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  • Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius - Juvenile. L 15-17cm. Slim-bodied little plover that lacks white wingbar. Sexes are similar. Summer adult has sandy brown upperparts and white underparts with black collar and breast band, and black and white markings on head. Has black bill, yellow legs and yellow eyering. Female has duller black elements of head plumage than male. Juvenile has black elements of plumage replaced by sandy brown. Breast band is usually incomplete, leg and eyering colours are dull, and head lacks pale supercilium seen in juvenile Ringed Plover. Voice Utters a pee-oo call. Status Locally fairly common, nesting around margins of flooded gravel pits and other manmade sites. Migrants turn up at freshwater sites outside breeding range and sometimes on coast.
    155571.jpg
  • Woodchat Shrike - Lanius senator - Juvenile. L 17-19cm. A bulky and well-marked bird. The Woodchat Shrike often perches on barbed-wire fences as well as low bushes, using these as lookouts. The sexes are separable with care. Adult Male has a chestnut cap and nape, a broad black mask running from the forecrown through the eye, and white underparts that are flushed faintly with peachy-buff on the flanks and breast. Note also the striking white patch on the scapulars, the white patch at the base of the primaries and the buffish white patch at the base of the bill. In flight, the pale rump and white-margined black tail are obvious. Adult Female is similar, but the black and chestnut elements of the plumage are less intense, the white patch at the base of the bill is more extensive and there is faint barring on the underparts. Juvenile has scaly grey-brown upperparts and paler underparts with faint vermiculations; note also the pale patch on the scapulars. Voice - utters a harsh, trilling call when agitated. Habitat and Status - the Woodchat Shrike is a scarce visitor to the region, with most records at migration times; 15 or 20 are recorded in a good year. In spring, adult birds appear here, while in late summer and autumn, dispersing juvenile birds sometimes turn up in coastal areas. Visiting Woodchat Shrikes favour areas of coastal scrub.
    125944.jpg
  • Sabine’s Gull Xema sabini - Juvenile. L 30-35cm. Distinctive seabird. Can only be confused with juvenile Kittiwake but upperwing patterns are separable with care. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has blue-grey back and upperwings, dark hood, dark wingtips with white spots and dark bill with yellow tip. In flight, upperwing pattern is diagnostic: triangular patches of black, white and grey. Tail is forked. In winter, similar but dark smudges on nape replace dark hood. Juvenile has a upperwing pattern to adult but triangle of grey replaced by scaly grey-brown. Forked tail is dark-tipped. Voice Silent. Status Nests in high Arctic and winters at sea in southern oceans. Seen here mainly as offshore passage migrant in autumn. Does not willingly come close to land.
    155234.jpg
  • Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla L 38-42cm. A true seagull: non-breeding life spent entirely at sea. Sexes are similar. Adult has blue-grey back and upperwings with black wingtips; plumage is otherwise white. Bill is yellow; eye and legs are dark. In flight, wingtips look dipped in black ink. In winter, similar but head has grubby patches behind eye. Juvenile has black ‘V’ markings on upperwing; back and upperwing coverts are grey and note triangle of white on flight feathers, dark tip to tail, black half collar and dark markings on head; bill is dark. 1st winter is similar to juvenile but gradually loses dark half collar and black tail tip. Voice Utters diagnostic kittee-wake when nesting. Status Nests colonially on coastal cliff ledges but also dockside factories etc. Non-breeding period spent far out to sea.
    144633.jpg
  • Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla L 38-42cm. A true seagull: non-breeding life spent entirely at sea. Sexes are similar. Adult has blue-grey back and upperwings with black wingtips; plumage is otherwise white. Bill is yellow; eye and legs are dark. In flight, wingtips look dipped in black ink. In winter, similar but head has grubby patches behind eye. Juvenile has black ‘V’ markings on upperwing; back and upperwing coverts are grey and note triangle of white on flight feathers, dark tip to tail, black half collar and dark markings on head; bill is dark. 1st winter is similar to juvenile but gradually loses dark half collar and black tail tip. Voice Utters diagnostic kittee-wake when nesting. Status Nests colonially on coastal cliff ledges but also dockside factories etc. Non-breeding period spent far out to sea.
    144639.jpg
  • Bewick’s Swan - Cygnus columbianus - juvenile. 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.
    133352.jpg
  • Sabine’s Gull Xema sabini L 30-35cm. Distinctive seabird. Can only be confused with juvenile Kittiwake but upperwing patterns are separable with care. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has blue-grey back and upperwings, dark hood, dark wingtips with white spots and dark bill with yellow tip. In flight, upperwing pattern is diagnostic: triangular patches of black, white and grey. Tail is forked. In winter, similar but dark smudges on nape replace dark hood. Juvenile has a upperwing pattern to adult but triangle of grey replaced by scaly grey-brown. Forked tail is dark-tipped. Voice Silent. Status Nests in high Arctic and winters at sea in southern oceans. Seen here mainly as offshore passage migrant in autumn. Does not willingly come close to land.
    136777.jpg
  • Sabine’s Gull Xema sabini L 30-35cm. Distinctive seabird. Can only be confused with juvenile Kittiwake but upperwing patterns are separable with care. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has blue-grey back and upperwings, dark hood, dark wingtips with white spots and dark bill with yellow tip. In flight, upperwing pattern is diagnostic: triangular patches of black, white and grey. Tail is forked. In winter, similar but dark smudges on nape replace dark hood. Juvenile has a upperwing pattern to adult but triangle of grey replaced by scaly grey-brown. Forked tail is dark-tipped. Voice Silent. Status Nests in high Arctic and winters at sea in southern oceans. Seen here mainly as offshore passage migrant in autumn. Does not willingly come close to land.
    136778.jpg
  • Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla L 38-42cm. A true seagull: non-breeding life spent entirely at sea. Sexes are similar. Adult has blue-grey back and upperwings with black wingtips; plumage is otherwise white. Bill is yellow; eye and legs are dark. In flight, wingtips look dipped in black ink. In winter, similar but head has grubby patches behind eye. Juvenile has black ‘V’ markings on upperwing; back and upperwing coverts are grey and note triangle of white on flight feathers, dark tip to tail, black half collar and dark markings on head; bill is dark. 1st winter is similar to juvenile but gradually loses dark half collar and black tail tip. Voice Utters diagnostic kittee-wake when nesting. Status Nests colonially on coastal cliff ledges but also dockside factories etc. Non-breeding period spent far out to sea.
    144635.jpg
  • Ruff - Philomachus pugnax -juvenile. L 23-29cm. Variable wader but rather small head is a consistent feature. Has slightly downcurved bill, orange-yellow legs and, in flight, narrow white wingbar and white sides to rump. Male is smaller than female and, in breeding season, has unique head decorations. Adult male in summer has brownish upperparts, many feathers with black tips and bars. On breeding grounds, briefly has facial warts and variably coloured ruff and crest feathers. Adult female in summer has grey-brown upperparts, many feathers with dark tips and bars; underparts are pale. Winter adult has rather uniform grey-brown upperparts and pale underparts. Juvenile recalls winter adult but has buff suffusion and scaly-looking back. Voice Mostly silent. Status Rare breeding species on freshwater wetlands. Fairly common passage migrant, favouring coastal freshwater pools; scarce in winter.
    154257.jpg
  • Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla L 38-42cm. A true seagull: non-breeding life spent entirely at sea. Sexes are similar. Adult has blue-grey back and upperwings with black wingtips; plumage is otherwise white. Bill is yellow; eye and legs are dark. In flight, wingtips look dipped in black ink. In winter, similar but head has grubby patches behind eye. Juvenile has black ‘V’ markings on upperwing; back and upperwing coverts are grey and note triangle of white on flight feathers, dark tip to tail, black half collar and dark markings on head; bill is dark. 1st winter is similar to juvenile but gradually loses dark half collar and black tail tip. Voice Utters diagnostic kittee-wake when nesting. Status Nests colonially on coastal cliff ledges but also dockside factories etc. Non-breeding period spent far out to sea.
    144634.jpg
  • Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla L 38-42cm. A true seagull: non-breeding life spent entirely at sea. Sexes are similar. Adult has blue-grey back and upperwings with black wingtips; plumage is otherwise white. Bill is yellow; eye and legs are dark. In flight, wingtips look dipped in black ink. In winter, similar but head has grubby patches behind eye. Juvenile has black ‘V’ markings on upperwing; back and upperwing coverts are grey and note triangle of white on flight feathers, dark tip to tail, black half collar and dark markings on head; bill is dark. 1st winter is similar to juvenile but gradually loses dark half collar and black tail tip. Voice Utters diagnostic kittee-wake when nesting. Status Nests colonially on coastal cliff ledges but also dockside factories etc. Non-breeding period spent far out to sea.
    144636.jpg
  • Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla L 38-42cm. A true seagull: non-breeding life spent entirely at sea. Sexes are similar. Adult has blue-grey back and upperwings with black wingtips; plumage is otherwise white. Bill is yellow; eye and legs are dark. In flight, wingtips look dipped in black ink. In winter, similar but head has grubby patches behind eye. Juvenile has black ‘V’ markings on upperwing; back and upperwing coverts are grey and note triangle of white on flight feathers, dark tip to tail, black half collar and dark markings on head; bill is dark. 1st winter is similar to juvenile but gradually loses dark half collar and black tail tip. Voice Utters diagnostic kittee-wake when nesting. Status Nests colonially on coastal cliff ledges but also dockside factories etc. Non-breeding period spent far out to sea.
    144637.jpg
  • Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla L 38-42cm. A true seagull: non-breeding life spent entirely at sea. Sexes are similar. Adult has blue-grey back and upperwings with black wingtips; plumage is otherwise white. Bill is yellow; eye and legs are dark. In flight, wingtips look dipped in black ink. In winter, similar but head has grubby patches behind eye. Juvenile has black ‘V’ markings on upperwing; back and upperwing coverts are grey and note triangle of white on flight feathers, dark tip to tail, black half collar and dark markings on head; bill is dark. 1st winter is similar to juvenile but gradually loses dark half collar and black tail tip. Voice Utters diagnostic kittee-wake when nesting. Status Nests colonially on coastal cliff ledges but also dockside factories etc. Non-breeding period spent far out to sea.
    144638.jpg
  • Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus showing various plumages. L 35-38cm. Our most numerous medium-sized gull. Plumage variable but white leading edge to outerwings is consistent feature. Forms single-species flocks. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has grey back and upperwings, white underparts and chocolate-brown hood. Legs and bill are red. In flight, trailing edge of outerwing is black. In winter, loses dark hood; white head has dark smudges above behind eye. Juvenile has orange-brown flush to upperparts, dark feathers on back, dark smudges on head, and dark tip to tail. Acquires adult plumage by 2nd winter through successive moults. 1st winter bird retains many juvenile plumage details but loses rufous elements and gains grey back. 1st summer bird still has juvenile-type wing pattern but gains dark hood. Voice Raucous calls include a nasal kaurrr. Status Widespread and numerous. Commonest on coasts and inland freshwater sites, but also in towns and on farmland; often follows the plough. Nests colonially beside water. Migrants from Europe boost winter numbers.
    136081.jpg
  • Black-headed Gull - Larus ridibundus<br />
left = 1st winter, middle = adult winter, right = adult summer<br />
L 35-38cm. Our most numerous medium-sized gull. Plumage variable but white leading edge to outerwings is consistent feature. Forms single-species flocks. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has grey back and upperwings, white underparts and chocolate-brown hood. Legs and bill are red. In flight, trailing edge of outerwing is black. In winter, loses dark hood; white head has dark smudges above behind eye. Juvenile has orange-brown flush to upperparts, dark feathers on back, dark smudges on head, and dark tip to tail. Acquires adult plumage by 2nd winter through successive moults. 1st winter bird retains many juvenile plumage details but loses rufous elements and gains grey back. 1st summer bird still has juvenile-type wing pattern but gains dark hood. Voice Raucous calls include a nasal kaurrr. Status Widespread and numerous. Commonest on coasts and inland freshwater sites, but also in towns and on farmland; often follows the plough. Nests colonially beside water. Migrants from Europe boost winter numbers.
    154290.jpg
  • Lesser Black-backed Gull - Larus fuscus - juvenile - 1st winter.  L 53-56cm. Similar to Herring Gull but adult has dark grey back and upperwings and bright yellow legs. Note, confusion possible with adult Yellow-legged (upperparts paler). Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has dark grey back and upperwings. Black wingtips are darker than rest of upperwing except for white trailing edge; plumage is otherwise white. Bill is yellow with orange spot. Iris is yellow and orbital ring is red. In winter, similar but with streaks on head and neck, and duller leg and bill colours. Juvenile and 1st winter have streaked and mottled grey-brown plumage, palest on head. Upperwings dark brown and whitish tail is dark-tipped. Eye and bill are dark. Adult plumage acquired over 3 years. 2nd winter similar to 1st winter but with grey back, pinkish legs and dark-tipped pink bill; 3rd winter resembles heavily streaked winter adult. Voice Utters a distinctive kyaoo and anxious ga-ka-ka. Status Locally common in summer, nesting colonially on seacliffs and islands. Most migrate S to Mediterranean outside breeding season; small numbers remain, often roosting on reservoirs.
    155487.jpg
  • White-tailed Eagle Haliaeetus albicilla - Juvenile. 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.
    155041.jpg
  • Merlin - Falco columbarius - juvenile. W 60-65cm. Our smallest raptor. Typically seen dashing flight, low over in pursuit of prey such as Meadow Pipit. Also perches on fence posts or rocky outcrops. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has blue-grey upperparts and buffish, streaked and spotted underparts. In flight from above, note contrast between blue-grey back, inner wings and tail, and dark wing tips and dark terminal band on tail. Adult female has brown upperparts and pale underparts with large, brown spots. In flight from above, upperparts look rather uniformly brown with numerous bars on wings and tail. Juvenile resembles adult female. Voice Mostly silent but shrill kee-kee-kee… is uttered in alarm near nest. Status Scarce breeding season, found on upland moorland in spring and summer. Outside breeding season, moves S and to lowland areas and numbers boosted by migrants from Iceland.
    157574.jpg
  • Starling - Sturnus vulgaris - juvenile. 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.
    148463.jpg
  • Cuckoo Cuculus canorus - Juvenile. L 33-35cm. Secretive summer visitor with intriguing lifestyle. Heard more than seen. Recalls a Sparrowhawk in flight. Feeds mainly on hairy caterpillars. Sexes sometimes separable. Adult male, and most females have blue-grey head, neck and upperparts; underparts are white and barred. Some adult females are brown and barred on head, neck and upperparts; underparts are white with dark bars. Juvenile is similar to brown adult female but with white nape. Voice Male utters distinctive cuck-oo song; female has bubbling call. Status Local summer visitor. Range dictated by occurrence of songbirds used for nest parasitism; host species include Meadow Pipit, Dunnock and Reed Warbler
    129103.jpg
  • Great Black-backed Gull - Larus marinus - Juvenile.  L 64-79cm. Our largest gull species. Bulkier than Lesser Black-backed, adult with darker back, massive bill and pink legs. Sexes are similar. Adult has almost uniformly dark back and upperwings; wingtips only marginally darker than rest of wings. Note white patch at tip of wings and broad white trailing edge. Plumage is otherwise white. Bill is yellow with an orange spot. Juvenile and 1st winter are mottled and streaked grey brown. In flight, brown upperwings have pale panels and inner primaries. Bill is dark, legs are dull pink and whitish tail is dark-tipped. Adult plumage acquired over 3 years. Voice Utters a deep kaa-ga-ga call. Status Local and coastal in the breeding season. Often nests in vicinity of mixed seabird colonies and pairs are territorial. Outside breeding season, more widespread inland and numbers boosted by migrants from N Europe.
    155914.jpg
  • Arctic Skua Stercorarius parasiticus - Juvenile. L 46cm. Aerobatic, graceful seabird with deep wingbeats and narrow, pointed wings. Food parasite of Arctic Tern and Kittiwake. Adult has wedge-shaped tail and pointed streamers. Sexes are similar but adults occur in two morphs. Adult pale phase has white neck, breast and belly, dark cap and otherwise grey-brown plumage. Note faint yellowish flush on cheeks. Adult dark phase is uniformly dark grey-brown. Juvenile is dark rufous brown. Voice Utters nasal calls near nest. Status Local summer visitor to Scottish coasts; coastal passage migrant elsewhere.
    138060.jpg
  • Shelduck Tadorna tadorna - Juvenile. L 55-65cm. Goose-sized duck with bold markings. In poor light, looks black and white. In flight, note contrast between white wing coverts and black flight feathers. Sifts mud for small invertebrates. Nests in burrows. Sexes are separable with care. Adult male is mainly white but with dark green head and upper neck (looks black in poor light), chestnut breast band, black belly stripe and flush of orange-buff under tail. Legs are pink and bill is bright red with knob at base. Adult female is similar but bill’s basal knob is much smaller. Juvenile has mainly buffish grey upperparts and white underparts. Voice Courting male whistles while female’s call is a cackling gagaga… Status Common on most estuaries and mudflats; local at inland freshwater sites. Migrates to favoured sites like Bridgwater Bay in Somerset for summer moult.
    155595.jpg
  • Rook - Corvus frugilegus - juvenile. L 43-48cm. Familiar farmland bird. Feeds in large flocks (mainly on soil invertebrates) and occupies noisy colonial tree nest sites. Sexes are similar. Adult has black plumage with reddish-purple sheen. Bill is long, narrow and rather pointed; note bare patch of whitish skin at base. Juvenile is similar but skin at base of bill is feathered. Voice Utters a grating craah-craah-craah… call. Status Locally common resident, found mainly on farmland and grassland. Builds large twig nests in clumps of tall trees.
    155500.jpg
  • Knot Calidris canutus - Juvenile. L 25cm. Dumpy, robust wader. Forms large flocks in winter. Has white wingbar but otherwise lacks distinctive features in non-breeding plumage. Sexes are similar. Adult in winter has uniform grey upperparts and white underparts. Bill is dark and legs are dull yellowish green. In summer plumage (sometimes seen in late spring or early autumn) has orange-red face, neck and underparts; back is marked with black, red and grey. Legs and bill are dark. Juvenile resembles winter adult but has scaly-looking back and peachy flush to breast. Voice Utters a sharp kwet call. Status Non-breeding visitor to Britain and Ireland. Locally common in winter on estuaries and mudflats.
    155511.jpg
  • Little Tern - Sterna albrifons - juvenile. L 24cm. Tiny, pale tern that hovers before plunge-diving after fish and shrimps. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has grey back and upperwings, mainly black cap, and otherwise white plumage. Note black-tipped yellow bill and yellow-orange legs. In flight, wingtips are dark. Non-breeding plumage (acquired from late summer onwards) is similar but forehead becomes white and leg and bill colours darken. Juvenile is similar to winter adult but back looks scaly. Voice Utters a raucous cree-ick call. Status Local summer visitor with scattered coastal colonies on shingle and sandy islands and beaches.
    155366.jpg
  • Moorhen Gallinula chloropus - Juvenile. L 32-35cm. Familiar wetland bird. Swims with jerky movements and constantly flicks its tail. Often tame on urban lakes. Sexes are similar. Adult can look all-dark but has dark blue-grey head, neck and underparts, and brownish back, wings and tail. Has yellow-tipped red bill and frontal shield, and yellow legs and long toes. Note white feathers on sides of undertail and a white line along flanks. Juvenile is greyish brown with white on throat, sides of undertail coverts, and along flanks. Voice Utters a loud kurrrk. Status Common resident on all sorts of wetland habitats, from village ponds to flooded gravel pits and lakes.
    154925.jpg
  • Moorhen Gallinula chloropus - Juvenile. L 32-35cm. Familiar wetland bird. Swims with jerky movements and constantly flicks its tail. Often tame on urban lakes. Sexes are similar. Adult can look all-dark but has dark blue-grey head, neck and underparts, and brownish back, wings and tail. Has yellow-tipped red bill and frontal shield, and yellow legs and long toes. Note white feathers on sides of undertail and a white line along flanks. Juvenile is greyish brown with white on throat, sides of undertail coverts, and along flanks. Voice Utters a loud kurrrk. Status Common resident on all sorts of wetland habitats, from village ponds to flooded gravel pits and lakes.
    154926.jpg
  • Common Tern - Sterna hirundo - Juvenile.  L 35cm. Similar to Arctic Tern but separable with care. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has grey upperparts, black cap and whitish underparts. Compared to Arctic, note black-tipped orange-red bill, longer red legs, and paler underparts. In flight from below, only inner primaries look translucent and wings have diffuse dark tip. Non-breeding plumage (sometimes seen in late summer) is similar but has white on forehead and dark shoulder bar; bill and legs are dark. Juvenile has white underparts, incomplete dark cap and scaly grey upperparts; in flight from above, leading and trailing edges of inner wing are dark. Voice Utters harsh kreeear call. Status Widespread summer visitor, commonest on coasts; also nests on flooded gravel pits and reservoirs. Widespread coastal passage migrant.
    154326.jpg
  • Common Tern - Sterna hirundo - juvenile. L 35cm. Similar to Arctic Tern but separable with care. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has grey upperparts, black cap and whitish underparts. Compared to Arctic, note black-tipped orange-red bill, longer red legs, and paler underparts. In flight from below, only inner primaries look translucent and wings have diffuse dark tip. Non-breeding plumage (sometimes seen in late summer) is similar but has white on forehead and dark shoulder bar; bill and legs are dark. Juvenile has white underparts, incomplete dark cap and scaly grey upperparts; in flight from above, leading and trailing edges of inner wing are dark. Voice Utters harsh kreeear call. Status Widespread summer visitor, commonest on coasts; also nests on flooded gravel pits and reservoirs. Widespread coastal passage migrant.
    154360.jpg
  • Dipper - Cinclus cinclus - juvenile. L 18cm. Dumpy waterside bird that perches on river boulders. Flies low over water. Dives readily in search of invertebrates. Sexes are similar. Adult has dark grey-brown wings, back and tail. Head is reddish brown and throat and breast (bib) are white. Belly grades from reddish chestnut at front to blackish brown at rear. Legs and feet are stout and powerful. Juvenile has greyish upperparts and barred, pale underparts. Voice Utters a shrill striitz call. Status Fairly common but local on fast-flowing streams and rivers.
    153886.jpg
  • Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos W 190-225cm. Majestic raptor. Distant flight view could be confused with soaring Buzzard but note proportionately longer wings (narrow appreciably towards base) and relatively long tail. Catches Mountain Hares and Red Grouse but also feeds on carrion in winter. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly dark brown plumage with paler margins to feathers on back and golden-brown feathers on head and neck. Tail is dark-tipped and barred but can look uniformly dark in flight silhouette. Juvenile is similar to adult but has white patches at base of outer flight feathers; tail is mainly white but with broad, dark tip. Subadult gradually loses white elements of juvenile plumage by successive moults over several years. Voice Mainly silent. Status Resident of remote, upland regions, mainly in Scotland. Favours open moorland and mountains.
    128903.jpg
  • Barred Warbler Sylvia nisoria L 16-17cm. Bulky, rather thick-billed warbler. Adult is easy to recognise but seldom seen here. Juvenile could be confused with Garden Warbler. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has blue-grey upperparts and pale underparts marked with dark bars. Note yellow eye, pale wingbars and pale tip to tail. Adult female is similar but duller. Juvenile has grey-brown upperparts and pale underparts washed buff on breast and flanks. Compared to Garden Warbler, note pale wingbars, subtle crescent-shaped barring on flanks and undertail coverts, pale brown eye and proportionately larger bill. Voice Utters a rattling tchrrrr alarm call. Status Rare passage migrant, mostly on E coast and in autumn.
    129230.jpg
  • Sabine’s Gull Xema sabini L 30-35cm. Distinctive seabird. Can only be confused with juvenile Kittiwake but upperwing patterns are separable with care. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has blue-grey back and upperwings, dark hood, dark wingtips with white spots and dark bill with yellow tip. In flight, upperwing pattern is diagnostic: triangular patches of black, white and grey. Tail is forked. In winter, similar but dark smudges on nape replace dark hood. Juvenile has a upperwing pattern to adult but triangle of grey replaced by scaly grey-brown. Forked tail is dark-tipped. Voice Silent. Status Nests in high Arctic and winters at sea in southern oceans. Seen here mainly as offshore passage migrant in autumn. Does not willingly come close to land.
    136790.jpg
  • Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula- Juvenile L 17-19cm. Small, dumpy coastal wader. Runs at speed before pausing and picking food item from ground. Note white wingbar in flight. Sexes are separable. Adult male in summer has sandy brown upperparts and white underparts with black breast band and collar. Has black and white markings on face, and white throat and nape. Legs are orange-yellow and bill is orange with dark tip. Adult female in summer is similar but black elements of plumage are duller. Winter adult is similar to summer adult but most black elements of plumage are sandy brown, and has pale supercilium. Leg and bill colours are dull. Juvenile is similar to winter adult but breast band is often incomplete. Voice Utters a soft tuu-eep call. Status Locally common. Nests mainly on sandy or shingle beached, sometimes inland. Coastal outside breeding season; numbers boosted by migrants from Europe.
    144088.jpg
  • Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula - Juvenile L 17-19cm. Small, dumpy coastal wader. Runs at speed before pausing and picking food item from ground. Note white wingbar in flight. Sexes are separable. Adult male in summer has sandy brown upperparts and white underparts with black breast band and collar. Has black and white markings on face, and white throat and nape. Legs are orange-yellow and bill is orange with dark tip. Adult female in summer is similar but black elements of plumage are duller. Winter adult is similar to summer adult but most black elements of plumage are sandy brown, and has pale supercilium. Leg and bill colours are dull. Juvenile is similar to winter adult but breast band is often incomplete. Voice Utters a soft tuu-eep call. Status Locally common. Nests mainly on sandy or shingle beached, sometimes inland. Coastal outside breeding season; numbers boosted by migrants from Europe.
    144099.jpg
  • Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula -Juvenile L 17-19cm. Small, dumpy coastal wader. Runs at speed before pausing and picking food item from ground. Note white wingbar in flight. Sexes are separable. Adult male in summer has sandy brown upperparts and white underparts with black breast band and collar. Has black and white markings on face, and white throat and nape. Legs are orange-yellow and bill is orange with dark tip. Adult female in summer is similar but black elements of plumage are duller. Winter adult is similar to summer adult but most black elements of plumage are sandy brown, and has pale supercilium. Leg and bill colours are dull. Juvenile is similar to winter adult but breast band is often incomplete. Voice Utters a soft tuu-eep call. Status Locally common. Nests mainly on sandy or shingle beached, sometimes inland. Coastal outside breeding season; numbers boosted by migrants from Europe.
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  • Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla L 38-42cm. A true seagull: non-breeding life spent entirely at sea. Sexes are similar. Adult has blue-grey back and upperwings with black wingtips; plumage is otherwise white. Bill is yellow; eye and legs are dark. In flight, wingtips look dipped in black ink. In winter, similar but head has grubby patches behind eye. Juvenile has black ‘V’ markings on upperwing; back and upperwing coverts are grey and note triangle of white on flight feathers, dark tip to tail, black half collar and dark markings on head; bill is dark. 1st winter is similar to juvenile but gradually loses dark half collar and black tail tip. Voice Utters diagnostic kittee-wake when nesting. Status Nests colonially on coastal cliff ledges but also dockside factories etc. Non-breeding period spent far out to sea.
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  • Collared Dove - Streptopelia decaocto - juvenile.  L 32cm. Relatively recent arrival to Britain and Ireland but now a familiar sight and sound in urban areas. Often seen in pairs. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly sandy brown plumage with pinkish flush to head and underparts, and dark half-collar on nape. Black wingtips and white outer tail feathers are striking in flight. Bill is dark and legs are reddish. Juvenile is similar duller colours and lacks black half-collar. Voice Utters repetitive song comprising repeated oo-oo-oo phrase. Status Spread NW through Europe in 20th Century and first seen here in 1950s.
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  • Starling - Sturnus vulgaris - juvenile. 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.
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  • Ivory Gull - Pagophila eburnea - Juvenile. Length 41-45cm. An elegant and distinctive high Arctic gull. Adult has pure white plumage and black legs. The rounded head, dark eye and dainty bill create an almost dove-like appearance. At close range, note the bluish base and yellow tip to the bill. Juvenile is similar, but the face is grubby-looking and the wings are adorned with neat black spots. The Ivory Gull is typically discovered in the dead of winter and records from our region (a couple in a good year) have a northerly bias. The species often feeds on beached seal and porpoise carcasses in our region.
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  • Robin Erithacus rubecula - Juvenile. L 13-14cm. Distinctive bird. Garden-dwellers are bold and inquisitive. Sexes are similar. Adult has orange-red face, throat and breast, bordered by blue-grey on sides but with sharp demarcation from white belly. Upperparts are buffish brown with faint buff wingbar. Juvenile has brown upperparts, marked with buff spots and teardrop-shaped streaks; pale buff underparts have darker spots and crescent-shaped markings. Voice Song is plaintive and melancholy. Alarm call is a sharp tic. Status Widespread resident, commonest in S. Observation tips Easiest to find in gardens and parks.
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  • Lesser Black-backed Gull - Larus fuscus - juvenile - 1st winter.  L 53-56cm. Similar to Herring Gull but adult has dark grey back and upperwings and bright yellow legs. Note, confusion possible with adult Yellow-legged (upperparts paler). Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has dark grey back and upperwings. Black wingtips are darker than rest of upperwing except for white trailing edge; plumage is otherwise white. Bill is yellow with orange spot. Iris is yellow and orbital ring is red. In winter, similar but with streaks on head and neck, and duller leg and bill colours. Juvenile and 1st winter have streaked and mottled grey-brown plumage, palest on head. Upperwings dark brown and whitish tail is dark-tipped. Eye and bill are dark. Adult plumage acquired over 3 years. 2nd winter similar to 1st winter but with grey back, pinkish legs and dark-tipped pink bill; 3rd winter resembles heavily streaked winter adult. Voice Utters a distinctive kyaoo and anxious ga-ka-ka. Status Locally common in summer, nesting colonially on seacliffs and islands. Most migrate S to Mediterranean outside breeding season; small numbers remain, often roosting on reservoirs.
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  • Pied wagtail - Motacilla alba yarrellii - juvenile.  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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  • Hobby Falco subbuteo - Juvenile. W 70-85cm. Elegant falcon. Aerial mastery allows it to catch agile prey including Swifts, hirundines, and even dragonflies. In silhouette, has proportionately longer and narrower wings than Peregrine, and longer tail. Generally unobtrusive. Sexes are similar. Adult has blue-grey upperparts and pale, dark-streaked underparts. Has dark ‘moustache’, white cheeks and reddish orange ‘trousers’. Juvenile is similar to adult but lacks reddish ‘trousers’ and underparts look buffish overall. Voice Utters a shrill kiu-kiu-kiu…in alarm. Status Scarce summer visitor; breeds mainly in S and SE England. Favours heathland and farmland with scattered woods. are favoured; on migration, a Hobby could turn up almost anywhere. Between 500 and 1,000 pairs are probably present in the region in the summer months.
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  • Ivory Gull - Pagophila eburnea - Juvenile. Length 41-45cm. An elegant and distinctive high Arctic gull. Adult has pure white plumage and black legs. The rounded head, dark eye and dainty bill create an almost dove-like appearance. At close range, note the bluish base and yellow tip to the bill. Juvenile is similar, but the face is grubby-looking and the wings are adorned with neat black spots. The Ivory Gull is typically discovered in the dead of winter and records from our region (a couple in a good year) have a northerly bias. The species often feeds on beached seal and porpoise carcasses in our region.
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  • Ivory Gull - Pagophila eburnea - Juvenile. Length 41-45cm. An elegant and distinctive high Arctic gull. Adult has pure white plumage and black legs. The rounded head, dark eye and dainty bill create an almost dove-like appearance. At close range, note the bluish base and yellow tip to the bill. Juvenile is similar, but the face is grubby-looking and the wings are adorned with neat black spots. The Ivory Gull is typically discovered in the dead of winter and records from our region (a couple in a good year) have a northerly bias. The species often feeds on beached seal and porpoise carcasses in our region.
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  • Mute Swan Cygnus olor - Juvenile. L 150-160cm. Large, distinctive water bird and a familiar sight. Swimming birds hold long neck in an elegant curve. Family groups are a feature of lowland lakes in spring. Typically tolerant of people. In flight, shallow, powerful wingbeats produce and characteristic, throbbing whine. Sexes are similar but bill’s basal knob is largest in males. Adult has white plumage although crown may have orange-buff suffusion. Bill is orange-red with black base. Juvenile has grubby grey-brown plumage and dull pinkish grey bill. Voice Mostly silent. Status Our commonest swan; the only resident species. Found on freshwater habitats besides which it nests; in winter, also on sheltered coasts.
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  • Mute Swan Cygnus olor - juvenile. L 150-160cm. Large, distinctive water bird and a familiar sight. Swimming birds hold long neck in an elegant curve. Family groups are a feature of lowland lakes in spring. Typically tolerant of people. In flight, shallow, powerful wingbeats produce and characteristic, throbbing whine. Sexes are similar but bill’s basal knob is largest in males. Adult has white plumage although crown may have orange-buff suffusion. Bill is orange-red with black base. Juvenile has grubby grey-brown plumage and dull pinkish grey bill. Voice Mostly silent. Status Our commonest swan; the only resident species. Found on freshwater habitats besides which it nests; in winter, also on sheltered coasts.
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  • Mute Swan Cygnus olor - Juvenile. L 150-160cm. Large, distinctive water bird and a familiar sight. Swimming birds hold long neck in an elegant curve. Family groups are a feature of lowland lakes in spring. Typically tolerant of people. In flight, shallow, powerful wingbeats produce and characteristic, throbbing whine. Sexes are similar but bill’s basal knob is largest in males. Adult has white plumage although crown may have orange-buff suffusion. Bill is orange-red with black base. Juvenile has grubby grey-brown plumage and dull pinkish grey bill. Voice Mostly silent. Status Our commonest swan; the only resident species. Found on freshwater habitats besides which it nests; in winter, also on sheltered coasts.
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  • Mute Swan Cygnus olor - juvenile. L 150-160cm. Large, distinctive water bird and a familiar sight. Swimming birds hold long neck in an elegant curve. Family groups are a feature of lowland lakes in spring. Typically tolerant of people. In flight, shallow, powerful wingbeats produce and characteristic, throbbing whine. Sexes are similar but bill’s basal knob is largest in males. Adult has white plumage although crown may have orange-buff suffusion. Bill is orange-red with black base. Juvenile has grubby grey-brown plumage and dull pinkish grey bill. Voice Mostly silent. Status Our commonest swan; the only resident species. Found on freshwater habitats besides which it nests; in winter, also on sheltered coasts.
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  • Common Tern - Sterna hirundo - Juvenile. L 35cm. Similar to Arctic Tern but separable with care. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has grey upperparts, black cap and whitish underparts. Compared to Arctic, note black-tipped orange-red bill, longer red legs, and paler underparts. In flight from below, only inner primaries look translucent and wings have diffuse dark tip. Non-breeding plumage (sometimes seen in late summer) is similar but has white on forehead and dark shoulder bar; bill and legs are dark. Juvenile has white underparts, incomplete dark cap and scaly grey upperparts; in flight from above, leading and trailing edges of inner wing are dark. Voice Utters harsh kreeear call. Status Widespread summer visitor, commonest on coasts; also nests on flooded gravel pits and reservoirs. Widespread coastal passage migrant.
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  • Barred Warbler Sylvia nisoria L 16-17cm. Bulky, rather thick-billed warbler. Adult is easy to recognise but seldom seen here. Juvenile could be confused with Garden Warbler. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has blue-grey upperparts and pale underparts marked with dark bars. Note yellow eye, pale wingbars and pale tip to tail. Adult female is similar but duller. Juvenile has grey-brown upperparts and pale underparts washed buff on breast and flanks. Compared to Garden Warbler, note pale wingbars, subtle crescent-shaped barring on flanks and undertail coverts, pale brown eye and proportionately larger bill. Voice Utters a rattling tchrrrr alarm call. Status Rare passage migrant, mostly on E coast and in autumn.
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  • Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula -Juvenile L 17-19cm. Small, dumpy coastal wader. Runs at speed before pausing and picking food item from ground. Note white wingbar in flight. Sexes are separable. Adult male in summer has sandy brown upperparts and white underparts with black breast band and collar. Has black and white markings on face, and white throat and nape. Legs are orange-yellow and bill is orange with dark tip. Adult female in summer is similar but black elements of plumage are duller. Winter adult is similar to summer adult but most black elements of plumage are sandy brown, and has pale supercilium. Leg and bill colours are dull. Juvenile is similar to winter adult but breast band is often incomplete. Voice Utters a soft tuu-eep call. Status Locally common. Nests mainly on sandy or shingle beached, sometimes inland. Coastal outside breeding season; numbers boosted by migrants from Europe.
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  • Tree Sparrow - Passer montanus - juvenile. L 13-14cm. Well-marked bird, rural counterpart of House Sparrow. Forms flocks outside breeding season and may feed with buntings and finches in fields. Sexes are similar. Adult has chestnut cap and striking black patch on otherwise whitish cheeks and side of head; note black bib. Underparts are otherwise greyish white. Back and wings are streaked brown; note white wingbars. Juvenile is similar but duller. Voice Utters chirps and sharp tik-tik in flight. Status Scarce and declining resident of untidy arable farms and rural villages. A tree-hole nester nad has benefited from provision of nest boxes.
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  • Rook Corvus frugilegus - Juvenile. L 43-48cm. Familiar farmland bird. Feeds in large flocks (mainly on soil invertebrates) and occupies noisy colonial tree nest sites. Sexes are similar. Adult has black plumage with reddish-purple sheen. Bill is long, narrow and rather pointed; note bare patch of whitish skin at base. Juvenile is similar but skin at base of bill is feathered. Voice Utters a grating craah-craah-craah… call. Status Locally common resident, found mainly on farmland and grassland. Builds large twig nests in clumps of tall trees.
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  • Pied wagtail - Motacilla alba yarrellii - juvenile.  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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  • Mute Swan Cygnus olor - Juvenile. L 150-160cm. Large, distinctive water bird and a familiar sight. Swimming birds hold long neck in an elegant curve. Family groups are a feature of lowland lakes in spring. Typically tolerant of people. In flight, shallow, powerful wingbeats produce and characteristic, throbbing whine. Sexes are similar but bill’s basal knob is largest in males. Adult has white plumage although crown may have orange-buff suffusion. Bill is orange-red with black base. Juvenile has grubby grey-brown plumage and dull pinkish grey bill. Voice Mostly silent. Status Our commonest swan; the only resident species. Found on freshwater habitats besides which it nests; in winter, also on sheltered coasts.
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  • Moorhen Gallinula chloropus - Juvenile. L 32-35cm. Familiar wetland bird. Swims with jerky movements and constantly flicks its tail. Often tame on urban lakes. Sexes are similar. Adult can look all-dark but has dark blue-grey head, neck and underparts, and brownish back, wings and tail. Has yellow-tipped red bill and frontal shield, and yellow legs and long toes. Note white feathers on sides of undertail and a white line along flanks. Juvenile is greyish brown with white on throat, sides of undertail coverts, and along flanks. Voice Utters a loud kurrrk. Status Common resident on all sorts of wetland habitats, from village ponds to flooded gravel pits and lakes.
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  • Cider Gum Eucalyptus gunnii (Myrtaceae) - juvenile leaves. HEIGHT to 30m <br />
Medium-sized Gum. BARK Smooth, readily peeling, greenish-white or pink-tinged. BRANCHES Upright to level. LEAVES Juvenile leaves ovate, to 4cm long, opposite with heart-shaped bases. Adult leaves ovate to lanceolate, to 7cm long, with veins sometimes prominent. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS White flowers in small clusters of 3 on slightly flattened stalks up to 8mm long. Buds cylindrical, about 8mm long with a rounded cap. Fruit, to 1cm long, is bell-shaped; slightly concave disc and up to 5 valves. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Tasmania. Hardy in our climate and much-planted.
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  • Knot Calidris canutus - Juvenile. L 25cm. Dumpy, robust wader. Forms large flocks in winter. Has white wingbar but otherwise lacks distinctive features in non-breeding plumage. Sexes are similar. Adult in winter has uniform grey upperparts and white underparts. Bill is dark and legs are dull yellowish green. In summer plumage (sometimes seen in late spring or early autumn) has orange-red face, neck and underparts; back is marked with black, red and grey. Legs and bill are dark. Juvenile resembles winter adult but has scaly-looking back and peachy flush to breast. Voice Utters a sharp kwet call. Status Non-breeding visitor to Britain and Ireland. Locally common in winter on estuaries and mudflats.
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  • Common Tern - Sterna hirundo - juvenile. L 35cm. Similar to Arctic Tern but separable with care. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has grey upperparts, black cap and whitish underparts. Compared to Arctic, note black-tipped orange-red bill, longer red legs, and paler underparts. In flight from below, only inner primaries look translucent and wings have diffuse dark tip. Non-breeding plumage (sometimes seen in late summer) is similar but has white on forehead and dark shoulder bar; bill and legs are dark. Juvenile has white underparts, incomplete dark cap and scaly grey upperparts; in flight from above, leading and trailing edges of inner wing are dark. Voice Utters harsh kreeear call. Status Widespread summer visitor, commonest on coasts; also nests on flooded gravel pits and reservoirs. Widespread coastal passage migrant.
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  • Little Stint Calidris minuta L 13-14cm. Tiny wader, like a miniature, short-billed Dunlin. Constant, frantic feeding activity helps with identification. Legs and bill are dark in all birds. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has white underparts, reddish brown on back and variable suffusion of rufous on head and neck. Note yellow ‘V’ on mantle, and pale supercilium that forks above eye. In winter, has grey upperparts and white underparts, with white on face between bill and eye. Juvenile has white underparts. Reddish brown and black feathers on back and wings have pale fringes that align to form white ‘V’ markings. Note buffish flush on side of breast, pale supercilium that forks above eye, pale forecrown and dark centre to crown. Voice Utters a shrill stip call. Status Regular passage migrant, most numerous in autumn when juveniles predominate.
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  • Sabine’s Gull Xema sabini L 30-35cm. Distinctive seabird. Can only be confused with juvenile Kittiwake but upperwing patterns are separable with care. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has blue-grey back and upperwings, dark hood, dark wingtips with white spots and dark bill with yellow tip. In flight, upperwing pattern is diagnostic: triangular patches of black, white and grey. Tail is forked. In winter, similar but dark smudges on nape replace dark hood. Juvenile has a upperwing pattern to adult but triangle of grey replaced by scaly grey-brown. Forked tail is dark-tipped. Voice Silent. Status Nests in high Arctic and winters at sea in southern oceans. Seen here mainly as offshore passage migrant in autumn. Does not willingly come close to land.
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  • Sabine’s Gull Xema sabini L 30-35cm. Distinctive seabird. Can only be confused with juvenile Kittiwake but upperwing patterns are separable with care. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has blue-grey back and upperwings, dark hood, dark wingtips with white spots and dark bill with yellow tip. In flight, upperwing pattern is diagnostic: triangular patches of black, white and grey. Tail is forked. In winter, similar but dark smudges on nape replace dark hood. Juvenile has a upperwing pattern to adult but triangle of grey replaced by scaly grey-brown. Forked tail is dark-tipped. Voice Silent. Status Nests in high Arctic and winters at sea in southern oceans. Seen here mainly as offshore passage migrant in autumn. Does not willingly come close to land.
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  • Shag Phalacrocorax aristotelis L 65-80cm. Smaller than Cormorant, with more slender bill. Leaps in order to submerge. Often perches with wings held outstretched. Sexes are similar. Adult is all-dark but with oily green sheen. Has yellow patch at base of bill and distinct crest. In winter, loses crest; colours at base of bill are subdued. Juvenile has dark brown upperparts and buffish underparts and pale throat. Crown peaks on forehead (peaks on rear of crown in juvenile Cormorant). Voice Silent except at nest. Status Locally common on rocky coasts. Nests colonially on sea cliffs.
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  • Ringed Plover  Charadrius hiaticula - Juvenile L 17-19cm. Small, dumpy coastal wader. Runs at speed before pausing and picking food item from ground. Note white wingbar in flight. Sexes are separable. Adult male in summer has sandy brown upperparts and white underparts with black breast band and collar. Has black and white markings on face, and white throat and nape. Legs are orange-yellow and bill is orange with dark tip. Adult female in summer is similar but black elements of plumage are duller. Winter adult is similar to summer adult but most black elements of plumage are sandy brown, and has pale supercilium. Leg and bill colours are dull. Juvenile is similar to winter adult but breast band is often incomplete. Voice Utters a soft tuu-eep call. Status Locally common. Nests mainly on sandy or shingle beached, sometimes inland. Coastal outside breeding season; numbers boosted by migrants from Europe.
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  • Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla L 38-42cm. A true seagull: non-breeding life spent entirely at sea. Sexes are similar. Adult has blue-grey back and upperwings with black wingtips; plumage is otherwise white. Bill is yellow; eye and legs are dark. In flight, wingtips look dipped in black ink. In winter, similar but head has grubby patches behind eye. Juvenile has black ‘V’ markings on upperwing; back and upperwing coverts are grey and note triangle of white on flight feathers, dark tip to tail, black half collar and dark markings on head; bill is dark. 1st winter is similar to juvenile but gradually loses dark half collar and black tail tip. Voice Utters diagnostic kittee-wake when nesting. Status Nests colonially on coastal cliff ledges but also dockside factories etc. Non-breeding period spent far out to sea.
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  • Lesser Black-backed Gull - Larus fuscus - juvenile.  L 53-56cm. Similar to Herring Gull but adult has dark grey back and upperwings and bright yellow legs. Note, confusion possible with adult Yellow-legged (upperparts paler). Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has dark grey back and upperwings. Black wingtips are darker than rest of upperwing except for white trailing edge; plumage is otherwise white. Bill is yellow with orange spot. Iris is yellow and orbital ring is red. In winter, similar but with streaks on head and neck, and duller leg and bill colours. Juvenile and 1st winter have streaked and mottled grey-brown plumage, palest on head. Upperwings dark brown and whitish tail is dark-tipped. Eye and bill are dark. Adult plumage acquired over 3 years. 2nd winter similar to 1st winter but with grey back, pinkish legs and dark-tipped pink bill; 3rd winter resembles heavily streaked winter adult. Voice Utters a distinctive kyaoo and anxious ga-ka-ka. Status Locally common in summer, nesting colonially on seacliffs and islands. Most migrate S to Mediterranean outside breeding season; small numbers remain, often roosting on reservoirs.
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  • Lesser Black-backed Gull - Larus fuscus - juvenile.  L 53-56cm. Similar to Herring Gull but adult has dark grey back and upperwings and bright yellow legs. Note, confusion possible with adult Yellow-legged (upperparts paler). Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has dark grey back and upperwings. Black wingtips are darker than rest of upperwing except for white trailing edge; plumage is otherwise white. Bill is yellow with orange spot. Iris is yellow and orbital ring is red. In winter, similar but with streaks on head and neck, and duller leg and bill colours. Juvenile and 1st winter have streaked and mottled grey-brown plumage, palest on head. Upperwings dark brown and whitish tail is dark-tipped. Eye and bill are dark. Adult plumage acquired over 3 years. 2nd winter similar to 1st winter but with grey back, pinkish legs and dark-tipped pink bill; 3rd winter resembles heavily streaked winter adult. Voice Utters a distinctive kyaoo and anxious ga-ka-ka. Status Locally common in summer, nesting colonially on seacliffs and islands. Most migrate S to Mediterranean outside breeding season; small numbers remain, often roosting on reservoirs.
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  • Ivory Gull - Pagophila eburnea - Juvenile. Length 41-45cm. An elegant and distinctive high Arctic gull. Adult has pure white plumage and black legs. The rounded head, dark eye and dainty bill create an almost dove-like appearance. At close range, note the bluish base and yellow tip to the bill. Juvenile is similar, but the face is grubby-looking and the wings are adorned with neat black spots. The Ivory Gull is typically discovered in the dead of winter and records from our region (a couple in a good year) have a northerly bias. The species often feeds on beached seal and porpoise carcasses in our region.
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  • Mute Swan Cygnus olor - juvenile. L 150-160cm. Large, distinctive water bird and a familiar sight. Swimming birds hold long neck in an elegant curve. Family groups are a feature of lowland lakes in spring. Typically tolerant of people. In flight, shallow, powerful wingbeats produce and characteristic, throbbing whine. Sexes are similar but bill’s basal knob is largest in males. Adult has white plumage although crown may have orange-buff suffusion. Bill is orange-red with black base. Juvenile has grubby grey-brown plumage and dull pinkish grey bill. Voice Mostly silent. Status Our commonest swan; the only resident species. Found on freshwater habitats besides which it nests; in winter, also on sheltered coasts.
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  • Long-tailed Skua - Stercorarius longicaudus - Juvenile. (L 36-42cm) recalls an Arctic Skua but is slimmer with much longer tail streamers in adult; long, pointed wings lack Arctic’s white patch. Adult has mainly grey-brown upperparts, dark cap and whitish neck and underparts; note faint yellow flush on cheeks. Juvenile is variably barred grey-brown, palest on nape and chest. Look for it during storms on Outer Hebrides in spring, Cornish coasts in autumn.
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  • Bonelli's Eagle Juvenile - Aquila fasciata
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  • Great Skua Stercorarius skua L 48-52cm. Bulky seabird. Gull-like but note large head, dark legs and dark bill. In flight, shows striking white wing patch. Part scavenger, part predator and food parasite of Gannet. Sexes are similar. Adult is brown with buff and golden-brown streaks. Juvenile is uniformly dark brown and rufous. Voice Mostly silent. Status Locally common summer visitor and passage migrant. Nests near seabird colonies in Scotland; Orkney and Shetland are strongholds. Passage birds invariably seen at sea.
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  • Dipper Cinclus cinclus L 18cm. Dumpy waterside bird that perches on river boulders. Flies low over water. Dives readily in search of invertebrates. Sexes are similar. Adult has dark grey-brown wings, back and tail. Head is reddish brown and throat and breast (bib) are white. Belly grades from reddish chestnut at front to blackish brown at rear. Legs and feet are stout and powerful. Juvenile has greyish upperparts and barred, pale underparts. Voice Utters a shrill striitz call. Status Fairly common but local on fast-flowing streams and rivers.
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  • Green Woodpecker Picus viridis L 32-34cm. Unobtrusive and often shy. Climbs trees but also feeds on ground, mainly on ants. Flight is undulating. Sexes are separable. Adult Male has greenish olive upperparts and whitish underparts. Has red crown, black ‘mask’ and red-centred black ‘moustache’. In flight, yellowish rump is striking. Adult female is similar but ‘moustahce’ is all-black. Juvenile recalls adult male but is heavily spotted. Voice yaffling and yelping calls are distinctive. Status Fairly common in open woodland, parks and gardens.
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  • Starling - Juveniles being fed by parent Sturnus vulgaris 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.
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  • Starling - Juveniles being fed by parent Sturnus vulgaris 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.
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  • Common Tern Sterna hirundo L 35cm. Similar to Arctic Tern but separable with care. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has grey upperparts, black cap and whitish underparts. Compared to Arctic, note black-tipped orange-red bill, longer red legs, and paler underparts. In flight from below, only inner primaries look translucent and wings have diffuse dark tip. Non-breeding plumage (sometimes seen in late summer) is similar but has white on forehead and dark shoulder bar; bill and legs are dark. Juvenile has white underparts, incomplete dark cap and scaly grey upperparts; in flight from above, leading and trailing edges of inner wing are dark. Voice Utters harsh kreeear call. Status Widespread summer visitor, commonest on coasts; also nests on flooded gravel pits and reservoirs. Widespread coastal passage migrant.
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  • Starling Sturnus vulgaris 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.
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  • Mute Swan Cygnus olor L 150-160cm. Large, distinctive water bird and a familiar sight. Swimming birds hold long neck in an elegant curve. Family groups are a feature of lowland lakes in spring. Typically tolerant of people. In flight, shallow, powerful wingbeats produce and characteristic, throbbing whine. Sexes are similar but bill’s basal knob is largest in males. Adult has white plumage although crown may have orange-buff suffusion. Bill is orange-red with black base. Juvenile has grubby grey-brown plumage and dull pinkish grey bill. Voice Mostly silent. Status Our commonest swan; the only resident species. Found on freshwater habitats besides which it nests; in winter, also on sheltered coasts.
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  • Reddish Egret - Juvenile - Egretta rufescens
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  • Blackbird Turdus merula L 25-28cm. Familiar ground-dwelling bird. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has uniformly blackish plumage. Legs are dark but bill and eyering are yellow. 1st winter male is similar but bill is dark and eyering is dull. Adult and 1st winter female are brown, darkest on wings and tail, and palest on throat and streaked breast. Juvenile is similar to adult female but marked with pale spots. Voice Utters harsh and repeated tchak alarm call, often at dusk. Male has rich, fluty and varied song. Status Common and widespread in gardens, but in woodland, farmland and coasts. Upland birds move to lower levels in winter and migrants arrive from Europe.
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  • Knot Calidris canutus L 25cm. Dumpy, robust wader. Forms large flocks in winter. Has white wingbar but otherwise lacks distinctive features in non-breeding plumage. Sexes are similar. Adult in winter has uniform grey upperparts and white underparts. Bill is dark and legs are dull yellowish green. In summer plumage (sometimes seen in late spring or early autumn) has orange-red face, neck and underparts; back is marked with black, red and grey. Legs and bill are dark. Juvenile resembles winter adult but has scaly-looking back and peachy flush to breast. Voice Utters a sharp kwet call. Status Non-breeding visitor to Britain and Ireland. Locally common in winter on estuaries and mudflats.
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  • Shelduck Tadorna tadorna L 55-65cm. Goose-sized duck with bold markings. In poor light, looks black and white. In flight, note contrast between white wing coverts and black flight feathers. Sifts mud for small invertebrates. Nests in burrows. Sexes are separable with care. Adult male is mainly white but with dark green head and upper neck (looks black in poor light), chestnut breast band, black belly stripe and flush of orange-buff under tail. Legs are pink and bill is bright red with knob at base. Adult female is similar but bill’s basal knob is much smaller. Juvenile has mainly buffish grey upperparts and white underparts. Voice Courting male whistles while female’s call is a cackling gagaga… Status Common on most estuaries and mudflats; local at inland freshwater sites. Migrates to favoured sites like Bridgwater Bay in Somerset for summer moult.
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  • Linaria cannabina L 13-14cm. Breeding male is colourful but otherwise rather non-descript. Forms flocks outside breeding season. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male in summer has grey head, rosy forecrown, and chestnut back. Pale underparts are flushed rosy-pink on breast. Note whitish patch on wings, pale sides to tail, and streaked throat. In winter rosy elements of plumage are dull or absent. Adult female has brown back, grey-brown head and streaked pale underparts. Note whitish patch on wings. Juvenile is similar to adult female but more streaked. Voice Utters tetter-tett call. Male’s has a twittering, warbling song. Status Common and widespread. Favours heaths and scrub in summer, waysides and farmland in winter.
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  • Lesser Spotted Catshark Scyliorhinus canicula Length to 75cm<br />
Juvenile in bright light – note slit-like pupil in eye.<br />
Familiar inshore fish, better known as a Dogfish. Found in inshore waters, on mixed substrates. Adult is slender and buffish-yellow above with darker spots. Skin is rough, with a texture like sandpaper. The eye has slit-like pupil in bright light. It lays eggs, protected in a tough case, a so called ‘Mermaid’s Purse’. Widespread and locally common, except along E coast.
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  • Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis - Juvenile. L 41cm. Striking seabird with buoyant flight and distinctive call. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has pale grey back and upperwings; dark, crested cap, and otherwise white plumage Legs are black and long, black bill is yellow-tipped. Looks very white in flight. Non-breeding plumage (seen from late summer onwards) is similar but forehead is white. Juvenile is similar to winter adult but back is barred and scaly. Voice Utters a harsh chee-urrick call. Status Locally common summer visitor and an early-returning migrant. Coastal, nesting on shingle beaches and islands.
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  • 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.
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  • 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.
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  • Swallow Hirundo rustica L 19cm. Recognised in flight by pointed wings and long tail streamers. Sexes are similar but male has longer tail streamers than female. Adult has blue-black upperparts and white underparts except for dark chest band and brick-red throat and forecrown. Juvenile is similar but has shorter tail streamers and buff throat. Voice Utters sharp vit call in flight; male sings twittering song, often from overhead wires near nest. Status Common and widespread in summer. Usually nests in villages and farmyards, half cup-shaped mud nest typically sited under eaves or in barn. Migrants congregate over freshwater and roost in reedbeds.
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  • 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.
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  • Herring Gull Larus argentatus L 56-62cm. Noisy, familiar bird and our most numerous large gull species. Often follows boats. Bold when fed regularly. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has blue-grey black and upperwings, with white-spotted, black wingtips; plumage is otherwise white. Legs are pink, bill is yellow with orange spot, and eye is yellow with orange-yellow ring. In winter, similar but with dark streaks on head and nape. Juvenile and 1st winter are mottled grey-brown with streaked underparts. Legs are dull pink, bill is dark and spotted pale tail has dark tip. Adult plumage acquired over 3 years. 2nd winter bird is similar but has grey back and grey areas on upperwing. Tail is white with dark tip. 3rd winter resembles winter adult but has more black on wingtips and hint of dark tail band. Voice Utters distinctive kyaoo and anxious ga-ka-ka. Status Common, mainly coastal in summer, nesting on seacliffs and in seaside towns. Widespread and more numerous in winter due to migrant influx.
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  • Whitethroat - Sylvia communis - juvenile. L 13-15cm. Familiar warbler of open country. Males often perch openly. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has blue-grey cap and face, grey-brown back and rufous edges to wing feathers. Throat is white while; underparts otherwise pale, suffused pinkish buff on breast. Legs are yellowish brown and yellowish bill is dark-tipped. Dark tail has white outer feathers. Adult female and juveniles are similar but cap and face are brownish and pale underparts (apart from white throat) are suffused pale buff. Voice Utters a harsh check alarm call. Song is a rapid and scratchy warble. Status Common summer visitor to scrub patches, hedgerows and heaths.
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  • Lumpsucker - Cyclopterus lumpus - juvenile. Length to 55cm<br />
Unmistakable fish. Usually lives offshore but males, guarding eggs, are sometimes found in rocky shallows. Young sometimes occur pools on lower shore, and among floating rafts of seaweed. Adult is the size and shape of a rugby ball. Skin is lumpy and sometimes covered in parasites. Typically bluish-black above marbled reddish below. Young are often uniformly red or yellow. Widespread but local; commonest in N.
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  • Gannet Morus bassanus W 165-180cm. Our largest seabird. Has deep, powerful wingbeats and glides on stiffly held wings. Bill is large and dagger-like. Dives from a height to catch fish. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly white plumage with black wingtips; head has buffish wash. Juvenile has dark brown plumage speckled with white dots in first year; adult plumage acquired over next 4 years. Voice Silent at sea; nesting birds utter grating calls. Status Very locally common (3/4 of world population breeds here). Nests colonially but otherwise strictly marine.
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  • 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.
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  • Gilded Flicker - Colaptes chrysoides - juvenile
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