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  • Garganey (female) Spatula querquedula. L 37-41cm. Teal-sized summer visitor to the region. Favours emergent wetland vegetation, hence unobtrusive. In flight, male shows pale blue-grey forewing and white-bordered greenish speculum; female’s speculum is brown. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has reddish brown head and broad white stripe above and behind eye. Breast is brown but otherwise plumage is greyish, except for mottled buffish brown stern. In eclipse, resembles adult female but retains wing patterns. Adult female has mottled brown plumage; similar to female Teal but bill is uniform grey bill and has pale spot at base of bill. Juvenile resembles adult female. Voice Male utters diagnostic rattle. Status Scarce breeding bird but fairly widespread on migration.
    136027.jpg
  • Shoveler - Spatula clypeata - female. L 44-52cm. Unmistakable because of bill shape. Usually unobtrusive. In flight, male shows blue forewing panel and white-bordered green speculum; in female, blue is replaced by grey. Sexes are dissimilar overall. Adult male has shiny green head, white breast and chestnut on flanks and belly. Stern is black and white and back is mainly dark. Has yellow eye and dark bill. In eclipse, resembles adult female although body is more rufous and head greyer. Adult female has mottled buffish brown plumage and yellowish bill. Juvenile is similar to adult female. Voice Male utters a sharp tuk-tuk while female makes a soft quack. Status Scarce breeding species on freshwater wetland. Commoner and more widespread in winter but seldom numerous.
    157680.jpg
  • Garganey - Spatula querquedula. L 37-41cm. Teal-sized summer visitor to the region. Favours emergent wetland vegetation, hence unobtrusive. In flight, male shows pale blue-grey forewing and white-bordered greenish speculum; female’s speculum is brown. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has reddish brown head and broad white stripe above and behind eye. Breast is brown but otherwise plumage is greyish, except for mottled buffish brown stern. In eclipse, resembles adult female but retains wing patterns. Adult female has mottled brown plumage; similar to female Teal but bill is uniform grey bill and has pale spot at base of bill. Juvenile resembles adult female. Voice Male utters diagnostic rattle. Status Scarce breeding bird but fairly widespread on migration.
    113457.jpg
  • Pintail Anas acuta L 51-66cm. Recognised by elongated appearance; male is unmistakable. In flight, male’s grey wings and green speculum are striking; female’s white trailing edge on inner wing is obvious. Sexes are dissimilar in regards. Adult male has chocolate brown head and nape, with white breast extending as stripe up side of head. Plumage is otherwise grey and finely marked but note cream and black stern, and long, pointed tail, often held at an angle. In eclipse, resembles adult female but retains wing pattern. Adult female has mottled buffish brown plumage. Juvenile is similar to adult female. Voice Male utters a whistle, female’s call is grating. Status Rare breeding species (on freshwater marshes) but fairly common in winter, often on estuaries.
    113449_.jpg
  • Shoveler - Spatula clypeata. L 44-52cm. Unmistakable because of bill shape. Usually unobtrusive. In flight, male shows blue forewing panel and white-bordered green speculum; in female, blue is replaced by grey. Sexes are dissimilar overall. Adult male has shiny green head, white breast and chestnut on flanks and belly. Stern is black and white and back is mainly dark. Has yellow eye and dark bill. In eclipse, resembles adult female although body is more rufous and head greyer. Adult female has mottled buffish brown plumage and yellowish bill. Juvenile is similar to adult female. Voice Male utters a sharp tuk-tuk while female makes a soft quack. Status Scarce breeding species on freshwater wetland. Commoner and more widespread in winter but seldom numerous.
    128877.jpg
  • Gadwall (female) Anas strepera L 46-55cm. Rather nondescript dabbling duck. Distant male looks grey and brown but close view reveals intricate feather patterns. In flight, both sexes show white in speculum; male also has chestnut on inner wing. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has buffish head and neck, with a clear separation from grey, finely-patterned breast and flanks. Centre of belly is white; black stern is useful identification feature. Has dark bill and yellow legs. In eclipse, male resembles adult female. Adult female has mottled brown plumage with greyish head and yellow bill. Juvenile resembles adult female. Voice Male utters croaking call and female utters mallard-like quack. Status Found on shallow freshwater; dabbles for water plants.
    136026.jpg
  • Teal Anas crecca - Female. L 34-38cm. Our smallest duck. Forms flocks outside breeding season. Often nervous and flighty. In flight, both sexes show white-bordered green speculum. Sexes are otherwise dissimilar. Adult male has chestnut-orange head with yellow-bordered green patch through eye. Plumage is otherwise finely marked grey except for black-bordered yellow stern and horizontal white line along flanks. Bill is dark grey. In eclipse, resembles adult female. Adult female has mottled grey-brown plumage. Bill is grey with hint of yellow at base. Juvenile is similar to adult female but warmer buff. Voice Male utters a ringing whistle, female utters a soft quack. Status Associated with water. Nests in small numbers beside pools and bogs mainly in N. Locally common outside breeding season on freshwater marshes, estuaries and mudflats.
    155548.jpg
  • Mallard - Anas platyrhynchos - Female.  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.
    157649.jpg
  • Pintail - Anas acuta - female.  L 51-66cm. Recognised by elongated appearance; male is unmistakable. In flight, male’s grey wings and green speculum are striking; female’s white trailing edge on inner wing is obvious. Sexes are dissimilar in regards. Adult male has chocolate brown head and nape, with white breast extending as stripe up side of head. Plumage is otherwise grey and finely marked but note cream and black stern, and long, pointed tail, often held at an angle. In eclipse, resembles adult female but retains wing pattern. Adult female has mottled buffish brown plumage. Juvenile is similar to adult female. Voice Male utters a whistle, female’s call is grating. Status Rare breeding species (on freshwater marshes) but fairly common in winter, often on estuaries.
    157227.jpg
  • Teal Anas crecca - Female. L 34-38cm. Our smallest duck. Forms flocks outside breeding season. Often nervous and flighty. In flight, both sexes show white-bordered green speculum. Sexes are otherwise dissimilar. Adult male has chestnut-orange head with yellow-bordered green patch through eye. Plumage is otherwise finely marked grey except for black-bordered yellow stern and horizontal white line along flanks. Bill is dark grey. In eclipse, resembles adult female. Adult female has mottled grey-brown plumage. Bill is grey with hint of yellow at base. Juvenile is similar to adult female but warmer buff. Voice Male utters a ringing whistle, female utters a soft quack. Status Associated with water. Nests in small numbers beside pools and bogs mainly in N. Locally common outside breeding season on freshwater marshes, estuaries and mudflats.
    156898.jpg
  • Teal - Anas crecca - female. L 34-38cm. Our smallest duck. Forms flocks outside breeding season. Often nervous and flighty. In flight, both sexes show white-bordered green speculum. Sexes are otherwise dissimilar. Adult male has chestnut-orange head with yellow-bordered green patch through eye. Plumage is otherwise finely marked grey except for black-bordered yellow stern and horizontal white line along flanks. Bill is dark grey.  In eclipse, resembles adult female. Adult female has mottled grey-brown plumage. Bill is grey with hint of yellow at base. Juvenile is similar to adult female but warmer buff. Voice Male utters a ringing whistle, female utters a soft quack. Status Associated with water. Nests in small numbers beside pools and bogs mainly in N. Locally common outside breeding season on freshwater marshes, estuaries and mudflats.
    156888.jpg
  • Golden Pheasant - Chrysolophus pictus - female. L 60-100cm. Male is gaudy and unmistakable; female is superficially similar to female Pheasant but separable on close inspection. Typically secretive. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has mainly red body plumage with golden-yellow crown and barred ‘cape’, yellow rump and blue on wings and back; tail is buffish with intricate dark markings. Adult female is buffish brown with distinct dark barring all over; note contrast between pale brown face and darker crown and nape. Juvenile recalls a small, short-tailed female. Voice Territorial male utters a shrill, disyllabic call. Status Native of China. Introduced and now very locally established; favours dense woodland.
    156467.jpg
  • Mallard - Anas platyrhynchos - Female in flight.  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.
    155892.jpg
  • Mallard Anas platyrhynchos - female. 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.
    155780.jpg
  • Teal Anas crecca - Female. L 34-38cm. Our smallest duck. Forms flocks outside breeding season. Often nervous and flighty. In flight, both sexes show white-bordered green speculum. Sexes are otherwise dissimilar. Adult male has chestnut-orange head with yellow-bordered green patch through eye. Plumage is otherwise finely marked grey except for black-bordered yellow stern and horizontal white line along flanks. Bill is dark grey. In eclipse, resembles adult female. Adult female has mottled grey-brown plumage. Bill is grey with hint of yellow at base. Juvenile is similar to adult female but warmer buff. Voice Male utters a ringing whistle, female utters a soft quack. Status Associated with water. Nests in small numbers beside pools and bogs mainly in N. Locally common outside breeding season on freshwater marshes, estuaries and mudflats.
    155783.jpg
  • Mallard Anas platyrhynchos - female. 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.
    154914.jpg
  • Mallard Anas platyrhynchos - female. 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.
    136061.jpg
  • Goosander Mergus merganser L 58-66cm. Large, elegant diving duck. Narrow mandibles have serrated edges. In flight, upper surface of male’s inner wing is white; in female white is restricted to trailing edge. Sexes are dissimilar in other regards. Adult male has bright red bill, green-glossed head (looks dark in poor light), mainly pink-flushed white body and black back. In eclipse, resembles adult female but retains white wing pattern. Adult female has reddish bill, orange-red head with shaggy crest, and greyish body palest on breast; chin is white. Juvenile resembles dull adult female. Voice Displaying male utters ringing calls. Status Fairly common freshwater species beside wooded upland rivers; nests in tree holes. Influx from mainland Europe boosts winter numbers; found on reservoirs, lochs and flooded gravel pits.
    121531.jpg
  • Teal Anas crecca L 34-38cm. Our smallest duck. Forms flocks outside breeding season. Often nervous and flighty. In flight, both sexes show white-bordered green speculum. Sexes are otherwise dissimilar. Adult male has chestnut-orange head with yellow-bordered green patch through eye. Plumage is otherwise finely marked grey except for black-bordered yellow stern and horizontal white line along flanks. Bill is dark grey.  In eclipse, resembles adult female. Adult female has mottled grey-brown plumage. Bill is grey with hint of yellow at base. Juvenile is similar to adult female but warmer buff. Voice Male utters a ringing whistle, female utters a soft quack. Status Associated with water. Nests in small numbers beside pools and bogs mainly in N. Locally common outside breeding season on freshwater marshes, estuaries and mudflats.
    128883.jpg
  • Eider (female) Somateria mollissima L 50-70cm. Bulky seaduck with distinctive profile: wedge-shaped bill forms continuous line with slope of forehead. Gregarious for most of year. In summer, female flocks supervise ‘creche’ of youngsters. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has mainly black underparts and white upperparts, except for black cap, lime green nape and pinkish flush on breast. In eclipse, plumage is brown and black, with some white feathers on back, and pale stripe above eye. Adult female is brown with darker barring. Juvenile is similar to adult female but with pale stripe above eye. Voice Male utters endearing, cooing ah-whooo. Status Almost exclusively coastal. Nests close to seashore and feeds in inshore waters, diving for prey such as mussels.
    136017.jpg
  • Teal Anas crecca - Female. L 34-38cm. Our smallest duck. Forms flocks outside breeding season. Often nervous and flighty. In flight, both sexes show white-bordered green speculum. Sexes are otherwise dissimilar. Adult male has chestnut-orange head with yellow-bordered green patch through eye. Plumage is otherwise finely marked grey except for black-bordered yellow stern and horizontal white line along flanks. Bill is dark grey. In eclipse, resembles adult female. Adult female has mottled grey-brown plumage. Bill is grey with hint of yellow at base. Juvenile is similar to adult female but warmer buff. Voice Male utters a ringing whistle, female utters a soft quack. Status Associated with water. Nests in small numbers beside pools and bogs mainly in N. Locally common outside breeding season on freshwater marshes, estuaries and mudflats.
    158043.jpg
  • Goosander Mergus merganser L 58-66cm. Large, elegant diving duck. Narrow mandibles have serrated edges. In flight, upper surface of male’s inner wing is white; in female white is restricted to trailing edge. Sexes are dissimilar in other regards. Adult male has bright red bill, green-glossed head (looks dark in poor light), mainly pink-flushed white body and black back. In eclipse, resembles adult female but retains white wing pattern. Adult female has reddish bill, orange-red head with shaggy crest, and greyish body palest on breast; chin is white. Juvenile resembles dull adult female. Voice Displaying male utters ringing calls. Status Fairly common freshwater species beside wooded upland rivers; nests in tree holes. Influx from mainland Europe boosts winter numbers; found on reservoirs, lochs and flooded gravel pits.
    137582.jpg
  • Goosander Mergus merganser L 58-66cm. Large, elegant diving duck. Narrow mandibles have serrated edges. In flight, upper surface of male’s inner wing is white; in female white is restricted to trailing edge. Sexes are dissimilar in other regards. Adult male has bright red bill, green-glossed head (looks dark in poor light), mainly pink-flushed white body and black back. In eclipse, resembles adult female but retains white wing pattern. Adult female has reddish bill, orange-red head with shaggy crest, and greyish body palest on breast; chin is white. Juvenile resembles dull adult female. Voice Displaying male utters ringing calls. Status Fairly common freshwater species beside wooded upland rivers; nests in tree holes. Influx from mainland Europe boosts winter numbers; found on reservoirs, lochs and flooded gravel pits.
    139170.jpg
  • Capercaillie - Tetrao urogallus - female L 60-90cm. Huge, impressive gamebird. Explodes into flight when disturbed, revealing long wings and tail. Male is almost half as big again as female and sexes are dissimilar in plumage terms. Adult male often looks all-dark but greenish sheen on breast is sometimes seen. Has brownish wings, red wattle above eye and rounded white spot at base of folded forewing. Tail is fanned elevated in display. Adult female has finely barred grey-brown plumage with orange-brown patch on breast. Juvenile resembles a small, dull female. Voice Male utters bizarre sequence of clicks followed by noise that resembles a cork being pulled from a bottle. Status Confined to mature Scots Pine forest in Scotland. Became extinct in 18th Century; current population results from re-introductions. Status Easiest to see at RSPB’s Loch Garten reserve.
    157515.jpg
  • Teal Anas crecca - mating pair. L 34-38cm. Our smallest duck. Forms flocks outside breeding season. Often nervous and flighty. In flight, both sexes show white-bordered green speculum. Sexes are otherwise dissimilar. Adult male has chestnut-orange head with yellow-bordered green patch through eye. Plumage is otherwise finely marked grey except for black-bordered yellow stern and horizontal white line along flanks. Bill is dark grey. In eclipse, resembles adult female. Adult female has mottled grey-brown plumage. Bill is grey with hint of yellow at base. Juvenile is similar to adult female but warmer buff. Voice Male utters a ringing whistle, female utters a soft quack. Status Associated with water. Nests in small numbers beside pools and bogs mainly in N. Locally common outside breeding season on freshwater marshes, estuaries and mudflats.
    157228.jpg
  • Teal Anas crecca L 34-38cm. Our smallest duck. Forms flocks outside breeding season. Often nervous and flighty. In flight, both sexes show white-bordered green speculum. Sexes are otherwise dissimilar. Adult male has chestnut-orange head with yellow-bordered green patch through eye. Plumage is otherwise finely marked grey except for black-bordered yellow stern and horizontal white line along flanks. Bill is dark grey. In eclipse, resembles adult female. Adult female has mottled grey-brown plumage. Bill is grey with hint of yellow at base. Juvenile is similar to adult female but warmer buff. Voice Male utters a ringing whistle, female utters a soft quack. Status Associated with water. Nests in small numbers beside pools and bogs mainly in N. Locally common outside breeding season on freshwater marshes, estuaries and mudflats.
    155415.jpg
  • Teal Anas crecca L 34-38cm. Our smallest duck. Forms flocks outside breeding season. Often nervous and flighty. In flight, both sexes show white-bordered green speculum. Sexes are otherwise dissimilar. Adult male has chestnut-orange head with yellow-bordered green patch through eye. Plumage is otherwise finely marked grey except for black-bordered yellow stern and horizontal white line along flanks. Bill is dark grey. In eclipse, resembles adult female. Adult female has mottled grey-brown plumage. Bill is grey with hint of yellow at base. Juvenile is similar to adult female but warmer buff. Voice Male utters a ringing whistle, female utters a soft quack. Status Associated with water. Nests in small numbers beside pools and bogs mainly in N. Locally common outside breeding season on freshwater marshes, estuaries and mudflats.
    155416.jpg
  • Goldeneye - Bucephala clangula - Female. L 42-50cm. Compact diving duck. Both sexes are easily recognised. In flight, all birds show white on inner wings (extent greatest in males). Sexes are dissimilar in other respects. Adult male has mainly black and white plumage. Rounded and peaked, green-glossed head has yellow eye and striking white patch at base of bill. In eclipse, resembles an adult female but retains his more striking white wing pattern. Adult female has mainly grey-brown body, pale neck, dark brown head and yellow eye. Juvenile is similar to adult female but with dark eye. Voice Displaying male utters squeaky calls and rattles. Status Scarce breeding species, mainly in N. Locally common in winter, mostly on estuaries but also on inland lakes and flooded gravel pits.
    155138.jpg
  • Goosander Mergus merganser L 58-66cm. Large, elegant diving duck. Narrow mandibles have serrated edges. In flight, upper surface of male’s inner wing is white; in female white is restricted to trailing edge. Sexes are dissimilar in other regards. Adult male has bright red bill, green-glossed head (looks dark in poor light), mainly pink-flushed white body and black back. In eclipse, resembles adult female but retains white wing pattern. Adult female has reddish bill, orange-red head with shaggy crest, and greyish body palest on breast; chin is white. Juvenile resembles dull adult female. Voice Displaying male utters ringing calls. Status Fairly common freshwater species beside wooded upland rivers; nests in tree holes. Influx from mainland Europe boosts winter numbers; found on reservoirs, lochs and flooded gravel pits.
    153965.jpg
  • Teal Anas crecca L 34-38cm. Our smallest duck. Forms flocks outside breeding season. Often nervous and flighty. In flight, both sexes show white-bordered green speculum. Sexes are otherwise dissimilar. Adult male has chestnut-orange head with yellow-bordered green patch through eye. Plumage is otherwise finely marked grey except for black-bordered yellow stern and horizontal white line along flanks. Bill is dark grey.  In eclipse, resembles adult female. Adult female has mottled grey-brown plumage. Bill is grey with hint of yellow at base. Juvenile is similar to adult female but warmer buff. Voice Male utters a ringing whistle, female utters a soft quack. Status Associated with water. Nests in small numbers beside pools and bogs mainly in N. Locally common outside breeding season on freshwater marshes, estuaries and mudflats.
    133086.jpg
  • Golden Pheasant Chrysolophus pictus L 60-100cm. Male is gaudy and unmistakable; female is superficially similar to female Pheasant but separable on close inspection. Typically secretive. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has mainly red body plumage with golden-yellow crown and barred ‘cape’, yellow rump and blue on wings and back; tail is buffish with intricate dark markings. Adult female is buffish brown with distinct dark barring all over; note contrast between pale brown face and darker crown and nape. Juvenile recalls a small, short-tailed female. Voice Territorial male utters a shrill, disyllabic call. Status Native of China. Introduced and now very locally established; favours dense woodland.
    133727.jpg
  • Wigeon (female) Mareca penelope. L 45-47cm. Males are colourful and attractive. Forms large flocks outside breeding season. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has mainly orange-red head with yellow forehead. Breast is pinkish; rest of plumage is mainly finely marked grey except for white belly and black and white stern. In flight, has white patch on wing. Bill is pale grey and dark-tipped. In eclipse, resembles an adult female although white wing patch is still evident. Adult female is mainly reddish brown, darkest on head and back. Note, however, the white belly and stern. In flight, lacks male’s white wing patch. Bill is grey and dark-tipped. Juvenile resembles adult female. Voice Male utters evocative wheeeoo whistle.
    136023.jpg
  • Goosander Mergus merganser L 58-66cm. Large, elegant diving duck. Narrow mandibles have serrated edges. In flight, upper surface of male’s inner wing is white; in female white is restricted to trailing edge. Sexes are dissimilar in other regards. Adult male has bright red bill, green-glossed head (looks dark in poor light), mainly pink-flushed white body and black back. In eclipse, resembles adult female but retains white wing pattern. Adult female has reddish bill, orange-red head with shaggy crest, and greyish body palest on breast; chin is white. Juvenile resembles dull adult female. Voice Displaying male utters ringing calls. Status Fairly common freshwater species beside wooded upland rivers; nests in tree holes. Influx from mainland Europe boosts winter numbers; found on reservoirs, lochs and flooded gravel pits.
    153964.jpg
  • Goosander Mergus merganser L 58-66cm. Large, elegant diving duck. Narrow mandibles have serrated edges. In flight, upper surface of male’s inner wing is white; in female white is restricted to trailing edge. Sexes are dissimilar in other regards. Adult male has bright red bill, green-glossed head (looks dark in poor light), mainly pink-flushed white body and black back. In eclipse, resembles adult female but retains white wing pattern. Adult female has reddish bill, orange-red head with shaggy crest, and greyish body palest on breast; chin is white. Juvenile resembles dull adult female. Voice Displaying male utters ringing calls. Status Fairly common freshwater species beside wooded upland rivers; nests in tree holes. Influx from mainland Europe boosts winter numbers; found on reservoirs, lochs and flooded gravel pits.
    153966.jpg
  • Goosander Mergus merganser L 58-66cm. Large, elegant diving duck. Narrow mandibles have serrated edges. In flight, upper surface of male’s inner wing is white; in female white is restricted to trailing edge. Sexes are dissimilar in other regards. Adult male has bright red bill, green-glossed head (looks dark in poor light), mainly pink-flushed white body and black back. In eclipse, resembles adult female but retains white wing pattern. Adult female has reddish bill, orange-red head with shaggy crest, and greyish body palest on breast; chin is white. Juvenile resembles dull adult female. Voice Displaying male utters ringing calls. Status Fairly common freshwater species beside wooded upland rivers; nests in tree holes. Influx from mainland Europe boosts winter numbers; found on reservoirs, lochs and flooded gravel pits.
    153967.jpg
  • Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula L 40-47cm. Familiar diving duck. Tufted crown useful in identification. Gregarious in winter. In flight, note white wingbar. Sexes are dissimilar in other regards. Adult male has mainly black and white plumage; purplish sheen on head seen in good light. Has yellow eye and black-tipped blue-grey bill. In eclipse, white elements of plumage are buffish brown. Adult female has mainly brown plumage, palest on flanks and belly. Has white at base of bill (less than female Scaup), yellow eye and black-tipped blue-grey bill. Juvenile is similar to adult female but with duller colours. Voice Male utters a soft peep. Status Common year-round on lakes, reservoirs and flooded gravel pits.. Several thousand pairs breed; winter numbers boosted dramatically by migrants from mainland Europe.
    127282.jpg
  • Pheasant Phasianus colchicus L 55-90cm. Male is colourful and unmistakable; female is also hard to confuse. Takes to the wing noisily and explosively when flushed. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male typically has orange-brown body plumage, blue-green sheen on head, large and striking red wattle and long, orange barred tail; some birds have a white collar. Violet-blue birds are sometimes released. Adult female is mottled buffish brown with shorter tail than male. Juvenile resembles a small, short-tailed female. Voice Territorial male utters a loud, shrieking call, followed by bout of vigorous wing beating. In alarm, a loud ke-tuk, ke-tuk, ke-tuk is uttered as bird flies away. Status Introduced and established here since 11th Century. Widespread and commonest in wooded farmland.
    127295.jpg
  • Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator L 52-58cm. Slim duck with shaggy, spiky, crest. Dives frequently in search of fish. In flight, all birds show white on upper surface of inner wing; extent is greatest in male. Sexes are dissimilar in other regards. Adult male has narrow red bill, green head, white neck and orange-red breast. Flanks are grey and back is black. In eclipse, similar to adult female but retains extensive white on wing. Adult female has red bill, dirty orange head and nape and paler throat; body is otherwise greyish buff. Juvenile resembles adult female. Voice Mostly silent. Status Nests beside fish-rich lakes and rivers, mainly in N; locally common. Influx from N Europe boosts numbers in winter and then common on estuaries and sheltered coasts.
    128867.jpg
  • Smew Mergus albellus L 38-44cm. Elegant little diving duck. Male is stunning and unmistakable. Female might be confused with grebe in winter plumage. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male looks pure white at a distance but close view reveals black patch through eye and black lines on breast and back. In eclipse (not seen here) resembles adult female but retains more extensive white on wing. Adult female, Juvenile and 1st winter birds (so-called ‘Redhead’ Smews) have orange-red cap and nape, white on cheek and throat, and grey-brown body. Voice Silent. Status Occasional and unpredictable winter visitor. Turns up on flooded gravel pits, reservoirs and lakes.
    128889.jpg
  • Wigeon - Mareca penelope. L 45-47cm. Males are colourful and attractive. Forms large flocks outside breeding season. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has mainly orange-red head with yellow forehead. Breast is pinkish; rest of plumage is mainly finely marked grey except for white belly and black and white stern. In flight, has white patch on wing. Bill is pale grey and dark-tipped. In eclipse, resembles an adult female although white wing patch is still evident. Adult female is mainly reddish brown, darkest on head and back. Note, however, the white belly and stern. In flight, lacks male’s white wing patch. Bill is grey and dark-tipped. Juvenile resembles adult female. Voice Male utters evocative wheeeoo whistle.
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  • Ruff - Philomachus pugnax - female, moulting from summer to winter plumage. L 23-29cm. Variable wader but rather small head is a consistent feature. Has slightly downcurved bill, orange-yellow legs and, in flight, narrow white wingbar and white sides to rump. Male is smaller than female and, in breeding season, has unique head decorations. Adult male in summer has brownish upperparts, many feathers with black tips and bars. On breeding grounds, briefly has facial warts and variably coloured ruff and crest feathers. Adult female in summer has grey-brown upperparts, many feathers with dark tips and bars; underparts are pale. Winter adult has rather uniform grey-brown upperparts and pale underparts. Juvenile recalls winter adult but has buff suffusion and scaly-looking back. Voice Mostly silent. Status Rare breeding species on freshwater wetlands. Fairly common passage migrant, favouring coastal freshwater pools; scarce in winter.
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  • Capercaillie Tetrao urogallus L 60-90cm. Huge, impressive gamebird. Explodes into flight when disturbed, revealing long wings and tail. Male is almost half as big again as female and sexes are dissimilar in plumage terms. Adult male often looks all-dark but greenish sheen on breast is sometimes seen. Has brownish wings, red wattle above eye and rounded white spot at base of folded forewing. Tail is fanned elevated in display. Adult female has finely barred grey-brown plumage with orange-brown patch on breast. Juvenile resembles a small, dull female. Voice Male utters bizarre sequence of clicks followed by noise that resembles a cork being pulled from a bottle. Status Confined to mature Scots Pine forest in Scotland. Became extinct in 18th Century; current population results from re-introductions. Status Easiest to see at RSPB’s Loch Garten reserve.
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  • Wigeon - Mareca penelope. L 45-47cm. Males are colourful and attractive. Forms large flocks outside breeding season. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has mainly orange-red head with yellow forehead. Breast is pinkish; rest of plumage is mainly finely marked grey except for white belly and black and white stern. In flight, has white patch on wing. Bill is pale grey and dark-tipped. In eclipse, resembles an adult female although white wing patch is still evident. Adult female is mainly reddish brown, darkest on head and back. Note, however, the white belly and stern. In flight, lacks male’s white wing patch. Bill is grey and dark-tipped. Juvenile resembles adult female. Voice Male utters evocative wheeeoo whistle.
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  • Eider Somateria mollissima L 50-70cm. Bulky seaduck with distinctive profile: wedge-shaped bill forms continuous line with slope of forehead. Gregarious for most of year. In summer, female flocks supervise ‘creche’ of youngsters. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has mainly black underparts and white upperparts, except for black cap, lime green nape and pinkish flush on breast. In eclipse, plumage is brown and black, with some white feathers on back, and pale stripe above eye. Adult female is brown with darker barring. Juvenile is similar to adult female but with pale stripe above eye. Voice Male utters endearing, cooing ah-whooo. Status Almost exclusively coastal. Nests close to seashore and feeds in inshore waters, diving for prey such as mussels.
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  • Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina L 54-57cm. Large, distinctive diving duck; male is unmistakable. Associates with other diving ducks. In flight, both sexes show striking white wing bars. Sexes are dissimilar in other regards. Adult male has rounded, bright orange head, black neck, breast, belly and stern, and white flanks. Back is grey-buff and bill is bright red. In eclipse, resembles adult female but retains red bill. Adult female has mainly grey-buff plumage, darkest on back and above eye, and pale cheeks. Bill is mainly dark with pink tip. Juvenile Resembles adult female but bill is uniformly dark. Voice Mostly silent. Status Occurs in mainland Europe; some records may be genuine vagrants but most sightings are certainly escapees; feral populations are now established. Favours lakes and flooded gravel pits.
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  • Wigeon (female) Mareca penelope. L 45-47cm. Males are colourful and attractive. Forms large flocks outside breeding season. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has mainly orange-red head with yellow forehead. Breast is pinkish; rest of plumage is mainly finely marked grey except for white belly and black and white stern. In flight, has white patch on wing. Bill is pale grey and dark-tipped. In eclipse, resembles an adult female although white wing patch is still evident. Adult female is mainly reddish brown, darkest on head and back. Note, however, the white belly and stern. In flight, lacks male’s white wing patch. Bill is grey and dark-tipped. Juvenile resembles adult female. Voice Male utters evocative wheeeoo whistle.
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  • Wigeon - Mareca penelope L 45-47cm. Males is colourful and attractive. Forms large flocks outside breeding season. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has mainly orange-red head with yellow forehead. Breast is pinkish; rest of plumage is mainly finely marked grey except for white belly and black and white stern. In flight, has white patch on wing. Bill is pale grey and dark-tipped. In eclipse, resembles an adult female although white wing patch is still evident. Adult female is mainly reddish brown, darkest on head and back. Note, however, the white belly and stern. In flight, lacks male’s white wing patch. Bill is grey and dark-tipped. Juvenile resembles adult female. Voice Male utters evocative wheeeoo whistle.
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  • Wigeon - Mareca penelope. L 45-47cm. Males is colourful and attractive. Forms large flocks outside breeding season. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has mainly orange-red head with yellow forehead. Breast is pinkish; rest of plumage is mainly finely marked grey except for white belly and black and white stern. In flight, has white patch on wing. Bill is pale grey and dark-tipped. In eclipse, resembles an adult female although white wing patch is still evident. Adult female is mainly reddish brown, darkest on head and back. Note, however, the white belly and stern. In flight, lacks male’s white wing patch. Bill is grey and dark-tipped. Juvenile resembles adult female. Voice Male utters evocative wheeeoo whistle.
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  • Eider Somateria mollissima L 50-70cm. Bulky seaduck with distinctive profile: wedge-shaped bill forms continuous line with slope of forehead. Gregarious for most of year. In summer, female flocks supervise ‘creche’ of youngsters. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has mainly black underparts and white upperparts, except for black cap, lime green nape and pinkish flush on breast. In eclipse, plumage is brown and black, with some white feathers on back, and pale stripe above eye. Adult female is brown with darker barring. Juvenile is similar to adult female but with pale stripe above eye. Voice Male utters endearing, cooing ah-whooo. Status Almost exclusively coastal. Nests close to seashore and feeds in inshore waters, diving for prey such as mussels.
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  • Goldeneye Bucephala clangula L 42-50cm. Compact diving duck. Both sexes are easily recognised. In flight, all birds show white on inner wings (extent greatest in males). Sexes are dissimilar in other respects. Adult male has mainly black and white plumage. Rounded and peaked, green-glossed head has yellow eye and striking white patch at base of bill. In eclipse, resembles an adult female but retains his more striking white wing pattern. Adult female has mainly grey-brown body, pale neck, dark brown head and yellow eye. Juvenile is similar to adult female but with dark eye. Voice Displaying male utters squeaky calls and rattles. Status Scarce breeding species, mainly in N. Locally common in winter, mostly on estuaries but also on inland lakes and flooded gravel pits.
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  • Brambling - Fringilla montifringilla - female. L 14-15cm. Distinctive finch with white rump. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male in winter has orange throat, breast and lesser wing coverts; underparts are white with small dark spots on flanks. Head and back are darkish but with pale feather fringes. Dark wings have pale feather margins and whitish orange wingbars. Bill is yellow. In breeding plumage (sometimes acquired here) head, back and bill are black. Adult female has similar markings to winter male on wings, breast and underparts but head is grey brown with dark lines on sides. Juveniles are similar to winter adults but duller. Voice Calls include a harsh eeerrp. Song is series of buzzing notes. Status Mainly a common winter visitor, found mainly in mature Beech woodland. A few pairs breed.
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  • Blackbird - Turdus merula - Female. 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.
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  • Clouded Yellow - Colias croceus - Male (top) - female - (middle) - female, form helice (bottom). Wingspan 50mm. A fast-flying migrant visitor to Britain, from mainland Europe. Adult has dark-bordered upperwings that are rich orange-yellow in male, pale yellow in female. Both sexes have yellow underwings with a few dark markings. Larva is green with pale yellow lateral line; feeds on Lucerne and other members of the pea family. A summer visitor to Britain, seen mainly in coastal areas; generally scarce but common in some years.
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  • House Sparrow - Passer domesticus - female. L 14-15cm. Familiar because of affinity for human habitation. Often dust-bathes and sits on roofs, utterly familiar sparrow chirps. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has grey crown, cheeks and rump. Nape, sides of crown, back and wings are chestnut-brown, underparts are pale grey, and throat and breast are black. Bill is dark and legs are reddish. Adult female is mainly brown above with buff streaks on back; underparts are pale grey and note pale buff supercilium behind eye. Juvenile is similar to adult female but duller. Voice Utters range of chirping calls. Status Fairly common but declining resident, usually found in vicinity of houses and farms.
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  • Whinchat Saxicola rubetra - female. L 12-14cm. Colourful, Stonechat-like bird with whitish sides to tail base. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has brown, streaked upperparts with white stripe above eye. Margins of throat and ear coverts are defined by pale stripe; throat and breast are orange; underparts are otherwise whitish. Adult female is similar but colours and contrast are less intense. 1st winter bird is similar to adult female but upperparts are more spotted. Voice Utters a whistling tic-tic alarm call. Song is rapid and warbling. Status Local summer visitor, favouring rough grassy slopes with scattered scrub.
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  • Bullfinch Pyrrhula pyrrhula - Female. L 16-17cm. Unobtrusive finch whose call and white rump are distinctive. Bill is stubby and dark. Sexes are separable. Adult male has a rosy-pink face, breast and belly. Back and nape are blue-grey and cap and tail are black. Note white wingbar on otherwise black wings. Adult female is similar but duller. Juvenile is similar to adult female but head is uniformly buffish brown. Voice Utters a soft piping call; pair sometimes duets. Song is quiet and seldom heard. Status Fairly common resident of woodlands, hedgerows and mature gardens.
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  • Yellowhammer - Emberiza citrinella - winter female/1st winter.  L 15-17cm. Colourful bunting with diagnostic song. Forms flocks outside breeding season. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has mainly yellow head and underparts, and reddish brown back and wings. Note faint dark lines on head, chestnut flush to breast and streaking on flanks; rump is reddish brown and bill is greyish. In winter, similar but duller and more streaked. Adult female has streaked greenish grey head and breast, streaked pale yellow underparts and brown back; note reddish brown rump. Juvenile is similar to adult female but more streaked. Voice Has a rasping call. Song is rendered ‘a little bit of bread and no cheese’. Status Fairly common resident of farmland and open country with scrub and hedges. Winter flocks often feed on arable fields.
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  • Marsh Harrier - Circus aeruginosus - male - left and centre - female - right. Wingspan 110-125cm.Graceful wetland raptor. Adult male is mostly reddish brown with blue-grey head and grey tail. In flight, note patches of grey and reddish brown on wings, and black wingtips. Adult female is mainly dark brown with pale leading edge to wings and pale cap and chin. Tail is reddish brown. Juvenile is similar to an adult female but tail is dark brown. Voice – mainly silent. Status and habitat – Commonest in summer months, but some birds are present year-round. Usually seen in flight over marshes and reedbeds. Easiest to see in East Anglia.
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  • Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus - Female. Wingspan 110-125cm.Graceful wetland raptor. Adult male is mostly reddish brown with blue-grey head and grey tail. In flight, note patches of grey and reddish brown on wings, and black wingtips. Adult female is mainly dark brown with pale leading edge to wings and pale cap and chin. Tail is reddish brown. Juvenile is similar to an adult female but tail is dark brown. Voice – mainly silent. Status and habitat – Commonest in summer months, but some birds are present year-round. Usually seen in flight over marshes and reedbeds. Easiest to see in East Anglia.
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  • Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus - Female. Wingspan 110-125cm.Graceful wetland raptor. Adult male is mostly reddish brown with blue-grey head and grey tail. In flight, note patches of grey and reddish brown on wings, and black wingtips. Adult female is mainly dark brown with pale leading edge to wings and pale cap and chin. Tail is reddish brown. Juvenile is similar to an adult female but tail is dark brown. Voice – mainly silent. Status and habitat – Commonest in summer months, but some birds are present year-round. Usually seen in flight over marshes and reedbeds. Easiest to see in East Anglia.
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  • Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus - Female. Wingspan 110-125cm.Graceful wetland raptor. Adult male is mostly reddish brown with blue-grey head and grey tail. In flight, note patches of grey and reddish brown on wings, and black wingtips. Adult female is mainly dark brown with pale leading edge to wings and pale cap and chin. Tail is reddish brown. Juvenile is similar to an adult female but tail is dark brown. Voice – mainly silent. Status and habitat – Commonest in summer months, but some birds are present year-round. Usually seen in flight over marshes and reedbeds. Easiest to see in East Anglia.
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  • Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus - Female.  Wingspan 110-125cm.Graceful wetland raptor. Adult male is mostly reddish brown with blue-grey head and grey tail. In flight, note patches of grey and reddish brown on wings, and black wingtips. Adult female is mainly dark brown with pale leading edge to wings and pale cap and chin. Tail is reddish brown. Juvenile is similar to an adult female but tail is dark brown. Voice – mainly silent. Status and habitat – Commonest in summer months, but some birds are present year-round. Usually seen in flight over marshes and reedbeds. Easiest to see in East Anglia.
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  • Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus - Female. Wingspan 110-125cm.Graceful wetland raptor. Adult male is mostly reddish brown with blue-grey head and grey tail. In flight, note patches of grey and reddish brown on wings, and black wingtips. Adult female is mainly dark brown with pale leading edge to wings and pale cap and chin. Tail is reddish brown. Juvenile is similar to an adult female but tail is dark brown. Voice – mainly silent. Status and habitat – Commonest in summer months, but some birds are present year-round. Usually seen in flight over marshes and reedbeds. Easiest to see in East Anglia.
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  • Kestrel Falco tinnunculus - Female. W 65-80cm. Familiar small falcon that habitually hovers where look-out perches are not available. Feeds on small mammals, ground-dwelling birds and insects. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has spotted, orange-brown back, blue-grey head, and blue-grey tail with black terminal band. Underparts are creamy buff with bold black spots. In flight from above, dark outer wing contrasts with orange-brown inner wing and back. Adult female has barred brown upperparts and pale creamy buff underparts with dark spots. In flight from above, contrast between brown inner wing and dark outer wing is less distinct than with male and tail is barred. Juvenile resembles adult female but upperparts are more reddish brown. Voice Utters a shrill kee-kee-kee… Status Common and widespread in open, grassy places. Breeding success dependent upon prey populations, notably Short-tailed Voles and Wood Mice.
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  • Kestrel Falco tinnunculus - Female. W 65-80cm. Familiar small falcon that habitually hovers where look-out perches are not available. Feeds on small mammals, ground-dwelling birds and insects. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has spotted, orange-brown back, blue-grey head, and blue-grey tail with black terminal band. Underparts are creamy buff with bold black spots. In flight from above, dark outer wing contrasts with orange-brown inner wing and back. Adult female has barred brown upperparts and pale creamy buff underparts with dark spots. In flight from above, contrast between brown inner wing and dark outer wing is less distinct than with male and tail is barred. Juvenile resembles adult female but upperparts are more reddish brown. Voice Utters a shrill kee-kee-kee… Status Common and widespread in open, grassy places. Breeding success dependent upon prey populations, notably Short-tailed Voles and Wood Mice.
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  • Pheasant Phasianus colchicus L 55-90cm. Male is colourful and unmistakable; female is also hard to confuse. Takes to the wing noisily and explosively when flushed. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male typically has orange-brown body plumage, blue-green sheen on head, large and striking red wattle and long, orange barred tail; some birds have a white collar. Violet-blue birds are sometimes released. Adult female is mottled buffish brown with shorter tail than male. Juvenile resembles a small, short-tailed female. Voice Territorial male utters a loud, shrieking call, followed by bout of vigorous wing beating. In alarm, a loud ke-tuk, ke-tuk, ke-tuk is uttered as bird flies away. Status Introduced and established here since 11th Century. Widespread and commonest in wooded farmland.
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  • Pochard - Aythya ferina - Females in flight.  L 42-49cm. Distinctive diving duck with long bill, curving forehead and peaked crown. Gregarious in winter, often with Tufted Ducks. Both sexes have dark bill with pale grey band. In flight, all birds have uniform grey wings with dark trailing edge to outer flight feathers. Sexes are dissimilar in other regards. Adult male has reddish orange head, black breast, finely marked grey flanks and back, and black stern. In eclipse, black elements of plumage are sooty brown. Adult female has brown head and breast, grey-brown back and flanks, and pale ‘spectacle’. Juvenile resembles adult female but plumage is more uniformly brown. Voice Mostly silent. Status Scarce breeder but locally common in winter: migrants arrive from mainland Europe. Favours flooded gravel pits, reservoirs and lakes.
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  • HEN HARRIER - Circus cyaneus - Female. Wingspan 100-120cm. Britain’s most familiar harrier, usually seen gliding at slow speed, low over the ground. Adult male has pale blue-grey plumage except for white belly, white rump and black wingtips. Adult female is brown with darker barring on wings and tail, streaking on body underparts, and a narrow white rump. Juvenile is similar to adult female but breast and wing coverts are brighter. Voice – mainly silent. Status and habitat – Breeds on upland moorland, winters on lowland heaths and near coasts.
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  • HEN HARRIER - Circus cyaneus - Female. Wingspan 100-120cm. Britain’s most familiar harrier, usually seen gliding at slow speed, low over the ground. Adult male has pale blue-grey plumage except for white belly, white rump and black wingtips. Adult female is brown with darker barring on wings and tail, streaking on body underparts, and a narrow white rump. Juvenile is similar to adult female but breast and wing coverts are brighter. Voice – mainly silent. Status and habitat – Breeds on upland moorland, winters on lowland heaths and near coasts.
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  • Linnet Linaria cannabina - Female. L 13-14cm. Breeding male is colourful but otherwise rather non-descript. Forms flocks outside breeding season. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male in summer has grey head, rosy forecrown, and chestnut back. Pale underparts are flushed rosy-pink on breast. Note whitish patch on wings, pale sides to tail, and streaked throat. In winter rosy elements of plumage are dull or absent. Adult female has brown back, grey-brown head and streaked pale underparts. Note whitish patch on wings. Juvenile is similar to adult female but more streaked. Voice Utters tetter-tett call. Male’s has a twittering, warbling song. Status Common and widespread. Favours heaths and scrub in summer, waysides and farmland in winter.
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  • Blackbird Turdus merula - Female. 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.
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  • Blackbird Turdus merula - Female. 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.
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  • Bullfinch - Pyrrhula pyrrhula - female L 16-17cm. Unobtrusive finch whose call and white rump are distinctive. Bill is stubby and dark. Sexes are separable. Adult male has a rosy-pink face, breast and belly. Back and nape are blue-grey and cap and tail are black. Note white wingbar on otherwise black wings. Adult female is similar but duller. Juvenile is similar to adult female but head is uniformly buffish brown. Voice Utters a soft piping call; pair sometimes duets. Song is quiet and seldom heard. Status Fairly common resident of woodlands, hedgerows and mature gardens.
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  • Black Grouse Tetrao tetrix L 40-45cm. Bulky moorland gamebird. Males display at traditional leks to interest nearby females. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has mainly dark plumage with red wattle above eye. Displaying birds elevate and spread tails (which look lyre-shaped) and reveal white undertail coverts. In flight, tail looks long and forked; wings have white bars. Adult female has orange-brown plumage finely marked with dark bars. In flight wings show narrow white bar. Juvenile resembles a small female with subdued markings. Voice Displaying male utters a bubbling, cooing call. Status Scarce and declining in many areas. Does best on moorland comprising mosaic of grassland, heather moorland, bilberry stands and adjacent woodland.
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  • Eider Somateria mollissima L 50-70cm. Bulky seaduck with distinctive profile: wedge-shaped bill forms continuous line with slope of forehead. Gregarious for most of year. In summer, female flocks supervise ‘creche’ of youngsters. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has mainly black underparts and white upperparts, except for black cap, lime green nape and pinkish flush on breast. In eclipse, plumage is brown and black, with some white feathers on back, and pale stripe above eye. Adult female is brown with darker barring. Juvenile is similar to adult female but with pale stripe above eye. Voice Male utters endearing, cooing ah-whooo. Status Almost exclusively coastal. Nests close to seashore and feeds in inshore waters, diving for prey such as mussels.
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  • HEN HARRIER Circus cyaneus Female at nest with young. Wingspan 100-120cm. Britain’s most familiar harrier, usually seen gliding at slow speed, low over the ground. Adult male has pale blue-grey plumage except for white belly, white rump and black wingtips. Adult female is brown with darker barring on wings and tail, streaking on body underparts, and a narrow white rump. Juvenile is similar to adult female but breast and wing coverts are brighter. Voice – mainly silent. Status and habitat – Breeds on upland moorland, winters on lowland heaths and near coasts.
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  • HEN HARRIER Circus cyaneus Female with young at nest. Wingspan 100-120cm. Britain’s most familiar harrier, usually seen gliding at slow speed, low over the ground. Adult male has pale blue-grey plumage except for white belly, white rump and black wingtips. Adult female is brown with darker barring on wings and tail, streaking on body underparts, and a narrow white rump. Juvenile is similar to adult female but breast and wing coverts are brighter. Voice – mainly silent. Status and habitat – Breeds on upland moorland, winters on lowland heaths and near coasts.
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  • Bullfinch - Pyrrhula pyrrhula - female L 16-17cm. Unobtrusive finch whose call and white rump are distinctive. Bill is stubby and dark. Sexes are separable. Adult male has a rosy-pink face, breast and belly. Back and nape are blue-grey and cap and tail are black. Note white wingbar on otherwise black wings. Adult female is similar but duller. Juvenile is similar to adult female but head is uniformly buffish brown. Voice Utters a soft piping call; pair sometimes duets. Song is quiet and seldom heard. Status Fairly common resident of woodlands, hedgerows and mature gardens.
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  • Wigeon - Mareca penelope. L 45-47cm. Males are colourful and attractive. Forms large flocks outside breeding season. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has mainly orange-red head with yellow forehead. Breast is pinkish; rest of plumage is mainly finely marked grey except for white belly and black and white stern. In flight, has white patch on wing. Bill is pale grey and dark-tipped. In eclipse, resembles an adult female although white wing patch is still evident. Adult female is mainly reddish brown, darkest on head and back. Note, however, the white belly and stern. In flight, lacks male’s white wing patch. Bill is grey and dark-tipped. Juvenile resembles adult female. Voice Male utters evocative wheeeoo whistle.
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  • Bullfinch Pyrrhula pyrrhula - Female. L 16-17cm. Unobtrusive finch whose call and white rump are distinctive. Bill is stubby and dark. Sexes are separable. Adult male has a rosy-pink face, breast and belly. Back and nape are blue-grey and cap and tail are black. Note white wingbar on otherwise black wings. Adult female is similar but duller. Juvenile is similar to adult female but head is uniformly buffish brown. Voice Utters a soft piping call; pair sometimes duets. Song is quiet and seldom heard. Status Fairly common resident of woodlands, hedgerows and mature gardens.
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  • HEN HARRIER - Circus cyaneus - Female. Wingspan 100-120cm. Britain’s most familiar harrier, usually seen gliding at slow speed, low over the ground. Adult male has pale blue-grey plumage except for white belly, white rump and black wingtips. Adult female is brown with darker barring on wings and tail, streaking on body underparts, and a narrow white rump. Juvenile is similar to adult female but breast and wing coverts are brighter. Voice – mainly silent. Status and habitat – Breeds on upland moorland, winters on lowland heaths and near coasts.
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  • Blackbird Turdus merula - Female. 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.
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  • Pochard (female) Aythya ferina L 42-49cm. Distinctive diving duck with long bill, curving forehead and peaked crown. Gregarious in winter, often with Tufted Ducks. Both sexes have dark bill with pale grey band. In flight, all birds have uniform grey wings with dark trailing edge to outer flight feathers. Sexes are dissimilar in other regards. Adult male has reddish orange head, black breast, finely marked grey flanks and back, and black stern. In eclipse, black elements of plumage are sooty brown. Adult female has brown head and breast, grey-brown back and flanks, and pale ‘spectacle’. Juvenile resembles adult female but plumage is more uniformly brown. Voice Mostly silent. Status Scarce breeder but locally common in winter: migrants arrive from mainland Europe. Favours flooded gravel pits, reservoirs and lakes.
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  • HEN HARRIER Circus cyaneus Female at nest with young. Wingspan 100-120cm. Britain’s most familiar harrier, usually seen gliding at slow speed, low over the ground. Adult male has pale blue-grey plumage except for white belly, white rump and black wingtips. Adult female is brown with darker barring on wings and tail, streaking on body underparts, and a narrow white rump. Juvenile is similar to adult female but breast and wing coverts are brighter. Voice – mainly silent. Status and habitat – Breeds on upland moorland, winters on lowland heaths and near coasts.
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  • HEN HARRIER Circus cyaneus Female at nest with young. Wingspan 100-120cm. Britain’s most familiar harrier, usually seen gliding at slow speed, low over the ground. Adult male has pale blue-grey plumage except for white belly, white rump and black wingtips. Adult female is brown with darker barring on wings and tail, streaking on body underparts, and a narrow white rump. Juvenile is similar to adult female but breast and wing coverts are brighter. Voice – mainly silent. Status and habitat – Breeds on upland moorland, winters on lowland heaths and near coasts.
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  • Ptarmigan Lagopus mutus L 34-36cm. Hardy, mountain gamebird. Indifferent to observers but easily overlooked: unobtrusive and blends in well with surroundings. In flight, both sexes reveal white wings and black tail. Forms small flocks outside breeding season. Sexes are separable with care. Adult male in winter is white except for dark eye, lores and bill. In spring and summer, has mottled and marbled greyish buff upperparts, amount of white on back decreasing with time; belly and legs are white while striking red wattle fades by mid-summer. Adult female in winter is white except for black eye and bill. In spring and summer, has finely barred buffish grey upperparts; extent of white on back diminishes with time. Juvenile resembles uniformly brown female. Voice Utters a rattling kur-kurrrr call. Status Confined to Scottish Highlands, favouring rocky ground with lichens, mosses and other mountain vegetation.
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  • Ptarmigan Lagopus mutus L 34-36cm. Hardy, mountain gamebird. Indifferent to observers but easily overlooked: unobtrusive and blends in well with surroundings. In flight, both sexes reveal white wings and black tail. Forms small flocks outside breeding season. Sexes are separable with care. Adult male in winter is white except for dark eye, lores and bill. In spring and summer, has mottled and marbled greyish buff upperparts, amount of white on back decreasing with time; belly and legs are white while striking red wattle fades by mid-summer. Adult female in winter is white except for black eye and bill. In spring and summer, has finely barred buffish grey upperparts; extent of white on back diminishes with time. Juvenile resembles uniformly brown female. Voice Utters a rattling kur-kurrrr call. Status Confined to Scottish Highlands, favouring rocky ground with lichens, mosses and other mountain vegetation.
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  • Ruff Philomachus pugnax L 23-29cm. Variable wader but rather small head is a consistent feature. Has slightly downcurved bill, orange-yellow legs and, in flight, narrow white wingbar and white sides to rump. Male is smaller than female and, in breeding season, has unique head decorations. Adult male in summer has brownish upperparts, many feathers with black tips and bars. On breeding grounds, briefly has facial warts and variably coloured ruff and crest feathers. Adult female in summer has grey-brown upperparts, many feathers with dark tips and bars; underparts are pale. Winter adult has rather uniform grey-brown upperparts and pale underparts. Juvenile recalls winter adult but has buff suffusion and scaly-looking back. Voice Mostly silent. Status Rare breeding species on freshwater wetlands. Fairly common passage migrant, favouring coastal freshwater pools; scarce in winter.
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  • Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca L 38-42cm. Attractive diving duck. In flight, all birds show striking white wingbar on upperwing, white underwings and white belly. In all birds, cap is peaked and bill is mainly grey; pale band separates grey from dark tip. Sexes are separable with care. Adult male has rich, reddish brown plumage, darkest on back, almost black on rump and tail. Has white stern and white belly (latter only visible in flight) and white eye. Adult female is similar to adult male but reddish colouration is duller and eye is dark. Juvenile is similar to adult female but duller colours. Voice Mostly silent. Status Scarce visitor, mainly outside breeding season. Species’ status is confused by presence of undoubted escapees from captivity. Favours lakes and flooded gravel pits.
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  • Pochard Aythya farina L 42-49cm. Distinctive diving duck with long bill, curving forehead and peaked crown. Gregarious in winter, often with Tufted Ducks. Both sexes have dark bill with pale grey band. In flight, all birds have uniform grey wings with dark trailing edge to outer flight feathers. Sexes are dissimilar in other regards. Adult male has reddish orange head, black breast, finely marked grey flanks and back, and black stern. In eclipse, black elements of plumage are sooty brown. Adult female has brown head and breast, grey-brown back and flanks, and pale ‘spectacle’. Juvenile resembles adult female but plumage is more uniformly brown. Voice Mostly silent. Status Scarce breeder but locally common in winter: migrants arrive from mainland Europe. Favours flooded gravel pits, reservoirs and lakes.
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  • Ruddy Duck Oxyura jamaicensis L 35-43cm. North American species with established feral populations. Tail is regularly cocked up. Male is unmistakable but female could be mistaken for winter plumage Little Grebe. Adult male has orange-chestnut body plumage, white cheeks and stern, black cap and nape, and bright blue bill; colours are brightest in spring. Adult female has grey-brown plumage with paler cheeks and dark line from base of bill; bill is dull blue-grey. Voice Mostly silent. Status Favours lakes and flooded gravel pits with vegetated margins. Escaped from Slimbridge several decades ago, now locally common in lowland Britain.
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  • Common Scoter Melanitta nigra L 44-54cm. Male is our only all-black duck. Rather long tail is sometimes raised when swimming. Gregarious outside breeding season. In flight, looks mainly dark but paler flight feathers can sometimes be seen. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has uniformly black plumage. Head sheen only visible at close range. Bill is mostly dark but with yellow ridge; base is bulbous base. 1st winter male has browner plumage are all-dark bill. Adult female has mainly dark brown plumage with pale buff cheeks. Juvenile resembles aadult female. Voice Mostly silent. Status Rare breeding bird, found on vegetated N lakes and lochs. Locally fairly common in winter, found on coasts with sandy seabeds.
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  • Mandarin Duck Aix galericulata L 41-49cm. Male is stunningly colourful, with elaborate tufts and plumes. Sexes are strikingly dissimilar. Adult male has mane of orange, white, greenish and brown feathers, with white above eye and elongated orange plumes arising from cheek. Note orange sail-like feathers on back, dark breast with vertical white stripes, brown flanks and white stern. Bill is bright red with pale tip. Adult female is grey-brown overall, darkest on back, with pale buffish spots on flanks. Has white belly, white ‘spectacle’, and white at base of bill and on throat. Bill is dull pink with pale tip. Juvenile resembles an adult female. Voice Mostly silent. Status Introduced from China and now local on wooded lakes in S.
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  • Pochard Aythya ferina L 42-49cm. Distinctive diving duck with long bill, curving forehead and peaked crown. Gregarious in winter, often with Tufted Ducks. Both sexes have dark bill with pale grey band. In flight, all birds have uniform grey wings with dark trailing edge to outer flight feathers. Sexes are dissimilar in other regards. Adult male has reddish orange head, black breast, finely marked grey flanks and back, and black stern. In eclipse, black elements of plumage are sooty brown. Adult female has brown head and breast, grey-brown back and flanks, and pale ‘spectacle’. Juvenile resembles adult female but plumage is more uniformly brown. Voice Mostly silent. Status Scarce breeder but locally common in winter: migrants arrive from mainland Europe. Favours flooded gravel pits, reservoirs and lakes.
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  • Mandarin Duck Aix galericulata L 41-49cm. Male is stunningly colourful, with elaborate tufts and plumes. Sexes are strikingly dissimilar. Adult male has mane of orange, white, greenish and brown feathers, with white above eye and elongated orange plumes arising from cheek. Note orange sail-like feathers on back, dark breast with vertical white stripes, brown flanks and white stern. Bill is bright red with pale tip. Adult female is grey-brown overall, darkest on back, with pale buffish spots on flanks. Has white belly, white ‘spectacle’, and white at base of bill and on throat. Bill is dull pink with pale tip. Juvenile resembles an adult female. Voice Mostly silent. Status Introduced from China and now local on wooded lakes in S.
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  • Greater Scaup Aythya marila L 42-51cm. Bulky diving duck. Recalls Tufted Duck but has rounded head without tufted crown. Gregarious outside breeding season. In flight, has striking white wingbar. Sexes are dissimilar in other respects. Adult male has green-glossed head and dark breast (look black in poor light). Belly and flanks are white, back is grey and stern is black. Has yellow eye and dark-tipped grey bill. In eclipse, dark elements of plumage are buffish brown. Adult female has mainly brown plumage, palest and greyest on flanks and back. Note white patch at base of bill. Juvenile is similar to adult female but white on face is less striking. Voice Mostly silent. Status A few pairs breed but known best as local winter visitor, mostly to sheltered coasts.
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  • Golden Oriole Oriolus oriolus L 22-24cm. Stunning and unmistakable but heard more often than it is seen. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has mainly bright yellow plumage with black on wings and tail. Bill is red. Adult female is similar but duller and paler below, with some streaking. Juvenile is similar to adult female but upperparts are green and underparts are more heavily streaked. Voice Song is fluty and tropical-sounding wee-lo- weeow. Utters harsh cat-like calls in alarm. Status Regular passage migrant and scarce breeder; nests in poplar plantations in E Anglia.
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  • Bullfinch Pyrrhula pyrrhula L 16-17cm. Unobtrusive finch whose call and white rump are distinctive. Bill is stubby and dark. Sexes are separable. Adult male has a rosy-pink face, breast and belly. Back and nape are blue-grey and cap and tail are black. Note white wingbar on otherwise black wings. Adult female is similar but duller. Juvenile is similar to adult female but head is uniformly buffish brown. Voice Utters a soft piping call; pair sometimes duets. Song is quiet and seldom heard. Status Fairly common resident of woodlands, hedgerows and mature gardens.
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  • Greenfinch Carduelis chloris L 14-15cm. Familiar greenish finch with pinkish, conical bill, yellowish patch on wings and yellow sides to base of tail. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male is mainly yellowish green, darkest on back, with grey on face, sides of neck, and on wings. Intensity of colour increases through winter as pale feather fringes are worn. Adult female is similar but duller and faintly streaked. Juvenile recalls adult female but back and pale underparts are obviously streaked. Voice Utters a sharp jrrrup call in flight. Song comprises well-spaced wheezy weeeish phrases or rapid, trilling whistles. Status Fairly common. In breeding season, favours parks, gardens and hedgerows. In winter, forms flocks that visit gardens and arable fields.
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  • Wood Duck Aix sponsa L 43-50cm. Distinctive duck; males is particularly striking. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has shiny greenish blue crown and mane, with white lines. Chin and throat are white, extending as white lines on face. Breast is maroon, flanks are buff and back is greenish; white lines separate these areas. Adult female has mainly brown plumage, darkest on back and head. Breast and flanks have buffish streak-like spots. Has white ‘spectacle’, small amount of white on throat, and dark bill. Juvenile resembles adult female. Voice Mostly silent. Status  Introduced from North American. Found on ornamental lakes but tiny feral population also exists.
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