters endearing, cooing ah-whooo. Status Almost exclusively coastal. Nests close to seashore and feeds in inshore waters, diving for prey such as mussels.
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  • Goshawk Accipiter gentilis. W 100-115cm. Impressive, buzzard-sized raptor. In flight, note broad, rounded wings and relatively long but thickset barred tail. Soaring birds fan their tails and splay white, fluffy, undertail. Close view (an unusual event) reveals orange eye, yellow legs and feet, and striking pale supercilium. Xexes are similar but male is smaller than female. Adult has mainly grey-brown upperparts; pale underparts are marked with fine dark barring. Juvenile has brown upperparts; buffish underparts are marked with dark, teardrop-shaped spots. Voice Utters a harsh kie-kie-kie in breeding season. Status Scarce but easily overlooked. Favours wooded habitats with adjacent open country.
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  • Ivory Gull - Pagophila eburnea - Juvenile. Length 41-45cm. An elegant and distinctive high Arctic gull. Adult has pure white plumage and black legs. The rounded head, dark eye and dainty bill create an almost dove-like appearance. At close range, note the bluish base and yellow tip to the bill. Juvenile is similar, but the face is grubby-looking and the wings are adorned with neat black spots. The Ivory Gull is typically discovered in the dead of winter and records from our region (a couple in a good year) have a northerly bias. The species often feeds on beached seal and porpoise carcasses in our region.
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  • Goshawk Accipiter gentilis - Immature Male. W 100-115cm. Impressive, buzzard-sized raptor. In flight, note broad, rounded wings and relatively long but thickset barred tail. Soaring birds fan their tails and splay white, fluffy, undertail. Close view (an unusual event) reveals orange eye, yellow legs and feet, and striking pale supercilium. Xexes are similar but male is smaller than female. Adult has mainly grey-brown upperparts; pale underparts are marked with fine dark barring. Juvenile has brown upperparts; buffish underparts are marked with dark, teardrop-shaped spots. Voice Utters a harsh kie-kie-kie in breeding season. Status Scarce but easily overlooked. Favours wooded habitats with adjacent open country.
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  • HONEY-BUZZARD Pernis apivorus Wingspan 135-150cm. Feeds exclusively on larvae and adults of bees and wasps. In flight, recalls Buzzard but has proportionately longer tail, with wings held slightly downcurved when soaring. Adult plumage is variable but typically has brownish upperparts, pale underparts, a grey head and evenly barred grey tail. At close range, note yellow eye and longish, narrow bill. In flight from below, note evenly barred tail, dark carpal patch and conspicuous barring on underwing. Juvenile is similar to adult but usually browner overall and with less distinct barring on underwing coverts. Voice – mainly silent. Status and habitat – Summer visitor to Britain, present May-September. Favours mature, open woodland and New Forest is a stronghold.
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  • HONEY-BUZZARD Pernis apivorus Wingspan 135-150cm. Feeds exclusively on larvae and adults of bees and wasps. In flight, recalls Buzzard but has proportionately longer tail, with wings held slightly downcurved when soaring. Adult plumage is variable but typically has brownish upperparts, pale underparts, a grey head and evenly barred grey tail. At close range, note yellow eye and longish, narrow bill. In flight from below, note evenly barred tail, dark carpal patch and conspicuous barring on underwing. Juvenile is similar to adult but usually browner overall and with less distinct barring on underwing coverts. Voice – mainly silent. Status and habitat – Summer visitor to Britain, present May-September. Favours mature, open woodland and New Forest is a stronghold.
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