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  • Dune slack pool and coastal dune system at Kenfig Nature Reserve
    153723.jpg
  • Dune slack pool and coastal dune system at Kenfig Nature Reserve
    153722.jpg
  • Dune slack pool and coastal dune system at Kenfig Nature Reserve
    153721.jpg
  • Pompilus cinereus attacking Arctosa perita. A spider hunting wasp paralyses a Sand Dune Bear-Spider spider on sand dunes.
    155150.jpg
  • Coastal dunes and dune slacks at Holme Nature Reserve on the Norfolk coast
    154241.jpg
  • Coastal dunes and dune slacks at Holme Nature Reserve on the Norfolk coast
    154242.jpg
  • Mediterranean Dune Flora, Lesvos
    129519.jpg
  • Dune slacks at Kenfig Nature Reserve, South Wales
    153692.jpg
  • Ragged Robin - Lychnis flos-cuculi in the Dune slacks at Kenfig Nature Reserve, South Wales
    153699.jpg
  • Dune system at Kenfig Nature Reserve, South Wales
    153733.jpg
  • Dune system at Kenfig Nature Reserve, South Wales
    153735.jpg
  • Philodromus fallax (Philodromodae) - Female. Demonstrating very cryptic colouration on sand. Yellow and fore dune specialist.
    155147.jpg
  • Dune slacks at Kenfig Nature Reserve, South Wales
    153685.jpg
  • Dune slacks at Kenfig Nature Reserve, South Wales
    153687.jpg
  • Dune slacks at Kenfig Nature Reserve, South Wales
    153688.jpg
  • Dune slacks at Kenfig Nature Reserve, South Wales
    153689.jpg
  • Dune slacks at Kenfig Nature Reserve, South Wales
    153691.jpg
  • Dune slacks at Kenfig Nature Reserve, South Wales
    153690.jpg
  • Dune slacks at Kenfig Nature Reserve, South Wales
    153693.jpg
  • Dune slacks at Kenfig Nature Reserve, South Wales
    153694.jpg
  • Dune slacks at Kenfig Nature Reserve, South Wales
    153695.jpg
  • Rosebay Willowherb (Chamerion augustifolium) on the dune system at Holme Nature Reserve, Norfolk. Height to 1.5m. Showy perennial of waste ground, cleared woodland and riverbanks, on a wide range of soil types. FLOWERS are 2-3cm across with pinkish purple petals; borne in tall spikes (Jul-Sep). FRUITS are pods that contain cottony seeds. LEAVES are lanceolate and arranged spirally up the stems. STATUS-Widespread and common throughout.
    154253.jpg
  • Beach and dune system at Holme Nature Reserve on the Norfolk coast
    154255.jpg
  • Dune system at Kenfig Nature Reserve, South Wales
    153734.jpg
  • Dune system at Kenfig Nature Reserve, South Wales
    153736.jpg
  • YELLOW BIRD’S-NEST Monotropa hypopitys (Monotropaceae) Height to 10cm. Bizarre plant of beech and conifer woodland, but also found in dune slacks. Whole plant lacks chlorophyll and looks waxy yellow; food is obtained from soil leaf mould. FLOWERS are 10-15mm long and bell-shaped; borne in nodding spikes (Jun-Sep). FRUITS are capsules. LEAVES are scale-like. STATUS-Widespread but extremely local.
    132188.jpg
  • DEWBERRY Rubus caesius (Rosaceae) Height to 10cm<br />
Creeping perennial whose biennial stems bear weak prickles. Found in dry, grassy places but also in fens and dune slacks. FLOWERS are 2-2.5cm across with 5 white petals (Jun-Aug). FRUITS are bluish black, the large segments covered in a plum-like bloom. LEAVES are trifoliate and toothed. STATUS-Widespread and locally common.
    131993.jpg
  • DEWBERRY Rubus caesius (Rosaceae) Height to 10cm<br />
Creeping perennial whose biennial stems bear weak prickles. Found in dry, grassy places but also in fens and dune slacks. FLOWERS are 2-2.5cm across with 5 white petals (Jun-Aug). FRUITS are bluish black, the large segments covered in a plum-like bloom. LEAVES are trifoliate and toothed. STATUS-Widespread and locally common.
    130960.jpg
  • CORALROOT Orchid Corallorriza trifida (Orchidaceae) Height to 25cm. Intriguing, creeping perennial that grows in damp, shady woodland and in dune slacks. The plant is yellowish green and saprophytic, feeding on decaying plant matter, and it lacks leaves. FLOWERS are greenish white, the lip often tinged and streaked with red; in open spikes (Jun-Jul). FRUITS are egg-shaped. LEAVES are absent. STATUS-Widespread and very locally common only in N England and Scotland.
    130295.jpg
  • Beach and dune system at Holme Nature Reserve on the Norfolk coast
    154254.jpg
  • Bog Pimpernel - Anagallis tenella (Primulaceae) Creeping<br />
Delicate and attractive hairless perennial; has trailing stems and sometimes forms mats. Found on damp ground, such as bogs and dune slacks, and mainly on acid soils. FLOWERS are up to 1cm long, pink and funnel-shaped with 5 lobes; borne on slender, upright stalks (Jun-Aug). FRUITS are capsules. LEAVES are rounded, short-stalked and borne in opposite pairs.
    155450.jpg
  • Bog Pimpernel - Anagallis tenella (Primulaceae) Creeping<br />
Delicate and attractive hairless perennial; has trailing stems and sometimes forms mats. Found on damp ground, such as bogs and dune slacks, and mainly on acid soils. FLOWERS are up to 1cm long, pink and funnel-shaped with 5 lobes; borne on slender, upright stalks (Jun-Aug). FRUITS are capsules. LEAVES are rounded, short-stalked and borne in opposite pairs.
    155451.jpg
  • BLACK BOG-RUSH Schoenus nigricans Height to 50cm. Tufted perennial with rigid, smooth, round stems. Grows in bogs, dune slacks and marshes, usually on base-rich soils. Flowers are dark brown spikelets, in a terminal head, with a leaf-like bract (May-July). Fruits are whitish. Leaves are long, green, arising at base of plant. Commonest in N and W Britain, and Ireland
    118306.jpg
  • HEBRIDEAN MARSH-ORCHID Dactylorhiza ebudensis (Orchidaceae) Height to 52cm. Small, sturdy orchid of grazed and poached marshy dune slacks. Endemic to Britain. FLOWERS are purple with a 3-lobed lip; borne in short, open spikes (May-Jun). FRUITS are egg-shaped. LEAVES are glossy dark green, heavily marked and blotched with purple, and sometimes uniformly deep purple on upperside. STATUS-Rare, almost confined to a few spots on North Uist, Outer Hebrides.
    143399.jpg
  • HEBRIDEAN MARSH-ORCHID Dactylorhiza ebudensis (Orchidaceae) Height to 52cm. Small, sturdy orchid of grazed and poached marshy dune slacks. Endemic to Britain. FLOWERS are purple with a 3-lobed lip; borne in short, open spikes (May-Jun). FRUITS are egg-shaped. LEAVES are glossy dark green, heavily marked and blotched with purple, and sometimes uniformly deep purple on upperside. STATUS-Rare, almost confined to a few spots on North Uist, Outer Hebrides.
    156652.jpg
  • ROUND-LEAVED WINTERGREEN Pyrola rotundifolia (Pyrolaceae) Height to 15cm. Low-growing perennial of damp, calcareous ground including fens and coastal dune slacks. FLOWERS are 8-12mm across, white and bell-shaped; style is S-shaped and protrudes beyond petals (May-Aug). FRUITS are capsules. LEAVES are rounded, long-stalked and form a basal rosette. STATUS-Local and declining across its range.
    131183.jpg
  • ROUND-LEAVED WINTERGREEN Pyrola rotundifolia (Pyrolaceae) Height to 15cm. Low-growing perennial of damp, calcareous ground including fens and coastal dune slacks. FLOWERS are 8-12mm across, white and bell-shaped; style is S-shaped and protrudes beyond petals (May-Aug). FRUITS are capsules. LEAVES are rounded, long-stalked and form a basal rosette. STATUS-Local and declining across its range.
    131181.jpg
  • BOG PIMPERNEL Anagallis tenella (Primulaceae) Creeping<br />
Delicate and attractive hairless perennial; has trailing stems and sometimes forms mats. Found on damp ground, such as bogs and dune slacks, and mainly on acid soils. FLOWERS are up to 1cm long, pink and funnel-shaped with 5 lobes; borne on slender, upright stalks (Jun-Aug). FRUITS are capsules. LEAVES are rounded, short-stalked and borne in opposite pairs.
    110514.jpg
  • BALTIC RUSH Juncus balticus (Juncaceae) Height to 75cm<br />
Perennial of northern dune slacks. Stems are  green, glossy and smooth. FLOWERS are  brown, including tepals,  and borne in small open clusters (Jun-Aug). FRUITS are brown, egg-shape and pointed at tip. LEAVES are absent. STATUS-Locally common, coasts of N and NE Scotland only.
    143395.jpg
  • HEBRIDEAN MARSH-ORCHID Dactylorhiza ebudensis (Orchidaceae) Height to 52cm. Small, sturdy orchid of grazed and poached marshy dune slacks. Endemic to Britain. FLOWERS are purple with a 3-lobed lip; borne in short, open spikes (May-Jun). FRUITS are egg-shaped. LEAVES are glossy dark green, heavily marked and blotched with purple, and sometimes uniformly deep purple on upperside. STATUS-Rare, almost confined to a few spots on North Uist, Outer Hebrides.
    143401.jpg
  • Dune Gentian - Gentianella amarella subsp. occidentalis
    164490.tif
  • Dune Gentian - Gentianella amarella subsp. occidentalis
    164491.tif
  • Creeping Willow Salix repens Salicaceae Height to 1.5m<br />
Low-growing and creeping shrub. Shoots Sometimes downy and usually reddish brown. Leaves Ovate, usually untoothed, to 4cm long; hairless above when mature, with silky hairs below. Reproductive parts Catkins. Status Locally common on moors, heaths and coastal dune-slacks.
    133882.jpg
  • Creeping Willow Salix repens Salicaceae Height to 1.5m<br />
Low-growing and creeping shrub. Shoots Sometimes downy and usually reddish brown. Leaves Ovate, usually untoothed, to 4cm long; hairless above when mature, with silky hairs below. Reproductive parts Catkins. Status Locally common on moors, heaths and coastal dune-slacks.
    133573.jpg
  • Creeping Willow Salix repens Salicaceae Height to 1.5m<br />
Low-growing and creeping shrub. Shoots Sometimes downy and usually reddish brown. Leaves Ovate, usually untoothed, to 4cm long; hairless above when mature, with silky hairs below. Reproductive parts Catkins. Status Locally common on moors, heaths and coastal dune-slacks.
    133572.jpg
  • Creeping Willow Salix repens Salicaceae Height to 1.5m<br />
Low-growing and creeping shrub. Shoots Sometimes downy and usually reddish brown. Leaves Ovate, usually untoothed, to 4cm long; hairless above when mature, with silky hairs below. Reproductive parts Catkins. Status Locally common on moors, heaths and coastal dune-slacks.
    154626.jpg
  • Pelecopsis nemoraloides - male. This little money spider is confined to coastal habitats such as dunes and spiins a small sheet web in the litter layer.
    157136.jpg
  • Pelecopsis nemoraloides - male. This little money spider is confined to coastal habitats such as dunes and spiins a small sheet web in the litter layer.
    156842.jpg
  • Wild Thyme - Thymus polytrichus (Lamiaceae) Height to 5cm<br />
Creeping and mat-forming perennial with slender, woody runners. The whole plant is faintly aromatic, smelling of culinary thyme. Grows on dry grassland and heaths, and coastal cliffs and dunes. FLOWERS are 3-4mm long and pinkish purple; borne in dense, terminal heads with dark, purplish calyx tubes, on 4-angled stems that are hairy on 2 opposite sides (Jun-Sep). FRUITS are nutlets. LEAVES are ovate, short-stalked and borne in opposite pairs. STATUS-Widespread and common throughout the region.
    156543.jpg
  • Thyme growing on Lundy Island, Devon. Wild Thyme - Thymus polytrichus (Lamiaceae) Height to 5cm<br />
Creeping and mat-forming perennial with slender, woody runners. The whole plant is faintly aromatic, smelling of culinary thyme. Grows on dry grassland and heaths, and coastal cliffs and dunes. FLOWERS are 3-4mm long and pinkish purple; borne in dense, terminal heads with dark, purplish calyx tubes, on 4-angled stems that are hairy on 2 opposite sides (Jun-Sep). FRUITS are nutlets. LEAVES are ovate, short-stalked and borne in opposite pairs. STATUS-Widespread and common throughout the region.
    156517.jpg
  • Natterjack Toad Epidalea calamita Local and scarce, and legally protected in Britain. Has a rather flattened body, short hind legs and greenish yellow iris. Burrows walk and walks rather than hops. Breeds (mainly April-June) in seasonally drying and sometimes slightly saline pools. Adult has diagnostic pale yellowish vertebral stripe. Skin is warty and ground colour can be yellowish brown or greenish brown. Back is usually darker than flanks and marbled with dark spots; underparts are creamy white. Juvenile resembles a tiny, large-headed adult with reddish warts. Male utters a purring croak, often after dark, when courting. Rare in Britain, found mainly on lowland heathlands and coastal dunes, but also on stabilised saltmarshes
    155933.jpg
  • Agroeca inopina, Liocranidae. Female. Ground living nocturnal hunting spider. Warm, dry places eg dunes amongst litter.
    155108.jpg
  • Agroeca inopina, Liocranidae. Female. Ground living nocturnal hunting spider. Warm, dry places eg dunes amongst litter.
    155109.jpg
  • LIZARD ORCHID Himantoglossum hircinum (Orchidaceae) Height to 1m. Extraordinary orchid of scrub, undisturbed grassland and stabilised dunes. Bizarrely, the flowers smell of goats. FLOWERS have a greenish grey hood, adorned on the inside with reddish streaks, and an extremely long and twisted lip (up to 5cm); borne in tall spikes (May-Jul). FRUITS form and swell at the base of the flowers. LEAVES comprise oval basal leaves that soon wither, and smaller stem leaves that persist. STATUS-Regularly seen in E Kent only; very occasionally turns up elsewhere.
    154943.jpg
  • LIZARD ORCHID Himantoglossum hircinum (Orchidaceae) Height to 1m. Extraordinary orchid of scrub, undisturbed grassland and stabilised dunes. Bizarrely, the flowers smell of goats. FLOWERS have a greenish grey hood, adorned on the inside with reddish streaks, and an extremely long and twisted lip (up to 5cm); borne in tall spikes (May-Jul). FRUITS form and swell at the base of the flowers. LEAVES comprise oval basal leaves that soon wither, and smaller stem leaves that persist. STATUS-Regularly seen in E Kent only; very occasionally turns up elsewhere.
    154944.jpg
  • LIZARD ORCHID Himantoglossum hircinum (Orchidaceae) Height to 1m. Extraordinary orchid of scrub, undisturbed grassland and stabilised dunes. Bizarrely, the flowers smell of goats. FLOWERS have a greenish grey hood, adorned on the inside with reddish streaks, and an extremely long and twisted lip (up to 5cm); borne in tall spikes (May-Jul). FRUITS form and swell at the base of the flowers. LEAVES comprise oval basal leaves that soon wither, and smaller stem leaves that persist. STATUS-Regularly seen in E Kent only; very occasionally turns up elsewhere.
    154945.jpg
  • Footpath through the dunes at Holme Nature Reserve on the Norfolk coast
    154243.jpg
  • Boardwalk across the dunes at Holme Nature Reserve, Norfolk
    154246.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.
    127424.jpg
  • COMMON CORNSALAD Valerianella locusta (Valerianaceae) Height to 30cm. Branched and almost hairless annual. Grows in dry, grassy and bare places including arable land, old walls and dunes. FLOWERS are 1-2mm across, the corolla pinkish lilac and 5-lobed; borne in flat-topped terminal clusters, 1-2cm across (Apr-Aug). FRUITS are flattened and rather ovate. LEAVES are spoon-shaped towards the base of the plant but oblong higher up. STATUS-Widespread across the region but only locally common.
    143168.jpg
  • COMMON CORNSALAD Valerianella locusta (Valerianaceae) Height to 30cm. Branched and almost hairless annual. Grows in dry, grassy and bare places including arable land, old walls and dunes. FLOWERS are 1-2mm across, the corolla pinkish lilac and 5-lobed; borne in flat-topped terminal clusters, 1-2cm across (Apr-Aug). FRUITS are flattened and rather ovate. LEAVES are spoon-shaped towards the base of the plant but oblong higher up. STATUS-Widespread across the region but only locally common.
    143165.jpg
  • WILD THYME Thymus polytrichus (Lamiaceae) Height to 5cm<br />
Creeping and mat-forming perennial with slender, woody runners. The whole plant is faintly aromatic, smelling of culinary thyme. Grows on dry grassland and heaths, and coastal cliffs and dunes. FLOWERS are 3-4mm long and pinkish purple; borne in dense, terminal heads with dark, purplish calyx tubes, on 4-angled stems that are hairy on 2 opposite sides (Jun-Sep). FRUITS are nutlets. LEAVES are ovate, short-stalked and borne in opposite pairs. STATUS-Widespread and common throughout the region.
    141594.jpg
  • WILD THYME Thymus polytrichus (Lamiaceae) Height to 5cm<br />
Creeping and mat-forming perennial with slender, woody runners. The whole plant is faintly aromatic, smelling of culinary thyme. Grows on dry grassland and heaths, and coastal cliffs and dunes. FLOWERS are 3-4mm long and pinkish purple; borne in dense, terminal heads with dark, purplish calyx tubes, on 4-angled stems that are hairy on 2 opposite sides (Jun-Sep). FRUITS are nutlets. LEAVES are ovate, short-stalked and borne in opposite pairs. STATUS-Widespread and common throughout the region.
    141577.jpg
  • SEA RADISH Raphanus raphanistrum maritimus (Brassicaceae) Height to 60cm. Robust, roughly hairy annual. Found on stabilised shingle, sand dunes and coastal grassland. FLOWERS are yellow (May-Jul). FRUITS are pods with up to 5 beaded segments. LEAVES comprise pinnate lower leaves and narrow, entire upper ones. STATUS-Locally common in S and SW only.
    141475.jpg
  • SAND CAT’S-TAIL Phleum arenarium Height to 20cm<br />
Short perennial of coastal dunes. FLOWERS are borne in dense, cylindrical heads, 1-2cm long (June-July). FRUITS are small, dry nutlets. LEAVES are rough and flat with pointed ligules. STATUS-Widespread but almost exclusively coastal, although absent from north and west Scotland.
    137727.jpg
  • SEA-BUCKTHORN Hippophae rhamnoides (Elaeagnaceae) Height to 10m. Branched, dense and thorny shrub. Native to stabilised coastal sand dunes but also widely planted. FLOWERS are tiny and greenish, male and female flowers on separate plants (Mar-Apr). FRUITS are bright orange berries (on female plants only). LEAVES are narrow and greyish green. STATUS-Native to E coast but planted elsewhere.
    133924.jpg
  • BLUE FLEABANE Erigeron acer (Asteraceae) Height to 30cm<br />
Roughly hairy annual or biennial; stems are stiff and tinged reddish. Grows in dry, grassy places and on coastal shingle and dunes. FLOWERS are borne in heads, 12-18mm across, the bluish purple ray florets mainly concealing the yellow disc florets; in clusters (Jun-Aug). FRUITS are achenes. LEAVES are spoon-shaped and stalked at base of plant; narrow and unstalked on stem. STATUS-Widespread only in England and Wales.
    132220.jpg
  • BLUE FLEABANE Erigeron acer (Asteraceae) Height to 30cm<br />
Roughly hairy annual or biennial; stems are stiff and tinged reddish. Grows in dry, grassy places and on coastal shingle and dunes. FLOWERS are borne in heads, 12-18mm across, the bluish purple ray florets mainly concealing the yellow disc florets; in clusters (Jun-Aug). FRUITS are achenes. LEAVES are spoon-shaped and stalked at base of plant; narrow and unstalked on stem. STATUS-Widespread only in England and Wales.
    131920.jpg
  • BLUE FLEABANE Erigeron acer (Asteraceae) Height to 30cm<br />
Roughly hairy annual or biennial; stems are stiff and tinged reddish. Grows in dry, grassy places and on coastal shingle and dunes. FLOWERS are borne in heads, 12-18mm across, the bluish purple ray florets mainly concealing the yellow disc florets; in clusters (Jun-Aug). FRUITS are achenes. LEAVES are spoon-shaped and stalked at base of plant; narrow and unstalked on stem. STATUS-Widespread only in England and Wales.
    131919.jpg
  • JOINTED RUSH Juncus articulatus (Juncaceae) Height to 60cm. Creeping or tufted and upright perennial that grows in marshes and on damp heaths, moors and dune-slacks. FLOWERS are brown and borne in open, branched clusters (Jun-Aug). FRUITS are brown, egg-shaped and abruptly pointed at the tip. LEAVES are curved, narrow and flattened with a transverse joint. STATUS-Locally common.
    131387.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
  • LESSER MEADOW-RUE Thalictrum minus (Ranunculaceae) Height to 1m. Variable, often short perennial of dunes, dry grassland and rocky slopes; mainly on basic soils. FLOWERS are yellowish, tinged purple, with prominent dangling stamens; in open clusters, flowers drooping at first then erect (Jun-Aug). FRUITS are dry and papery. LEAVES are pinnately divided 3 or 4 times. STATUS-Widespread but local.
    131340.jpg
  • SHEEP’S-BIT Jasione montana (Campanulaceae) Height to 30cm. Attractive, spreading and downy biennial that grows in dry grassland, and on coastal cliffs, heaths and dunes, favouring acid soils and absent from calcareous locations. FLOWERS are sky blue and borne in rounded heads, 30-35mm across, on slender stalks (May-Sep). Note that the anthers do not project (cf. Devil’s-bit Scabious). FRUITS are dry capsules. LEAVES are wavy-edged and hairy at the base, forming a rosette, but narrow on the stem. STATUS-Widespread but local, and commonest in W and near the sea.
    131162.jpg
  • WILD THYME Thymus polytrichus (Lamiaceae) Height to 5cm<br />
Creeping and mat-forming perennial with slender, woody runners. The whole plant is faintly aromatic, smelling of culinary thyme. Grows on dry grassland and heaths, and coastal cliffs and dunes. FLOWERS are 3-4mm long and pinkish purple; borne in dense, terminal heads with dark, purplish calyx tubes, on 4-angled stems that are hairy on 2 opposite sides (Jun-Sep). FRUITS are nutlets. LEAVES are ovate, short-stalked and borne in opposite pairs. STATUS-Widespread and common throughout the region.
    131135.jpg
  • SEA BINDWEED Calystegia soldanella (Convolvulaceae) Creeping. Prostrate perennial that grows on sand dunes, and occasionally on stabilised shingle. FLOWERS are 3-5cm across, funnel-shaped and pink with 5 white stripes; on slender stalks (Jun-Aug). FRUITS are capsules. LEAVES are kidney-shaped, fleshy, up to 4cm long and long-stalked. STATUS-Widespread on coasts but locally common only in S.
    131128.jpg
  • SAND SEDGE Carex arenaria (Cyperaceae) Height to 35cm<br />
Creeping perennial of sand dunes. Progress of its underground stems can be detected by aerial shoots, which appear in straight lines. FLOWERS comprise pale brown spikes, in a terminal head, male flowers above females (May-Jul). FRUITS are yellowish brown and beaked. LEAVES are wiry. STATUS-Locally common on most suitable coasts.
    130887.jpg
  • MARRAM Ammophila arenaria Height to 1m<br />
Perennial of coastal dunes that colonises and stabilises shifting sands by means of its underground stems. FLOWERS are borne in dense spikes, with 1-flowered, straw-coloured spikelets (Jul-Aug). FRUITS are small, dry nutlets. LEAVES are tough, grey-green, rolled and sharply pointed. STATUS-Widespread and common on suitable coasts.
    130358.jpg
  • Sea Spurge (Euphorbia paralias) Upright perennial of sandy beaches and dunes. FLOWERS are yellowish with petal-like bracts and horned lobes (petals and sepals are absent); in umbel-like heads (Jun-Oct). FRUITS are smooth. LEAVES are grey-green, fleshy and closely packed up stems.
    101960.jpg
  • YELLOW-RATTLE Rhinanthus minor (Scrophulariaceae) Height to 45cm. Variable, upright and almost hairless annual that is semi-parasitic on the roots of other plants. The stems are stiff, 4-angled and often marked with dark spots and streaks. Grows in undisturbed meadows and stabilised dunes. FLOWERS are 10-20mm long, the corolla yellow, 2-lipped and somewhat tubular and straight, the 2 teeth on the upper lip are 1mm long; borne in spikes with triangular, toothed and leaf-like green bracts (May-Sep). FRUITS are inflated capsules inside which the ripe seeds do indeed rattle. LEAVES are oblong with rounded teeth. STATUS-Widespread and common.
    143564.jpg
  • MARRAM Ammophila arenaria Height to 1m<br />
Perennial of coastal dunes that colonises and stabilises shifting sands by means of its underground stems. FLOWERS are borne in dense spikes, with 1-flowered, straw-coloured spikelets (Jul-Aug). FRUITS are small, dry nutlets. LEAVES are tough, grey-green, rolled and sharply pointed. STATUS-Widespread and common on suitable coasts.
    144552.jpg
  • Sand Lizard Lacerta agilis Length 16-19cm Bulky lizard. Hibernates Sept-Mar. Females lay eggs. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has relatively large head. Ground colour of back is typically buffish brown but note three rows of white-centred dark spots along length of body. Head and flanks are flushed bright green in spring and summer. Adult female has smaller head and more bulky body than male. Ground colour is pale to rich brown with three longitudinal rows of eyespots. Juvenile recalls a small, slender adult female with eyespots on back and flanks. In Britain (where protected by law), restricted to heathland sites in Dorset and Surrey, and coastal sand dunes in Merseyside.
    118485.jpg
  • Sand Lizard Lacerta agilis Length 16-19cm Bulky lizard. Hibernates Sept-Mar. Females lay eggs. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has relatively large head. Ground colour of back is typically buffish brown but note three rows of white-centred dark spots along length of body. Head and flanks are flushed bright green in spring and summer. Adult female has smaller head and more bulky body than male. Ground colour is pale to rich brown with three longitudinal rows of eyespots. Juvenile recalls a small, slender adult female with eyespots on back and flanks. In Britain (where protected by law), restricted to heathland sites in Dorset and Surrey, and coastal sand dunes in Merseyside.
    119942.jpg
  • Natterjack Toad Epidalea calamita Local and scarce, and legally protected in Britain. Has a rather flattened body, short hind legs and greenish yellow iris. Burrows walk and walks rather than hops. Breeds (mainly April-June) in seasonally drying and sometimes slightly saline pools. Adult has diagnostic pale yellowish vertebral stripe. Skin is warty and ground colour can be yellowish brown or greenish brown. Back is usually darker than flanks and marbled with dark spots; underparts are creamy white. Juvenile resembles a tiny, large-headed adult with reddish warts. Male utters a purring croak, often after dark, when courting. Rare in Britain, found mainly on lowland heathlands and coastal dunes, but also on stabilised saltmarshes
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  • Natterjack Toad Epidalea calamita Local and scarce, and legally protected in Britain. Has a rather flattened body, short hind legs and greenish yellow iris. Burrows walk and walks rather than hops. Breeds (mainly April-June) in seasonally drying and sometimes slightly saline pools. Adult has diagnostic pale yellowish vertebral stripe. Skin is warty and ground colour can be yellowish brown or greenish brown. Back is usually darker than flanks and marbled with dark spots; underparts are creamy white. Juvenile resembles a tiny, large-headed adult with reddish warts. Male utters a purring croak, often after dark, when courting. Rare in Britain, found mainly on lowland heathlands and coastal dunes, but also on stabilised saltmarshes
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  • Natterjack Toad Epidalea calamita Local and scarce, and legally protected in Britain. Has a rather flattened body, short hind legs and greenish yellow iris. Burrows walk and walks rather than hops. Breeds (mainly April-June) in seasonally drying and sometimes slightly saline pools. Adult has diagnostic pale yellowish vertebral stripe. Skin is warty and ground colour can be yellowish brown or greenish brown. Back is usually darker than flanks and marbled with dark spots; underparts are creamy white. Juvenile resembles a tiny, large-headed adult with reddish warts. Male utters a purring croak, often after dark, when courting. Rare in Britain, found mainly on lowland heathlands and coastal dunes, but also on stabilised saltmarshes
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  • Sand Lizard Lacerta agilis Length 16-19cm Bulky lizard. Hibernates Sept-Mar. Females lay eggs. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has relatively large head. Ground colour of back is typically buffish brown but note three rows of white-centred dark spots along length of body. Head and flanks are flushed bright green in spring and summer. Adult female has smaller head and more bulky body than male. Ground colour is pale to rich brown with three longitudinal rows of eyespots. Juvenile recalls a small, slender adult female with eyespots on back and flanks. In Britain (where protected by law), restricted to heathland sites in Dorset and Surrey, and coastal sand dunes in Merseyside.
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  • 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.
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  • 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.
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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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  • Marpissa nivoyi - female. A jumping spider adapted to hunting on grass stems. It is a rare spider most often occurring amongst Marram Grass on sand dunes.
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  • Pelecopsis nemoraloides - male. This little money spider is confined to coastal habitats such as dunes and spiins a small sheet web in the litter layer.
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  • Trichopterna cito - male. A very rare RDB2 spider that only occurs in a few coastal locations in South East England on dunes and shingle.
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  • Trichopterna cito - male. A very rare RDB2 spider that only occurs in a few coastal locations in South East England on dunes and shingle.
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  • Agroeca inopina, Liocranidae. Female. Ground living nocturnal hunting spider. Warm, dry places eg dunes.
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  • LIZARD ORCHID Himantoglossum hircinum (Orchidaceae) Height to 1m. Extraordinary orchid of scrub, undisturbed grassland and stabilised dunes. Bizarrely, the flowers smell of goats. FLOWERS have a greenish grey hood, adorned on the inside with reddish streaks, and an extremely long and twisted lip (up to 5cm); borne in tall spikes (May-Jul). FRUITS form and swell at the base of the flowers. LEAVES comprise oval basal leaves that soon wither, and smaller stem leaves that persist. STATUS-Regularly seen in E Kent only; very occasionally turns up elsewhere.
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  • LIZARD ORCHID Himantoglossum hircinum (Orchidaceae) Height to 1m. Extraordinary orchid of scrub, undisturbed grassland and stabilised dunes. Bizarrely, the flowers smell of goats. FLOWERS have a greenish grey hood, adorned on the inside with reddish streaks, and an extremely long and twisted lip (up to 5cm); borne in tall spikes (May-Jul). FRUITS form and swell at the base of the flowers. LEAVES comprise oval basal leaves that soon wither, and smaller stem leaves that persist. STATUS-Regularly seen in E Kent only; very occasionally turns up elsewhere.
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  • Winterton Dunes, Norfolk Coast
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  • Footpath through the dunes at Holme Nature Reserve on the Norfolk coast
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  • Boardwalk across the dunes at Holme Nature Reserve, Norfolk
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  • 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.
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