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  • GIPSYWORT Lycopus europaeus (Lamiaceae) Height to 75cm<br />
Hairy, usually somewhat branched, and superficially mint-like perennial. Grows in damp ground and beside fresh water, favouring locations such as ditches and pond margins. FLOWERS are 5mm long and whitish with small, purplish spots; borne in compact whorls that arise from the axils of the upper leaves (Jul-Sep). FRUITS are nutlets. LEAVES are yellowish green and deeply cut or pinnately divided into lobes. STATUS-Widespread and common in central and S England but scarce or absent elsewhere.
    132063.jpg
  • GIPSYWORT Lycopus europaeus (Lamiaceae) Height to 75cm<br />
Hairy, usually somewhat branched, and superficially mint-like perennial. Grows in damp ground and beside fresh water, favouring locations such as ditches and pond margins. FLOWERS are 5mm long and whitish with small, purplish spots; borne in compact whorls that arise from the axils of the upper leaves (Jul-Sep). FRUITS are nutlets. LEAVES are yellowish green and deeply cut or pinnately divided into lobes. STATUS-Widespread and common in central and S England but scarce or absent elsewhere.
    131907.jpg
  • Great Diving Beetle - female - Dytiscus marginalis
    107146.jpg
  • Freshwater Louse - Asellus aquaticus
    107030.jpg
  • Hydra fusca
    105747.jpg
  • Tadpole Shrimp/triops - Apus cancriformis
    105706.jpg
  • Glassworm or Phantom Midge Larvae - Chaoborus
    105485.jpg
  • Tufted Duck - Aythya fuligula - male
    164128.jpg
  • Coot - Fulica atra
    164155.jpg
  • Coot - Fulica atra
    164154.jpg
  • Coot - Fulica atra
    164152.jpg
  • Canada Goose - Branta canadensis
    164149.jpg
  • Tufted Duck - Aythya fuligula - 1st winter female
    164136.jpg
  • Tufted Duck - Aythya fuligula - male
    164135.jpg
  • Tufted Duck - Aythya fuligula - male
    164134.jpg
  • Tufted Duck - Aythya fuligula - male
    164133.jpg
  • Tufted Duck - Aythya fuligula - male
    164129.jpg
  • Window-winged Sedge - Hagenella clathrata
    162702.jpg
  • Window-winged Sedge - Hagenella clathrata<br />
egg mass with  newly emerged larvae
    162678.jpg
  • Emperor Dragonfly - Anax imperator<br />
larval skin = exuvia
    162651.jpg
  • Window-winged Sedge - Hagenella clathrata
    162591.jpg
  • Window-winged Sedge - Hagenella clathrata
    162563.jpg
  • Window-winged Sedge - Hagenella clathrata
    162564.jpg
  • Scarce Brown Sedge - Ironoquia dubia
    162548.jpg
  • Scarce Brown Sedge - Ironoquia dubia
    162547.jpg
  • Hazel - Corylus avellana, spring leaf burst at Stoke Wood, Bicester, Oxfordshire
    162462.jpg
  • Hazel - Corylus avellana, spring leaf burst at Stoke Wood, Bicester, Oxfordshire
    162461.jpg
  • Black-necked Grebe Podiceps nigricollis L 28-34cm. Buoyant waterbird with uptilted bill, steep forehead and beady red eye. White patch on trailing edge of wing seen in flight. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has blackish head, neck and back, with golden-yellow tufts on face. Flanks are chestnut. In winter, has mainly blackish upperparts and white underparts; told from similar Slavonian by head shape and greater extent of black on cheeks. Juvenile is similar to winter adult but grubby-looking. Voice Mostly silent. Status Scarce winter visitor to sheltered coasts; occasional on inland reservoirs. A few pairs nest on shallow, well-vegetated lakes.
    126970.jpg
  • Kingfisher- Alcedo atthis - female. L 16-17cm. Dazzling bird with dagger-like bill. Perches on branches overhanging water and plunge-dives after small fish. Flies low over water on whirring wings. Excavates nest burrow in riverbank. Sexes are separable. Adult male has orange-red underparts, mainly blue upperparts with electric-blue back. Legs and feet are red and bill is all-dark. Adult female is similar but base of lower mandible is flushed red. Juvenile is similar to adult but bill tip is pale. Voice Utters high-pitched call in flight. Status Widespread resident of streams and lakes, commonest in lowland areas.
    157704.jpg
  • Black-tailed Skimmer - Orthetrum cancellatum - female.
    157697.jpg
  • Coot Fulica atra L 36-38cm. Robust waterbird, often found with Moorhen. Has lobed toes. Feeds by upending, making shallow dives or grazing waterside vegetation. Gregarious outside breeding season. Sexes are similar. Adult has blackish plumage, darkest on head and neck. Note white bill and frontal shield on head, and beady red eye. Legs are pale yellowish. In flight, shows white trailing edge on otherwise dark, rounded wings. Juvenile has dark greyish brown upperparts and white on throat and front of neck. Voice Utters a loud kwoot call. Status Common resident, found on range of freshwater wetland habitats; numbers boosted in winter by influx of migrants.
    157662.jpg
  • Heleobia stagnorum
    136948.jpg
  • Little Egret - Egretta garzetta. L 55-65cm. Unmistakable pure white, heron-like bird. Long, black legs have bright yellow toes. Feeds actively in water, often chasing small fish. Has a hunched posture when resting. In flight, neck is held ‘S-shaped’ and legs are trailing. Sexes are similar. Adult has pure white plumage. Note yellow eye. Nape plumes seen in breeding plumage. Juvenile is similar to adult. Voice Mostly silent. Status Recent arrival to Britain, now locally common on coasts and increasingly on inland wetlands.
    157653.jpg
  • Canada Goose - Branta canadensis. L 95-105cm. Large, familiar goose with long neck and upright stance. All birds have blackish bill and dark legs. In flight, wings appear uniformly grey-brown while stern is white. Sexes are similar. Adult has white cheeks on otherwise black head and neck. Body is mainly grey-brown, darkest on back (pale feather margins creating barring) and palest on breast. Stern is white and tail is dark. Juvenile is similar but barring on back is less distinct. Voice Utters loud, disyllabic trumpeting calls in flight. Status Introduced but now our most widespread goose; commonest in lowland England, usually in vicinity of freshwater, often on nearby grassland.
    157651.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
  • Canada Goose - Branta canadensis. L 95-105cm. Large, familiar goose with long neck and upright stance. All birds have blackish bill and dark legs. In flight, wings appear uniformly grey-brown while stern is white. Sexes are similar. Adult has white cheeks on otherwise black head and neck. Body is mainly grey-brown, darkest on back (pale feather margins creating barring) and palest on breast. Stern is white and tail is dark. Juvenile is similar but barring on back is less distinct. Voice Utters loud, disyllabic trumpeting calls in flight. Status Introduced but now our most widespread goose; commonest in lowland England, usually in vicinity of freshwater, often on nearby grassland.
    157645.jpg
  • Mallard - Anas platyrhynchos - male. 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.
    157638.jpg
  • Canada Goose - Branta canadensis. L 95-105cm. Large, familiar goose with long neck and upright stance. All birds have blackish bill and dark legs. In flight, wings appear uniformly grey-brown while stern is white. Sexes are similar. Adult has white cheeks on otherwise black head and neck. Body is mainly grey-brown, darkest on back (pale feather margins creating barring) and palest on breast. Stern is white and tail is dark. Juvenile is similar but barring on back is less distinct. Voice Utters loud, disyllabic trumpeting calls in flight. Status Introduced but now our most widespread goose; commonest in lowland England, usually in vicinity of freshwater, often on nearby grassland.
    157637.jpg
  • Electro fishing survey of Norfolk's chalk rivers, Norfolk Rivers Trust, autumn, Norfolk UK
    157594.jpg
  • Nine-spined Stickleback Pungitius pungitius Length to 10cm <br />
Small, body-looking fish with 9-10 dorsal spines. Adult is yellowish-green above, silvery below. Found in sheltered bays and estuaries. Locally common, except in SW.
    157593.jpg
  • Irish Yew - Taxus baccata ‘Fastigiata’ (Height to 25m) Differs from Common Yew in having a more columnar, upright form with ascending branches. Leaves, flowers and fruits are almost identical to those of Common Yew. Present-day plants of this variant are survivors of one of a pair of trees found in County Fermanagh, Ireland, in the mid-eighteenth century.
    157547.jpg
  • Irish Yew - Taxus baccata ‘Fastigiata’ (Height to 25m) Differs from Common Yew in having a more columnar, upright form with ascending branches. Leaves, flowers and fruits are almost identical to those of Common Yew. Present-day plants of this variant are survivors of one of a pair of trees found in County Fermanagh, Ireland, in the mid-eighteenth century.
    157446.jpg
  • Canada Goose - Branta canadensis. L 95-105cm. Large, familiar goose with long neck and upright stance. All birds have blackish bill and dark legs. In flight, wings appear uniformly grey-brown while stern is white. Sexes are similar. Adult has white cheeks on otherwise black head and neck. Body is mainly grey-brown, darkest on back (pale feather margins creating barring) and palest on breast. Stern is white and tail is dark. Juvenile is similar but barring on back is less distinct. Voice Utters loud, disyllabic trumpeting calls in flight. Status Introduced but now our most widespread goose; commonest in lowland England, usually in vicinity of freshwater, often on nearby grassland.
    157148.jpg
  • Collared Kingfisher - Todirhamphis chloris
    157091.jpg
  • Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus L 21-23cm. Plump-bodied wader with a bobbing gait. Unobtrusive and often first observed when flushed: note white rump and yelping alarm call. Tail is marked with a few, broad dark bands. Sexes are similar. Adult has rather dark brown upperparts with small pale spots. Head and neck are streaked; note clear demarcation between dark, streaked breast and clean white underparts. Pale supercilium is bold only in front of eye and legs are greenish yellow. Juvenile is similar but pale spotting on upperparts is more noticeable. Voice Utters a trisyllabic chlueet-wit-wit flight call. Status Widespread and fairly common passage migrant, found on freshwater habitats. Winters in small numbers.
    157015.jpg
  • Little Egret - Egretta garzetta L 55-65cm. Unmistakable pure white, heron-like bird. Long, black legs have bright yellow toes. Feeds actively in water, often chasing small fish. Has a hunched posture when resting. In flight, neck is held ‘S-shaped’ and legs are trailing. Sexes are similar. Adult has pure white plumage. Note yellow eye. Nape plumes seen in breeding plumage. Juvenile is similar to adult. Voice Mostly silent. Status Recent arrival to Britain, now locally common on coasts and increasingly on inland wetlands.
    156887.jpg
  • Grey Heron - Ardea cinerea L 90-98cm. Familiar wetland bird. Stands motionless for long periods. Flies on broad wings with slow, deep wingbeats; neck is held hunched. Sexes are similar. Adult has whitish grey head, neck and underparts with dark streaks on front of neck and breast; note white forecrown and black sides to crown leading to black nape feathers. Back and upperwings are blue-grey; flight feathers are black. Dagger-like bill is yellowish. Juvenile is similar but crown and forehead are dark grey. Voice Utters a harsh krrarnk in flight. Status Common resident. Favours freshwater wetlands but also on coasts in winter.
    156889.jpg
  • Grey Heron - Ardea cinerea L 90-98cm. Familiar wetland bird. Stands motionless for long periods. Flies on broad wings with slow, deep wingbeats; neck is held hunched. Sexes are similar. Adult has whitish grey head, neck and underparts with dark streaks on front of neck and breast; note white forecrown and black sides to crown leading to black nape feathers. Back and upperwings are blue-grey; flight feathers are black. Dagger-like bill is yellowish. Juvenile is similar but crown and forehead are dark grey. Voice Utters a harsh krrarnk in flight. Status Common resident. Favours freshwater wetlands but also on coasts in winter.
    156894.jpg
  • Water Rail - Rallus aquaticus L 23-28cm. Secretive wetland bird. Distinctive call is heard far more frequently than bird is seen. In profile, note dumpy body, short tail and long bill. Seen head-on, body is laterally compressed. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly blue-grey underparts, reddish brown upperparts, and black and white barring on flanks. Bill and legs are red. Juvenile is similar to adult but duller. Voice Utters a pig-like squeal and various choking calls. Status Favours reedbeds and marshes; migrants sometimes found on streams and watercress beds.
    156893.jpg
  • Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus L 21-23cm. Plump-bodied wader with a bobbing gait. Unobtrusive and often first observed when flushed: note white rump and yelping alarm call. Tail is marked with a few, broad dark bands. Sexes are similar. Adult has rather dark brown upperparts with small pale spots. Head and neck are streaked; note clear demarcation between dark, streaked breast and clean white underparts. Pale supercilium is bold only in front of eye and legs are greenish yellow. Juvenile is similar but pale spotting on upperparts is more noticeable. Voice Utters a trisyllabic chlueet-wit-wit flight call. Status Widespread and fairly common passage migrant, found on freshwater habitats. Winters in small numbers.
    156859.jpg
  • Otter - Lutra lutra. Adult male killed on the road.  Length 95-135cm Sinuous swimmer with a bounding gait on land. Feeds mainly on fish. Adult has long, cylindrical body, with short legs and long, thickset tail. Blunt head has sensitive bristles and toes are webbed. Coat is mainly brown but chin, throat and belly are whitish. Fur has water-repellent properties: sleek in water but ‘spiky’ when dry. Mostly silent. Persecuted and poisoned (by agricultural pesticides) until mostly extinct in lowland Britain by 1960s. Now recovering and recolonising former haunts.
    156832.jpg
  • Chinese Mitten Crab - Eriocheir sinensis
    156786.jpg
  • Southern Hawker - Aeshna cyanea
    156677.jpg
  • Grey Heron Ardea cinerea L 90-98cm. Familiar wetland bird. Stands motionless for long periods. Flies on broad wings with slow, deep wingbeats; neck is held hunched. Sexes are similar. Adult has whitish grey head, neck and underparts with dark streaks on front of neck and breast; note white forecrown and black sides to crown leading to black nape feathers. Back and upperwings are blue-grey; flight feathers are black. Dagger-like bill is yellowish. Juvenile is similar but crown and forehead are dark grey. Voice Utters a harsh krrarnk in flight. Status Common resident. Favours freshwater wetlands but also on coasts in winter.
    156637.jpg
  • Plot's Elm - Ulmus plotii
    134050.jpg
  • Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus L 46-51cm. Graceful waterbird with slender neck and dagger-like bill. White wing panels revealed in flight. Dives frequently. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has grey-brown upperparts and mainly whitish underparts; head has black cap and crest, and orange-buff ruff bordering paler cheeks. Bill is pink and eye is red. In winter, has drab grey-brown and white plumage. Juvenile recalls winter adult but has dark stripes on cheeks. Voice Utters wails and croaks in breeding season. Status Locally common breeding species on lakes and reservoirs. Widespread in winter, when also found in inshore seas.
    156450.jpg
  • Salmon - Salmo salar Length to 150cm. Large and distinctive fish. Found in open seas for much of life, but migrates into freshwater to spawn. Adult has streamlined, powerfully muscular body. At sea, silver-grey above, silvery-white below, with dark spots on back and flanks; spawning individuals become duller and more yellow. Widespread and locally, and seasonally, fairly common, least so in E and SE.
    156408.jpg
  • Mallard Anas platyrhynchos - Male. 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.
    156383.jpg
  • Grey Heron Ardea cinerea L 90-98cm. Familiar wetland bird. Stands motionless for long periods. Flies on broad wings with slow, deep wingbeats; neck is held hunched. Sexes are similar. Adult has whitish grey head, neck and underparts with dark streaks on front of neck and breast; note white forecrown and black sides to crown leading to black nape feathers. Back and upperwings are blue-grey; flight feathers are black. Dagger-like bill is yellowish. Juvenile is similar but crown and forehead are dark grey. Voice Utters a harsh krrarnk in flight. Status Common resident. Favours freshwater wetlands but also on coasts in winter.
    156192.jpg
  • Water Scorpion - Nepa cinerea
    156225.jpg
  • White-clawed Crayfish - Austropotamobius pallipes
    156226.jpg
  • Spined Loach - Cobitis taenia
    156231.jpg
  • Stone Loach Barbatula barbatula Length 5-10cm<br />
This is an elongate, slim-bodied fish with well developed barbels around the mouth; it is widespread but often overlooked in gravel-bottomed, unpolluted streams and rivers.
    156238.jpg
  • Spined Loach - Cobitis taenia
    156261.jpg
  • Signal Crayfish - Pacifastacus leniusculus
    156269.jpg
  • Blue-winged Teal - Spatula discors - Female. Length 37-40cm. A small distinctive North American duck. Adult male has a bluish head with a striking and diagnostic white crescent. The body is buffish-brown, marbled with darker spots, and a white patch can be seen on the otherwise black stern. Adult female and juvenile are mainly marbled brown and are similar to their Teal counterparts. However, the plumage is greyer; note the pale spot at the base of the bill and the absence of a pale patch at the side of the base of the tail (seen in Teal). In flight, all the birds reveal an extensive and diagnostic blue panel across much of the upper surface of the inner wing. Ten or so individulas might be recorded in a good year, mainly in autumn and winter. Blue-winged Teals favour freshwater wetlands and occur in similar habitats to those frequented by migrant Garganeys in spring and summer.
    147088.jpg
  • Blue-winged Teal - Spatula discors - Male. Length 37-40cm. A small distinctive North American duck. Adult male has a bluish head with a striking and diagnostic white crescent. The body is buffish-brown, marbled with darker spots, and a white patch can be seen on the otherwise black stern. Adult female and juvenile are mainly marbled brown and are similar to their Teal counterparts. However, the plumage is greyer; note the pale spot at the base of the bill and the absence of a pale patch at the side of the base of the tail (seen in Teal). In flight, all the birds reveal an extensive and diagnostic blue panel across much of the upper surface of the inner wing. Ten or so individulas might be recorded in a good year, mainly in autumn and winter. Blue-winged Teals favour freshwater wetlands and occur in similar habitats to those frequented by migrant Garganeys in spring and summer.
    147090.jpg
  • Blue-winged Teal - Spatula discors - Male. Length 37-40cm. A small distinctive North American duck. Adult male has a bluish head with a striking and diagnostic white crescent. The body is buffish-brown, marbled with darker spots, and a white patch can be seen on the otherwise black stern. Adult female and juvenile are mainly marbled brown and are similar to their Teal counterparts. However, the plumage is greyer; note the pale spot at the base of the bill and the absence of a pale patch at the side of the base of the tail (seen in Teal). In flight, all the birds reveal an extensive and diagnostic blue panel across much of the upper surface of the inner wing. Ten or so individulas might be recorded in a good year, mainly in autumn and winter. Blue-winged Teals favour freshwater wetlands and occur in similar habitats to those frequented by migrant Garganeys in spring and summer.
    147089.jpg
  • Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus L 46-51cm. Graceful waterbird with slender neck and dagger-like bill. White wing panels revealed in flight. Dives frequently. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has grey-brown upperparts and mainly whitish underparts; head has black cap and crest, and orange-buff ruff bordering paler cheeks. Bill is pink and eye is red. In winter, has drab grey-brown and white plumage. Juvenile recalls winter adult but has dark stripes on cheeks. Voice Utters wails and croaks in breeding season. Status Locally common breeding species on lakes and reservoirs. Widespread in winter, when also found in inshore seas.
    155995.jpg
  • Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola L 19-21cm. Elegantly proportioned wader. Legs are yellowish and relatively longer than those of similar-sized cousins. Has pale supercilium and, in flight, note white rump and barred tail. Sexes are similar. Adult has brownish, spangled upperparts. Head and neck are streaked and has faint streaks and spots on otherwise pale underparts. Juvenile is similar but upperparts are browner and marked with pale buff spots. Voice Utters a chiff-chiff-chiff flight call. Status Widespread and fairly common passage migrant, found mainly on freshwater pools near the coast; more rarely inland. Handful of pairs breed in bogs in Scottish Highlands.
    155947.jpg
  • Little Egret Egretta garzetta L 55-65cm. Unmistakable pure white, heron-like bird. Long, black legs have bright yellow toes. Feeds actively in water, often chasing small fish. Has a hunched posture when resting. In flight, neck is held ‘S-shaped’ and legs are trailing. Sexes are similar. Adult has pure white plumage. Note yellow eye. Nape plumes seen in breeding plumage. Juvenile is similar to adult. Voice Mostly silent. Status Recent arrival to Britain, now locally common on coasts and increasingly on inland wetlands.
    155953.jpg
  • Little Egret Egretta garzetta L 55-65cm. Unmistakable pure white, heron-like bird. Long, black legs have bright yellow toes. Feeds actively in water, often chasing small fish. Has a hunched posture when resting. In flight, neck is held ‘S-shaped’ and legs are trailing. Sexes are similar. Adult has pure white plumage. Note yellow eye. Nape plumes seen in breeding plumage. Juvenile is similar to adult. Voice Mostly silent. Status Recent arrival to Britain, now locally common on coasts and increasingly on inland wetlands.
    155954.jpg
  • Emperor Dragonfly - Anax impertator - feeding on another of the same species.
    155930.jpg
  • Temminck’s Stint Calidris temminckii L 14-15cm. Tiny, slim-bodied wader with deliberate, almost creeping, feeding action. Compared to Little Stint, has short, yellow legs, longer tail and wings, and slightly downcurved bill. Note clear demarcation between dark breast and white underparts and white outer tail feathers. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has grey-brown upperparts and streaked grey head, neck and breast; many back feathers having dark centres. Underparts are white. In winter (unlikely to be seen here), has uniform grey-brown upperparts and white underparts. Juvenile has white underparts and brownish upperparts with scaly-looking back. Voice Utters a trilling call. Status Scarce passage migrant; favours margins of shallow freshwater pools. A few pairs breed in Scotland.<br />
nature photographers #
    126651.jpg
  • Mallard Anas platyrhynchos - Male. 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.
    155792.jpg
  • Mallard Anas platyrhynchos - Male. 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.
    155793.jpg
  • American Bittern - Botaurus lentiginosus
    146012.jpg
  • American Bittern - Botaurus lentiginosus
    146013.jpg
  • American Bittern - Botaurus lentiginosus
    146015.jpg
  • American Coot - Fulica americana
    146016.jpg
  • American Coot - Fulica americana
    146019.jpg
  • American Coot - Fulica americana
    146022.jpg
  • American Dipper - Cinclus mexicanus
    146027.jpg
  • American Dipper - Cinclus mexicanus
    146029.jpg
  • American Dipper - Cinclus mexicanus
    146030.jpg
  • American Dipper - Cinclus mexicanus
    146033.jpg
  • American Dipper - Cinclus mexicanus
    146035.jpg
  • American Dipper - Cinclus mexicanus
    146037.jpg
  • Mallard Anas platyrhynchos - male. 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.
    155781.jpg
  • 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.
    155739.jpg
  • Gadwall Anas strepera - Male. 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.
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  • Salmon - Salmo salar Length to 150cm. Large and distinctive fish. Found in open seas for much of life, but migrates into freshwater to spawn. Adult has streamlined, powerfully muscular body. At sea, silver-grey above, silvery-white below, with dark spots on back and flanks; spawning individuals become duller and more yellow. Widespread and locally, and seasonally, fairly common, least so in E and SE.
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  • 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.
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  • Mallard - Anas platyrhynchos. Close up of drake head. 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.
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  • Coot - Fulica atra - Adult birds squabbling. L 36-38cm. Robust waterbird, often found with Moorhen. Has lobed toes. Feeds by upending, making shallow dives or grazing waterside vegetation. Gregarious outside breeding season. Sexes are similar. Adult has blackish plumage, darkest on head and neck. Note white bill and frontal shield on head, and beady red eye. Legs are pale yellowish. In flight, shows white trailing edge on otherwise dark, rounded wings. Juvenile has dark greyish brown upperparts and white on throat and front of neck. Voice Utters a loud kwoot call. Status Common resident, found on range of freshwater wetland habitats; numbers boosted in winter by influx of migrants.
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  • Coot - Fulica atra - Adult in flight. L 36-38cm. Robust waterbird, often found with Moorhen. Has lobed toes. Feeds by upending, making shallow dives or grazing waterside vegetation. Gregarious outside breeding season. Sexes are similar. Adult has blackish plumage, darkest on head and neck. Note white bill and frontal shield on head, and beady red eye. Legs are pale yellowish. In flight, shows white trailing edge on otherwise dark, rounded wings. Juvenile has dark greyish brown upperparts and white on throat and front of neck. Voice Utters a loud kwoot call. Status Common resident, found on range of freshwater wetland habitats; numbers boosted in winter by influx of migrants.
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  • Little Egret Egretta garzetta L 55-65cm. Unmistakable pure white, heron-like bird. Long, black legs have bright yellow toes. Feeds actively in water, often chasing small fish. Has a hunched posture when resting. In flight, neck is held ‘S-shaped’ and legs are trailing. Sexes are similar. Adult has pure white plumage. Note yellow eye. Nape plumes seen in breeding plumage. Juvenile is similar to adult. Voice Mostly silent. Status Recent arrival to Britain, now locally common on coasts and increasingly on inland wetlands.
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  • Coot Fulica atra L 36-38cm. Robust waterbird, often found with Moorhen. Has lobed toes. Feeds by upending, making shallow dives or grazing waterside vegetation. Gregarious outside breeding season. Sexes are similar. Adult has blackish plumage, darkest on head and neck. Note white bill and frontal shield on head, and beady red eye. Legs are pale yellowish. In flight, shows white trailing edge on otherwise dark, rounded wings. Juvenile has dark greyish brown upperparts and white on throat and front of neck. Voice Utters a loud kwoot call. Status Common resident, found on range of freshwater wetland habitats; numbers boosted in winter by influx of migrants.
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  • Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula - Male. 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.
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  • 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.
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