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  • Oriental Darter - Anhinga melanogaster
    139693.jpg
  • Sunset over the Red Deer River in Dinosaur Provincial Park, Alberta, Canada
    159472.jpg
  • Tricolored Heron - Egretta tricolor
    156976.jpg
  • Sunrise over the rocks on Porthselau Beach looking towards St David's Head, Pembrokeshire, Wales
    156613.jpg
  • Sunrise over the rocks on Porthselau Beach looking towards St David's Head, Pembrokeshire, Wales
    156614.jpg
  • Sunset over Old Light, Lundy Island, Devon
    156512.jpg
  • Starling Sturnus vulgaris L 20-22cm. Familiar urban and rural bird with swaggering walk. Forms large flocks outside breeding season. Sexes are separable in summer. Adult male in summer has dark plumage with iridescence seen in good light. Legs are reddish and bill is yellow with blue base to lower mandible. Adult female in summer is similar but has some pale spots on underparts and pale yellow base to lower mandible. Winter adult (both sexes) has numerous white spots adorning dark plumage and dark bill. Juvenile is grey-brown, palest on throat; bill is dark; spotted body plumage acquired in winter. Voice Varied repertoire of clicks and whistles including mimicry. Status Widespread and common but declining. Found in all kinds of open habitats in winter. Often nests in house roofs.
    156452.jpg
  • Sunset and incoming tise at Lepe Country Park on the south coast in Hampshire
    155578.jpg
  • Dawn over the harbour and Hugh Town from The Garrison, St Mary's, Isles of Scilly
    155582.jpg
  • The Harbour at dawn, St Mary's, Isles of Scilly
    155583.jpg
  • Moored boats on the Harbour Beach on St Mary's, Isles of Scilly
    155009.jpg
  • Dawn over the harbour on St Mary's, Isles of Scilly
    155010.jpg
  • Dawn on the quay at St Mary's Harbour, Isles of Scilly
    155012.jpg
  • Dawn on the quay at St Mary's Harbour, Isles of Scilly
    155011.jpg
  • Dawn on the quay at St Mary's Harbour, Isles of Scilly
    155013.jpg
  • River Thames from Richmond Hill in the autumn, Surrey, Uk
    154545.jpg
  • River Thames from Richmond Hill in the autumn, Surrey, Uk
    154546.jpg
  • HOAR FROST ON LEAVES
    132634.jpg
  • Burnham Overy quay at sunset, Norfolk, Uk
    143183.jpg
  • Sunset over farmland
    143185.jpg
  • Beech Woodland at Holkham in Norfolk
    143259.jpg
  • Felbrigg Great Wood Norfolk UK Early November
    143262.jpg
  • Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria L 28cm. Beautifully marked wader. Call is evocative of desolate uplands in summer. Gregarious outside breeding season; often associates with Lapwings. In flight, note white underwings. Sexes are sometimes separable in summer. Adult in summer has spangled golden upperparts bordered by white band. In most males, belly is black, grading to grey on neck and face. Most females have less distinct dark underparts and face is often whitish. Breeders from N Europe (seen on migration) have darker underparts than British birds. In winter, underparts are pale, and head, neck and back are streaked golden. Juvenile is similar to winter adult. Voice Utters peeoo flight call and plaintive pu-peeoo in summer. Status Locally common breeding species on N upland moors and mountains. Widespread in winter on grassland and arable fields.
    154347.jpg
  • Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria L 28cm. Beautifully marked wader. Call is evocative of desolate uplands in summer. Gregarious outside breeding season; often associates with Lapwings. In flight, note white underwings. Sexes are sometimes separable in summer. Adult in summer has spangled golden upperparts bordered by white band. In most males, belly is black, grading to grey on neck and face. Most females have less distinct dark underparts and face is often whitish. Breeders from N Europe (seen on migration) have darker underparts than British birds. In winter, underparts are pale, and head, neck and back are streaked golden. Juvenile is similar to winter adult. Voice Utters peeoo flight call and plaintive pu-peeoo in summer. Status Locally common breeding species on N upland moors and mountains. Widespread in winter on grassland and arable fields.
    154348.jpg
  • Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria L 28cm. Beautifully marked wader. Call is evocative of desolate uplands in summer. Gregarious outside breeding season; often associates with Lapwings. In flight, note white underwings. Sexes are sometimes separable in summer. Adult in summer has spangled golden upperparts bordered by white band. In most males, belly is black, grading to grey on neck and face. Most females have less distinct dark underparts and face is often whitish. Breeders from N Europe (seen on migration) have darker underparts than British birds. In winter, underparts are pale, and head, neck and back are streaked golden. Juvenile is similar to winter adult. Voice Utters peeoo flight call and plaintive pu-peeoo in summer. Status Locally common breeding species on N upland moors and mountains. Widespread in winter on grassland and arable fields.
    154349.jpg
  • Autumn colour in the beech trees that line the Grand Avenue through Savernake Forest near Marlborough, Wiltshire, Uk
    144721.jpg
  • Divach Falls, Glen Urquhart, Drumnadrochit, Scottish Highlands, Uk
    145563.jpg
  • Divach Falls, Glen Urquhart, Drumnadrochit, Scottish Highlands, Uk
    145564.jpg
  • Divach Falls, Glen Urquhart, Drumnadrochit, Scottish Highlands, Uk
    145566.jpg
  • Rock Goby Gobius paganellus Length to 12cm<br />
Robust goby. Found in pools and under rocks on lower shore. Adult has relatively large head and tail. Typically body is marbled brown, buff and grey but some individuals can be very dark (especially in spring) leading to confusion with Black Goby. Pale, yellowish-orange outer margin to 1st dorsal fin is diagnostic. It also has more than 50 scales along lateral line. Locally common in S and W; scarce elsewhere.
    142722.jpg
  • Cuckoo Wrasse Labrus mixtus Length to 30cm<br />
Colourful distinctive wrasse. Found on rocky coasts, venturing inshore in summer months. Adult has a rather slender body. Male is mostly blue on head, flanks and tail, and pinkish-orange elsewhere. Female is orange with black spots at base of dorsal fin. Widespread and locally common in S and W; almost absent from coast of E England.
    141885.jpg
  • Ballan Wrasse Labrus bergylta Length to 30cm<br />
Our most familiar and colourful wrasse. Found inshore on rocky coasts, sometimes in rockpools too. Adult has a thickset body and a long dorsal fin characteristic of all wrasse. The colour is variable but often marbled reddish-brown or green. Widespread and locally common except off coast of E England.
    141878.jpg
  • Ballan Wrasse Labrus bergylta Length to 30cm<br />
Our most familiar and colourful wrasse. Found inshore on rocky coasts, sometimes in rockpools too. Adult has a thickset body and a long dorsal fin characteristic of all wrasse. The colour is variable but often marbled reddish-brown or green. Widespread and locally common except off coast of E England.
    141874.jpg
  • Corkwing Wrasse Symphodus melops Length to 15cm<br />
A colourful species of wrasse, found on rocky shores with abundant seaweeds. Adult has variable colouring but is often yellowish or reddish with blue and red banding, especially on head. The is a dark spot at base of tail which is diagnostic. Widespread and locally common in S and W.
    141652.jpg
  • Corkwing Wrasse Symphodus melops Length to 15cm<br />
A colourful species of wrasse, found on rocky shores with abundant seaweeds. Adult has variable colouring but is often yellowish or reddish with blue and red banding, especially on head. The is a dark spot at base of tail which is diagnostic. Widespread and locally common in S and W.
    141614.jpg
  • Ancient Oak in Savernake Forest, Marlborough, Wiltshire. Pedunculate or English Oak Quercus robur Fagaceae Height to 36m. Spreading, deciduous tree with dense crown. Bark Grey, thick and fissured with age. Branches Dead branches emerge from canopy of ancient trees. Buds hairless. Leaves Deeply lobed with 2 auricles at base; on very short stalks (5mm or less). Reproductive parts Flowers are catkins. Acorns, in groups of 1–3, with long stalks and scaly cups. Status Widespread; prefers heavier clay soils to Sessile Oak.
    144729.jpg
  • Ancient Oak in Savernake Forest, Marlborough, Wiltshire. Pedunculate or English Oak Quercus robur Fagaceae Height to 36m. Spreading, deciduous tree with dense crown. Bark Grey, thick and fissured with age. Branches Dead branches emerge from canopy of ancient trees. Buds hairless. Leaves Deeply lobed with 2 auricles at base; on very short stalks (5mm or less). Reproductive parts Flowers are catkins. Acorns, in groups of 1–3, with long stalks and scaly cups. Status Widespread; prefers heavier clay soils to Sessile Oak.
    144728.jpg
  • Ancient Oak in Savernake Forest, Marlborough, Wiltshire. Pedunculate or English Oak Quercus robur Fagaceae Height to 36m. Spreading, deciduous tree with dense crown. Bark Grey, thick and fissured with age. Branches Dead branches emerge from canopy of ancient trees. Buds hairless. Leaves Deeply lobed with 2 auricles at base; on very short stalks (5mm or less). Reproductive parts Flowers are catkins. Acorns, in groups of 1–3, with long stalks and scaly cups. Status Widespread; prefers heavier clay soils to Sessile Oak.
    144726.jpg
  • Hazel Corylus avellana Betulaceae Height to 6m<br />
Multi-stemmed shrub, or short tree. Bark Smooth, shiny, peeling into papery strips. Branches Upright to spreading. Twigs with stiff hairs, buds oval and smooth. Leaves Rounded, to 10cm long, hairy above; heart-shaped base and pointed tip. Margins double-toothed. Reproductive parts Male catkins to 8cm long, pendulous and yellow. Female flowers red and tiny; produce hard-shelled nuts. Status Common, often coppiced.
    144508.jpg
  • Common Larch Larix decidua Pinaceae Height to 35m<br />
Deciduous, conical conifer. Foliage turns golden before needles fall in autumn. Bark Greyish-brown, fissured with age. Branches Mostly horizontal. Needles To 3cm long, in bunches of up to 40. Reproductive parts Male flowers are yellow cones. Female cones are red in spring, maturing brown and woody. Status Native of central Europe, planted here for timber and ornament.
    144441.jpg
  • Aspen Populus tremulus Salicaceae Height to 18m. Slender tree with a rounded crown. Suckers readily. Bark Ridged and fissured with age. Leaves Rounded to oval, with shallow marginal teeth, palest below; rustle in the slightest breeze and turn golden in autumn. Reproductive parts Reddish male catkins and greenish female catkins on different trees. Status Common on poor, damp soils.
    144420.jpg
  • Ash Fraxinus excelsior Oleaceae Height to 40m. Deciduous tree with open crown. Bark Grey, fissured with age. Branches Ascending; grey twigs flattened at nodes with conical black buds. Leaves Pinnate, to 35cm long with 7–13 lanceolate, toothed leaflets. Reproductive parts Flowers small, purple, clustered. Fruits are single-winged ‘keys’, in bunches. Status Common native; prefers calcareous or base-rich soils.
    144418.jpg
  • Scarlet Oak Quercus coccinea (Fagaceae) HEIGHT to 28m<br />
Rather slender, domed tree. BARK Dark greyish-brown, smooth in young trees, ridged with maturity. BRANCHES Slender and spreading. LEAVES 15cm-long, even more deeply lobed than Pin Oak but less strongly bristle-tipped. In summer, leaves are glossy green above and paler below with small hair-tufts in vein axils below. Turn brilliant red in autumn, especially in cultivar Q. coccinea ‘Splendens’. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Acorns, to 2.5cm long, are rounded, half-enclosed in a slightly glossy cup. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of E North America. Planted here for its brilliant autumn colours.
    135434.jpg
  • Smooth Japanese Maple Acer palmatum (Aceraceae) HEIGHT to 16m. Small deciduous tree with a short, usually twisted bole, and domed crown. BARK Smooth brown bark with paler patches in young trees. BRANCHES Numerous and spreading, ending in thin reddish twigs with green undersides. LEAVES To 9cm long, with 5–7, sometimes 11, toothed lobes divided at least half-way to the base of leaf. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Dark purple-red flowers, in upright clusters of 12–15 on thin green or red 4cm-long pedicels, usually opening in April–May. Reddish fruits usually hang in clusters, each fruit about 2cm across, the wings diverging widely. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Japan, planted here for its compact shape, interesting foliage and fine autumn colours.
    132907.jpg
  • Beech Fagus sylvatica Fagaceae Height to 40m <br />
Imposing deciduous tree with domed crown. Bark Smooth and grey. Branches Ascending. Buds reddish, to 2cm long, smooth and pointed. Leaves To 10cm long, oval, pointed, with wavy margin. Reproductive parts Male flowers pendent, clustered. Female flowers paired with brownish bracts. Fruits are shiny 3-sided nuts, to 1.8cm long, enclosed in a prickly case. Status Common native in S England; widely planted elsewhere.
    132877.jpg
  • Downy Japanese Maple Acer japonicum (Aceraceae) HEIGHT to 14m Similar to Smooth Japanese Maple, but bole is often even shorter; note also, differences between the leaves. BARK Grey and smooth. BRANCHES Upright and sinuous. LEAVES Hairy when young, with veins remaining hairy through the season. Leaves are lobed, but divided less than half-way to base, with forward-pointing teeth on margins. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Purple flowers grow in long-stalked, pendulous clusters, opening just before leaves. Paired, winged fruits, to 5cm across, have wings diverging widely; margins hairy at first. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Japan, grown here for ornament; cultivar ‘Vitifolium’ is popular for its red autumn colours.
    132826.jpg
  • Field Maple Acer campestre Aceraceae Height to 26m <br />
Deciduous tree with rounded crown and twisted bole. Bark Grey-brown, fissured, corky. Branches Much-divided and dense. Shoots hairy, sometimes winged. Leaves To 12cm long, 3-lobed; turn yellow in autumn. Reproductive parts Yellowish flowers in erect clusters. Fruits, reddish, winged, in 4s. Status Common native of woods and hedgerows, especially on calcareous soils.
    132707.jpg
  • Field Maple Acer campestre Aceraceae Height to 26m <br />
Deciduous tree with rounded crown and twisted bole. Bark Grey-brown, fissured, corky. Branches Much-divided and dense. Shoots hairy, sometimes winged. Leaves To 12cm long, 3-lobed; turn yellow in autumn. Reproductive parts Yellowish flowers in erect clusters. Fruits, reddish, winged, in 4s. Status Common native of woods and hedgerows, especially on calcareous soils.
    132706.jpg
  • Japanese Cherry Prunus serrulata (Rosaceae) HEIGHT to 15m. A small to medium-sized deciduous tree. BARK Purple-brown, ringed by horizontal lines of prominent lenticels. BRANCHES Ascending, usually fanning out from the bole and terminating in smooth twigs. LEAVES Up to 20cm long, ovate and drawn out to a long tapering tip; the margin is sharply toothed and the smooth petiole, to 4cm long, has up to 4 red glands near the base. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS The white or pink flowers grow in clusters of 2–4, opening just before the leaves; in some cultivars so flowers are borne on a 8cm-long petiole, may have notched petals, and vary in shade from pure white to deep pink. Fruits are round, to 7mm long and deep purple-crimson; they seldom develop in cultivated trees. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Probably native to China, then introduced into Japan at a very early date, and subsequently brought to our region where now it is a very popular garden tree. Centuries of breeding and selection have made modern trees different from their wild ancestors, which are rarely seen. SIMILAR TREES Originally bred in Japan and ancient in origin, there are many cultivated forms of Cherry that are popular here as garden tree, and that are often collectively referred to as ‘Japanese Cherries’; typically they are known only by their cultivar names. Popular forms include: Prunus ‘Kanzan’ with magenta buds and pink flowers; Prunus ‘Shirofugen’ with pink buds and white double flowers; Prunus ‘Shirotae’ with large, white flowers; Prunus ‘Pink Perfection’ with pink double flowers.
    132492.jpg
  • Starling Sturnus vulgaris L 20-22cm. Familiar urban and rural bird with swaggering walk. Forms large flocks outside breeding season. Sexes are separable in summer. Adult male in summer has dark plumage with iridescence seen in good light. Legs are reddish and bill is yellow with blue base to lower mandible. Adult female in summer is similar but has some pale spots on underparts and pale yellow base to lower mandible. Winter adult (both sexes) has numerous white spots adorning dark plumage and dark bill. Juvenile is grey-brown, palest on throat; bill is dark; spotted body plumage acquired in winter. Voice Varied repertoire of clicks and whistles including mimicry. Status Widespread and common but declining. Found in all kinds of open habitats in winter. Often nests in house roofs.
    136784.jpg
  • Pink-footed Goose Anser brachyrhynchus L 60-75cm. Similar to Bean Goose, but smaller and more compact; smaller bill is marked with pink. Pink leg colour is diagnostic. In flight, note pale blue-grey back, rump and upperwing coverts, and extent of white on tail. Forms single-species flocks. Sexes are similar. Adult has dark chocolate-brown head and upper neck, grading to buffish brown on breast and belly. Back is blue-grey with pale feather margins. Juvenile is similar but back is buffish and feathers lack clear pale margins; leg and bill colours are dull. Voice Utters nasal, trumpeting cackles; higher pitched than Bean Goose. Status Locally common winter visitor, mainly from Iceland; favours stubble fields and grassland.
    139499.jpg
  • Pink-footed Goose Anser brachyrhynchus L 60-75cm. Similar to Bean Goose, but smaller and more compact; smaller bill is marked with pink. Pink leg colour is diagnostic. In flight, note pale blue-grey back, rump and upperwing coverts, and extent of white on tail. Forms single-species flocks. Sexes are similar. Adult has dark chocolate-brown head and upper neck, grading to buffish brown on breast and belly. Back is blue-grey with pale feather margins. Juvenile is similar but back is buffish and feathers lack clear pale margins; leg and bill colours are dull. Voice Utters nasal, trumpeting cackles; higher pitched than Bean Goose. Status Locally common winter visitor, mainly from Iceland; favours stubble fields and grassland.
    139502.jpg
  • Pink-footed Goose Anser brachyrhynchus L 60-75cm. Similar to Bean Goose, but smaller and more compact; smaller bill is marked with pink. Pink leg colour is diagnostic. In flight, note pale blue-grey back, rump and upperwing coverts, and extent of white on tail. Forms single-species flocks. Sexes are similar. Adult has dark chocolate-brown head and upper neck, grading to buffish brown on breast and belly. Back is blue-grey with pale feather margins. Juvenile is similar but back is buffish and feathers lack clear pale margins; leg and bill colours are dull. Voice Utters nasal, trumpeting cackles; higher pitched than Bean Goose. Status Locally common winter visitor, mainly from Iceland; favours stubble fields and grassland.
    139504.jpg
  • Turnstone Arenaria interpres L 23cm. Pugnacious wader with stout, triangular bill, used to turn stones in search of invertebrates. Feeds unobtrusively. All birds have reddish orange legs and black and white wing pattern in flight. Sexes are similar. Adult has orange-red on back, white underparts and bold black and white markings on head. Males have brighter back colours than females and more distinct black head markings. Winter adult has grey-brown upperparts, the head and neck. Breast is marked with blackish band that shows a clear demarcation from white underparts. Juvenile is similar to winter adult but upperparts are paler and back feathers have pale fringes. Voice Utters a rolling tuk-ut-ut in flight. Status Non-breeding visitor to coasts. Widespread and common.
    139591.jpg
  • Painted Storks At Sunset - Mycteria leucocephala
    139624.jpg
  • Lesser Whistling-ducks At Sunset - Dendrocygna javanica
    139623.jpg
  • Waders On The Wash
    139709.jpg
  • Waders On The Wash
    139710.jpg
  • Crane Grus grus L 95-115cm. Stately, long-legged, long-necked bird with bushy tail-end. In flight, wings are broad and long; flies with neck and legs outstretched. Typically wary. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly blue-grey plumage with black and white on head and neck; back sometimes appears rather brown. Note patch of red on hindcrown. Juvenile is similar to adult but head is pale buffish grey and lacks adult’s black and white markings. Voice Utters a loud, trumpeted rolling krrruu. Status Small population is resident in NE Norfolk, and successful breeding has occurred; also a scarce passage migrant and very occasional winter visitor.
    141077.jpg
  • Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta L 43cm. Elegant wader with distinctive black and white plumage. Feeds by sweeping diagnostic, upcurved bill from side-to-side through water. Gregarious outside breeding season. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly white plumage with black on crown, nape and wings. Legs are blue and bill is black. Juvenile is similar but black elements of plumage are dark brown. Voice Utters a ringing klueet-klueet… call. Status Favours shallow, coastal brackish lagoons in breeding season. In winter, found on estuaries, mainly in SW England.
    143281.jpg
  • Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria L 28cm. Beautifully marked wader. Call is evocative of desolate uplands in summer. Gregarious outside breeding season; often associates with Lapwings. In flight, note white underwings. Sexes are sometimes separable in summer. Adult in summer has spangled golden upperparts bordered by white band. In most males, belly is black, grading to grey on neck and face. Most females have less distinct dark underparts and face is often whitish. Breeders from N Europe (seen on migration) have darker underparts than British birds. In winter, underparts are pale, and head, neck and back are streaked golden. Juvenile is similar to winter adult. Voice Utters peeoo flight call and plaintive pu-peeoo in summer. Status Locally common breeding species on N upland moors and mountains. Widespread in winter on grassland and arable fields.
    143416.jpg
  • Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria L 28cm. Beautifully marked wader. Call is evocative of desolate uplands in summer. Gregarious outside breeding season; often associates with Lapwings. In flight, note white underwings. Sexes are sometimes separable in summer. Adult in summer has spangled golden upperparts bordered by white band. In most males, belly is black, grading to grey on neck and face. Most females have less distinct dark underparts and face is often whitish. Breeders from N Europe (seen on migration) have darker underparts than British birds. In winter, underparts are pale, and head, neck and back are streaked golden. Juvenile is similar to winter adult. Voice Utters peeoo flight call and plaintive pu-peeoo in summer. Status Locally common breeding species on N upland moors and mountains. Widespread in winter on grassland and arable fields.
    143417.jpg
  • Blackbird Turdus merula L 25-28cm. Familiar ground-dwelling bird. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has uniformly blackish plumage. Legs are dark but bill and eyering are yellow. 1st winter male is similar but bill is dark and eyering is dull. Adult and 1st winter female are brown, darkest on wings and tail, and palest on throat and streaked breast. Juvenile is similar to adult female but marked with pale spots. Voice Utters harsh and repeated tchak alarm call, often at dusk. Male has rich, fluty and varied song. Status Common and widespread in gardens, but in woodland, farmland and coasts. Upland birds move to lower levels in winter and migrants arrive from Europe.
    143880.jpg
  • Mute Swan Cygnus olor 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.
    143991.jpg
  • Dark-eyed Junco - Junco hyemalis (Slate-colored race) - male
    148225.jpg
  • Dark-eyed Junco - Junco hyemalis (Slate-colored race) - female
    148230.jpg
  • Clay-colored Sparrow - Spizella pallida
    147961.jpg
  • Clay-colored Sparrow - Spizella pallida
    147962.jpg
  • Clay-colored Sparrow - Spizella pallida - breeding adult
    147964.jpg
  • Clay-colored Sparrow - Spizella pallida - breeding adult
    147966.jpg
  • Barge cruising the River Thames in autumn near Newbridge, Oxfordshire, Uk
    156263.jpg
  • Rosy Starling - Sturnus roseus - Juvenile.  L 20-22cm. Found among flocks of Starlings. Adult has unmistakable pink and dark plumage. Juvenile is buffish grey with a yellow bill.
    155531.jpg
  • White Mulberry Morus alba (Moraceae) HEIGHT to 15m<br />
 Deciduous tree with a narrow rounded crown on a broad bole, to 2m across. BARK Heavily ridged and grey, sometimes tinged pinkish. BRANCHES Shoots are thin, with fine hairs at first; buds are minute, brown and pointed. LEAVES To 18cm long, oval to rounded with a heart-shaped base and a hairy, grooved petiole up to 2.5cm long. Feel thin and smooth, and have a toothed margin, with downy hairs on veins on underside. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Female flowers stalked, spike-like and yellowish. Male flowers on slightly longer spikes; whitish with prominent anthers. Fruit comprises a cluster of drupes; white or pink at first, ripening purple. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of E Asia, grown here occasionally. COMMENT The leaves are the foodplant for silkworms.
    117571.jpg
  • Dawn from Tolman Point near Old Town Bay on St Mary's, Isles of Scilly
    155068.jpg
  • Dawn from Tolman Point near Old Town Bay on St Mary's, Isles of Scilly
    155069.jpg
  • Sunset Amboseli National Park, Kenya
    102010.jpg
  • HOAR FROST ON LEAVES
    132636.jpg
  • Felbrigg Great Wood in Norfolk UK
    143263.jpg
  • Burghfield road bridge over the River Kennet by the Cunning Man pub looking downstream towards Reading, Berkshire in England
    154445.jpg
  • Autumn colour in the beech trees that line the Grand Avenue through Savernake Forest near Marlborough, Wiltshire, Uk
    144720.jpg
  • River Spey looking upstream from the road bridge towards the Cairngorm Mountains, Boat of Garten, Scotland, Uk
    145493.jpg
  • Divach Falls, Glen Urquhart, Drumnadrochit, Scottish Highlands, Uk
    145562.jpg
  • Divach Falls, Glen Urquhart, Drumnadrochit, Scottish Highlands, Uk
    145565.jpg
  • Plodda Falls, Glen Affric, Tomich, Scottish Highlands, Uk
    145567.jpg
  • Sunset over the rocks on Porthselau Beach looking towards St David's Head, Pembrokeshire, Wales
    145696.jpg
  • Ballan Wrasse Labrus bergylta Length to 30cm<br />
Our most familiar and colourful wrasse. Found inshore on rocky coasts, sometimes in rockpools too. Adult has a thickset body and a long dorsal fin characteristic of all wrasse. The colour is variable but often marbled reddish-brown or green. Widespread and locally common except off coast of E England.
    141879.jpg
  • Ancient Oak in Savernake Forest, Marlborough, Wiltshire. Pedunculate or English Oak Quercus robur Fagaceae Height to 36m. Spreading, deciduous tree with dense crown. Bark Grey, thick and fissured with age. Branches Dead branches emerge from canopy of ancient trees. Buds hairless. Leaves Deeply lobed with 2 auricles at base; on very short stalks (5mm or less). Reproductive parts Flowers are catkins. Acorns, in groups of 1–3, with long stalks and scaly cups. Status Widespread; prefers heavier clay soils to Sessile Oak.
    144730.jpg
  • Ancient Oak in Savernake Forest, Marlborough, Wiltshire. Pedunculate or English Oak Quercus robur Fagaceae Height to 36m. Spreading, deciduous tree with dense crown. Bark Grey, thick and fissured with age. Branches Dead branches emerge from canopy of ancient trees. Buds hairless. Leaves Deeply lobed with 2 auricles at base; on very short stalks (5mm or less). Reproductive parts Flowers are catkins. Acorns, in groups of 1–3, with long stalks and scaly cups. Status Widespread; prefers heavier clay soils to Sessile Oak.
    144727.jpg
  • Norway Maple Acer platanoides Aceraceae Height to 30m. Spreading deciduous tree. Bark Smooth, grey, ridged. Branches Less crowded than Sycamore; twigs green, often tinged red. Leaves To 15cm long with 5–7 toothed and sharply pointed lobes. Reproductive parts Greenish flowers, in erect clusters of 30–40. Paired wings of fruits spread almost horizontally. Status Introduced, widely planted and naturalised.
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  • Beech Fagus sylvatica Fagaceae Height to 40m. Imposing deciduous tree with domed crown. Bark Smooth and grey. Branches Ascending. Buds reddish, to 2cm long, smooth and pointed. Leaves To 10cm long, oval, pointed, with wavy margin. Reproductive parts Male flowers pendent, clustered. Female flowers paired with brownish bracts. Fruits are shiny 3-sided nuts, to 1.8cm long, enclosed in a prickly case. Status Common native in S England; widely planted elsewhere.
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  • Aspen Populus tremulus Salicaceae Height to 18m. Slender tree with a rounded crown. Suckers readily. Bark Ridged and fissured with age. Leaves Rounded to oval, with shallow marginal teeth, palest below; rustle in the slightest breeze and turn golden in autumn. Reproductive parts Reddish male catkins and greenish female catkins on different trees. Status Common on poor, damp soils.
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  • Ash Fraxinus excelsior Oleaceae Height to 40m. Deciduous tree with open crown. Bark Grey, fissured with age. Branches Ascending; grey twigs flattened at nodes with conical black buds. Leaves Pinnate, to 35cm long with 7–13 lanceolate, toothed leaflets. Reproductive parts Flowers small, purple, clustered. Fruits are single-winged ‘keys’, in bunches. Status Common native; prefers calcareous or base-rich soils.
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  • Smooth Japanese Maple Acer palmatum (Aceraceae) HEIGHT to 16m. Small deciduous tree with a short, usually twisted bole, and domed crown. BARK Smooth brown bark with paler patches in young trees. BRANCHES Numerous and spreading, ending in thin reddish twigs with green undersides. LEAVES To 9cm long, with 5–7, sometimes 11, toothed lobes divided at least half-way to the base of leaf. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Dark purple-red flowers, in upright clusters of 12–15 on thin green or red 4cm-long pedicels, usually opening in April–May. Reddish fruits usually hang in clusters, each fruit about 2cm across, the wings diverging widely. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Japan, planted here for its compact shape, interesting foliage and fine autumn colours.
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  • Sweet Gum Liquidamber styraciflua (Hamamelidaceae) HEIGHT to 28m. A large tree with attractive foliage. BARK Greyish brown with scaly ridges. BRANCHES Twisting and spreading to upcurved. LEAVES Sharply lobed with a toothed margin. They are alternate and give off a resinous scent when crushed, unlike maple leaves, which they resemble. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS The flowers are globose; fruits are spiny and pendulous, 2.5– 4cm across, resembling those of a Plane. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION A widespread and common native tree of the south-eastern USA as far south as Central America. Familiar here as a colourful autumn tree in many parks and gardens.
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  • Smooth Japanese Maple Acer palmatum (Aceraceae) HEIGHT to 16m. Small deciduous tree with a short, usually twisted bole, and domed crown. BARK Smooth brown bark with paler patches in young trees. BRANCHES Numerous and spreading, ending in thin reddish twigs with green undersides. LEAVES To 9cm long, with 5–7, sometimes 11, toothed lobes divided at least half-way to the base of leaf. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Dark purple-red flowers, in upright clusters of 12–15 on thin green or red 4cm-long pedicels, usually opening in April–May. Reddish fruits usually hang in clusters, each fruit about 2cm across, the wings diverging widely. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Japan, planted here for its compact shape, interesting foliage and fine autumn colours.
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  • Smooth Japanese Maple Acer palmatum (Aceraceae) HEIGHT to 16m. Small deciduous tree with a short, usually twisted bole, and domed crown. BARK Smooth brown bark with paler patches in young trees. BRANCHES Numerous and spreading, ending in thin reddish twigs with green undersides. LEAVES To 9cm long, with 5–7, sometimes 11, toothed lobes divided at least half-way to the base of leaf. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Dark purple-red flowers, in upright clusters of 12–15 on thin green or red 4cm-long pedicels, usually opening in April–May. Reddish fruits usually hang in clusters, each fruit about 2cm across, the wings diverging widely. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Japan, planted here for its compact shape, interesting foliage and fine autumn colours.
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  • Downy Japanese Maple Acer japonicum (Aceraceae) HEIGHT to 14m Similar to Smooth Japanese Maple, but bole is often even shorter; note also, differences between the leaves. BARK Grey and smooth. BRANCHES Upright and sinuous. LEAVES Hairy when young, with veins remaining hairy through the season. Leaves are lobed, but divided less than half-way to base, with forward-pointing teeth on margins. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Purple flowers grow in long-stalked, pendulous clusters, opening just before leaves. Paired, winged fruits, to 5cm across, have wings diverging widely; margins hairy at first. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Japan, grown here for ornament; cultivar ‘Vitifolium’ is popular for its red autumn colours.
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  • Persian Ironwood Parrotia persica (Hamamelidaceae) HEIGHT to 12m. A small, spreading deciduous tree with a short bole. BARK Smooth, peels away in flakes, leaving attractive coloured patches; older trees have a pattern of pink, brown and yellow. BRANCHES Mostly level. Young twigs are hairy, and terminate in blackish hairy buds. LEAVES To 7.5cm long, oval with a slightly tapering tip and a rounded base. The margins are wavy or sometimes slightly toothed. They are glossy green above and appear slightly crushed or crinkled, and the underside is slightly hairy. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Flowers appear before the leaves in early spring; they are short-stalked clusters, reddish and inconspicuous. The fruits are dry capsules that split open to release small pointed, shiny-brown seeds. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of the Caucasus and N Iran, introduced into Europe as an ornamental tree.
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  • Hawthorn-leaved Crab Malus florentina (Rosaceae) HEIGHT to 10m. Attractive and rather conical small tree with good blossom, small fruits and colourful autumn foliage. BARK Brown with yellowish scales. BRANCHES Mostly level to upright. LEAVES To 8cm long, sharply lobed, resembling those of Wild Service-tree. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Flowers whitish and fruits red, around 1cm across. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Possibly a hybrid between a Malus species and Wild Service-tree Sorbus torminalis, which it resembles. Planted occasionally.
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  • Swamp Cypress Taxodium distichum (Taxodiaceae) HEIGHT to 35m. Deciduous conifer, conical at first, becoming broader and domed with maturity. When growing in or near water, fluted trunk is surrounded by emergent ‘breathing roots’ (likened by some to knobbly knees) characteristic of this species. BARK Pale reddish-brown, peeling in thin fibrous strips. BRANCHES Upright or spreading in older trees, carrying 2 types of shoots: long shoots bear spirally arranged leaves, and alternate side-shoots bear flattened leaves set in 2 ranks. LEAVES Alternate, up to 2cm long, and pale green; a greyish band on the underside has a fine midrib. A mature tree colours well in autumn before shedding its needles. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male cones produced in slender, branching clusters up to 15cm long at end of 1-year-old shoots. Female cones are globose and woody, on short stalks, ripening purplish-brown in first year. Each scale has a small curved spine in the centre. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of S and SE USA, planted here for ornament.
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