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  • COTTON THISTLE Onopordum acanthium (Asteraceae) Height to 2.5m. Tall biennial with strongly winged stems armed with spines and coated in cottony down. Grows on waste and disturbed ground, and on verges. FLOWERS are borne in heads, 30-35mm across, with reddish purple florets and a globular base covered in spine-tipped bracts; in clusters (Jul-Sep). FRUITS have unbranched pappus hairs. LEAVES are oblong with wavy, spiny lobes; cottony on both surfaces. STATUS-Possibly introduced; now widespread and local in S and E England but scarce or absent elsewhere.
    131475.jpg
  • View over the Watership Down from White Hill, Kingsclere
    162375.jpg
  • Knap Hill on the Pewsey Downs from Walkers Hill, Alton Barnes, Wiltshire, Uk
    154551.jpg
  • Marbled White - Melanargia galathea - male (top row) - female (bottom row). Wingspan 50mm. Unmistakable meadow butterfly with a rather sluggish flight; feeds on the flowers of knapweeds and thistles. Adult has distinctive black and white patterns on upperwings; pattern is repeated on underwing although markings are subdued and there is an overall yellowish suffusion. Flies July–August. Larva feeds on grasses; strictly nocturnal. Locally common in southeast and central-southern England. Favours undisturbed meadows and downs, often on chalk but also on neutral soils.
    157180.jpg
  • Duke of Burgundy - Hamearis lucina - male (top row) - female (bottom row). Wingspan 25mm. A tiny butterfly, unrelated to true fritillary butterflies. Flight is rapid and buzzing. Adult has upperwings that are beautifully patterned with orange and brown; underwings, particularly hindwings, have striking white spots. Flies May–June. Larva is brown and is nocturnal; feeds mainly on Cowslip but also Primrose. Local and declining, confined to chalk downs in southern England where larval foodplants grow.
    157174.jpg
  • Duke of Burgundy Hamearis lucina Wingspan 25mm. A tiny butterfly, unrelated to true fritillary butterflies. Flight is rapid and buzzing. Adult has upperwings that are beautifully patterned with orange and brown; underwings, particularly hindwings, have striking white spots. Flies May–June. Larva is brown and is nocturnal; feeds mainly on Cowslip but also Primrose. Local and declining, confined to chalk downs in southern England where larval foodplants grow.
    145214.jpg
  • Marbled White Melanargia galathea Wingspan 50mm. Unmistakable meadow butterfly with a rather sluggish flight; feeds on the flowers of knapweeds and thistles. Adult has distinctive black and white patterns on upperwings; pattern is repeated on underwing although markings are subdued and there is an overall yellowish suffusion. Flies July–August. Larva feeds on grasses; strictly nocturnal. Locally common in southeast and central-southern England. Favours undisturbed meadows and downs, often on chalk but also on neutral soils.
    144957.jpg
  • Marbled White Melanargia galathea Wingspan 50mm. Unmistakable meadow butterfly with a rather sluggish flight; feeds on the flowers of knapweeds and thistles. Adult has distinctive black and white patterns on upperwings; pattern is repeated on underwing although markings are subdued and there is an overall yellowish suffusion. Flies July–August. Larva feeds on grasses; strictly nocturnal. Locally common in southeast and central-southern England. Favours undisturbed meadows and downs, often on chalk but also on neutral soils.
    144956.jpg
  • Marbled White Melanargia galathea Wingspan 50mm. Unmistakable meadow butterfly with a rather sluggish flight; feeds on the flowers of knapweeds and thistles. Adult has distinctive black and white patterns on upperwings; pattern is repeated on underwing although markings are subdued and there is an overall yellowish suffusion. Flies July–August. Larva feeds on grasses; strictly nocturnal. Locally common in southeast and central-southern England. Favours undisturbed meadows and downs, often on chalk but also on neutral soils.
    144955.jpg
  • Duke of Burgundy Hamearis lucina Wingspan 25mm. A tiny butterfly, unrelated to true fritillary butterflies. Flight is rapid and buzzing. Adult has upperwings that are beautifully patterned with orange and brown; underwings, particularly hindwings, have striking white spots. Flies May–June. Larva is brown and is nocturnal; feeds mainly on Cowslip but also Primrose. Local and declining, confined to chalk downs in southern England where larval foodplants grow.
    144905.jpg
  • Duke of Burgundy Hamearis lucina Wingspan 25mm. A tiny butterfly, unrelated to true fritillary butterflies. Flight is rapid and buzzing. Adult has upperwings that are beautifully patterned with orange and brown; underwings, particularly hindwings, have striking white spots. Flies May–June. Larva is brown and is nocturnal; feeds mainly on Cowslip but also Primrose. Local and declining, confined to chalk downs in southern England where larval foodplants grow.
    144904.jpg
  • Duke of Burgundy Hamearis lucina Wingspan 25mm. A tiny butterfly, unrelated to true fritillary butterflies. Flight is rapid and buzzing. Adult has upperwings that are beautifully patterned with orange and brown; underwings, particularly hindwings, have striking white spots. Flies May–June. Larva is brown and is nocturnal; feeds mainly on Cowslip but also Primrose. Local and declining, confined to chalk downs in southern England where larval foodplants grow.
    133840.jpg
  • Marbled White Melanargia galathea Wingspan 50mm. Unmistakable meadow butterfly with a rather sluggish flight; feeds on the flowers of knapweeds and thistles. Adult has distinctive black and white patterns on upperwings; pattern is repeated on underwing although markings are subdued and there is an overall yellowish suffusion. Flies July–August. Larva feeds on grasses; strictly nocturnal. Locally common in southeast and central-southern England. Favours undisturbed meadows and downs, often on chalk but also on neutral soils.
    119655.jpg
  • Marbled White Melanargia galathea Wingspan 50mm. Unmistakable meadow butterfly with a rather sluggish flight; feeds on the flowers of knapweeds and thistles. Adult has distinctive black and white patterns on upperwings; pattern is repeated on underwing although markings are subdued and there is an overall yellowish suffusion. Flies July–August. Larva feeds on grasses; strictly nocturnal. Locally common in southeast and central-southern England. Favours undisturbed meadows and downs, often on chalk but also on neutral soils.
    113950.jpg
  • Duke of Burgundy Hamearis lucina Wingspan 25mm. A tiny butterfly, unrelated to true fritillary butterflies. Flight is rapid and buzzing. Adult has upperwings that are beautifully patterned with orange and brown; underwings, particularly hindwings, have striking white spots. Flies May–June. Larva is brown and is nocturnal; feeds mainly on Cowslip but also Primrose. Local and declining, confined to chalk downs in southern England where larval foodplants grow.
    102645.jpg
  • Duke of Burgundy Hamearis lucina Wingspan 25mm. A tiny butterfly, unrelated to true fritillary butterflies. Flight is rapid and buzzing. Adult has upperwings that are beautifully patterned with orange and brown; underwings, particularly hindwings, have striking white spots. Flies May–June. Larva is brown and is nocturnal; feeds mainly on Cowslip but also Primrose. Local and declining, confined to chalk downs in southern England where larval foodplants grow.
    145064.jpg
  • Duke of Burgundy Hamearis lucina Wingspan 25mm. A tiny butterfly, unrelated to true fritillary butterflies. Flight is rapid and buzzing. Adult has upperwings that are beautifully patterned with orange and brown; underwings, particularly hindwings, have striking white spots. Flies May–June. Larva is brown and is nocturnal; feeds mainly on Cowslip but also Primrose. Local and declining, confined to chalk downs in southern England where larval foodplants grow.
    145065.jpg
  • Marbled White Melanargia galathea Wingspan 50mm. Unmistakable meadow butterfly with a rather sluggish flight; feeds on the flowers of knapweeds and thistles. Adult has distinctive black and white patterns on upperwings; pattern is repeated on underwing although markings are subdued and there is an overall yellowish suffusion. Flies July–August. Larva feeds on grasses; strictly nocturnal. Locally common in southeast and central-southern England. Favours undisturbed meadows and downs, often on chalk but also on neutral soils.
    144958.jpg
  • Marbled White Melanargia galathea Wingspan 50mm. Unmistakable meadow butterfly with a rather sluggish flight; feeds on the flowers of knapweeds and thistles. Adult has distinctive black and white patterns on upperwings; pattern is repeated on underwing although markings are subdued and there is an overall yellowish suffusion. Flies July–August. Larva feeds on grasses; strictly nocturnal. Locally common in southeast and central-southern England. Favours undisturbed meadows and downs, often on chalk but also on neutral soils.
    144954.jpg
  • Duke of Burgundy Hamearis lucina Wingspan 25mm. A tiny butterfly, unrelated to true fritillary butterflies. Flight is rapid and buzzing. Adult has upperwings that are beautifully patterned with orange and brown; underwings, particularly hindwings, have striking white spots. Flies May–June. Larva is brown and is nocturnal; feeds mainly on Cowslip but also Primrose. Local and declining, confined to chalk downs in southern England where larval foodplants grow.
    144906.jpg
  • Marbled White Melanargia galathea Wingspan 50mm. Unmistakable meadow butterfly with a rather sluggish flight; feeds on the flowers of knapweeds and thistles. Adult has distinctive black and white patterns on upperwings; pattern is repeated on underwing although markings are subdued and there is an overall yellowish suffusion. Flies July–August. Larva feeds on grasses; strictly nocturnal. Locally common in southeast and central-southern England. Favours undisturbed meadows and downs, often on chalk but also on neutral soils.
    136235.jpg
  • Duke of Burgundy Hamearis lucina Wingspan 25mm. A tiny butterfly, unrelated to true fritillary butterflies. Flight is rapid and buzzing. Adult has upperwings that are beautifully patterned with orange and brown; underwings, particularly hindwings, have striking white spots. Flies May–June. Larva is brown and is nocturnal; feeds mainly on Cowslip but also Primrose. Local and declining, confined to chalk downs in southern England where larval foodplants grow.
    133839.jpg
  • Duke of Burgundy Hamearis lucina Wingspan 25mm. A tiny butterfly, unrelated to true fritillary butterflies. Flight is rapid and buzzing. Adult has upperwings that are beautifully patterned with orange and brown; underwings, particularly hindwings, have striking white spots. Flies May–June. Larva is brown and is nocturnal; feeds mainly on Cowslip but also Primrose. Local and declining, confined to chalk downs in southern England where larval foodplants grow.
    125198.jpg
  • Duke of Burgundy Hamearis lucina Wingspan 25mm. A tiny butterfly, unrelated to true fritillary butterflies. Flight is rapid and buzzing. Adult has upperwings that are beautifully patterned with orange and brown; underwings, particularly hindwings, have striking white spots. Flies May–June. Larva is brown and is nocturnal; feeds mainly on Cowslip but also Primrose. Local and declining, confined to chalk downs in southern England where larval foodplants grow.
    123350.jpg
  • FLY HONEYSUCKLE Lonicera xylosteum (Height to 3m) is a more dainty and delicate relative of Honeysuckle. The yellow flowers are 1-2cm long and borne in pairs (May-Jun), and the leaves are ovate and stalked. It grows on steep chalk slopes on the South Downs, mainly in the vicinity of Arundel.
    134107.jpg
  • BULBOUS BUTTERCUP Ranunculus bulbosus (Ranunculaceae) Height to 40cm. Hairy perennial of dry grassland, including chalk downs. Note the swollen stem base. FLOWERS are 20-30mm across with 5 bright yellow petals and reflexed sepals; borne on furrowed stalks (Mar-Jul). FRUITS are smooth. LEAVES are divided into 3 lobes, each of which is stalked. STATUS-Widespread and often abundant.
    130717.jpg
  • BULBOUS BUTTERCUP Ranunculus bulbosus (Ranunculaceae) Height to 40cm. Hairy perennial of dry grassland, including chalk downs. Note the swollen stem base. FLOWERS are 20-30mm across with 5 bright yellow petals and reflexed sepals; borne on furrowed stalks (Mar-Jul). FRUITS are smooth. LEAVES are divided into 3 lobes, each of which is stalked. STATUS-Widespread and often abundant.
    130702.jpg
  • Hannington Tower and White Hill, Kingsclere Downs
    162374.jpg
  • Grayling - Hipparchia semele - male (top) - female (bottom). Wingspan 50mm. An active, sun-loving butterfly. Typically rests with its wings folded and angled to sun to cast the least shadow. Adult has well patterned underwings: hindwing is marbled grey and brown while forewing has an orange patch with two eyespots. Forewings are seldom revealed at rest, but are buffish brown with a yellowish submarginal band marked with eyespots. Flies June–August. Larva feeds on grasses. Widespread but only locally common, favouring warm, dry places including sea cliffs, heaths and dunes.
    157060.jpg
  • Aston Rowant National Nature Reserve, Bucks
    145190.jpg
  • Grayling Hipparchia semele Wingspan 50mm. An active, sun-loving butterfly. Typically rests with its wings folded and angled to sun to cast the least shadow. Adult has well patterned underwings: hindwing is marbled grey and brown while forewing has an orange patch with two eyespots. Forewings are seldom revealed at rest, but are buffish brown with a yellowish submarginal band marked with eyespots. Flies June–August. Larva feeds on grasses. Widespread but only locally common, favouring warm, dry places including sea cliffs, heaths and dunes.
    144914.jpg
  • Grayling Hipparchia semele Wingspan 50mm. An active, sun-loving butterfly. Typically rests with its wings folded and angled to sun to cast the least shadow. Adult has well patterned underwings: hindwing is marbled grey and brown while forewing has an orange patch with two eyespots. Forewings are seldom revealed at rest, but are buffish brown with a yellowish submarginal band marked with eyespots. Flies June–August. Larva feeds on grasses. Widespread but only locally common, favouring warm, dry places including sea cliffs, heaths and dunes.
    136160.jpg
  • Lesser Horseshoe Bat Rhinolophus hipposideros Wingspan 19.5-25cm Smaller than Greater Horseshoe Bat but with similar facial appearance. Adult has fluffy fur, greyish brown above and paler below. Nostrils are surrounded by afleshy, horseshoe-shaped structure. Ears and wings are greyish brown. Audible squeaks heard at nursery colonies. Echolocates in 105-115kHz range. Favours open woodland, but also feeds along hedgerows; insect caught in flight and gleaned from foliage. Roosts in roofs and cellars summer, hibernates in caves and mines. Rare, restricted to SW England and W Ireland. Emerges from roosts at dusk and feeds throughout night.
    127207.jpg
  • Bechstein’s Bat Myotis bechsteinii Wingspan 25-30cm Medium-sized and relatively long-eared bat. Adult has rather long, fluffy fur that is reddish brown above and greyish white below. Bare face is pinkish red and ears are rather long and broad, with 9 transverse folds visible and a long, pointed tragus. Wings are dark brown. Silent in range of human hearing. Rare, with only scattered records mainly in S England and S Wales. Associated mainly with deciduous woodland. Flight is fluttering. Roosts and hibernates in tree holes.
    128356.jpg
  • Bison - Bison bison bison
    159546.jpg
  • Fly Honeysuckle - Lonicera xylosteum
    159267.jpg
  • View of the town of Pollenca from the road to Puig de Maria, Majorca, Balearic Islands, Spain
    154498.jpg
  • BURNT ORCHID Neotinea ustulata (Orchidaceae) Height to 15cm. Charming perennial of chalk downland. FLOWERS are dark maroon in bud but have a red-spotted white lip and a red hood when open; borne in compact, somewhat cylindrical spikes that are fancifully reminiscent of intact cigar ash (May-Jul). FRUITS are egg-shaped. LEAVES are dull green; they form a basal rosette and also sheathe the stem. STATUS-Very locally common only in S England.
    137921.jpg
  • COMMON CENTAURY Centaurium erythraea (Gentianaceae) Height to 25cm. Variable, hairless annual that is found in dry, grassy places, including verges, chalk downland and sand dunes. FLOWERS are 10-15mm across, unstalked and pink with 5 petal-like lobes that open fully only in sunshine; borne in terminal clusters and on side shoots (Jun-Sep). FRUITS are capsules. LEAVES are grey-green and oval, those on the stem narrower than the basal ones (10-20mm across), which form a rosette; all leaves have 3-7 veins. STATUS-Widespread and common, except Scotland. Note-dwarf form var. capitatum (so-called Dumpy Centaury) occurs on coasts of England and Wales.
    131350.jpg
  • COMMON CENTAURY Centaurium erythraea (Gentianaceae) Height to 25cm. Variable, hairless annual that is found in dry, grassy places, including verges, chalk downland and sand dunes. FLOWERS are 10-15mm across, unstalked and pink with 5 petal-like lobes that open fully only in sunshine; borne in terminal clusters and on side shoots (Jun-Sep). FRUITS are capsules. LEAVES are grey-green and oval, those on the stem narrower than the basal ones (10-20mm across), which form a rosette; all leaves have 3-7 veins. STATUS-Widespread and common, except Scotland. Note-dwarf form var. capitatum (so-called Dumpy Centaury) occurs on coasts of England and Wales.
    131347.jpg
  • Cattle Bos primigenius Shoulder height 1-1.5m Male (bull) is larger and stockier than female (cow). In many breeds, both sexes have horns; those of male are usually larger than female’s. Juvenile (calf) resembles a small, hornless adult with cleaner coat. Bulls bellow. Breeds of dairy Cattle include Friesian, Guernsey, Jersey and Dairy Shorthorn. Breeds of beef cattle include Aberdeen Angus, Highland, Devon, Sussex, Hereford and Beef Shorthorn. Dual-purpose breeds include Belted Galloway and Red Devon.
    122247.jpg
  • Mallard Anas platyrhynchos 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.
    107487.jpg
  • Burnt Orchid - Neotinea ustulata
    162694.jpg
  • Common Centaury - Centaurium erythraea. Height to 25cm. Variable, hairless annual that is found in dry, grassy places, including verges, chalk downland and sand dunes. FLOWERS are 10-15mm across, unstalked and pink with 5 petal-like lobes that open fully only in sunshine; borne in terminal clusters and on side shoots (Jun-Sep). FRUITS are capsules. LEAVES are grey-green and oval, those on the stem narrower than the basal ones (10-20mm across), which form a rosette; all leaves have 3-7 veins. STATUS-Widespread and common, except Scotland. Note-dwarf form var. capitatum (so-called Dumpy Centaury) occurs on coasts of England and Wales.
    157347.jpg
  • Barn Owl Tyto alba L 34-38cm. Mainly nocturnal but sometimes hunts from late afternoon onwards. Feeds mainly on grassland small mammals. Flight is leisurely and slow on rounded wings. Responds well to nestbox schemes. Sexes are similar. Adult and juvenile have orange-buff upperparts speckled with tiny black and white dots. Facial disc is heart-shaped and white. In flight, underwings pure white. Voice Utters blood-curdling at night. Status Vulnerable and generally scarce resident species.
    143876.jpg
  • Burnt Orchid - Neotinea ustulata
    160975.jpg
  • Bison - Bison bison bison
    159557.jpg
  • Elk or Wapiti - Cervus canadensis
    159521.jpg
  • Elk or Wapiti - Cervus canadensis
    159520.jpg
  • Elk or Wapiti - Cervus canadensis
    159518.jpg
  • Elk or Wapiti - Cervus canadensis
    159514.jpg
  • Mountain Goat - Oreamnos americanus
    159500.jpg
  • Mountain Goat - Oreamnos americanus
    159499.jpg
  • Common Centaury - Centaurium erythraea
    159392.jpg
  • Common Centaury - Centaurium erythraea
    159278.jpg
  • Burnt Orchid - Neotinea ustulata
    160993.jpg
  • Burnt Orchid - Neotinea ustulata
    160974.jpg
  • Burnt Orchid - Neotinea ustulata
    160976.jpg
  • Elk or Wapiti - Cervus canadensis
    159517.jpg
  • Elk or Wapiti - Cervus canadensis
    159515.jpg
  • Dawn over Hannington Tower and Watership Down from Beacon Hill, Berkshire Downs.
    156697.jpg
  • Chalk Downland, Martin Down, Hampshire, UK
    129465.jpg
  • Sunrise from Beacon Hill on the Berkshire Downs near Highclere
    156698.jpg
  • Summer sunset over the Berkshire Downs near Kingsclere
    156584.jpg
  • View from the Berkshire Downs from the road looking towards Walbury Hill and Inkpen, Berkshire, Uk
    154439.jpg
  • Stone-curlew Burhinus oedicnemus L 38-45cm. Secretive, dry-country wader best known for its eerie calls. Well camouflaged in dry grassland and hard to spot. In flight, looks long-winged and gull-like, with striking black and white pattern on upperwing. Sexes are similar. Adult has streaked sandy brown plumage; black and white wingbars can be seen in standing birds. Has yellow legs, black-tipped yellow bill and large yellow eyes. Juvenile is similar to adult but markings are less distinctive. Voice Utters strange, curlew-like wails at dusk and throughout night. Status Scarce migrant visitor. Nests on chalk downs, Breckland heaths and suitably managed arable farmland.
    154346.jpg
  • BULBOUS BUTTERCUP Ranunculus bulbosus (Ranunculaceae) Height to 40cm. Hairy perennial of dry grassland, including chalk downs. Note the swollen stem base. FLOWERS are 20-30mm across with 5 bright yellow petals and reflexed sepals; borne on furrowed stalks (Mar-Jul). FRUITS are smooth. LEAVES are divided into 3 lobes, each of which is stalked. STATUS-Widespread and often abundant.
    130921.jpg
  • DWARF MILKWORT Polygala amarella (Height to 10cm) is a delicate downland perennial. It is similar to Chalk Milkwort but is smaller overall with tiny, usually pinkish flowers, 3-5mm long (May-Aug). It grows on chalk downs in Kent.
    129935.jpg
  • MOON CARROT Seseli libanotis (Height to 70cm) has ridged stems and is superficially similar to Wild Carrot alongside which it often grows. The flowers are white and borne in domed umbels with narrow bracts below (Jun-Aug); the base of the plant is often shrouded by old leaf remains. Moon Carrot grows on coastal downs near Seaford in Sussex, and is also found, locally, near Cambridge and Hitchin in Hertfordshire.
    129789.jpg
  • Stone-curlew Burhinus oedicnemus L 38-45cm. Secretive, dry-country wader best known for its eerie calls. Well camouflaged in dry grassland and hard to spot. In flight, looks long-winged and gull-like, with striking black and white pattern on upperwing. Sexes are similar. Adult has streaked sandy brown plumage; black and white wingbars can be seen in standing birds. Has yellow legs, black-tipped yellow bill and large yellow eyes. Juvenile is similar to adult but markings are less distinctive. Voice Utters strange, curlew-like wails at dusk and throughout night. Status Scarce migrant visitor. Nests on chalk downs, Breckland heaths and suitably managed arable farmland.
    143086.jpg
  • Stone-curlew Burhinus oedicnemus L 38-45cm. Secretive, dry-country wader best known for its eerie calls. Well camouflaged in dry grassland and hard to spot. In flight, looks long-winged and gull-like, with striking black and white pattern on upperwing. Sexes are similar. Adult has streaked sandy brown plumage; black and white wingbars can be seen in standing birds. Has yellow legs, black-tipped yellow bill and large yellow eyes. Juvenile is similar to adult but markings are less distinctive. Voice Utters strange, curlew-like wails at dusk and throughout night. Status Scarce migrant visitor. Nests on chalk downs, Breckland heaths and suitably managed arable farmland.
    143105.jpg
  • LATE SPIDER-ORCHID Ophrys fuciflora (Height to 50cm) is superficially similar to both Bee Orchid and Early Spider-orchid. It differs from the former in its broader, less rounded lip, the tip of which has a green, upturned appendage; from the latter it is told by its pink, not green, outer perianth segments. It is restricted to chalk downs in Kent.
    141373.jpg
  • LATE SPIDER-ORCHID Ophrys fuciflora (Height to 50cm) is superficially similar to both Bee Orchid and Early Spider-orchid. It differs from the former in its broader, less rounded lip, the tip of which has a green, upturned appendage; from the latter it is told by its pink, not green, outer perianth segments. It is restricted to chalk downs in Kent.
    141372.jpg
  • Stone-curlew Burhinus oedicnemus L 38-45cm. Secretive, dry-country wader best known for its eerie calls. Well camouflaged in dry grassland and hard to spot. In flight, looks long-winged and gull-like, with striking black and white pattern on upperwing. Sexes are similar. Adult has streaked sandy brown plumage; black and white wingbars can be seen in standing birds. Has yellow legs, black-tipped yellow bill and large yellow eyes. Juvenile is similar to adult but markings are less distinctive. Voice Utters strange, curlew-like wails at dusk and throughout night. Status Scarce migrant visitor. Nests on chalk downs, Breckland heaths and suitably managed arable farmland.
    127300.jpg
  • Stone-curlew Burhinus oedicnemus L 38-45cm. Secretive, dry-country wader best known for its eerie calls. Well camouflaged in dry grassland and hard to spot. In flight, looks long-winged and gull-like, with striking black and white pattern on upperwing. Sexes are similar. Adult has streaked sandy brown plumage; black and white wingbars can be seen in standing birds. Has yellow legs, black-tipped yellow bill and large yellow eyes. Juvenile is similar to adult but markings are less distinctive. Voice Utters strange, curlew-like wails at dusk and throughout night. Status Scarce migrant visitor. Nests on chalk downs, Breckland heaths and suitably managed arable farmland.
    127861.jpg
  • Stone-curlew Burhinus oedicnemus L 38-45cm. Secretive, dry-country wader best known for its eerie calls. Well camouflaged in dry grassland and hard to spot. In flight, looks long-winged and gull-like, with striking black and white pattern on upperwing. Sexes are similar. Adult has streaked sandy brown plumage; black and white wingbars can be seen in standing birds. Has yellow legs, black-tipped yellow bill and large yellow eyes. Juvenile is similar to adult but markings are less distinctive. Voice Utters strange, curlew-like wails at dusk and throughout night. Status Scarce migrant visitor. Nests on chalk downs, Breckland heaths and suitably managed arable farmland.
    127942.jpg
  • Stone-curlew Burhinus oedicnemus L 38-45cm. Secretive, dry-country wader best known for its eerie calls. Well camouflaged in dry grassland and hard to spot. In flight, looks long-winged and gull-like, with striking black and white pattern on upperwing. Sexes are similar. Adult has streaked sandy brown plumage; black and white wingbars can be seen in standing birds. Has yellow legs, black-tipped yellow bill and large yellow eyes. Juvenile is similar to adult but markings are less distinctive. Voice Utters strange, curlew-like wails at dusk and throughout night. Status Scarce migrant visitor. Nests on chalk downs, Breckland heaths and suitably managed arable farmland.
    143075.jpg
  • Chalk Fragrant-orchid - Gymnadenia conopsea
    159212.jpg
  • Dawn over Highclere Castle from Beacon Hill, Berkshire.
    156699.jpg
  • Mother Shipton - Callistege mi
    105317.jpg
  • Spotted Crake Porzana porzana L 19-22cm. Secretive wetland bird. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly brown upperparts and blue-grey underparts, all adorned with white spots; note dark-centred feathers on back and striking barring on flanks. Bill is yellow with a red base; face is marked with black and undertail coverts are pale buff. Legs and feet are greenish. Juvenile lacks adult’s dark face and throat and blue-grey elements of plumage are buffish grey. Voice Male’s territorial call is a repetitive whiplash-like whistle, uttered after dark. Status Migrant visitor. Favours impenetrable wetlands so breeding status is impossible to assess accurately.
    155381.jpg
  • Dawn over the River Thames from Wittenham Clumps near Dorchester, Oxfordshire, Uk
    154554.jpg
  • Thameside farm in the winter dawn light, Streatley on Thames, Oxfordshire
    154455.jpg
  • Goring and Streatley on Thames from hillside at Lardon Chase, Oxfordshire, Uk
    154458.jpg
  • Winter dawn along the River Thames at Goring Weir, Oxfordshire, Uk
    154464.jpg
  • Dark Green Fritillary Argynnis aglaia Wingspan 60mm. An active, fast-flying butterfly, seen skimming and gliding over open ground and feeding on the flowers of thistles and knapweeds. Adult has orange-brown upperwings; underside of hindwing is suffused with olive-green scaling. Flies July–August. Larva is black with spiky hairs; feeds on violets. Widespread but local on chalk downland and sand dunes in Britain and Ireland; commonest near coasts and in western half of region.
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  • CHILTERN GENTIAN Gentianella germanica (Height to 30cm) is similar to Autumn Gentian but it has larger flowers, 2cm across (Aug-Oct). It is grows on chalk downland and is confined mainly to the Chilterns, with outposts south to north Hampshire.
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  • YELLOW VETCHLING Lathyrus aphaca (Fabaceae) Height to 80cm. Hairless, scrambling annual with angled stems and a waxy, grey-green appearance. Restricted to chalk grassland. FLOWERS are 12mm long and yellow; solitary and borne on long stalks (Jun-Aug). FRUITS are curved, brown pods. LEAVES are reduced to tendrils but note the leaf-like stipules. STATUS-Locally common in S England only.
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  • CHILTERN GENTIAN Gentianella germanica (Height to 30cm) is similar to Autumn Gentian but it has larger flowers, 2cm across (Aug-Oct). It is grows on chalk downland and is confined mainly to the Chilterns, with outposts south to north Hampshire.
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  • Sawfly Orchid - Ophrys tenthredenifera
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  • Dark Green Fritillary - Argynnis aglaia - male (top) - female (bottom). Wingspan 60mm. An active, fast-flying butterfly, seen skimming and gliding over open ground and feeding on the flowers of thistles and knapweeds. Adult has orange-brown upperwings; underside of hindwing is suffused with olive-green scaling. Flies July–August. Larva is black with spiky hairs; feeds on violets. Widespread but local on chalk downland and sand dunes in Britain and Ireland; commonest near coasts and in western half of region.
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  • Chalk Fragrant-orchid - Gymnadenia conopsea
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  • Panorama of Walbury Hill from Coombe Gibbet, Inkpen near Newbury, Berkshire, Uk
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  • View over the River Thames and Thames Valley above Goring and Streatley in Oxfordshire, Uk
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  • Dark Green Fritillary Argynnis aglaia Wingspan 60mm. An active, fast-flying butterfly, seen skimming and gliding over open ground and feeding on the flowers of thistles and knapweeds. Adult has orange-brown upperwings; underside of hindwing is suffused with olive-green scaling. Flies July–August. Larva is black with spiky hairs; feeds on violets. Widespread but local on chalk downland and sand dunes in Britain and Ireland; commonest near coasts and in western half of region.
    144902.jpg
  • Dark Green Fritillary Argynnis aglaia Wingspan 60mm. An active, fast-flying butterfly, seen skimming and gliding over open ground and feeding on the flowers of thistles and knapweeds. Adult has orange-brown upperwings; underside of hindwing is suffused with olive-green scaling. Flies July–August. Larva is black with spiky hairs; feeds on violets. Widespread but local on chalk downland and sand dunes in Britain and Ireland; commonest near coasts and in western half of region.
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  • CHILTERN GENTIAN Gentianella germanica (Height to 30cm) is similar to Autumn Gentian but it has larger flowers, 2cm across (Aug-Oct). It is grows on chalk downland and is confined mainly to the Chilterns, with outposts south to north Hampshire.
    141588.jpg
  • CHILTERN GENTIAN Gentianella germanica (Height to 30cm) is similar to Autumn Gentian but it has larger flowers, 2cm across (Aug-Oct). It is grows on chalk downland and is confined mainly to the Chilterns, with outposts south to north Hampshire.
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  • ROUGH MARSH-MALLOW Althaea hirsuta (Malvaceae) Height to 60cm. Upright annual with simple and starry hairs. Found on downland and arable margins. FLOWERS are 25mm across, cup-shaped and long-stalked; pink petals are similar in length to sepals (Jun-Jul). FRUITS are rounded flat capsules. LEAVES are rounded at plant base but dissected up stem. STATUS-Rare, possibly native to Kent and Somerset.
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  • Spotted Crake Porzana porzana L 19-22cm. Secretive wetland bird. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly brown upperparts and blue-grey underparts, all adorned with white spots; note dark-centred feathers on back and striking barring on flanks. Bill is yellow with a red base; face is marked with black and undertail coverts are pale buff. Legs and feet are greenish. Juvenile lacks adult’s dark face and throat and blue-grey elements of plumage are buffish grey. Voice Male’s territorial call is a repetitive whiplash-like whistle, uttered after dark. Status Migrant visitor. Favours impenetrable wetlands so breeding status is impossible to assess accurately.
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