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  • Grassland Puffball - Lycoperdon lividum
    135363.jpg
  • Grassland Puffball - Lycoperdon lividum
    135587.jpg
  • Meadow Brown Maniola jurtina Wingspan 50mm. Britain’s most familiar and widespread grassland butterfly. Adult has brown upperwings; male has a small orange patch on the forewing containing eyespot; orange patch is larger in female. Underside of hindwing is brown with a grey-brown band; forewing is orange and buff with an eyespot. Flies June-Aug. Larva feeds on grasses and is nocturnal. Generally common throughout the region but least so in northern Scotland and Ireland. Favours a wide range of grassland habitats.
    145859.jpg
  • Small Heath Coenonympha pamphilus Wingspan 30mm. A tiny grassland butterfly that invariably rests with its wings closed; upperwings are almost never revealed. Underside of forewing is orange with an eyespot; hindwing is marbled grey, brown and buff. Double-brooded: flies May–June and August–September. Larva feeds on grasses and is nocturnal. Widespread but locally common only in southern England; range has contracted because it is restricted to unimproved grassland and does not tolerate modern agricultural practices.
    145015.jpg
  • Ringlet Aphantopus hyperantus Wingspan 48mm. A distinctively dark grassland butterfly. Adult has sooty-brown wings that are darker in males than females; both upper and lower wings are marked with eyespots but the size and number are variable. Flies June–July. Larva feeds on grasses and is strictly nocturnal. Widespread and fairly common in Britain and Ireland as far north as southern Scotland. Associated with a wide range of grassland habitats.
    140941.jpg
  • Ringlet Aphantopus hyperantus Wingspan 48mm. A distinctively dark grassland butterfly. Adult has sooty-brown wings that are darker in males than females; both upper and lower wings are marked with eyespots but the size and number are variable. Flies June–July. Larva feeds on grasses and is strictly nocturnal. Widespread and fairly common in Britain and Ireland as far north as southern Scotland. Associated with a wide range of grassland habitats.
    140091.jpg
  • Small Heath Coenonympha pamphilus Wingspan 30mm. A tiny grassland butterfly that invariably rests with its wings closed; upperwings are almost never revealed. Underside of forewing is orange with an eyespot; hindwing is marbled grey, brown and buff. Double-brooded: flies May–June and August–September. Larva feeds on grasses and is nocturnal. Widespread but locally common only in southern England; range has contracted because it is restricted to unimproved grassland and does not tolerate modern agricultural practices.
    136157.jpg
  • YARROW (PURPLE) BROOMRAPE Orobanche purpurea (Orobanchaceae) Height to 30cm. Upright, unbranched purplish-tinged annual. Whole plant lacks chlorophyll and is entirely parasitic on the roots of Yarrow Achillea millefolium. Found in dry grassland and in coastal grassland. FLOWERS are 20-30mm long, the corolla pinkish-purple with darker veins. Stigmas are white. Flowers borne in open, upright spikes (Jun-Jul). FRUITS are egg-shaped capsules, concealed by the dead flowers. LEAVES are scale-like. STATUS-Very rare. Scattered, from Norfolk to Isle of Wight.
    140030.jpg
  • EARLY PURPLE ORCHID Orchis mascula (Orchidaceae) Height to 40cm. Attractive perennial that grows in woodland, scrub and grassland, doing especially well on neutral or calcareous grassland. FLOWERS are pinkish purple, with a 3-lobed lower lip, 8-12mm long, and a long spur; borne in tall spikes (Apr-Jun). FRUITS are egg-shaped. LEAVES are glossy and dark green with dark spots; these appear first as a rosette, from January onwards, from which the flower stalk arises later in spring.  STATUS-Widespread and locally common throughout much of the region.
    145772.jpg
  • Ringlet - Aphantopus hyperantus - male (top row) - female (bottom row). Wingspan 48mm. A distinctively dark grassland butterfly. Adult has sooty-brown wings that are darker in males than females; both upper and lower wings are marked with eyespots but the size and number are variable. Flies June–July. Larva feeds on grasses and is strictly nocturnal. Widespread and fairly common in Britain and Ireland as far north as southern Scotland. Associated with a wide range of grassland habitats.
    157194.jpg
  • Early Purple Orchid - Orchis mascula - Pink form (Orchidaceae) Height to 40cm. Attractive perennial that grows in woodland, scrub and grassland, doing especially well on neutral or calcareous grassland. FLOWERS are pinkish purple, with a 3-lobed lower lip, 8-12mm long, and a long spur; borne in tall spikes (Apr-Jun). FRUITS are egg-shaped. LEAVES are glossy and dark green with dark spots; these appear first as a rosette, from January onwards, from which the flower stalk arises later in spring.  STATUS-Widespread and locally common throughout much of the region.
    156634.jpg
  • Early Purple Orchid - Orchis mascula - white form. (Orchidaceae) Height to 40cm. Attractive perennial that grows in woodland, scrub and grassland, doing especially well on neutral or calcareous grassland. FLOWERS are pinkish purple, with a 3-lobed lower lip, 8-12mm long, and a long spur; borne in tall spikes (Apr-Jun). FRUITS are egg-shaped. LEAVES are glossy and dark green with dark spots; these appear first as a rosette, from January onwards, from which the flower stalk arises later in spring.  STATUS-Widespread and locally common throughout much of the region.
    156633.jpg
  • Early Purple Orchid - Orchis mascula (Orchidaceae) Height to 40cm. Attractive perennial that grows in woodland, scrub and grassland, doing especially well on neutral or calcareous grassland. FLOWERS are pinkish purple, with a 3-lobed lower lip, 8-12mm long, and a long spur; borne in tall spikes (Apr-Jun). FRUITS are egg-shaped. LEAVES are glossy and dark green with dark spots; these appear first as a rosette, from January onwards, from which the flower stalk arises later in spring.  STATUS-Widespread and locally common throughout much of the region.
    156632.jpg
  • EARLY PURPLE ORCHID Orchis mascula (Orchidaceae) Height to 40cm. Attractive perennial that grows in woodland, scrub and grassland, doing especially well on neutral or calcareous grassland. FLOWERS are pinkish purple, with a 3-lobed lower lip, 8-12mm long, and a long spur; borne in tall spikes (Apr-Jun). FRUITS are egg-shaped. LEAVES are glossy and dark green with dark spots; these appear first as a rosette, from January onwards, from which the flower stalk arises later in spring. STATUS-Widespread and locally common throughout much of the region.
    156193.jpg
  • Small Heath Coenonympha pamphilus Wingspan 30mm. A tiny grassland butterfly that invariably rests with its wings closed; upperwings are almost never revealed. Underside of forewing is orange with an eyespot; hindwing is marbled grey, brown and buff. Double-brooded: flies May–June and August–September. Larva feeds on grasses and is nocturnal. Widespread but locally common only in southern England; range has contracted because it is restricted to unimproved grassland and does not tolerate modern agricultural practices.
    145017.jpg
  • Small Heath Coenonympha pamphilus Wingspan 30mm. A tiny grassland butterfly that invariably rests with its wings closed; upperwings are almost never revealed. Underside of forewing is orange with an eyespot; hindwing is marbled grey, brown and buff. Double-brooded: flies May–June and August–September. Larva feeds on grasses and is nocturnal. Widespread but locally common only in southern England; range has contracted because it is restricted to unimproved grassland and does not tolerate modern agricultural practices.
    145016.jpg
  • Ringlet Aphantopus hyperantus Wingspan 48mm. A distinctively dark grassland butterfly. Adult has sooty-brown wings that are darker in males than females; both upper and lower wings are marked with eyespots but the size and number are variable. Flies June–July. Larva feeds on grasses and is strictly nocturnal. Widespread and fairly common in Britain and Ireland as far north as southern Scotland. Associated with a wide range of grassland habitats.
    144994.jpg
  • Meadow Brown Maniola jurtina Wingspan 50mm. Britain’s most familiar and widespread grassland butterfly. Adult has brown upperwings; male has a small orange patch on the forewing containing eyespot; orange patch is larger in female. Underside of hindwing is brown with a grey-brown band; forewing is orange and buff with an eyespot. Flies June-Aug. Larva feeds on grasses and is nocturnal. Generally common throughout the region but least so in northern Scotland and Ireland. Favours a wide range of grassland habitats.
    144968.jpg
  • Meadow Brown Maniola jurtina Wingspan 50mm. Britain’s most familiar and widespread grassland butterfly. Adult has brown upperwings; male has a small orange patch on the forewing containing eyespot; orange patch is larger in female. Underside of hindwing is brown with a grey-brown band; forewing is orange and buff with an eyespot. Flies June-Aug. Larva feeds on grasses and is nocturnal. Generally common throughout the region but least so in northern Scotland and Ireland. Favours a wide range of grassland habitats.
    144967.jpg
  • Ringlet Aphantopus hyperantus Wingspan 48mm. A distinctively dark grassland butterfly. Adult has sooty-brown wings that are darker in males than females; both upper and lower wings are marked with eyespots but the size and number are variable. Flies June–July. Larva feeds on grasses and is strictly nocturnal. Widespread and fairly common in Britain and Ireland as far north as southern Scotland. Associated with a wide range of grassland habitats.
    140117.jpg
  • Ringlet Aphantopus hyperantus Wingspan 48mm. A distinctively dark grassland butterfly. Adult has sooty-brown wings that are darker in males than females; both upper and lower wings are marked with eyespots but the size and number are variable. Flies June–July. Larva feeds on grasses and is strictly nocturnal. Widespread and fairly common in Britain and Ireland as far north as southern Scotland. Associated with a wide range of grassland habitats.
    136182.jpg
  • Meadow Brown Maniola jurtina Wingspan 50mm. Britain’s most familiar and widespread grassland butterfly. Adult has brown upperwings; male has a small orange patch on the forewing containing eyespot; orange patch is larger in female. Underside of hindwing is brown with a grey-brown band; forewing is orange and buff with an eyespot. Flies June-Aug. Larva feeds on grasses and is nocturnal. Generally common throughout the region but least so in northern Scotland and Ireland. Favours a wide range of grassland habitats.
    105157.jpg
  • Ringlet Aphantopus hyperantus Wingspan 48mm. A distinctively dark grassland butterfly. Adult has sooty-brown wings that are darker in males than females; both upper and lower wings are marked with eyespots but the size and number are variable. Flies June–July. Larva feeds on grasses and is strictly nocturnal. Widespread and fairly common in Britain and Ireland as far north as southern Scotland. Associated with a wide range of grassland habitats.
    105155.jpg
  • Meadow Brown Maniola jurtina Wingspan 50mm. Britain’s most familiar and widespread grassland butterfly. Adult has brown upperwings; male has a small orange patch on the forewing containing eyespot; orange patch is larger in female. Underside of hindwing is brown with a grey-brown band; forewing is orange and buff with an eyespot. Flies June-Aug. Larva feeds on grasses and is nocturnal. Generally common throughout the region but least so in northern Scotland and Ireland. Favours a wide range of grassland habitats.
    103197.jpg
  • EARLY PURPLE ORCHID Orchis mascula (Orchidaceae) Height to 40cm. Attractive perennial that grows in woodland, scrub and grassland, doing especially well on neutral or calcareous grassland. FLOWERS are pinkish purple, with a 3-lobed lower lip, 8-12mm long, and a long spur; borne in tall spikes (Apr-Jun). FRUITS are egg-shaped. LEAVES are glossy and dark green with dark spots; these appear first as a rosette, from January onwards, from which the flower stalk arises later in spring.  STATUS-Widespread and locally common throughout much of the region.
    132030.jpg
  • EARLY PURPLE ORCHID Orchis mascula (Orchidaceae) Height to 40cm. Attractive perennial that grows in woodland, scrub and grassland, doing especially well on neutral or calcareous grassland. FLOWERS are pinkish purple, with a 3-lobed lower lip, 8-12mm long, and a long spur; borne in tall spikes (Apr-Jun). FRUITS are egg-shaped. LEAVES are glossy and dark green with dark spots; these appear first as a rosette, from January onwards, from which the flower stalk arises later in spring.  STATUS-Widespread and locally common throughout much of the region.
    130355.jpg
  • Meadow Brown - Maniola jurtina - male (top row) - female (middle & bottom rows). Wingspan 50mm. Britain’s most familiar and widespread grassland butterfly. Adult has brown upperwings; male has a small orange patch on the forewing containing eyespot; orange patch is larger in female. Underside of hindwing is brown with a grey-brown band; forewing is orange and buff with an eyespot. Flies June-Aug. Larva feeds on grasses and is nocturnal. Generally common throughout the region but least so in northern Scotland and Ireland. Favours a wide range of grassland habitats.
    157191.jpg
  • Small Heath - Coenonympha pamphilus - male (top row) - female (bottom row). Wingspan 30mm. A tiny grassland butterfly that invariably rests with its wings closed; upperwings are almost never revealed. Underside of forewing is orange with an eyespot; hindwing is marbled grey, brown and buff. Double-brooded: flies May–June and August–September. Larva feeds on grasses and is nocturnal. Widespread but locally common only in southern England; range has contracted because it is restricted to unimproved grassland and does not tolerate modern agricultural practices.
    157056.jpg
  • Ringlet Aphantopus hyperantus Wingspan 48mm. A distinctively dark grassland butterfly. Adult has sooty-brown wings that are darker in males than females; both upper and lower wings are marked with eyespots but the size and number are variable. Flies June–July. Larva feeds on grasses and is strictly nocturnal. Widespread and fairly common in Britain and Ireland as far north as southern Scotland. Associated with a wide range of grassland habitats.
    144993.jpg
  • Meadow Brown Maniola jurtina Wingspan 50mm. Britain’s most familiar and widespread grassland butterfly. Adult has brown upperwings; male has a small orange patch on the forewing containing eyespot; orange patch is larger in female. Underside of hindwing is brown with a grey-brown band; forewing is orange and buff with an eyespot. Flies June-Aug. Larva feeds on grasses and is nocturnal. Generally common throughout the region but least so in northern Scotland and Ireland. Favours a wide range of grassland habitats.
    140324.jpg
  • Ringlet Aphantopus hyperantus Wingspan 48mm. A distinctively dark grassland butterfly. Adult has sooty-brown wings that are darker in males than females; both upper and lower wings are marked with eyespots but the size and number are variable. Flies June–July. Larva feeds on grasses and is strictly nocturnal. Widespread and fairly common in Britain and Ireland as far north as southern Scotland. Associated with a wide range of grassland habitats.
    140172.jpg
  • Small Heath Coenonympha pamphilus Wingspan 30mm. A tiny grassland butterfly that invariably rests with its wings closed; upperwings are almost never revealed. Underside of forewing is orange with an eyespot; hindwing is marbled grey, brown and buff. Double-brooded: flies May–June and August–September. Larva feeds on grasses and is nocturnal. Widespread but locally common only in southern England; range has contracted because it is restricted to unimproved grassland and does not tolerate modern agricultural practices.
    136766.jpg
  • Meadow Brown Maniola jurtina Wingspan 50mm. Britain’s most familiar and widespread grassland butterfly. Adult has brown upperwings; male has a small orange patch on the forewing containing eyespot; orange patch is larger in female. Underside of hindwing is brown with a grey-brown band; forewing is orange and buff with an eyespot. Flies June-Aug. Larva feeds on grasses and is nocturnal. Generally common throughout the region but least so in northern Scotland and Ireland. Favours a wide range of grassland habitats.
    136186.jpg
  • Small Heath Coenonympha pamphilus Wingspan 30mm. A tiny grassland butterfly that invariably rests with its wings closed; upperwings are almost never revealed. Underside of forewing is orange with an eyespot; hindwing is marbled grey, brown and buff. Double-brooded: flies May–June and August–September. Larva feeds on grasses and is nocturnal. Widespread but locally common only in southern England; range has contracted because it is restricted to unimproved grassland and does not tolerate modern agricultural practices.
    133892.jpg
  • Small Heath Coenonympha pamphilus Wingspan 30mm. A tiny grassland butterfly that invariably rests with its wings closed; upperwings are almost never revealed. Underside of forewing is orange with an eyespot; hindwing is marbled grey, brown and buff. Double-brooded: flies May–June and August–September. Larva feeds on grasses and is nocturnal. Widespread but locally common only in southern England; range has contracted because it is restricted to unimproved grassland and does not tolerate modern agricultural practices.
    117330.jpg
  • EARLY PURPLE ORCHID Orchis mascula (Orchidaceae) Height to 40cm. Attractive perennial that grows in woodland, scrub and grassland, doing especially well on neutral or calcareous grassland. FLOWERS are pinkish purple, with a 3-lobed lower lip, 8-12mm long, and a long spur; borne in tall spikes (Apr-Jun). FRUITS are egg-shaped. LEAVES are glossy and dark green with dark spots; these appear first as a rosette, from January onwards, from which the flower stalk arises later in spring.  STATUS-Widespread and locally common throughout much of the region.
    127732.jpg
  • Greylag Goose - Anser anser. L 75-90cm. Largest Anser goose and only one that breeds in Britain. Feral populations confuse species’ wild status. Compared to other ‘grey’ geese, bulky and more uniformly grey-brown. Pink legs and heavy, pinkish orange bill help with identification. In flight, pale forewings, rump and tail contrast with darker flight feathers. Sexes are similar. Adult is greyish with dark lines on side of neck, barring on flanks and pale margins to back feathers. Bill is pale-tipped. Juvenile is more uniformly grey-brown than adult and bill lacks pale tip. Voice Utters loud, honking calls. Status Locally common resident, mainly in N. Wild migrants boost numbers in winter. Favours wetlands and reservoirs with adjacent grassland.
    157648.jpg
  • Hop Trefoil - Trifolium campestre. Low-growing, hairy annual. Found in dry grassland. FLOWERS are 4-5mm long and yellow; borne in compact, rounded heads, 15mm across (May-Oct). FRUITS are pods, cloaked by brown dead flowers in hop-like heads. LEAVES are trifoliate; terminal leaflet has the longest stalk. STATUS-Widespread and generally common; local in N and Ireland.
    157359.jpg
  • Common Spotted Orchid - Dacttlorhiza fuchsii (Orchidaceae) Height to 60cm. Robust orchid of grassland, open woods and verges, mostly on calcareous or neutral soils. FLOWERS vary in colour from plant to plant, ranging from pale pink to pinkish purple; darker streaks and spots adorn lower lip, which has 3 even-sized lobes and is 1cm across. Flowers are borne in open spikes (May-Aug). FRUITS are egg-shaped. LEAVES are green glossy and dark-spotted; borne in a basal rosette before flower stalk appears; narrower leaves sheath lower part of the stalk. STATUS-Locally common.
    156620.jpg
  • Chalkhill Blue - Polyommatus coridon - mating pair. Wingspan 40mm. Iconic downland butterfly, males of which are a unique colour amongst British blues. Adult male has pale sky-blue upperwings; female’s are dark brown with orange submarginal spots. Underwings of both sexes are grey-brown with spots. Flies July–August. Larva feeds on Horseshoe Vetch; sometimes discovered at dusk being attended by ants. Very local and restricted to chalk and limestone grassland in southern England.
    156597.jpg
  • Wild Thyme - Thymus polytrichus (Lamiaceae) Height to 5cm<br />
Creeping and mat-forming perennial with slender, woody runners. The whole plant is faintly aromatic, smelling of culinary thyme. Grows on dry grassland and heaths, and coastal cliffs and dunes. FLOWERS are 3-4mm long and pinkish purple; borne in dense, terminal heads with dark, purplish calyx tubes, on 4-angled stems that are hairy on 2 opposite sides (Jun-Sep). FRUITS are nutlets. LEAVES are ovate, short-stalked and borne in opposite pairs. STATUS-Widespread and common throughout the region.
    156543.jpg
  • Northern Brown Argus Aricia artaxerxes Wingspan 25mm. A distinctive butterfly and the northern counterpart of the Brown Argus. Adult has rich brown upperwings and orange submarginal spots; compared to Brown Argus note the white spot on the upper forewing. Underwings are grey-brown with white-ringed black spots, and orange submarginal spots. Flies June-July. Larva is grub-like and feeds on Common Rock-rose. Very local in calcareous grassland in northern England and Scotland.
    156281.jpg
  • Northern Brown Argus Aricia artaxerxes Wingspan 25mm. A distinctive butterfly and the northern counterpart of the Brown Argus. Adult has rich brown upperwings and orange submarginal spots; compared to Brown Argus note the white spot on the upper forewing. Underwings are grey-brown with white-ringed black spots, and orange submarginal spots. Flies June-July. Larva is grub-like and feeds on Common Rock-rose. Very local in calcareous grassland in northern England and Scotland.
    155570.jpg
  • WILD MARJORAM Origanum vulgare (Lamiaceae) Height to 50cm. Downy and tufted perennial. The plant (mainly the leaves) has a pleasantly aromatic smell, familiar to lovers of culinary herbs and the stems are often reddish. Grows in dry grassland on calcareous soils. FLOWERS are maroon when in bud but 6-8mm long and pinkish purple when flowering; borne in dense, terminal clusters that also include purplish bracts (Jul-Sep). FRUITS are nutlets. LEAVES are oval, pointed and borne in opposite pairs. STATUS-Widespread and locally common the S but scarce elsewhere.
    155598.jpg
  • Bewick’s Swan Cygnus columbianus L 115-125cm. Our smallest swan. Usually seen in medium-sized flocks comprising family groups. Similar to larger Whooper but separated by noting relatively shorter neck and different bill pattern. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly pure white plumage. Bill is wedge-shaped but proportionately shorter than Whooper; yellow colour typically does not extend beyond start of nostrils and yellow patch is usually rounded, not triangular. Juvenile has grubby buffish grey plumage and dark-tipped pink bill Voice Utters various honking and bugling calls. Status Winter visitor, 10,000+ birds found at traditional sites: flooded grassland, marshy meadows and occasionally arable farmland.
    155080.jpg
  • LIZARD ORCHID Himantoglossum hircinum (Orchidaceae) Height to 1m. Extraordinary orchid of scrub, undisturbed grassland and stabilised dunes. Bizarrely, the flowers smell of goats. FLOWERS have a greenish grey hood, adorned on the inside with reddish streaks, and an extremely long and twisted lip (up to 5cm); borne in tall spikes (May-Jul). FRUITS form and swell at the base of the flowers. LEAVES comprise oval basal leaves that soon wither, and smaller stem leaves that persist. STATUS-Regularly seen in E Kent only; very occasionally turns up elsewhere.
    154943.jpg
  • Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria L 28cm. Beautifully marked wader. Call is evocative of desolate uplands in summer. Gregarious outside breeding season; often associates with Lapwings. In flight, note white underwings. Sexes are sometimes separable in summer. Adult in summer has spangled golden upperparts bordered by white band. In most males, belly is black, grading to grey on neck and face. Most females have less distinct dark underparts and face is often whitish. Breeders from N Europe (seen on migration) have darker underparts than British birds. In winter, underparts are pale, and head, neck and back are streaked golden. Juvenile is similar to winter adult. Voice Utters peeoo flight call and plaintive pu-peeoo in summer. Status Locally common breeding species on N upland moors and mountains. Widespread in winter on grassland and arable fields.
    153943.jpg
  • Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria L 28cm. Beautifully marked wader. Call is evocative of desolate uplands in summer. Gregarious outside breeding season; often associates with Lapwings. In flight, note white underwings. Sexes are sometimes separable in summer. Adult in summer has spangled golden upperparts bordered by white band. In most males, belly is black, grading to grey on neck and face. Most females have less distinct dark underparts and face is often whitish. Breeders from N Europe (seen on migration) have darker underparts than British birds. In winter, underparts are pale, and head, neck and back are streaked golden. Juvenile is similar to winter adult. Voice Utters peeoo flight call and plaintive pu-peeoo in summer. Status Locally common breeding species on N upland moors and mountains. Widespread in winter on grassland and arable fields.
    153951.jpg
  • Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria L 28cm. Beautifully marked wader. Call is evocative of desolate uplands in summer. Gregarious outside breeding season; often associates with Lapwings. In flight, note white underwings. Sexes are sometimes separable in summer. Adult in summer has spangled golden upperparts bordered by white band. In most males, belly is black, grading to grey on neck and face. Most females have less distinct dark underparts and face is often whitish. Breeders from N Europe (seen on migration) have darker underparts than British birds. In winter, underparts are pale, and head, neck and back are streaked golden. Juvenile is similar to winter adult. Voice Utters peeoo flight call and plaintive pu-peeoo in summer. Status Locally common breeding species on N upland moors and mountains. Widespread in winter on grassland and arable fields.
    153952.jpg
  • Greylag Goose Anser anser L 75-90cm. Largest Anser goose and only one that breeds in Britain. Feral populations confuse species’ wild status. Compared to other ‘grey’ geese, bulky and more uniformly grey-brown. Pink legs and heavy, pinkish orange bill help with identification. In flight, pale forewings, rump and tail contrast with darker flight feathers. Sexes are similar. Adult is greyish with dark lines on side of neck, barring on flanks and pale margins to back feathers. Bill is pale-tipped. Juvenile is more uniformly grey-brown than adult and bill lacks pale tip. Voice Utters loud, honking calls. Status Locally common resident, mainly in N. Wild migrants boost numbers in winter. Favours wetlands and reservoirs with adjacent grassland.
    153982.jpg
  • Grizzled Skipper Pyrgus malvae Wingspan 20mm. A well-marked skipper. Adult has dark grey-brown upperwings with striking white spots; underwings are reddish-brown with numerous pale spots. Flies May–June. Larva feeds on Wild Strawberry and various cinquefoils. Locally common in southern England and south Wales. Associated with undisturbed grassland and woodland clearings where larval foodplants thrive.
    145067.jpg
  • Marsh Fritillary Euphydryas aurinia Wingspan 40-50mm. A rather lethargic butterfly, that is fond of basking in sunshine. Adult is beautifully marked with reddish-orange, buff and yellow; upperwings are more colourful than underwings. Flies May–June. Larva is black with tufts of spiny hairs; feeds on Devil’s-bit Scabious and plantains. Widespread but very local on heaths and chalk grassland; mainly in southwest England and Wales, and southwest Scotland.
    144964.jpg
  • Common Wainscot Mythimna pallens Length 17-19mm. A rather plain grassland moth. At rest, wings are held in a tent-like manner. Adult has buffish forewings with whitish veins; hindwings are whitish. Flies July-August. Larva feeds on various grasses. Widespread and fairly common in southern and central Britain; more local further north.
    140710.jpg
  • Common Wainscot Mythimna pallens Length 17-19mm. A rather plain grassland moth. At rest, wings are held in a tent-like manner. Adult has buffish forewings with whitish veins; hindwings are whitish. Flies July-August. Larva feeds on various grasses. Widespread and fairly common in southern and central Britain; more local further north.
    113960.jpg
  • Marsh Fritillary Euphydryas aurinia Wingspan 40-50mm. A rather lethargic butterfly, that is fond of basking in sunshine. Adult is beautifully marked with reddish-orange, buff and yellow; upperwings are more colourful than underwings. Flies May–June. Larva is black with tufts of spiny hairs; feeds on Devil’s-bit Scabious and plantains. Widespread but very local on heaths and chalk grassland; mainly in southwest England and Wales, and southwest Scotland.
    107799.jpg
  • WILD THYME Thymus polytrichus (Lamiaceae) Height to 5cm<br />
Creeping and mat-forming perennial with slender, woody runners. The whole plant is faintly aromatic, smelling of culinary thyme. Grows on dry grassland and heaths, and coastal cliffs and dunes. FLOWERS are 3-4mm long and pinkish purple; borne in dense, terminal heads with dark, purplish calyx tubes, on 4-angled stems that are hairy on 2 opposite sides (Jun-Sep). FRUITS are nutlets. LEAVES are ovate, short-stalked and borne in opposite pairs. STATUS-Widespread and common throughout the region.
    141594.jpg
  • EARLY SPIDER ORCHID Ophrys sphegodes (Orchidaceae) Height to 35cm. Perennial of dry grassland, on calcareous soils. In grazed areas, the plant is often rather short. FLOWERS comprise green sepals and yellowish green upper petals; the lower lip is 12mm across, expanded, furry and maroon-brown, variably marked with a metallic blue H-shaped mark. Borne in spikes (Apr-May). FRUITS are egg-shaped. LEAVES are green and seen mainly as a basal rosette. STATUS-Local, in S England only.
    139849.jpg
  • SPIKED SPEEDWELL Veronica spicata (Height to 60cm) is a familiar garden perennial that is also a rare native of Breckland grassland; in addition, it occurs, very locally, in Wales and W England. The bluish flowers are borne in spikes, 8-10cm long (Jul-Sep).
    134576.jpg
  • UPRIGHT CHICKWEED Moenchia erecta (Caryophyllaceae) Height to 8cm. Tiny, upright annual of short, dry grassland, typically on gravelly or sandy soils. FLOWERS are white with 4 petals; they open only in bright sunshine (Apr-Jun). Sepals are white-edged and longer than petals. FRUITS are capsules. LEAVES are waxy grey-green, stiff and narrow. STATUS-Local in England and Wales only.
    133715.jpg
  • SPRING SQUILL Scilla verna (Liliaceae) Height to 5cm<br />
Compact and resilient, hairless perennial that grows in dry, short coastal grassland, typically in sight of the sea. FLOWERS are 10-15mm across, bell-shaped and lilac blue; borne in upright, terminal clusters on a short stalk, each flower having a bluish purple bract (Apr-Jun). FRUITS are capsules. LEAVES are wiry, curly, basal and 4-6 in number; they appear in early spring, before the flowers. STATUS-Locally common on the coasts of W Britain and E Ireland; scarce or absent elsewhere.
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  • SLENDER HARE’S-EAR Bupleurum tenuissimum (Apiaceae) Height to 50cm. Slender and easily overlooked annual. Entirely restricted to coastal grassland and upper reaches of saltmarshes. FLOWERS are yellow and borne in tiny umbels, 3-4mm across, surrounded by bracts, and arising from leaf axils (Jul-Sep). FRUITS are globular. LEAVES are narrow and pointed. STATUS-Local; coastal S and E England only.
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  • SPINY RESTHARROW Ononis spinosa (Fabaceae) Height to 70cm. Similar to Common Restharrow but upright and bushy, with spiny stems. Favours grassland on clay and heavy soils. FLOWERS are 10-15mm long and deep pink, the wings shorter than the keel (Jul-Sep). FRUITS are pods that are longer than the calyx. LEAVES are trifoliate with narrow, oval leaflets. STATUS-Local, mainly in England.
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  • WILD CANDYTUFT Iberis amara (Brassicaceae) Height to 30cm. Downy annual of calcareous grassland. Favours disturbed soil, often beside Rabbit burrows. FLOWERS comprise 4 white or mauve petals, 2 of which are much longer than the others (Jul-Aug). FRUITS are rounded, winged and notched. LEAVES are toothed and spoon-shaped, becoming smaller up the stem. STATUS-Local, mainly in the Chilterns.
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  • BLADDER CAMPION Silene vulgaris (Caryophyllaceae) Height to 80cm. Upright perennial of dry grassland on well-drained soil; often on chalk. FLOWERS are white, drooping and 16-18mm across (Jun-Aug); petals are deeply divided and calyx is swollen to form a purple-veined bladder. FRUITS are capsules. LEAVES are grey-green and oval; in opposite pairs. STATUS-Widespread but common only in S.
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  • BEAKED HAWK'S-BEARD Crepis vesicaria. Height to 1.2m. Branched, roughly hairy plant of grassland, verges and waste ground. Flowers in heads 15-25mm across, with orange-yellow florets, outer ones striped red (June-Sep). Fruits with a pappus of unbranched hairs. Leaves irregularly pinnate, with a large end lobe. Status introduced but common in S England.
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  • ANNUAL PEARLWORT Sagina apetala (Caryophyllaceae) Height to 8cm. Straggling, wiry annual of short, dry grassland and bare ground, usually on sandy soils. No basal rosette. FLOWERS have minute greenish petals and 4 longer greenish sepals that spread in fruit; borne on long stems (Apr-Aug). FRUITS are capsules. LEAVES are narrow, bristle-tipped, with hairy margins. STATUS-Widespread and common.
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  • CAT’S-EAR Hypochaeris radicata (Asteraceae) Height to 50cm. Tufted perennial with hairless stems. Grows in dry grassland. FLOWERS are borne in heads, 25-40mm across, with yellow florets much longer than the bristly, purple-tipped bracts; flower stalks branch 1-2 times and are swollen beneath the solitary heads (Jun-Sep). Scales present between florets. FRUITS are beaked with some feathery hairs. LEAVES are oblong, bristly, wavy-edged; form a basal rosette. STATUS-Common.
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  • BULBOUS BUTTERCUP Ranunculus bulbosus (Ranunculaceae) Height to 40cm. Hairy perennial of dry grassland, including chalk downs. Note the swollen stem base. FLOWERS are 20-30mm across with 5 bright yellow petals and reflexed sepals; borne on furrowed stalks (Mar-Jul). FRUITS are smooth. LEAVES are divided into 3 lobes, each of which is stalked. STATUS-Widespread and often abundant.
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  • COMMON SEDGE Carex nigra (Cyperaceae) Height to 50cm<br />
Variable, creeping sedge of damp grassland and marshes. Stems are 3-angled and rough at the top. FLOWERS in inflorescences of 1-2 thin male spikes above 1-4 female spikes with black glumes (May-Jun). FRUITS are short-beaked and green grading to blackish. LEAVES are long, narrow and appear in tufts. STATUS-Widespread and common.
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  • COMMON DOG-VIOLET Viola riviniana (Violaceae) Height to 12cm. Familiar perennial herb of woodland rides and grassland. FLOWERS are 15-25mm across and bluish violet with a blunt, pale spur that is notched at the tip, and pointed sepals (Mar-May). FRUITS are egg-shaped. LEAVES are long-stalked, heart-shaped and mainly hairless. STATUS-Widespread and locally common throughout.
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  • COWSLIP Primula veris (Primulaceae) Height to 25cm<br />
Elegant, downy perennial of dry, unimproved grassland, and often associated with calcareous soils. FLOWERS are 8-15mm across, fragrant, bell-shaped, stalked and orange-yellow; borne in rather 1-sided umbels of 10-30 flowers (Apr-May). FRUITS are capsules. LEAVES are tapering, wrinkled and hairy, forming a basal rosette. STATUS-Widespread and locally common, except in Scotland where it is rather scarce.
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  • IRISH LADY’S TRESSES Spiranthes romanzoffiana (Orchidaceae) Height to 25cm. Upright perennial that grows in waterlogged grassland and marshes. FLOWERS are greenish white and are borne in a triple spiral up the stem, creating a rather conical spike (Jul-Aug). FRUITS are egg-shaped. LEAVES appear as a basal rosette of narrowly oval leaves, and more lanceolate ones up the stem. STATUS-Rare and restricted to SW and N Ireland, NW Scotland, with an outpost on Dartmoor.
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  • WILD CELERY Apium graveolens (Apiaceae) Height to 1m<br />
Upright, hairless biennial with a characteristic strong smell of celery. Stems are solid and grooved. Favours rough, often saline, grassland and its distribution is mainly coastal. FLOWERS are white and borne in short-stalked or unstalked umbels, 3-6cm across (Jun-Aug). FRUITS are globular. LEAVES are shiny and pinnate; basal leaves are 1- or 2-pinnate with toothed and lobed, diamond-shaped lobes; stem leaves appear trifoliate.
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  • GREATER YELLOW-RATTLE Rhinanthus angustifolius (Scrophulariaceae) Height to 60cm. Upright, semi-parasitic annual. Similar to Yellow-rattle but branched, and with subtle differences in flower structure. Grows in undisturbed grassland. FLOWERS are 15-20mm long, the corolla yellow, 2-lipped with a concave dorsal surface; the 2 teeth on the upper lip are 2mm long; in spikes with triangular, toothed and yellowish green bracts (May-Sep). FRUITS are inflated capsules. LEAVES are oblong with rounded teeth. STATUS-Rare, restricted to a few scattered locations from S England to Scotland.
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  • COCK’S-FOOT Dactylis glomerata Height to 1m<br />
Tufted, tussock-forming perennial of grassland and woodland rides. FLOWERS are borne in an inflorescence of long-stalked, dense and egg-shaped heads that spread and then fancifully resemble a bird’s foot (Jun-Jul). FRUITS are small, dry nutlets. LEAVES are rough with slightly inrolled margins. STATUS-Widespread and common.
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  • KIDNEY VETCH Anthyllis vulneraria Height to 30cm. Perennial covered in silky hairs. Found on calcareous grassland and coastal slopes. FLOWERS are yellow, orange or red; borne in paired, kidney-shaped heads, 3cm across (May-Sep). FRUITS are short pods. LEAVES comprise pairs of narrow leaflets, the terminal one being the largest. STATUS-Widespread and locally common.
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  • Pink-footed Goose Anser brachyrhynchus L 60-75cm. Similar to Bean Goose, but smaller and more compact; smaller bill is marked with pink. Pink leg colour is diagnostic. In flight, note pale blue-grey back, rump and upperwing coverts, and extent of white on tail. Forms single-species flocks. Sexes are similar. Adult has dark chocolate-brown head and upper neck, grading to buffish brown on breast and belly. Back is blue-grey with pale feather margins. Juvenile is similar but back is buffish and feathers lack clear pale margins; leg and bill colours are dull. Voice Utters nasal, trumpeting cackles; higher pitched than Bean Goose. Status Locally common winter visitor, mainly from Iceland; favours stubble fields and grassland.
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  • Lapwing Vanellus vanellus L 30cm. Pied-looking wader with a spiky crest. Has rounded, black and white wings and distinctive call. Sexes are separable in summer. Adult male in summer has green- and purple-sheened dark upperparts; underparts are white except for orange vent and black foreneck. Note black and white markings on throat. Adult female in summer has less distinct black neck markings and shorter crest. Winter adult is similar to summer female but throat and foreneck are white, and back feathers have buffish fringes. Juvenile is similar to winter adult but crest is short and back looks scaly. Voice Utters a choked pee-wit call. Status Fairly common nesting species of undisturbed grazed grassland, moors and arable farmland; numbers have declined seriously. Migrants from Europe boost numbers in winter.
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  • Buff-breasted Sandpiper Tryngites subruficollis. Westerly gales in September and October bring with them a crop of waders from across the Atlantic. Being powerful fliers, virtually any species that breeds in North America is a contender. Buff-breasted Sandpiper Tryngites subruficollis (L 18-20cm) recalls a juvenile Ruff that is buffish overall with a scaly-looking back and yellow legs; usually found on short, coastal grassland.
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  • Redshank Tringa totanus L 28cm. Medium-sized wader with shrill alarm call. In flight, note white trailing edge to wings, white back and rump, and trailing red legs. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer is mainly grey-brown above and pale below but back is marked with dark spots and neck, breast and flanks are streaked. Note faint, pale supercilium and eyering; base of bill is reddish. In winter, has uniform grey-brown upperparts, head, neck and breast, with paler, mottled underparts. Bill and leg colours are dull. Juvenile recalls winter adult but plumage is overall browner, back feathers have pale marginal spots, and legs and base of bill are dull yellow. Voice Utters a yelping tiu-uu alarm call. Song is musical and yodelling. Status Locally common nesting species in damp grassland, moors and marshes. Migrants boost numbers outside breeding season and common on coasts in winter.
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  • Pied Wagtail Motacilla alba yarrellii Length 18cm. Familiar black, grey and white bird that pumps its tail up and down and has a distinctive call. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male in summer has mainly white underparts and black breast and upperparts; note white face, white wingbars, dark legs and bill, and white outer tail feathers. In winter, similar but throat is white and black on breast is less extensive. Adult female recalls an adult male in various seasons but back is dark grey. Juvenile and 1st winter birds have greyish upperparts, black rump, and whitish underparts; note whitish wingbars and yellowish wash to face. Voice Utters a loud chissick call. Status Favours bare ground and short grassland, often near farms, on playing fields or in car parks.
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  • Greylag Goose Anser anser L 75-90cm. Largest Anser goose and only one that breeds in Britain. Feral populations confuse species’ wild status. Compared to other ‘grey’ geese, bulky and more uniformly grey-brown. Pink legs and heavy, pinkish orange bill help with identification. In flight, pale forewings, rump and tail contrast with darker flight feathers. Sexes are similar. Adult is greyish with dark lines on side of neck, barring on flanks and pale margins to back feathers. Bill is pale-tipped. Juvenile is more uniformly grey-brown than adult and bill lacks pale tip. Voice Utters loud, honking calls. Status Locally common resident, mainly in N. Wild migrants boost numbers in winter. Favours wetlands and reservoirs with adjacent grassland.
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  • Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria L 28cm. Beautifully marked wader. Call is evocative of desolate uplands in summer. Gregarious outside breeding season; often associates with Lapwings. In flight, note white underwings. Sexes are sometimes separable in summer. Adult in summer has spangled golden upperparts bordered by white band. In most males, belly is black, grading to grey on neck and face. Most females have less distinct dark underparts and face is often whitish. Breeders from N Europe (seen on migration) have darker underparts than British birds. In winter, underparts are pale, and head, neck and back are streaked golden. Juvenile is similar to winter adult. Voice Utters peeoo flight call and plaintive pu-peeoo in summer. Status Locally common breeding species on N upland moors and mountains. Widespread in winter on grassland and arable fields.
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  • Corn Crake Crex crex L 27-30cm. Easy to hear (in right locations) but secretive and tricky to see. Sexes are similar. Adult has sandy brown upperparts; dark feather-centres create ‘scaly’ look. Face, throat, breast and belly are blue-grey while flanks are barred chestnut and white. In flight, note chestnut patch on inner wing and dangling legs. Juvenile is greyer than adult. Voice Territorial male utters ceaseless crek-crek, crek-crek… mainly at night. Status Migrant visitor; has declined terribly due to modern farming practises. Now restricted to hay meadows and damp grassland.
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  • Redshank Tringa totanus L 28cm. Medium-sized wader with shrill alarm call. In flight, note white trailing edge to wings, white back and rump, and trailing red legs. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer is mainly grey-brown above and pale below but back is marked with dark spots and neck, breast and flanks are streaked. Note faint, pale supercilium and eyering; base of bill is reddish. In winter, has uniform grey-brown upperparts, head, neck and breast, with paler, mottled underparts. Bill and leg colours are dull. Juvenile recalls winter adult but plumage is overall browner, back feathers have pale marginal spots, and legs and base of bill are dull yellow. Voice Utters a yelping tiu-uu alarm call. Song is musical and yodelling. Status Locally common nesting species in damp grassland, moors and marshes. Migrants boost numbers outside breeding season and common on coasts in winter.
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  • Pink-footed Goose Anser brachyrhynchus L 60-75cm. Similar to Bean Goose, but smaller and more compact; smaller bill is marked with pink. Pink leg colour is diagnostic. In flight, note pale blue-grey back, rump and upperwing coverts, and extent of white on tail. Forms single-species flocks. Sexes are similar. Adult has dark chocolate-brown head and upper neck, grading to buffish brown on breast and belly. Back is blue-grey with pale feather margins. Juvenile is similar but back is buffish and feathers lack clear pale margins; leg and bill colours are dull. Voice Utters nasal, trumpeting cackles; higher pitched than Bean Goose. Status Locally common winter visitor, mainly from Iceland; favours stubble fields and grassland.
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  • Pink-footed Goose Anser brachyrhynchus L 60-75cm. Similar to Bean Goose, but smaller and more compact; smaller bill is marked with pink. Pink leg colour is diagnostic. In flight, note pale blue-grey back, rump and upperwing coverts, and extent of white on tail. Forms single-species flocks. Sexes are similar. Adult has dark chocolate-brown head and upper neck, grading to buffish brown on breast and belly. Back is blue-grey with pale feather margins. Juvenile is similar but back is buffish and feathers lack clear pale margins; leg and bill colours are dull. Voice Utters nasal, trumpeting cackles; higher pitched than Bean Goose. Status Locally common winter visitor, mainly from Iceland; favours stubble fields and grassland.
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  • Greylag Goose Anser anser L 75-90cm. Largest Anser goose and only one that breeds in Britain. Feral populations confuse species’ wild status. Compared to other ‘grey’ geese, bulky and more uniformly grey-brown. Pink legs and heavy, pinkish orange bill help with identification. In flight, pale forewings, rump and tail contrast with darker flight feathers. Sexes are similar. Adult is greyish with dark lines on side of neck, barring on flanks and pale margins to back feathers. Bill is pale-tipped. Juvenile is more uniformly grey-brown than adult and bill lacks pale tip. Voice Utters loud, honking calls. Status Locally common resident, mainly in N. Wild migrants boost numbers in winter. Favours wetlands and reservoirs with adjacent grassland.
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  • Heath Dog-violet - Viola canina (Violaceae) Height to 30cm<br />
 Perennial herb that lacks a basal rosette of leaves. Found on dry grassland, mainly on sandy soils. FLOWERS are 12-18mm across with pale blue petals and a short, greenish yellow spur (Apr-Jun). FRUITS are not inflated. LEAVES are narrow-oval with a heart-shaped base. STATUS-Widespread but only very locally common.
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  • Greylag Goose Anser anser L 75-90cm. Largest Anser goose and only one that breeds in Britain. Feral populations confuse species’ wild status. Compared to other ‘grey’ geese, bulky and more uniformly grey-brown. Pink legs and heavy, pinkish orange bill help with identification. In flight, pale forewings, rump and tail contrast with darker flight feathers. Sexes are similar. Adult is greyish with dark lines on side of neck, barring on flanks and pale margins to back feathers. Bill is pale-tipped. Juvenile is more uniformly grey-brown than adult and bill lacks pale tip. Voice Utters loud, honking calls. Status Locally common resident, mainly in N. Wild migrants boost numbers in winter. Favours wetlands and reservoirs with adjacent grassland.
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  • Greylag Goose - Anser anser. L 75-90cm. Largest Anser goose and only one that breeds in Britain. Feral populations confuse species’ wild status. Compared to other ‘grey’ geese, bulky and more uniformly grey-brown. Pink legs and heavy, pinkish orange bill help with identification. In flight, pale forewings, rump and tail contrast with darker flight feathers. Sexes are similar. Adult is greyish with dark lines on side of neck, barring on flanks and pale margins to back feathers. Bill is pale-tipped. Juvenile is more uniformly grey-brown than adult and bill lacks pale tip. Voice Utters loud, honking calls. Status Locally common resident, mainly in N. Wild migrants boost numbers in winter. Favours wetlands and reservoirs with adjacent grassland.
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  • Lapwing Vanellus vanellus L 30cm. Pied-looking wader with a spiky crest. Has rounded, black and white wings and distinctive call. Sexes are separable in summer. Adult male in summer has green- and purple-sheened dark upperparts; underparts are white except for orange vent and black foreneck. Note black and white markings on throat. Adult female in summer has less distinct black neck markings and shorter crest. Winter adult is similar to summer female but throat and foreneck are white, and back feathers have buffish fringes. Juvenile is similar to winter adult but crest is short and back looks scaly. Voice Utters a choked pee-wit call. Status Fairly common nesting species of undisturbed grazed grassland, moors and arable farmland; numbers have declined seriously. Migrants from Europe boost numbers in winter.
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  • Pink-footed Goose Anser brachyrhynchus L 60-75cm. Similar to Bean Goose, but smaller and more compact; smaller bill is marked with pink. Pink leg colour is diagnostic. In flight, note pale blue-grey back, rump and upperwing coverts, and extent of white on tail. Forms single-species flocks. Sexes are similar. Adult has dark chocolate-brown head and upper neck, grading to buffish brown on breast and belly. Back is blue-grey with pale feather margins. Juvenile is similar but back is buffish and feathers lack clear pale margins; leg and bill colours are dull. Voice Utters nasal, trumpeting cackles; higher pitched than Bean Goose. Status Locally common winter visitor, mainly from Iceland; favours stubble fields and grassland.
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  • Grey Partridge - Perdix perdix L 29-31cm. Well-marked gamebird. Usually seen in small parties. Hunted and consequently wary; prefers to run from danger. Sexes are separable with care. Adult male has mainly grey, finely marked plumage with orange-buff face, large chestnut mark on belly, maroon stripes on flanks and streaked back. Adult female is similar but marking on belly is small. Juvenile is grey-buff with hint of adult’s dark markings. Voice Utters a choked, harsh kierr-ikk call. Status Native of grassland and arable farmland with mature hedgerows. Once abundant, now scarce due to modern farming methods. Observation tips Easiest to see in winter.
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  • Marsh Fritillary - Euphydryas aurinia -ssp. hibernica from Ireland. Wingspan 40-50mm. A rather lethargic butterfly, that is fond of basking in sunshine. Adult is beautifully marked with reddish-orange, buff and yellow; upperwings are more colourful than underwings. Flies May–June. Larva is black with tufts of spiny hairs; feeds on Devil’s-bit Scabious and plantains. Widespread but very local on heaths and chalk grassland; mainly in southwest England and Wales, and southwest Scotland.
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  • Grey Partridge Perdix perdix L 29-31cm. Well-marked gamebird. Usually seen in small parties. Hunted and consequently wary; prefers to run from danger. Sexes are separable with care. Adult male has mainly grey, finely marked plumage with orange-buff face, large chestnut mark on belly, maroon stripes on flanks and streaked back. Adult female is similar but marking on belly is small. Juvenile is grey-buff with hint of adult’s dark markings. Voice Utters a choked, harsh kierr-ikk call. Status Native of grassland and arable farmland with mature hedgerows. Once abundant, now scarce due to modern farming methods. Observation tips Easiest to see in winter.
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  • Black-tailed Godwit - Limosa limosa. L 38-42cm. Long-legged wader with long, straight bill. In flight, has black tail, white rump and white wingbars on upperwing. Sexes are dissimilar in summer. Adult male in breeding plumage has reddish orange face, neck and breast. Greyish back is spangled with reddish brown and belly is whitish with barring on flanks. Adult female in breeding plumage is similar but reddish elements of plumage are less intense. Winter adult is grey-brown, palest on belly; undertail is white. Juvenile recalls winter adult but has orange suffusion on neck and breast and pale fringes and dark spotting on back feathers. Voice Utters a kwe-we-we call in flight. Status Rare British breeder; Ouse and Nene Washes are strongholds and favours wet grassland. Icelandic migrants boost numbers outside breeding season; locally common on muddy estuaries.
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  • Golden Plover - Pluvialis apricaria. L 28cm. Beautifully marked wader. Call is evocative of desolate uplands in summer. Gregarious outside breeding season; often associates with Lapwings. In flight, note white underwings. Sexes are sometimes separable in summer. Adult in summer has spangled golden upperparts bordered by white band. In most males, belly is black, grading to grey on neck and face. Most females have less distinct dark underparts and face is often whitish. Breeders from N Europe (seen on migration) have darker underparts than British birds. In winter, underparts are pale, and head, neck and back are streaked golden. Juvenile is similar to winter adult. Voice Utters peeoo flight call and plaintive pu-peeoo in summer. Status Locally common breeding species on N upland moors and mountains. Widespread in winter on grassland and arable fields.
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  • Lapwing - Vanellus vanellus. L 30cm. Pied-looking wader with a spiky crest. Has rounded, black and white wings and distinctive call. Sexes are separable in summer. Adult male in summer has green- and purple-sheened dark upperparts; underparts are white except for orange vent and black foreneck. Note black and white markings on throat. Adult female in summer has less distinct black neck markings and shorter crest. Winter adult is similar to summer female but throat and foreneck are white, and back feathers have buffish fringes. Juvenile is similar to winter adult but crest is short and back looks scaly. Voice Utters a choked pee-wit call. Status Fairly common nesting species of undisturbed grazed grassland, moors and arable farmland; numbers have declined seriously. Migrants from Europe boost numbers in winter.
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  • Marsh Fritillary - Euphydryas aurinia - male (top) - female (bottom). Wingspan 40-50mm. A rather lethargic butterfly, that is fond of basking in sunshine. Adult is beautifully marked with reddish-orange, buff and yellow; upperwings are more colourful than underwings. Flies May–June. Larva is black with tufts of spiny hairs; feeds on Devil’s-bit Scabious and plantains. Widespread but very local on heaths and chalk grassland; mainly in southwest England and Wales, and southwest Scotland.
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