Nature Photographers Ltd

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

Search Results

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

Loading ()...

  • Red-legged Partridge - Alectoris rufa L 32-34cm. Dumpy, well-marked gamebird. Forms small parties (covies), outside breeding season. Hunted and often wary. Prefers to run from danger but flies low on stiffly-held wings. Sexes are similar. Adult has red bill and legs, and white throat bordered with gorget of black spots. Plumage is otherwise mainly blue-grey and warm buff except for black and white barring on flanks. Juvenile has grey-buff plumage with hint of adult’s dark markings. Voice Utters a loud ke che-che, ke che-che… call. Status Introduced but well established, mainly on arable farmland with mature hedgerows and scattered woods.
    156863.jpg
  • Red-legged Partridge Alectoris rufa L 32-34cm. Dumpy, well-marked gamebird. Forms small parties (covies), outside breeding season. Hunted and often wary. Prefers to run from danger but flies low on stiffly-held wings. Sexes are similar. Adult has red bill and legs, and white throat bordered with gorget of black spots. Plumage is otherwise mainly blue-grey and warm buff except for black and white barring on flanks. Juvenile has grey-buff plumage with hint of adult’s dark markings. Voice Utters a loud ke che-che, ke che-che… call. Status Introduced but well established, mainly on arable farmland with mature hedgerows and scattered woods.
    145436.jpg
  • Red-legged Partridge Alectoris rufa - in flight. L 32-34cm. Dumpy, well-marked gamebird. Forms small parties (covies), outside breeding season. Hunted and often wary. Prefers to run from danger but flies low on stiffly-held wings. Sexes are similar. Adult has red bill and legs, and white throat bordered with gorget of black spots. Plumage is otherwise mainly blue-grey and warm buff except for black and white barring on flanks. Juvenile has grey-buff plumage with hint of adult’s dark markings. Voice Utters a loud ke che-che, ke che-che… call. Status Introduced but well established, mainly on arable farmland with mature hedgerows and scattered woods.
    156873.jpg
  • Red-legged Partridge Alectoris rufa - Adult at nest with chicks. L 32-34cm. Dumpy, well-marked gamebird. Forms small parties (covies), outside breeding season. Hunted and often wary. Prefers to run from danger but flies low on stiffly-held wings. Sexes are similar. Adult has red bill and legs, and white throat bordered with gorget of black spots. Plumage is otherwise mainly blue-grey and warm buff except for black and white barring on flanks. Juvenile has grey-buff plumage with hint of adult’s dark markings. Voice Utters a loud ke che-che, ke che-che… call. Status Introduced but well established, mainly on arable farmland with mature hedgerows and scattered woods.
    154637.jpg
  • Red-legged Partridge Alectoris rufa - in flight. L 32-34cm. Dumpy, well-marked gamebird. Forms small parties (covies), outside breeding season. Hunted and often wary. Prefers to run from danger but flies low on stiffly-held wings. Sexes are similar. Adult has red bill and legs, and white throat bordered with gorget of black spots. Plumage is otherwise mainly blue-grey and warm buff except for black and white barring on flanks. Juvenile has grey-buff plumage with hint of adult’s dark markings. Voice Utters a loud ke che-che, ke che-che… call. Status Introduced but well established, mainly on arable farmland with mature hedgerows and scattered woods.
    154647.jpg
  • Red-legged Partridge Alectoris rufa L 32-34cm. Dumpy, well-marked gamebird. Forms small parties (covies), outside breeding season. Hunted and often wary. Prefers to run from danger but flies low on stiffly-held wings. Sexes are similar. Adult has red bill and legs, and white throat bordered with gorget of black spots. Plumage is otherwise mainly blue-grey and warm buff except for black and white barring on flanks. Juvenile has grey-buff plumage with hint of adult’s dark markings. Voice Utters a loud ke che-che, ke che-che… call. Status Introduced but well established, mainly on arable farmland with mature hedgerows and scattered woods.
    125904.jpg
  • Red-legged Partridge Alectoris rufa L 32-34cm. Dumpy, well-marked gamebird. Forms small parties (covies), outside breeding season. Hunted and often wary. Prefers to run from danger but flies low on stiffly-held wings. Sexes are similar. Adult has red bill and legs, and white throat bordered with gorget of black spots. Plumage is otherwise mainly blue-grey and warm buff except for black and white barring on flanks. Juvenile has grey-buff plumage with hint of adult’s dark markings. Voice Utters a loud ke che-che, ke che-che… call. Status Introduced but well established, mainly on arable farmland with mature hedgerows and scattered woods.
    143482.jpg
  • Red-legged Partridge Alectoris rufa L 32-34cm. Dumpy, well-marked gamebird. Forms small parties (covies), outside breeding season. Hunted and often wary. Prefers to run from danger but flies low on stiffly-held wings. Sexes are similar. Adult has red bill and legs, and white throat bordered with gorget of black spots. Plumage is otherwise mainly blue-grey and warm buff except for black and white barring on flanks. Juvenile has grey-buff plumage with hint of adult’s dark markings. Voice Utters a loud ke che-che, ke che-che… call. Status Introduced but well established, mainly on arable farmland with mature hedgerows and scattered woods.
    145437.jpg
  • Red-legged Partridge Alectoris rufa L 32-34cm. Dumpy, well-marked gamebird. Forms small parties (covies), outside breeding season. Hunted and often wary. Prefers to run from danger but flies low on stiffly-held wings. Sexes are similar. Adult has red bill and legs, and white throat bordered with gorget of black spots. Plumage is otherwise mainly blue-grey and warm buff except for black and white barring on flanks. Juvenile has grey-buff plumage with hint of adult’s dark markings. Voice Utters a loud ke che-che, ke che-che… call. Status Introduced but well established, mainly on arable farmland with mature hedgerows and scattered woods.
    145822.jpg
  • Red-legged Partridge Alectoris rufa L 32-34cm. Dumpy, well-marked gamebird. Forms small parties (covies), outside breeding season. Hunted and often wary. Prefers to run from danger but flies low on stiffly-held wings. Sexes are similar. Adult has red bill and legs, and white throat bordered with gorget of black spots. Plumage is otherwise mainly blue-grey and warm buff except for black and white barring on flanks. Juvenile has grey-buff plumage with hint of adult’s dark markings. Voice Utters a loud ke che-che, ke che-che… call. Status Introduced but well established, mainly on arable farmland with mature hedgerows and scattered woods.
    126848.jpg
  • Drassodes cupreus - Male. A large nocturnal ground-living hunting spider. It is common on heaths and dry grasslands as well as in gardens.
    156288.jpg
  • Pompilus cinereus attacking Arctosa perita. A spider hunting wasp paralyses a Sand Dune Bear-Spider spider on sand dunes.
    155150.jpg
  • Clubiona terrestris - Female. A common nocturnal hunting spider of undergrowth and leaf litter in southern Britain
    155116.jpg
  • White-tailed Eagle Haliaeetus albicilla W 190-240cm. Immense raptor with long, broad and parallel-sided wings, and by relatively short, wedge-shaped tail. Surprisingly manoeuvrable, despite it size, and catches fish and waterbirds while hunting low over water. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly brown plumage, palest on head and neck. At rest, white tail is often obscured by wings. Bill and legs are yellow. In flight from below, looks mainly dark except for paler head and neck, and white tail. Juvenile is similar to adult but looks darker overall and tail is uniformly dark. Subadult acquires adult plumage over successive moults; last immature feature to disappear is dark terminal band on tail. Voice Utters mournful whistling calls. Status Formerly just a rare visitor from mainland Europe but now reintroduced successfully to certain Scottish islands.
    144059.jpg
  • Clubiona terrestris - Female. A common nocturnal hunting spider of undergrowth and leaf litter in southern Britain
    155117.jpg
  • Black Grouse Tetrao tetrix L 40-45cm. Bulky moorland gamebird. Males display at traditional leks to interest nearby females. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has mainly dark plumage with red wattle above eye. Displaying birds elevate and spread tails (which look lyre-shaped) and reveal white undertail coverts. In flight, tail looks long and forked; wings have white bars. Adult female has orange-brown plumage finely marked with dark bars. In flight wings show narrow white bar. Juvenile resembles a small female with subdued markings. Voice Displaying male utters a bubbling, cooing call. Status Scarce and declining in many areas. Does best on moorland comprising mosaic of grassland, heather moorland, bilberry stands and adjacent woodland.
    155970.jpg
  • Black Grouse Tetrao tetrix L 40-45cm. Bulky moorland gamebird. Males display at traditional leks to interest nearby females. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has mainly dark plumage with red wattle above eye. Displaying birds elevate and spread tails (which look lyre-shaped) and reveal white undertail coverts. In flight, tail looks long and forked; wings have white bars. Adult female has orange-brown plumage finely marked with dark bars. In flight wings show narrow white bar. Juvenile resembles a small female with subdued markings. Voice Displaying male utters a bubbling, cooing call. Status Scarce and declining in many areas. Does best on moorland comprising mosaic of grassland, heather moorland, bilberry stands and adjacent woodland.
    155971.jpg
  • Black Grouse Tetrao tetrix L 40-45cm. Bulky moorland gamebird. Males display at traditional leks to interest nearby females. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has mainly dark plumage with red wattle above eye. Displaying birds elevate and spread tails (which look lyre-shaped) and reveal white undertail coverts. In flight, tail looks long and forked; wings have white bars. Adult female has orange-brown plumage finely marked with dark bars. In flight wings show narrow white bar. Juvenile resembles a small female with subdued markings. Voice Displaying male utters a bubbling, cooing call. Status Scarce and declining in many areas. Does best on moorland comprising mosaic of grassland, heather moorland, bilberry stands and adjacent woodland.
    155973.jpg
  • Black Grouse Tetrao tetrix L 40-45cm. Bulky moorland gamebird. Males display at traditional leks to interest nearby females. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has mainly dark plumage with red wattle above eye. Displaying birds elevate and spread tails (which look lyre-shaped) and reveal white undertail coverts. In flight, tail looks long and forked; wings have white bars. Adult female has orange-brown plumage finely marked with dark bars. In flight wings show narrow white bar. Juvenile resembles a small female with subdued markings. Voice Displaying male utters a bubbling, cooing call. Status Scarce and declining in many areas. Does best on moorland comprising mosaic of grassland, heather moorland, bilberry stands and adjacent woodland.
    155972.jpg
  • Black Grouse Tetrao tetrix L 40-45cm. Bulky moorland gamebird. Males display at traditional leks to interest nearby females. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has mainly dark plumage with red wattle above eye. Displaying birds elevate and spread tails (which look lyre-shaped) and reveal white undertail coverts. In flight, tail looks long and forked; wings have white bars. Adult female has orange-brown plumage finely marked with dark bars. In flight wings show narrow white bar. Juvenile resembles a small female with subdued markings. Voice Displaying male utters a bubbling, cooing call. Status Scarce and declining in many areas. Does best on moorland comprising mosaic of grassland, heather moorland, bilberry stands and adjacent woodland.
    104615.jpg
  • Black Grouse Tetrao tetrix L 40-45cm. Bulky moorland gamebird. Males display at traditional leks to interest nearby females. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has mainly dark plumage with red wattle above eye. Displaying birds elevate and spread tails (which look lyre-shaped) and reveal white undertail coverts. In flight, tail looks long and forked; wings have white bars. Adult female has orange-brown plumage finely marked with dark bars. In flight wings show narrow white bar. Juvenile resembles a small female with subdued markings. Voice Displaying male utters a bubbling, cooing call. Status Scarce and declining in many areas. Does best on moorland comprising mosaic of grassland, heather moorland, bilberry stands and adjacent woodland.
    113660.jpg
  • Red Grouse Lagopus lagopus scoticus L 37-42cm. Familiar moorland gamebird. If alarmed, takes to the air explosively; flight comprises bouts of rapid wingbeats and long glides on bowed wings. Both sexes have uniformly dark wings. Sexes are separable with care. Adult male has chestnut-brown plumage overall; fine feather markings visible at close range. Note red wattle above eye. Adult female has paler, more buffish grey and marbled plumage than male: well camouflaged when sitting on nest. Juvenile resembles adult female but with less well-marked plumage markings. Voice Utters a distinctive, go-back, go-back, go-back. Status Confined to heather moorland and feeds primarily on shoots of Heather and related plants. Moors are sometimes managed by selective burning for grouse (encourages young plant growth).
    113659.jpg
  • Ptarmigan Lagopus mutus L 34-36cm. Hardy, mountain gamebird. Indifferent to observers but easily overlooked: unobtrusive and blends in well with surroundings. In flight, both sexes reveal white wings and black tail. Forms small flocks outside breeding season. Sexes are separable with care. Adult male in winter is white except for dark eye, lores and bill. In spring and summer, has mottled and marbled greyish buff upperparts, amount of white on back decreasing with time; belly and legs are white while striking red wattle fades by mid-summer. Adult female in winter is white except for black eye and bill. In spring and summer, has finely barred buffish grey upperparts; extent of white on back diminishes with time. Juvenile resembles uniformly brown female. Voice Utters a rattling kur-kurrrr call. Status Confined to Scottish Highlands, favouring rocky ground with lichens, mosses and other mountain vegetation.
    114548.jpg
  • Ptarmigan Lagopus mutus L 34-36cm. Hardy, mountain gamebird. Indifferent to observers but easily overlooked: unobtrusive and blends in well with surroundings. In flight, both sexes reveal white wings and black tail. Forms small flocks outside breeding season. Sexes are separable with care. Adult male in winter is white except for dark eye, lores and bill. In spring and summer, has mottled and marbled greyish buff upperparts, amount of white on back decreasing with time; belly and legs are white while striking red wattle fades by mid-summer. Adult female in winter is white except for black eye and bill. In spring and summer, has finely barred buffish grey upperparts; extent of white on back diminishes with time. Juvenile resembles uniformly brown female. Voice Utters a rattling kur-kurrrr call. Status Confined to Scottish Highlands, favouring rocky ground with lichens, mosses and other mountain vegetation.
    127292.jpg
  • Ptarmigan Lagopus mutus L 34-36cm. Hardy, mountain gamebird. Indifferent to observers but easily overlooked: unobtrusive and blends in well with surroundings. In flight, both sexes reveal white wings and black tail. Forms small flocks outside breeding season. Sexes are separable with care. Adult male in winter is white except for dark eye, lores and bill. In spring and summer, has mottled and marbled greyish buff upperparts, amount of white on back decreasing with time; belly and legs are white while striking red wattle fades by mid-summer. Adult female in winter is white except for black eye and bill. In spring and summer, has finely barred buffish grey upperparts; extent of white on back diminishes with time. Juvenile resembles uniformly brown female. Voice Utters a rattling kur-kurrrr call. Status Confined to Scottish Highlands, favouring rocky ground with lichens, mosses and other mountain vegetation.
    127294.jpg
  • Ptarmigan Lagopus mutus L 34-36cm. Hardy, mountain gamebird. Indifferent to observers but easily overlooked: unobtrusive and blends in well with surroundings. In flight, both sexes reveal white wings and black tail. Forms small flocks outside breeding season. Sexes are separable with care. Adult male in winter is white except for dark eye, lores and bill. In spring and summer, has mottled and marbled greyish buff upperparts, amount of white on back decreasing with time; belly and legs are white while striking red wattle fades by mid-summer. Adult female in winter is white except for black eye and bill. In spring and summer, has finely barred buffish grey upperparts; extent of white on back diminishes with time. Juvenile resembles uniformly brown female. Voice Utters a rattling kur-kurrrr call. Status Confined to Scottish Highlands, favouring rocky ground with lichens, mosses and other mountain vegetation.
    127293.jpg
  • Black Grouse Tetrao tetrix L 40-45cm. Bulky moorland gamebird. Males display at traditional leks to interest nearby females. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has mainly dark plumage with red wattle above eye. Displaying birds elevate and spread tails (which look lyre-shaped) and reveal white undertail coverts. In flight, tail looks long and forked; wings have white bars. Adult female has orange-brown plumage finely marked with dark bars. In flight wings show narrow white bar. Juvenile resembles a small female with subdued markings. Voice Displaying male utters a bubbling, cooing call. Status Scarce and declining in many areas. Does best on moorland comprising mosaic of grassland, heather moorland, bilberry stands and adjacent woodland.
    137613.jpg
  • Red Grouse Lagopus lagopus scoticus L 37-42cm. Familiar moorland gamebird. If alarmed, takes to the air explosively; flight comprises bouts of rapid wingbeats and long glides on bowed wings. Both sexes have uniformly dark wings. Sexes are separable with care. Adult male has chestnut-brown plumage overall; fine feather markings visible at close range. Note red wattle above eye. Adult female has paler, more buffish grey and marbled plumage than male: well camouflaged when sitting on nest. Juvenile resembles adult female but with less well-marked plumage markings. Voice Utters a distinctive, go-back, go-back, go-back. Status Confined to heather moorland and feeds primarily on shoots of Heather and related plants. Moors are sometimes managed by selective burning for grouse (encourages young plant growth).
    143044.jpg
  • Black Grouse Tetrao tetrix L 40-45cm. Bulky moorland gamebird. Males display at traditional leks to interest nearby females. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has mainly dark plumage with red wattle above eye. Displaying birds elevate and spread tails (which look lyre-shaped) and reveal white undertail coverts. In flight, tail looks long and forked; wings have white bars. Adult female has orange-brown plumage finely marked with dark bars. In flight wings show narrow white bar. Juvenile resembles a small female with subdued markings. Voice Displaying male utters a bubbling, cooing call. Status Scarce and declining in many areas. Does best on moorland comprising mosaic of grassland, heather moorland, bilberry stands and adjacent woodland.
    143755.jpg
  • Ptarmigan Lagopus mutus L 34-36cm. Hardy, mountain gamebird. Indifferent to observers but easily overlooked: unobtrusive and blends in well with surroundings. In flight, both sexes reveal white wings and black tail. Forms small flocks outside breeding season. Sexes are separable with care. Adult male in winter is white except for dark eye, lores and bill. In spring and summer, has mottled and marbled greyish buff upperparts, amount of white on back decreasing with time; belly and legs are white while striking red wattle fades by mid-summer. Adult female in winter is white except for black eye and bill. In spring and summer, has finely barred buffish grey upperparts; extent of white on back diminishes with time. Juvenile resembles uniformly brown female. Voice Utters a rattling kur-kurrrr call. Status Confined to Scottish Highlands, favouring rocky ground with lichens, mosses and other mountain vegetation.
    143779.jpg
  • Black Grouse Tetrao tetrix L 40-45cm. Bulky moorland gamebird. Males display at traditional leks to interest nearby females. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has mainly dark plumage with red wattle above eye. Displaying birds elevate and spread tails (which look lyre-shaped) and reveal white undertail coverts. In flight, tail looks long and forked; wings have white bars. Adult female has orange-brown plumage finely marked with dark bars. In flight wings show narrow white bar. Juvenile resembles a small female with subdued markings. Voice Displaying male utters a bubbling, cooing call. Status Scarce and declining in many areas. Does best on moorland comprising mosaic of grassland, heather moorland, bilberry stands and adjacent woodland.
    143885.jpg
  • Ptarmigan Lagopus mutus Male bird in winter plumage L 34-36cm. Hardy, mountain gamebird. Indifferent to observers but easily overlooked: unobtrusive and blends in well with surroundings. In flight, both sexes reveal white wings and black tail. Forms small flocks outside breeding season. Sexes are separable with care. Adult male in winter is white except for dark eye, lores and bill. In spring and summer, has mottled and marbled greyish buff upperparts, amount of white on back decreasing with time; belly and legs are white while striking red wattle fades by mid-summer. Adult female in winter is white except for black eye and bill. In spring and summer, has finely barred buffish grey upperparts; extent of white on back diminishes with time. Juvenile resembles uniformly brown female. Voice Utters a rattling kur-kurrrr call. Status Confined to Scottish Highlands, favouring rocky ground with lichens, mosses and other mountain vegetation.
    144013.jpg
  • Ptarmigan Lagopus mutus Male bird in winter plumage L 34-36cm. Hardy, mountain gamebird. Indifferent to observers but easily overlooked: unobtrusive and blends in well with surroundings. In flight, both sexes reveal white wings and black tail. Forms small flocks outside breeding season. Sexes are separable with care. Adult male in winter is white except for dark eye, lores and bill. In spring and summer, has mottled and marbled greyish buff upperparts, amount of white on back decreasing with time; belly and legs are white while striking red wattle fades by mid-summer. Adult female in winter is white except for black eye and bill. In spring and summer, has finely barred buffish grey upperparts; extent of white on back diminishes with time. Juvenile resembles uniformly brown female. Voice Utters a rattling kur-kurrrr call. Status Confined to Scottish Highlands, favouring rocky ground with lichens, mosses and other mountain vegetation.
    144012.jpg
  • Red Grouse Lagopus lagopus scoticus L 37-42cm. Familiar moorland gamebird. If alarmed, takes to the air explosively; flight comprises bouts of rapid wingbeats and long glides on bowed wings. Both sexes have uniformly dark wings. Sexes are separable with care. Adult male has chestnut-brown plumage overall; fine feather markings visible at close range. Note red wattle above eye. Adult female has paler, more buffish grey and marbled plumage than male: well camouflaged when sitting on nest. Juvenile resembles adult female but with less well-marked plumage markings. Voice Utters a distinctive, go-back, go-back, go-back. Status Confined to heather moorland and feeds primarily on shoots of Heather and related plants. Moors are sometimes managed by selective burning for grouse (encourages young plant growth).
    110841.jpg
  • 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.
    136074.jpg
  • Starling - Sturnus vulgaris flock being attacked by Sparrowhawk - Accipiter nisus.  L 20-22cm. Familiar urban and rural bird with swaggering walk. Forms large flocks outside breeding season. Sexes are separable in summer. Adult male in summer has dark plumage with iridescence seen in good light. Legs are reddish and bill is yellow with blue base to lower mandible. Adult female in summer is similar but has some pale spots on underparts and pale yellow base to lower mandible. Winter adult (both sexes) has numerous white spots adorning dark plumage and dark bill. Juvenile is grey-brown, palest on throat; bill is dark; spotted body plumage acquired in winter. Voice Varied repertoire of clicks and whistles including mimicry. Status Widespread and common but declining. Found in all kinds of open habitats in winter. Often nests in house roofs.
    145904.jpg
  • Little Blue Heron - Egretta caerulea
    149966.jpg
  • Grizzly Bear Ursus arctos horribilis Length to 2m Large bear with a grizzled brown coat. Once widespread west of the Rockies, now confined to Northwest.
    133030.jpg
  • Ptarmigan - Lagopus mutus
    160729.jpg
  • Ptarmigan - Lagopus mutus
    160743.jpg
  • Red Grouse Lagopus lagopus scoticus L 37-42cm. Familiar moorland gamebird. If alarmed, takes to the air explosively; flight comprises bouts of rapid wingbeats and long glides on bowed wings. Both sexes have uniformly dark wings. Sexes are separable with care. Adult male has chestnut-brown plumage overall; fine feather markings visible at close range. Note red wattle above eye. Adult female has paler, more buffish grey and marbled plumage than male: well camouflaged when sitting on nest. Juvenile resembles adult female but with less well-marked plumage markings. Voice Utters a distinctive, go-back, go-back, go-back. Status Confined to heather moorland and feeds primarily on shoots of Heather and related plants. Moors are sometimes managed by selective burning for grouse (encourages young plant growth).
    158046.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
  • Little Blue Heron - Egretta caerulea
    149954.jpg
  • Little Blue Heron - Egretta caerulea
    149961.jpg
  • Little Blue Heron - Egretta caerulea
    149964.jpg
  • Little Blue Heron - Egretta caerulea
    149965.jpg
  • Little Blue Heron - Egretta caerulea
    149968.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
  • Lady Amherst's Pheasant - Chrysolophus amherstiae - female.
    156468.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
  • Kestrel Falco tinnunculus - Female. W 65-80cm. Familiar small falcon that habitually hovers where look-out perches are not available. Feeds on small mammals, ground-dwelling birds and insects. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has spotted, orange-brown back, blue-grey head, and blue-grey tail with black terminal band. Underparts are creamy buff with bold black spots. In flight from above, dark outer wing contrasts with orange-brown inner wing and back. Adult female has barred brown upperparts and pale creamy buff underparts with dark spots. In flight from above, contrast between brown inner wing and dark outer wing is less distinct than with male and tail is barred. Juvenile resembles adult female but upperparts are more reddish brown. Voice Utters a shrill kee-kee-kee… Status Common and widespread in open, grassy places. Breeding success dependent upon prey populations, notably Short-tailed Voles and Wood Mice.
    155647.jpg
  • Kestrel Falco tinnunculus - Female. W 65-80cm. Familiar small falcon that habitually hovers where look-out perches are not available. Feeds on small mammals, ground-dwelling birds and insects. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has spotted, orange-brown back, blue-grey head, and blue-grey tail with black terminal band. Underparts are creamy buff with bold black spots. In flight from above, dark outer wing contrasts with orange-brown inner wing and back. Adult female has barred brown upperparts and pale creamy buff underparts with dark spots. In flight from above, contrast between brown inner wing and dark outer wing is less distinct than with male and tail is barred. Juvenile resembles adult female but upperparts are more reddish brown. Voice Utters a shrill kee-kee-kee… Status Common and widespread in open, grassy places. Breeding success dependent upon prey populations, notably Short-tailed Voles and Wood Mice.
    155660.jpg
  • Clubiona pallidula - Female. A locally common southern species typically found under bark on trees.
    155338.jpg
  • Clubiona pallidula - Female. A locally common southern species typically found under bark on trees.
    155339.jpg
  • Clubiona corticalis. A common spider typically found in silk sacs under bark on tree trunks. It is one of only a few Clubionas with a strongly patterned abdomen.
    155340.jpg
  • Spanish Imperial Eagle - Aquila adalberti - 3rd calendar year
    155179.jpg
  • Spanish Imperial Eagle - Aquila adalberti - 3rd calendar year
    155180.jpg
  • Spanish Imperial Eagle, Aquila adalberti, born spring 2011 so 3rd calendar year, feeding on Montpellier Snake, Malponon monspessulanus, May, Castille and Leon, Spain
    155181.jpg
  • Micaria pulicaria - Male. Gnaphosid Ant Spider. Fast ground living diurnal hunter of open, stony, sunny habitats. Very common.
    155126.jpg
  • Lady Amherst's Pheasant - Chrysolophus amherstiae - male
    155072.jpg
  • Grizzly Bear Ursus arctos horribilis Length to 2m Large bear with a grizzled brown coat. Once widespread west of the Rockies, now confined to Northwest.
    133029.jpg
  • Grizzly Bear Ursus arctos horribilis Length to 2m Large bear with a grizzled brown coat. Once widespread west of the Rockies, now confined to Northwest.
    133031.jpg
  • Tawny Owl Strix aluco L 38-40cm. Our most familiar owl. Strictly nocturnal; roosts in tree foliage during day. Flight is leisurely on broad, rounded wings. Sexes are similar. Adult and juvenile have streaked, variably chestnut-brown or grey-brown plumage, palest on underparts. Eyes are dark. In flight, underwings look pale. Young birds typically leave nest while still downy and white. Voice Utters sharp kew-wick and well-known hooting calls; most vocal in late winter and early spring. Status Fairly common resident of woodland habitats where small mammals are common; also in gardens and suburban parks.
    110898.jpg
  • Kestrel Falco tinnunculus W 65-80cm. Familiar small falcon that habitually hovers where look-out perches are not available. Feeds on small mammals, ground-dwelling birds and insects. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has spotted, orange-brown back, blue-grey head, and blue-grey tail with black terminal band. Underparts are creamy buff with bold black spots. In flight from above, dark outer wing contrasts with orange-brown inner wing and back. Adult female has barred brown upperparts and pale creamy buff underparts with dark spots. In flight from above, contrast between brown inner wing and dark outer wing is less distinct than with male and tail is barred. Juvenile resembles adult female but upperparts are more reddish brown. Voice Utters a shrill kee-kee-kee… Status Common and widespread in open, grassy places. Breeding success dependent upon prey populations, notably Short-tailed Voles and Wood Mice.
    114577.jpg
  • Spanish Imperial Eagle - Aquila adalberti
    126330.jpg
  • Pheasant Phasianus colchicus L 55-90cm. Male is colourful and unmistakable; female is also hard to confuse. Takes to the wing noisily and explosively when flushed. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male typically has orange-brown body plumage, blue-green sheen on head, large and striking red wattle and long, orange barred tail; some birds have a white collar. Violet-blue birds are sometimes released. Adult female is mottled buffish brown with shorter tail than male. Juvenile resembles a small, short-tailed female. Voice Territorial male utters a loud, shrieking call, followed by bout of vigorous wing beating. In alarm, a loud ke-tuk, ke-tuk, ke-tuk is uttered as bird flies away. Status Introduced and established here since 11th Century. Widespread and commonest in wooded farmland.
    128945.jpg
  • Ptarmigan Lagopus mutus female bird in winter plumage L 34-36cm. Hardy, mountain gamebird. Indifferent to observers but easily overlooked: unobtrusive and blends in well with surroundings. In flight, both sexes reveal white wings and black tail. Forms small flocks outside breeding season. Sexes are separable with care. Adult male in winter is white except for dark eye, lores and bill. In spring and summer, has mottled and marbled greyish buff upperparts, amount of white on back decreasing with time; belly and legs are white while striking red wattle fades by mid-summer. Adult female in winter is white except for black eye and bill. In spring and summer, has finely barred buffish grey upperparts; extent of white on back diminishes with time. Juvenile resembles uniformly brown female. Voice Utters a rattling kur-kurrrr call. Status Confined to Scottish Highlands, favouring rocky ground with lichens, mosses and other mountain vegetation.
    135920.jpg
  • Ptarmigan Lagopus mutus Male bird in winter plumage L 34-36cm. Hardy, mountain gamebird. Indifferent to observers but easily overlooked: unobtrusive and blends in well with surroundings. In flight, both sexes reveal white wings and black tail. Forms small flocks outside breeding season. Sexes are separable with care. Adult male in winter is white except for dark eye, lores and bill. In spring and summer, has mottled and marbled greyish buff upperparts, amount of white on back decreasing with time; belly and legs are white while striking red wattle fades by mid-summer. Adult female in winter is white except for black eye and bill. In spring and summer, has finely barred buffish grey upperparts; extent of white on back diminishes with time. Juvenile resembles uniformly brown female. Voice Utters a rattling kur-kurrrr call. Status Confined to Scottish Highlands, favouring rocky ground with lichens, mosses and other mountain vegetation.
    135921.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.
    139514.jpg
  • Kestrel Falco tinnunculus W 65-80cm. Familiar small falcon that habitually hovers where look-out perches are not available. Feeds on small mammals, ground-dwelling birds and insects. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has spotted, orange-brown back, blue-grey head, and blue-grey tail with black terminal band. Underparts are creamy buff with bold black spots. In flight from above, dark outer wing contrasts with orange-brown inner wing and back. Adult female has barred brown upperparts and pale creamy buff underparts with dark spots. In flight from above, contrast between brown inner wing and dark outer wing is less distinct than with male and tail is barred. Juvenile resembles adult female but upperparts are more reddish brown. Voice Utters a shrill kee-kee-kee… Status Common and widespread in open, grassy places. Breeding success dependent upon prey populations, notably Short-tailed Voles and Wood Mice.
    143025.jpg
  • Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus W 60-75cm. Widespread but secretive raptor that catches small birds in flight in surprise, low-level attacks. Has relatively short, rounded wings, long, barred tail, long legs and staring yellow eyes. Male is much smaller than female and also separable on plumage details. Adult male has blue-grey upperparts; pale underparts are strongly barred and reddish brown on body and wing coverts. Adult female has grey-brown upperparts and pale underparts with fine, dark barring. Juvenile has brownish upperparts, and pale underparts with broad, brown barring. Voice Utters a shrill kew-kew-kew in alarm. Status Common, associated mainly with wooded habitats, both rural and suburban.
    143099.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.
    143742.jpg
  • Little Bittern Ixobrychus minutus (L 35-38cm) is a tiny, well-marked heron, typically found in reedbeds. It has bred here in the past.
    143762.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.
    143950.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.
    143951.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.
    143952.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.
    143953.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.
    143954.jpg
  • Goshawk Accipiter gentilis W 100-115cm. Impressive, buzzard-sized raptor. In flight, note broad, rounded wings and relatively long but thickset barred tail. Soaring birds fan their tails and splay white, fluffy, undertail. Close view (an unusual event) reveals orange eye, yellow legs and feet, and striking pale supercilium. Xexes are similar but male is smaller than female. Adult has mainly grey-brown upperparts; pale underparts are marked with fine dark barring. Juvenile has brown upperparts; buffish underparts are marked with dark, teardrop-shaped spots. Voice Utters a harsh kie-kie-kie in breeding season. Status Scarce but easily overlooked. Favours wooded habitats with adjacent open country.
    144859.jpg
  • Kestrel Falco tinnunculus W 65-80cm. Familiar small falcon that habitually hovers where look-out perches are not available. Feeds on small mammals, ground-dwelling birds and insects. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has spotted, orange-brown back, blue-grey head, and blue-grey tail with black terminal band. Underparts are creamy buff with bold black spots. In flight from above, dark outer wing contrasts with orange-brown inner wing and back. Adult female has barred brown upperparts and pale creamy buff underparts with dark spots. In flight from above, contrast between brown inner wing and dark outer wing is less distinct than with male and tail is barred. Juvenile resembles adult female but upperparts are more reddish brown. Voice Utters a shrill kee-kee-kee… Status Common and widespread in open, grassy places. Breeding success dependent upon prey populations, notably Short-tailed Voles and Wood Mice.
    145314.jpg
  • Kestrel Falco tinnunculus W 65-80cm. Familiar small falcon that habitually hovers where look-out perches are not available. Feeds on small mammals, ground-dwelling birds and insects. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has spotted, orange-brown back, blue-grey head, and blue-grey tail with black terminal band. Underparts are creamy buff with bold black spots. In flight from above, dark outer wing contrasts with orange-brown inner wing and back. Adult female has barred brown upperparts and pale creamy buff underparts with dark spots. In flight from above, contrast between brown inner wing and dark outer wing is less distinct than with male and tail is barred. Juvenile resembles adult female but upperparts are more reddish brown. Voice Utters a shrill kee-kee-kee… Status Common and widespread in open, grassy places. Breeding success dependent upon prey populations, notably Short-tailed Voles and Wood Mice.
    145315.jpg
  • Kestrel Falco tinnunculus W 65-80cm. Familiar small falcon that habitually hovers where look-out perches are not available. Feeds on small mammals, ground-dwelling birds and insects. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has spotted, orange-brown back, blue-grey head, and blue-grey tail with black terminal band. Underparts are creamy buff with bold black spots. In flight from above, dark outer wing contrasts with orange-brown inner wing and back. Adult female has barred brown upperparts and pale creamy buff underparts with dark spots. In flight from above, contrast between brown inner wing and dark outer wing is less distinct than with male and tail is barred. Juvenile resembles adult female but upperparts are more reddish brown. Voice Utters a shrill kee-kee-kee… Status Common and widespread in open, grassy places. Breeding success dependent upon prey populations, notably Short-tailed Voles and Wood Mice.
    145316.jpg
  • Kestrel Falco tinnunculus W 65-80cm. Familiar small falcon that habitually hovers where look-out perches are not available. Feeds on small mammals, ground-dwelling birds and insects. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has spotted, orange-brown back, blue-grey head, and blue-grey tail with black terminal band. Underparts are creamy buff with bold black spots. In flight from above, dark outer wing contrasts with orange-brown inner wing and back. Adult female has barred brown upperparts and pale creamy buff underparts with dark spots. In flight from above, contrast between brown inner wing and dark outer wing is less distinct than with male and tail is barred. Juvenile resembles adult female but upperparts are more reddish brown. Voice Utters a shrill kee-kee-kee… Status Common and widespread in open, grassy places. Breeding success dependent upon prey populations, notably Short-tailed Voles and Wood Mice.
    145318.jpg
  • Kestrel Falco tinnunculus W 65-80cm. Familiar small falcon that habitually hovers where look-out perches are not available. Feeds on small mammals, ground-dwelling birds and insects. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has spotted, orange-brown back, blue-grey head, and blue-grey tail with black terminal band. Underparts are creamy buff with bold black spots. In flight from above, dark outer wing contrasts with orange-brown inner wing and back. Adult female has barred brown upperparts and pale creamy buff underparts with dark spots. In flight from above, contrast between brown inner wing and dark outer wing is less distinct than with male and tail is barred. Juvenile resembles adult female but upperparts are more reddish brown. Voice Utters a shrill kee-kee-kee… Status Common and widespread in open, grassy places. Breeding success dependent upon prey populations, notably Short-tailed Voles and Wood Mice.
    145317.jpg
  • Osprey Pandion halieaetus W 145-160cm. The classic fish-eating raptor. Can look gull-like in flight but fishing technique is unmistakable: hovers, then plunges talons first into water. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly brown upperparts, except for pale crown; underparts are mainly whitish with darker chest band. In flight from below, looks pale overall with dark carpal patches, dark band along base of flight feathers and dark terminal band on barred tail. Juvenile is similar to adult but darker markings are less distinct. Voice Utters various whistling calls. Status Migrant visitor, seldom seen far from water even on migration. Nests close to large waterbodies, mainly in N. Breeding range is gradually extending S; also introduced in places (notably Rutland Water). Passage migrants sometimes linger for a few days at fish-rich lakes and flooded gravel pits.
    145422.jpg
  • Starling flock being attacked by Merlin. Accipiter nisus. L 20-22cm. Familiar urban and rural bird with swaggering walk. Forms large flocks outside breeding season. Sexes are separable in summer. Adult male in summer has dark plumage with iridescence seen in good light. Legs are reddish and bill is yellow with blue base to lower mandible. Adult female in summer is similar but has some pale spots on underparts and pale yellow base to lower mandible. Winter adult (both sexes) has numerous white spots adorning dark plumage and dark bill. Juvenile is grey-brown, palest on throat; bill is dark; spotted body plumage acquired in winter. Voice Varied repertoire of clicks and whistles including mimicry. Status Widespread and common but declining. Found in all kinds of open habitats in winter. Often nests in house roofs.
    145448.jpg
  • Starling flock being attacked by Merlin. Accipiter nisus. L 20-22cm. Familiar urban and rural bird with swaggering walk. Forms large flocks outside breeding season. Sexes are separable in summer. Adult male in summer has dark plumage with iridescence seen in good light. Legs are reddish and bill is yellow with blue base to lower mandible. Adult female in summer is similar but has some pale spots on underparts and pale yellow base to lower mandible. Winter adult (both sexes) has numerous white spots adorning dark plumage and dark bill. Juvenile is grey-brown, palest on throat; bill is dark; spotted body plumage acquired in winter. Voice Varied repertoire of clicks and whistles including mimicry. Status Widespread and common but declining. Found in all kinds of open habitats in winter. Often nests in house roofs.
    145447.jpg
  • Ptarmigan - Lagopus mutus
    160730.jpg
  • Montagu's Harrier - Circus montagui - Male in flight. Wingspan 100-115cm. Graceful raptor with slow, buoyant flight. Adult male has mainly blue-grey with a smaller white rump than male Hen Harrier. Note black wingtips, single dark bar on upperwing, two dark bars on underwings, chestnut barring on underwings coverts and streaked belly. Adult female is pale brown with darker barring on wings and tail, streaking on underparts, and narrow white rump. Juvenile recalls an adult female but underparts and underwing coverts are orange-red and unstreaked. Voice – mainly silent. Status and habitat - A summer visitor to Britain, present May-September. A few pairs breed each year in arable farmland and on heathland.
    153751.jpg
  • BUZZARD Buteo buteo Wingspan 115-130cm. Britain’s commonest medium-sized bird of prey. Soars with broad, rounded wings held in shallow ‘V’, with tail fanned. Plumage is very variable and some birds are very pale. Sexes cannot be distinguished by appearance. Adult is typically brown overall; breast is finely barred and usually paler than throat or belly. In flight and from below, flight feathers and tail are grey and barred; note dark trailing edge to wings and dark terminal band on tail. Body and underwing coverts are contrastingly dark (carpal patch is darkest) and pale breast band can usually be seen. Juvenile is similar to adult but lacks terminal dark band on tail and obvious dark trailing edge to wings. Voice – utters a mewing pee-ay. Status and habitat – Present throughout the year and widespread, least numerous in east. Usually associated with lightly wooded farmland.
    127541.jpg
  • Common Kestrel - Falco tinnunculus
    164022.jpg
  • Common Kestrel - Falco tinnunculus
    164020.jpg
  • Little Blue Heron - Egretta caerulea
    160605.jpg
  • Reddish Egret - Egretta rufescens
    160639.jpg
  • Reddish Egret - Egretta rufescens
    160642.jpg
  • Spanish Imperial Eagle - Aquila adalberti - immature
    160218.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
  • Kestrel Falco tinnunculus W 65-80cm. Familiar small falcon that habitually hovers where look-out perches are not available. Feeds on small mammals, ground-dwelling birds and insects. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has spotted, orange-brown back, blue-grey head, and blue-grey tail with black terminal band. Underparts are creamy buff with bold black spots. In flight from above, dark outer wing contrasts with orange-brown inner wing and back. Adult female has barred brown upperparts and pale creamy buff underparts with dark spots. In flight from above, contrast between brown inner wing and dark outer wing is less distinct than with male and tail is barred. Juvenile resembles adult female but upperparts are more reddish brown. Voice Utters a shrill kee-kee-kee… Status Common and widespread in open, grassy places. Breeding success dependent upon prey populations, notably Short-tailed Voles and Wood Mice.
    135936.jpg
  • Kestrel Falco tinnunculus - Male. W 65-80cm. Familiar small falcon that habitually hovers where look-out perches are not available. Feeds on small mammals, ground-dwelling birds and insects. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has spotted, orange-brown back, blue-grey head, and blue-grey tail with black terminal band. Underparts are creamy buff with bold black spots. In flight from above, dark outer wing contrasts with orange-brown inner wing and back. Adult female has barred brown upperparts and pale creamy buff underparts with dark spots. In flight from above, contrast between brown inner wing and dark outer wing is less distinct than with male and tail is barred. Juvenile resembles adult female but upperparts are more reddish brown. Voice Utters a shrill kee-kee-kee… Status Common and widespread in open, grassy places. Breeding success dependent upon prey populations, notably Short-tailed Voles and Wood Mice.
    135937.jpg
Next