Nature Photographers Ltd

  • Portfolio
  • About
  • Contact
  • Archive
    • All Galleries
    • Search
    • Cart
    • Lightbox
    • Client Area
  • NPL Blog
Show Navigation

Search Results

Refine Search
Match all words
Match any word
Prints
Personal Use
Royalty-Free
Rights-Managed
(leave unchecked to
search all images)
Next
{ 2053 images found }
twitterlinkedinfacebook

Loading ()...

  • Cuckoo Cuculus canorus L 33-35cm. Secretive summer visitor with intriguing lifestyle. Heard more than seen. Recalls a Sparrowhawk in flight. Feeds mainly on hairy caterpillars. Sexes sometimes separable. Adult male, and most females have blue-grey head, neck and upperparts; underparts are white and barred. Some adult females are brown and barred on head, neck and upperparts; underparts are white with dark bars. Juvenile is similar to brown adult female but with white nape. Voice Male utters distinctive cuck-oo song; female has bubbling call. Status Local summer visitor. Range dictated by occurrence of songbirds used for nest parasitism; host species include Meadow Pipit, Dunnock and Reed Warbler.
    144852.jpg
  • Cuckoo Cuculus canorus L 33-35cm. Secretive summer visitor with intriguing lifestyle. Heard more than seen. Recalls a Sparrowhawk in flight. Feeds mainly on hairy caterpillars. Sexes sometimes separable. Adult male, and most females have blue-grey head, neck and upperparts; underparts are white and barred. Some adult females are brown and barred on head, neck and upperparts; underparts are white with dark bars. Juvenile is similar to brown adult female but with white nape. Voice Male utters distinctive cuck-oo song; female has bubbling call. Status Local summer visitor. Range dictated by occurrence of songbirds used for nest parasitism; host species include Meadow Pipit, Dunnock and Reed Warbler.
    144853.jpg
  • Trap camera pointing at Fen Orchids - Liparis loeselii ovata, Sutton Fen RSPB Reserve, Norfolk UK
    156784.jpg
  • Fen Mason Wasp - Odynerus simillimus
    156776.jpg
  • Fen Mason Wasp - Odynerus simillimus
    156775.jpg
  • Fen Mason Wasp - Odynerus simillimus
    156774.jpg
  • Fen Mason Wasp - Odynerus simillimus
    156773.jpg
  • Fen Mason Wasp - Odynerus simillimus
    156772.jpg
  • Dyke showing water level, Sutton Fen RSPB Reserve, Norfolk UK
    156754.jpg
  • Sedge cutting on Sutton Fen RSPB Reserve, Norfolk, UK
    156749.jpg
  • Sedge cutting on Sutton Fen RSPB Reserve, Norfolk, UK
    156748.jpg
  • Sedge cutting on Sutton Fen RSPB Reserve, Norfolk, UK
    156747.jpg
  • Riverside on the Oracle shopping centre in Reading at Dusk, Berkshire, Uk
    156230.jpg
  • Sunset over the River Thames at Maidenhead looking towards the A4 road bridge and Blue River Cafe, Berkshire, UK
    156258.jpg
  • Dawn over the River Thames from Wittenham Clumps near Dorchester, Oxfordshire, Uk
    154554.jpg
  • River Thames downstream of the source at Kemble, Gloucestershire, Uk
    154574.jpg
  • River Thames downstream of the source at Kemble, Gloucestershire, Uk
    154575.jpg
  • Winter snow on the River Kennet at Padworth, Berkshire, Uk
    142200.jpg
  • Caversham Bridge and Pipers Island on the River Thames in Reading, Berkshire at sunset
    154443.jpg
  • Panoramic view of River Thames upstream of Goring weir in Oxfordshire, Uk
    154466.jpg
  • Wye Valley and Lord Hereford's Knob, Black Mountains from Hay Bluff car park, Herefordshire, Uk
    154468.jpg
  • Panoramic view of Hambledon Village in the Thames Valley near Henley, Oxfordshire, Uk
    154470.jpg
  • Panoramic image of Henley on Thames at dusk, Oxfordshire, Uk
    154474.jpg
  • Panoramic view of the Wye Valley from Hay Bluff near Hay on Wye, Herefordshire, Uk
    154476.jpg
  • Winter sunset over the River Thames from the Chiltern Hills by Mapledurham, Berkshire, Uk
    154479.jpg
  • Autumn dawn over the River Thames looking upstream from an elevated position near Mapledurham, Berkshire, Uk
    154490.jpg
  • Dawn over the River Thames at Mapledurham, Berkshire, Uk
    154491.jpg
  • Autumn Evening over Mapledurham House and Weir, River Thames, Berkshire, Uk
    154492.jpg
  • Marlow and Marlow Bridge from the River Thames on the upstream side, Buckinghamshire, Uk
    154494.jpg
  • Reflection of St Helen's church spire and Saint Helen's Wharf on the River Thames at Dusk in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, Uk
    154514.jpg
  • River Thames at Bourne End from the railway bridge, Buckinghamshire, Uk
    154521.jpg
  • Sedge cutting on Sutton Fen RSPB Reserve, Norfolk, UK
    156750.jpg
  • All Saints Church at Bisham near Marlow, Buckinghamshire from the Thames Path, Uk
    156734.jpg
  • Riverside on the Oracle shopping centre in Reading at Dusk, Berkshire, Uk
    156232.jpg
  • Lock on the River Kennet and Kennet and Avon Canal looking towards Loch Fyne restaurant in the centre of Reading at dusk, Berkshire, Uk
    156233.jpg
  • Dusk over the River Thames at Reading Bridge, Reading, Berkshire, Uk
    156235.jpg
  • Caversham Bridge and Pipers Island on the River Thames at sunset, Reading, Berkshire, Uk
    156248.jpg
  • Cruiser exiting the lock on the River Thames at Goring, Oxfordshire, Uk
    156249.jpg
  • Eton and Eton Bridge over the River Thames at dawn on a winter's morning, Berkshire, Uk
    156257.jpg
  • Narrowboat on the River Thames at Godstow Lock, Oxford, Uk
    156259.jpg
  • Barge on the River Thames at Newbridge in Oxfordshire, Uk
    156265.jpg
  • River Thames downstream of the source at Kemble, Gloucestershire, Uk
    154573.jpg
  • River Thames downstream of the source at Kemble, Gloucestershire, Uk
    154576.jpg
  • River Thames downstream of the source at Kemble, Gloucestershire, Uk
    154577.jpg
  • Frozen Kennet and Avon Canal at Ufton, Berkshire, Uk
    142201.jpg
  • Snow covered Roman Wall looking towards St Mary the Virgin Church, Silchester, Hampshire, Uk
    142202.jpg
  • Winter on the River Kennet above Padworth Mill, Berkshire, Uk
    142203.jpg
  • River Greta flowing through Brundholme Wood, Keswick, Lake District, Cumbria, Uk
    154463.jpg
  • Panoramic view of the Wye Valley from Hay Bluff near Hay on Wye, Herefordshire, Uk
    154477.jpg
  • Panoramic view of Hurley Lock on the River Thames in Berkshire, Uk
    154482.jpg
  • Winter sunset over the River Thames from the Chiltern Hills by Mapledurham, Berkshire, Uk
    154488.jpg
  • Saint Helen's Wharf on the River Thames at Dusk in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, Uk
    154513.jpg
  • Tewet Tarn with Skiddaw and Blencathra in the background, Lake District, Cumbria, Uk
    154516.jpg
  • Tewet Tarn in the evening light looking towards Skiddaw and Blencathra, Lake District, Cumbria, Uk
    154517.jpg
  • Cirrus and cumulus clouds against a blue sky
    160393.jpg
  • Guy McCaskie leads birders searching for Yellow Rail<br />
Bridgeport, CA<br />
June 1965
    147541.jpg
  • Heathland Fire - Ashdown Forest
    160201.jpg
  • Heathland Fire - Ashdown Forest
    160202.jpg
  • Heath fire in Ashdown Forest, Sussex. England
    157696.jpg
  • Goat Capra hircus Shoulder height 60-90cm Familiar domesticated animal. Feral populations established in several locations. Sure-footed on steep, broken terrain. Adult Feral Goat is shorter and stockier than domesticated forms. Coat is long, shaggy and variably coloured, often piebald mixture of grey, black and whitish. Male (billy) is larger and bulkier than female (nanny) and has recurved, ringed horns that increase in size with age. Many have a ‘beard’ and tassles on chin. Female is smaller than male, with shorter horns. Juvenile (kid) lacks horns. Voice Utters a warning whistle. Females summon their kids by bleating. Domesticated for more than 10,000 years, prized for its hair, milk, hide and meat. Probably brought to Britain by first Neolithic human settlers.
    116084.jpg
  • Eider - Somateria mollissima - male. L 50-70cm. Bulky seaduck with distinctive profile: wedge-shaped bill forms continuous line with slope of forehead. Gregarious for most of year. In summer, female flocks supervise ‘creche’ of youngsters. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has mainly black underparts and white upperparts, except for black cap, lime green nape and pinkish flush on breast. In eclipse, plumage is brown and black, with some white feathers on back, and pale stripe above eye. Adult female is brown with darker barring. Juvenile is similar to adult female but with pale stripe above eye. Voice Male utters endearing, cooing ah-whooo. Status Almost exclusively coastal. Nests close to seashore and feeds in inshore waters, diving for prey such as mussels.
    157694.jpg
  • Eider - Somateria mollissima - male. L 50-70cm. Bulky seaduck with distinctive profile: wedge-shaped bill forms continuous line with slope of forehead. Gregarious for most of year. In summer, female flocks supervise ‘creche’ of youngsters. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has mainly black underparts and white upperparts, except for black cap, lime green nape and pinkish flush on breast. In eclipse, plumage is brown and black, with some white feathers on back, and pale stripe above eye. Adult female is brown with darker barring. Juvenile is similar to adult female but with pale stripe above eye. Voice Male utters endearing, cooing ah-whooo. Status Almost exclusively coastal. Nests close to seashore and feeds in inshore waters, diving for prey such as mussels.
    157693.jpg
  • Eider - Somateria mollissima - male. L 50-70cm. Bulky seaduck with distinctive profile: wedge-shaped bill forms continuous line with slope of forehead. Gregarious for most of year. In summer, female flocks supervise ‘creche’ of youngsters. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has mainly black underparts and white upperparts, except for black cap, lime green nape and pinkish flush on breast. In eclipse, plumage is brown and black, with some white feathers on back, and pale stripe above eye. Adult female is brown with darker barring. Juvenile is similar to adult female but with pale stripe above eye. Voice Male utters endearing, cooing ah-whooo. Status Almost exclusively coastal. Nests close to seashore and feeds in inshore waters, diving for prey such as mussels.
    157688.jpg
  • Osier - Salix viminalis (Salicaceae) HEIGHT to 6m. Spreading shrub or small tree. Rarely reaches full potential, being regularly cropped for long flexible twigs (‘withies’), used for weaving. Natural crown is narrow with slightly pendulous branches. SHOOTS Straight twigs are flexible, covered with greyish hairs when young, becoming smoother and shiny olive-brown with age. LEAVES Narrow, tapering, to 15cm long, the margin usually waved and rolled under; underside has grey woolly hairs. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male and female catkins, to 3cm long, appear before leaves on separate trees; erect or slightly curved. Males are yellow, females browner. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Common native tree in wet habitats. Often planted for withies, masking its true native range.
    157544.jpg
  • Osier - Salix viminalis (Salicaceae) HEIGHT to 6m <br />
Spreading shrub or small tree. Rarely reaches full potential, being regularly cropped for long flexible twigs (‘withies’), used for weaving. Natural crown is narrow with slightly pendulous branches. SHOOTS Straight twigs are flexible, covered with greyish hairs when young, becoming smoother and shiny olive-brown with age. LEAVES Narrow, tapering, to 15cm long, the margin usually waved and rolled under; underside has grey woolly hairs. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male and female catkins, to 3cm long, appear before leaves on separate trees; erect or slightly curved. Males are yellow, females browner. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Common native tree in wet habitats. Often planted for withies, masking its true native range.
    157441.jpg
  • Woodlark Lullula arborea L 15cm. Unobtrusive and easily overlooked but for wonderful, yodelling song. Sexes are similar. Adult has sandy brown, streaked upperparts and mainly pale underparts; breast is streaked and flushed buff. Note chestnut ear coverts, pale supercilium and black-and-white marking on wing. Juvenile is similar but with a scaly-looking back. Voice Song comprises fluty, yodelling notes; call is yodelling deet-luee. Status Local, restricted to heathy habitats with short turf (for feeding), longer grassland (for nesting) and scattered trees. Nomadic outside breeding season.
    155787.jpg
  • Osier Salix viminalis (Salicaceae) HEIGHT to 6m <br />
Spreading shrub or small tree. Rarely reaches full potential, being regularly cropped for long flexible twigs (‘withies’), used for weaving. Natural crown is narrow with slightly pendulous branches. SHOOTS Straight twigs are flexible, covered with greyish hairs when young, becoming smoother and shiny olive-brown with age. LEAVES Narrow, tapering, to 15cm long, the margin usually waved and rolled under; underside has grey woolly hairs. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male and female catkins, to 3cm long, appear before leaves on separate trees; erect or slightly curved. Males are yellow, females browner. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Common native tree in wet habitats. Often planted for withies, masking its true native range.
    133881.jpg
  • Osier Salix viminalis (Salicaceae) HEIGHT to 6m <br />
Spreading shrub or small tree. Rarely reaches full potential, being regularly cropped for long flexible twigs (‘withies’), used for weaving. Natural crown is narrow with slightly pendulous branches. SHOOTS Straight twigs are flexible, covered with greyish hairs when young, becoming smoother and shiny olive-brown with age. LEAVES Narrow, tapering, to 15cm long, the margin usually waved and rolled under; underside has grey woolly hairs. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male and female catkins, to 3cm long, appear before leaves on separate trees; erect or slightly curved. Males are yellow, females browner. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Common native tree in wet habitats. Often planted for withies, masking its true native range.
    133752.jpg
  • Apples (Malus) About 25 species occur in northern temperate regions, although there are countless varieties and cultivars used for their highly important edible fruit and sometimes for their attractive blossom. They are hardy trees, growing in a variety of soils and climates, and some produce good-quality timber suitable for turnery. Most important fruiting varieties are propagated by grafting on to healthy stocks.
    133292.jpg
  • Osier Salix viminalis (Salicaceae) HEIGHT to 6m <br />
Spreading shrub or small tree. Rarely reaches full potential, being regularly cropped for long flexible twigs (‘withies’), used for weaving. Natural crown is narrow with slightly pendulous branches. SHOOTS Straight twigs are flexible, covered with greyish hairs when young, becoming smoother and shiny olive-brown with age. LEAVES Narrow, tapering, to 15cm long, the margin usually waved and rolled under; underside has grey woolly hairs. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male and female catkins, to 3cm long, appear before leaves on separate trees; erect or slightly curved. Males are yellow, females browner. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Common native tree in wet habitats. Often planted for withies, masking its true native range.
    102368.jpg
  • 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.
    107603.jpg
  • 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.
    128854.jpg
  • 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.
    128855.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
  • Great grey Shrike Lanius excubitor. Shrikes are well-marked, bold predators that have an allure far beyond what might be expected for birds of their size. Sightings are infrequent nowadays and consequently it is a red letter day for any birdwatcher if they see one. Two species occur reasonably regularly in the region. The Great grey Shrike Lanius excubitor (L 22-26cm), a winter visitor here in small numbers, is an altogether more imposing bird with fiercely predatory habits. It has a grey cap and back, white underparts, a broad black mask through the eye, and a white patch on the otherwise dark wings. Look for on expanses of heathland and the New Forest in Hampshire is the most reliable spot in Britain.
    137336.jpg
  • Woodlark Lullula arborea L 15cm. Unobtrusive and easily overlooked but for wonderful, yodelling song. Sexes are similar. Adult has sandy brown, streaked upperparts and mainly pale underparts; breast is streaked and flushed buff. Note chestnut ear coverts, pale supercilium and black-and-white marking on wing. Juvenile is similar but with a scaly-looking back. Voice Song comprises fluty, yodelling notes; call is yodelling deet-luee. Status Local, restricted to heathy habitats with short turf (for feeding), longer grassland (for nesting) and scattered trees. Nomadic outside breeding season.
    139715.jpg
  • Woodlark Lullula arborea L 15cm. Unobtrusive and easily overlooked but for wonderful, yodelling song. Sexes are similar. Adult has sandy brown, streaked upperparts and mainly pale underparts; breast is streaked and flushed buff. Note chestnut ear coverts, pale supercilium and black-and-white marking on wing. Juvenile is similar but with a scaly-looking back. Voice Song comprises fluty, yodelling notes; call is yodelling deet-luee. Status Local, restricted to heathy habitats with short turf (for feeding), longer grassland (for nesting) and scattered trees. Nomadic outside breeding season.
    139714.jpg
  • Woodlark Lullula arborea L 15cm. Unobtrusive and easily overlooked but for wonderful, yodelling song. Sexes are similar. Adult has sandy brown, streaked upperparts and mainly pale underparts; breast is streaked and flushed buff. Note chestnut ear coverts, pale supercilium and black-and-white marking on wing. Juvenile is similar but with a scaly-looking back. Voice Song comprises fluty, yodelling notes; call is yodelling deet-luee. Status Local, restricted to heathy habitats with short turf (for feeding), longer grassland (for nesting) and scattered trees. Nomadic outside breeding season.
    139716.jpg
  • Woodlark Lullula arborea L 15cm. Unobtrusive and easily overlooked but for wonderful, yodelling song. Sexes are similar. Adult has sandy brown, streaked upperparts and mainly pale underparts; breast is streaked and flushed buff. Note chestnut ear coverts, pale supercilium and black-and-white marking on wing. Juvenile is similar but with a scaly-looking back. Voice Song comprises fluty, yodelling notes; call is yodelling deet-luee. Status Local, restricted to heathy habitats with short turf (for feeding), longer grassland (for nesting) and scattered trees. Nomadic outside breeding season.
    139718.jpg
  • Woodlark Lullula arborea L 15cm. Unobtrusive and easily overlooked but for wonderful, yodelling song. Sexes are similar. Adult has sandy brown, streaked upperparts and mainly pale underparts; breast is streaked and flushed buff. Note chestnut ear coverts, pale supercilium and black-and-white marking on wing. Juvenile is similar but with a scaly-looking back. Voice Song comprises fluty, yodelling notes; call is yodelling deet-luee. Status Local, restricted to heathy habitats with short turf (for feeding), longer grassland (for nesting) and scattered trees. Nomadic outside breeding season.
    139717.jpg
  • 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.
    139942.jpg
  • Osier - Salix viminalis (Salicaceae) HEIGHT to 6m <br />
Spreading shrub or small tree. Rarely reaches full potential, being regularly cropped for long flexible twigs (‘withies’), used for weaving. Natural crown is narrow with slightly pendulous branches. SHOOTS Straight twigs are flexible, covered with greyish hairs when young, becoming smoother and shiny olive-brown with age. LEAVES Narrow, tapering, to 15cm long, the margin usually waved and rolled under; underside has grey woolly hairs. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male and female catkins, to 3cm long, appear before leaves on separate trees; erect or slightly curved. Males are yellow, females browner. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Common native tree in wet habitats. Often planted for withies, masking its true native range.
    157552.jpg
  • Woodlark Lullula arborea L 15cm. Unobtrusive and easily overlooked but for wonderful, yodelling song. Sexes are similar. Adult has sandy brown, streaked upperparts and mainly pale underparts; breast is streaked and flushed buff. Note chestnut ear coverts, pale supercilium and black-and-white marking on wing. Juvenile is similar but with a scaly-looking back. Voice Song comprises fluty, yodelling notes; call is yodelling deet-luee. Status Local, restricted to heathy habitats with short turf (for feeding), longer grassland (for nesting) and scattered trees. Nomadic outside breeding season.
    155786.jpg
  • Osier Salix viminalis (Salicaceae) HEIGHT to 6m <br />
Spreading shrub or small tree. Rarely reaches full potential, being regularly cropped for long flexible twigs (‘withies’), used for weaving. Natural crown is narrow with slightly pendulous branches. SHOOTS Straight twigs are flexible, covered with greyish hairs when young, becoming smoother and shiny olive-brown with age. LEAVES Narrow, tapering, to 15cm long, the margin usually waved and rolled under; underside has grey woolly hairs. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male and female catkins, to 3cm long, appear before leaves on separate trees; erect or slightly curved. Males are yellow, females browner. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Common native tree in wet habitats. Often planted for withies, masking its true native range.
    133815.jpg
  • Osier Salix viminalis (Salicaceae) HEIGHT to 6m <br />
Spreading shrub or small tree. Rarely reaches full potential, being regularly cropped for long flexible twigs (‘withies’), used for weaving. Natural crown is narrow with slightly pendulous branches. SHOOTS Straight twigs are flexible, covered with greyish hairs when young, becoming smoother and shiny olive-brown with age. LEAVES Narrow, tapering, to 15cm long, the margin usually waved and rolled under; underside has grey woolly hairs. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male and female catkins, to 3cm long, appear before leaves on separate trees; erect or slightly curved. Males are yellow, females browner. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Common native tree in wet habitats. Often planted for withies, masking its true native range.
    133814.jpg
  • Apples (Malus) About 25 species occur in northern temperate regions, although there are countless varieties and cultivars used for their highly important edible fruit and sometimes for their attractive blossom. They are hardy trees, growing in a variety of soils and climates, and some produce good-quality timber suitable for turnery. Most important fruiting varieties are propagated by grafting on to healthy stocks.
    133293.jpg
  • Osier Salix viminalis (Salicaceae) HEIGHT to 6m <br />
Spreading shrub or small tree. Rarely reaches full potential, being regularly cropped for long flexible twigs (‘withies’), used for weaving. Natural crown is narrow with slightly pendulous branches. SHOOTS Straight twigs are flexible, covered with greyish hairs when young, becoming smoother and shiny olive-brown with age. LEAVES Narrow, tapering, to 15cm long, the margin usually waved and rolled under; underside has grey woolly hairs. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male and female catkins, to 3cm long, appear before leaves on separate trees; erect or slightly curved. Males are yellow, females browner. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Common native tree in wet habitats. Often planted for withies, masking its true native range.
    132695.jpg
  • Fox Vulpes vulpes Length 95-130cm Adaptable dog-like carnivore but with a catholic diet including fruits and berries. Mainly nocturnal; daytime shelter is called an earth. Adult has thick, mainly orange-brown coat with whitish jaws and underparts are white and white tip to tail. Feet and backs of ears are blackish. Yelping scream is uttered mainly by females for brief period in winter, to mark breeding season. Common, widespread and adaptable, found in towns and cities as well as countryside.
    104387.jpg
  • Fox Vulpes vulpes Length 95-130cm Adaptable dog-like carnivore but with a catholic diet including fruits and berries. Mainly nocturnal; daytime shelter is called an earth. Adult has thick, mainly orange-brown coat with whitish jaws and underparts are white and white tip to tail. Feet and backs of ears are blackish. Yelping scream is uttered mainly by females for brief period in winter, to mark breeding season. Common, widespread and adaptable, found in towns and cities as well as countryside.
    110776.jpg
  • Reindeer Rangifer tarandus Shoulder height 0.9-1.2m Long-legged deer. Feeds on low-growing plants, including mosses and lichens. Both sexes have antlers – used to clear snow in winter for feeding. Adult is grey-brown; coat is thickest in winter. Male (bull) is thickset with asymmetrical, palmate antlers from early spring to mid-winter. Female (cow) has shorter antlers that lack palmations; shed in May. Calf is greyish brown. Utters grunting sounds. Formerly native to Britain but extinct by 12th Century. Domesticated animals introduced from Scandinavia now roam Cairngorms.
    116947.jpg
  • Red Deer Cervus elaphus Shoulder height 100-130cm Male (stag) is our heaviest deer. Size varies with region – southern animals are larger than northern ones. Lives in separate sex herds for much or year. Adult is reddish in summer but dark brown in winter. Has whitish rump patch and buffish brown tail. Only male has antlers: appear in spring, mature in autumn, shed in winter. Number of antler points increases with age. Calf is reddish brown with white spots. Female (hind) bleats and male utters bellowing roars during autumn rut. Common and native in Scotland. Locally also in Lake District, Exmoor, the New Forest and Norfolk.
    122778.jpg
  • Fox Vulpes vulpes Length 95-130cm Adaptable dog-like carnivore but with a catholic diet including fruits and berries. Mainly nocturnal; daytime shelter is called an earth. Adult has thick, mainly orange-brown coat with whitish jaws and underparts are white and white tip to tail. Feet and backs of ears are blackish. Yelping scream is uttered mainly by females for brief period in winter, to mark breeding season. Common, widespread and adaptable, found in towns and cities as well as countryside.
    125273.jpg
  • Reindeer Rangifer tarandus Shoulder height 0.9-1.2m Long-legged deer. Feeds on low-growing plants, including mosses and lichens. Both sexes have antlers – used to clear snow in winter for feeding. Adult is grey-brown; coat is thickest in winter. Male (bull) is thickset with asymmetrical, palmate antlers from early spring to mid-winter. Female (cow) has shorter antlers that lack palmations; shed in May. Calf is greyish brown. Utters grunting sounds. Formerly native to Britain but extinct by 12th Century. Domesticated animals introduced from Scandinavia now roam Cairngorms.
    127548.jpg
  • Reindeer Rangifer tarandus Shoulder height 0.9-1.2m Long-legged deer. Feeds on low-growing plants, including mosses and lichens. Both sexes have antlers – used to clear snow in winter for feeding. Adult is grey-brown; coat is thickest in winter. Male (bull) is thickset with asymmetrical, palmate antlers from early spring to mid-winter. Female (cow) has shorter antlers that lack palmations; shed in May. Calf is greyish brown. Utters grunting sounds. Formerly native to Britain but extinct by 12th Century. Domesticated animals introduced from Scandinavia now roam Cairngorms.
    128464.jpg
  • Woodlark Lullula arborea L 15cm. Unobtrusive and easily overlooked but for wonderful, yodelling song. Sexes are similar. Adult has sandy brown, streaked upperparts and mainly pale underparts; breast is streaked and flushed buff. Note chestnut ear coverts, pale supercilium and black-and-white marking on wing. Juvenile is similar but with a scaly-looking back. Voice Song comprises fluty, yodelling notes; call is yodelling deet-luee. Status Local, restricted to heathy habitats with short turf (for feeding), longer grassland (for nesting) and scattered trees. Nomadic outside breeding season.
    129158.jpg
  • Great grey Shrike Lanius excubitor. Shrikes are well-marked, bold predators that have an allure far beyond what might be expected for birds of their size. Sightings are infrequent nowadays and consequently it is a red letter day for any birdwatcher if they see one. Two species occur reasonably regularly in the region. The Great grey Shrike Lanius excubitor (L 22-26cm), a winter visitor here in small numbers, is an altogether more imposing bird with fiercely predatory habits. It has a grey cap and back, white underparts, a broad black mask through the eye, and a white patch on the otherwise dark wings. Look for on expanses of heathland and the New Forest in Hampshire is the most reliable spot in Britain.
    129354.jpg
  • Eider (male) 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.
    136024.jpg
  • 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.
    137120.jpg
  • Woodlark Lullula arborea L 15cm. Unobtrusive and easily overlooked but for wonderful, yodelling song. Sexes are similar. Adult has sandy brown, streaked upperparts and mainly pale underparts; breast is streaked and flushed buff. Note chestnut ear coverts, pale supercilium and black-and-white marking on wing. Juvenile is similar but with a scaly-looking back. Voice Song comprises fluty, yodelling notes; call is yodelling deet-luee. Status Local, restricted to heathy habitats with short turf (for feeding), longer grassland (for nesting) and scattered trees. Nomadic outside breeding season.
    139719.jpg
  • Red Deer Cervus elaphus Shoulder height 100-130cm Male (stag) is our heaviest deer. Size varies with region – southern animals are larger than northern ones. Lives in separate sex herds for much or year. Adult is reddish in summer but dark brown in winter. Has whitish rump patch and buffish brown tail. Only male has antlers: appear in spring, mature in autumn, shed in winter. Number of antler points increases with age. Calf is reddish brown with white spots. Female (hind) bleats and male utters bellowing roars during autumn rut. Common and native in Scotland. Locally also in Lake District, Exmoor, the New Forest and Norfolk.
    102563.jpg
Next