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  • Traditional log-burning fire
    133014.jpg
  • Common Alder Alnus glutinosa Betulaceae Height to 25m. Spreading, often multi-stemmed tree. Bark Brownish, fissured into squarish plates. Branches Ascending in young trees. Young twigs sticky. Buds 7mm long, on 3mm-long stalks. Leaves Stalked, to 10cm long, rounded with notched apex. Reproductive parts Purplish male catkins, in bunches of 2–3, appear first in winter. Female catkins cone-like, reddish at first ripening green by summer. Status Common beside water.
    133254.jpg
  • Drift wood and rubbish accumulated on the beach at Kimmeridge Bay, Dorset.
    155935.jpg
  • Drift wood and rubbish accumulated on the beach at Kenfig Nature Reserve, South Wales
    153738.jpg
  • Drift wood and rubbish accumulated on the beach at Kenfig Nature Reserve, South Wales
    153737.jpg
  • Pied Flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca L 12-13cm. Well-marked bird with precise habitat requirements. Forages in tree canopy. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male in summer has black upperparts, white underparts and bold white band on otherwise black wings; note small white patch at base of bill. All other birds (including autumn adult male) are similarly patterned but black elements of plumage are replaced by brown. Voice Utters a sharp tik alarm call. Song is sweet and ringing. Status Locally fairly common summer visitor, mainly to Sessile Oak woodland; most numerous in Devon, Wales and Lake District.
    129297.jpg
  • Terek Sandpiper - Xenus cinereus
    156440.jpg
  • Terek Sandpiper - Xenus cinereus
    156407.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.
    155053.jpg
  • Red-footed Falcon - Falco verspertinus
    154275.jpg
  • Rotting branch of silver birch tree in forest in Boat of Garten, Cairngorms National Park, Scottish Highlands, Uk
    145496.jpg
  • Rotting branch of silver birch tree in forest in Boat of Garten, Cairngorms National Park, Scottish Highlands, Uk
    145495.jpg
  • Caledonian pine forest on the Spey Way near Boat of Garten, Cairngorms National Park, Scottish Highlands, Uk
    145498.jpg
  • Caledonian pine forest on the Spey Way near Boat of Garten, Cairngorms National Park, Scottish Highlands, Uk
    145499.jpg
  • Fox Vulpes vulpes Length 95-130cm Adaptable dog-like carnivore but with a catholic diet including fruits and berries. Mainly nocturnal; daytime shelter is called an earth. Adult has thick, mainly orange-brown coat with whitish jaws and underparts are white and white tip to tail. Feet and backs of ears are blackish. Yelping scream is uttered mainly by females for brief period in winter, to mark breeding season. Common, widespread and adaptable, found in towns and cities as well as countryside.
    110776.jpg
  • Wild Cat Felis silvestris Length 75-100cm Resembles a large, tabby domestic cat but subtle differences allow separation. Mainly nocturnal. Adult has greyish brown fur with vertical stripes along flanks and dark vertebral line on back. Tail is thick, bushy and blunt-tipped, marked with 3-5 dark and discrete bands. ‘Wild-type’ domestics have ill-defined flank stripes and tapering tail. Mews, purs and spits like domestic cat. Once widespread, now confined to Scotland; favours rugged moors, forest margins and lower mountain slopes.
    124267.jpg
  • Daubenton’s Bat Myotis daubentonii Wingspan 24-27cm Medium-sized bat with rather small head but large feet. Ears are relatively small with short tragus (projection). Adult has silky fur; yellow-brown upperparts show distinct separation from greyish white underparts. Echolocation start in 60-85kHz range and ends in 35 kHz range. Widespread. Favours wooded ponds, canals and slow-flowing rivers. Emerges from roost 30-60 minutes after sunset; feeds throughout night. Wingbeats are relatively slow. Sometimes grabs insects from water surface. Roosts under bridges and in tree holes in summer, hibernates in caves and tunnels.
    128345.jpg
  • Daubenton’s Bat Myotis daubentonii Wingspan 24-27cm Medium-sized bat with rather small head but large feet. Ears are relatively small with short tragus (projection). Adult has silky fur; yellow-brown upperparts show distinct separation from greyish white underparts. Echolocation start in 60-85kHz range and ends in 35 kHz range. Widespread. Favours wooded ponds, canals and slow-flowing rivers. Emerges from roost 30-60 minutes after sunset; feeds throughout night. Wingbeats are relatively slow. Sometimes grabs insects from water surface. Roosts under bridges and in tree holes in summer, hibernates in caves and tunnels.
    128346.jpg
  • Wild Cat Felis silvestris Length 75-100cm Resembles a large, tabby domestic cat but subtle differences allow separation. Mainly nocturnal. Adult has greyish brown fur with vertical stripes along flanks and dark vertebral line on back. Tail is thick, bushy and blunt-tipped, marked with 3-5 dark and discrete bands. ‘Wild-type’ domestics have ill-defined flank stripes and tapering tail. Mews, purs and spits like domestic cat. Once widespread, now confined to Scotland; favours rugged moors, forest margins and lower mountain slopes.
    142745.jpg
  • European Beaver Castor fiber Length 120-150cm including tail. Large, aquatic rodent with proportionately large head, water-repellent fur and broad, paddle-like tail used for swimming. Once hunted (for fur) close to extinction across its temperate European range. Now re-introduced in places and recovering.
    143526.jpg
  • Badger Meles meles Length 65-80cm Distinctive nocturnal mammal. Daytime spent in tunnel complex (a sett). Omnivorous and opportunistic feeders. Facial markings are unmistakable and iconic. Adult has coarse fur, greyish on back and flanks, and blackish on underside and legs. Head is elongated into a snout marked with longitudinal black and white stripes. Legs are short, and blunt tail has a white tip. Mostly silent. Locally common where farmland, meadows and woods occur side by side; also occurs on fringes of suburbia.
    144238.jpg
  • Badger Meles meles Length 65-80cm Distinctive nocturnal mammal. Daytime spent in tunnel complex (a sett). Omnivorous and opportunistic feeders. Facial markings are unmistakable and iconic. Adult has coarse fur, greyish on back and flanks, and blackish on underside and legs. Head is elongated into a snout marked with longitudinal black and white stripes. Legs are short, and blunt tail has a white tip. Mostly silent. Locally common where farmland, meadows and woods occur side by side; also occurs on fringes of suburbia.
    144239.jpg
  • Fox Vulpes vulpes Length 95-130cm Adaptable dog-like carnivore but with a catholic diet including fruits and berries. Mainly nocturnal; daytime shelter is called an earth. Adult has thick, mainly orange-brown coat with whitish jaws and underparts are white and white tip to tail. Feet and backs of ears are blackish. Yelping scream is uttered mainly by females for brief period in winter, to mark breeding season. Common, widespread and adaptable, found in towns and cities as well as countryside.
    145845.jpg
  • Sand Lizard Lacerta agilis Length 16-19cm Bulky lizard. Hibernates Sept-Mar. Females lay eggs. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has relatively large head. Ground colour of back is typically buffish brown but note three rows of white-centred dark spots along length of body. Head and flanks are flushed bright green in spring and summer. Adult female has smaller head and more bulky body than male. Ground colour is pale to rich brown with three longitudinal rows of eyespots. Juvenile recalls a small, slender adult female with eyespots on back and flanks. In Britain (where protected by law), restricted to heathland sites in Dorset and Surrey, and coastal sand dunes in Merseyside.
    125116.jpg
  • Pied Flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca L 12-13cm. Well-marked bird with precise habitat requirements. Forages in tree canopy. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male in summer has black upperparts, white underparts and bold white band on otherwise black wings; note small white patch at base of bill. All other birds (including autumn adult male) are similarly patterned but black elements of plumage are replaced by brown. Voice Utters a sharp tik alarm call. Song is sweet and ringing. Status Locally fairly common summer visitor, mainly to Sessile Oak woodland; most numerous in Devon, Wales and Lake District.
    104805.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.
    112788.jpg
  • Pied Flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca L 12-13cm. Well-marked bird with precise habitat requirements. Forages in tree canopy. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male in summer has black upperparts, white underparts and bold white band on otherwise black wings; note small white patch at base of bill. All other birds (including autumn adult male) are similarly patterned but black elements of plumage are replaced by brown. Voice Utters a sharp tik alarm call. Song is sweet and ringing. Status Locally fairly common summer visitor, mainly to Sessile Oak woodland; most numerous in Devon, Wales and Lake District.
    113678.jpg
  • Little Owl Athene noctua L 22cm. Our smallest owl. Has large-headed, short-tailed and overall dumpy silhouette. Partly diurnal and seen perched on fenceposts and dead branches. Sometimes bobs head and body when agitated. Sexes are similar. Adult has brown upperparts with whitish spots; pale underparts have dark streaks. Note yellow eyes. Juvenile is duller and lacks spots on head. Voice Calls include cat-like kiu, uttered repeatedly in early evening. Status Introduced from mainland Europe in 19th Century. Now widespread and fairly common in S Britain. Nests in tree holes and cavities in stone walls.
    115704.jpg
  • Crested Tit Parus cristatus L 11-12cm. Easily recognised by its conspicuous crest. Sexes are similar. Adult has striking black-and-white barred crest. Note black line through eye and bordering ear coverts on otherwise mainly whitish head. Black throat and collar demarcate head. Upperparts are otherwise brown and underparts are buffish white. Bill is narrow and warbler-like. Juvenile is similar but duller. Voice Utters a high trilling call. Song is rapid series of call-like notes and whistles. Status Very local resident, restricted to ancient Caledonian pine forests and mature Scots pine plantations in Scottish Highlands.
    126454.jpg
  • Stock Dove Columba oenas L 33cm. Similar to Woodpigeon but slimmer proportions and separable using plumage details. Rather solitary but forms flocks outside breeding season. In flight, wings are flicked. Sexes are similar. Adult has blue-grey upperparts and paler grey underparts. Note pinkish maroon flush to breast, iridescent green patch on side of neck; wings have two narrow black bars on upper surface and broad, dark trailing edge. Juvenile is similar but wing bars are faint. Voice During breeding season, utters repetitive oo-u-look call. Status Locally common in lowland, wooded farmland, and arable fields in winter.
    127047.jpg
  • Red-footed Falcon, Female - Falco vespertinus
    128933.jpg
  • Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopus major L 23-24cm. Commonest pied woodpecker with undulating flight. Sexes are separable. Adult Male is mainly black on back, wings and tail with white ‘shoulder’ patches and narrow white barring; underparts are grubby white. Face and throat are white while cap and nape are black and connect via black line to black stripe from base of bill. Has red nape patch and vent. Adult female is similar but red nape patch is absent. Juvenile recalls adult male but has red crown and subdued red vent colour. Voice Utters a loud tchick alarm call. Males ‘drum’ loudly in spring. Status Widespread, commonest in S and central England and Wales.
    129133.jpg
  • Citrine Wagtail Motacilla citreola. In spring and autumn, it is worth checking any flocks of migrant pipits and wagtails you come across for one of their rarer cousins, vagrants from Asia.Citrine Wagtail Motacilla citreola (L 15-17cm) is unmistakable in breeding plumage but juveniles have grey upperparts and whitish underparts and look rather like a tiny White Wagtail.
    129149.jpg
  • Robin Erithacus rubecula 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.
    129300.jpg
  • Pied Flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca L 12-13cm. Well-marked bird with precise habitat requirements. Forages in tree canopy. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male in summer has black upperparts, white underparts and bold white band on otherwise black wings; note small white patch at base of bill. All other birds (including autumn adult male) are similarly patterned but black elements of plumage are replaced by brown. Voice Utters a sharp tik alarm call. Song is sweet and ringing. Status Locally fairly common summer visitor, mainly to Sessile Oak woodland; most numerous in Devon, Wales and Lake District.
    129298.jpg
  • Nuthatch Sitta europaea L 14cm. Dumpy, short-tailed woodland bird that often descends tree trunks head-first. Sexes are similar. Adult has blue-grey upperparts, black eyestripe, white cheeks and orange-buff underparts; on average, males are more reddish buff on flanks than females. Juvenile is similar but duller. Voice Utters a loud zwiit, repeated if bird is agitated. Song is a series of whistling notes. Status Fairly common resident of deciduous and mixed woodland, and gardens, mainly in England and Wales.
    129369.jpg
  • Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus W 60-75cm - Plucking Post. 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.
    133760.jpg
  • The Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus (L 24-27cm) may share nocturnal habits with owls but the similarities between these unrelated birds ends there. The Nightjar has a huge gape that it uses to catch flying moths. The species is hard to find in the daytime, thanks to its cryptic plumage and often observers have to satisfy themselves with the silhouette of a bird in flight: it looks long-winged and narrow-tailed. All birds have intricate brown, grey and black markings that, in combination, resemble tree bark; males have striking white patches near the wingtips and corners of the tail. Territorial males utter a distinctive churring song for hours on end, after dark. The Nightjar is a migrant visitor to the region, found mainly on lowland heathland (where it is easiest to find) and heather moors.
    134044.jpg
  • The Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus (L 24-27cm) may share nocturnal habits with owls but the similarities between these unrelated birds ends there. The Nightjar has a huge gape that it uses to catch flying moths. The species is hard to find in the daytime, thanks to its cryptic plumage and often observers have to satisfy themselves with the silhouette of a bird in flight: it looks long-winged and narrow-tailed. All birds have intricate brown, grey and black markings that, in combination, resemble tree bark; males have striking white patches near the wingtips and corners of the tail. Territorial males utter a distinctive churring song for hours on end, after dark. The Nightjar is a migrant visitor to the region, found mainly on lowland heathland (where it is easiest to find) and heather moors.
    134064.jpg
  • Goldeneye Bucephala clangula L 42-50cm. Compact diving duck. Both sexes are easily recognised. In flight, all birds show white on inner wings (extent greatest in males). Sexes are dissimilar in other respects. Adult male has mainly black and white plumage. Rounded and peaked, green-glossed head has yellow eye and striking white patch at base of bill. In eclipse, resembles an adult female but retains his more striking white wing pattern. Adult female has mainly grey-brown body, pale neck, dark brown head and yellow eye. Juvenile is similar to adult female but with dark eye. Voice Displaying male utters squeaky calls and rattles. Status Scarce breeding species, mainly in N. Locally common in winter, mostly on estuaries but also on inland lakes and flooded gravel pits.
    143947.jpg
  • Terek Sandpiper - Xenus cinereus
    156406.jpg
  • WOOD SORREL Oxalis acetosella (Oxalidaceae) (Fabaceae) Height to 10cm. Charming, creeping perennial. An indicator of ancient, undisturbed woodlands and hedges. FLOWERS are 1cm across, bell-shaped and white or pale pink with lilac veins; borne on stalks (Apr-Jun). FRUITS are hairless capsules. LEAVES are trefoil, fold down at night, and are borne on long stalks. STATUS-Widespread and locally common.
    144616.jpg
  • Crested Tit Parus cristatus L 11-12cm. Easily recognised by its conspicuous crest. Sexes are similar. Adult has striking black-and-white barred crest. Note black line through eye and bordering ear coverts on otherwise mainly whitish head. Black throat and collar demarcate head. Upperparts are otherwise brown and underparts are buffish white. Bill is narrow and warbler-like. Juvenile is similar but duller. Voice Utters a high trilling call. Song is rapid series of call-like notes and whistles. Status Very local resident, restricted to ancient Caledonian pine forests and mature Scots pine plantations in Scottish Highlands.
    116348.jpg
  • 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.
    133434.jpg
  • Pied Flycatcher - Ficedula hypoleuca
    158691.jpg
  • Citrine Wagtail - Motacilla citreola
    160374.jpg
  • Red-footed Falcon - Falco verspertinus
    158202.jpg
  • The Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus (L 24-27cm) may share nocturnal habits with owls but the similarities between these unrelated birds ends there. The Nightjar has a huge gape that it uses to catch flying moths. The species is hard to find in the daytime, thanks to its cryptic plumage and often observers have to satisfy themselves with the silhouette of a bird in flight: it looks long-winged and narrow-tailed. All birds have intricate brown, grey and black markings that, in combination, resemble tree bark; males have striking white patches near the wingtips and corners of the tail. Territorial males utter a distinctive churring song for hours on end, after dark. The Nightjar is a migrant visitor to the region, found mainly on lowland heathland (where it is easiest to find) and heather moors.
    157965.jpg
  • Stock Dove Columba oenas L 33cm. Similar to Woodpigeon but slimmer proportions and separable using plumage details. Rather solitary but forms flocks outside breeding season. In flight, wings are flicked. Sexes are similar. Adult has blue-grey upperparts and paler grey underparts. Note pinkish maroon flush to breast, iridescent green patch on side of neck; wings have two narrow black bars on upper surface and broad, dark trailing edge. Juvenile is similar but wing bars are faint. Voice During breeding season, utters repetitive oo-u-look call. Status Locally common in lowland, wooded farmland, and arable fields in winter.
    157955.jpg
  • Crested Tit - Parus cristatus
    158185.jpg
  • GREAT SUNDEW Drosera anglica (Droseraceae) Height to 30cm. Insectivorous plant of waterlogged peat bogs and moors. FLOWERS are white; borne in spikes on stalks that twice the length of the leaves (Jun-Aug). FRUITS are capsules. LEAVES are reddish, narrow, tapering and 3cm long; covered in sticky hairs and appear as a basal rosette. STATUS-Locally common in N and W, but generally scarce elsewhere.
    144499.jpg
  • GREAT SUNDEW Drosera anglica (Droseraceae) Height to 30cm. Insectivorous plant of waterlogged peat bogs and moors. FLOWERS are white; borne in spikes on stalks that twice the length of the leaves (Jun-Aug). FRUITS are capsules. LEAVES are reddish, narrow, tapering and 3cm long; covered in sticky hairs and appear as a basal rosette. STATUS-Locally common in N and W, but generally scarce elsewhere.
    125648.jpg
  • Amaurobius ferox - Female. Our largest lace web spider found near the ground in darker damp habitats under stones and logs in gardens and woodland
    155689.jpg
  • Common Toad Bufo bufo Length 5-9cm A widespread toad; the only common species in Britain. Skin is covered in toxin-containing warts. Spawn is laid in double-rowed spawn strings. Gait consists of short hops. Adult is olive-brown to greenish buff (hue is influenced by ambient light). Has red iris and webbed hind feet. Female is larger than male. Juvenile recalls a tiny, large-headed adult. Courting male utters croaking calls in spring. More terrestrial than most other amphibians and adults spend much of their lives on land:  woodland, scrub, grassland and moors are favoured. Must return to water to breed and most are found within 2km or so of suitable ponds. Not deterred by fish: tadpole’ toxic skin acts as deterrent to predation. Observation tips Courting is easy to watch in suitable ponds in spring (February-March are typical months). Sometimes found hibernating under logs in winter.
    114337.jpg
  • Common Toad Bufo bufo Length 5-9cm A widespread toad; the only common species in Britain. Skin is covered in toxin-containing warts. Spawn is laid in double-rowed spawn strings. Gait consists of short hops. Adult is olive-brown to greenish buff (hue is influenced by ambient light). Has red iris and webbed hind feet. Female is larger than male. Juvenile recalls a tiny, large-headed adult. Courting male utters croaking calls in spring. More terrestrial than most other amphibians and adults spend much of their lives on land:  woodland, scrub, grassland and moors are favoured. Must return to water to breed and most are found within 2km or so of suitable ponds. Not deterred by fish: tadpole’ toxic skin acts as deterrent to predation. Observation tips Courting is easy to watch in suitable ponds in spring (February-March are typical months). Sometimes found hibernating under logs in winter.
    121995.jpg
  • Common Toad Bufo bufo Length 5-9cm A widespread toad; the only common species in Britain. Skin is covered in toxin-containing warts. Spawn is laid in double-rowed spawn strings. Gait consists of short hops. Adult is olive-brown to greenish buff (hue is influenced by ambient light). Has red iris and webbed hind feet. Female is larger than male. Juvenile recalls a tiny, large-headed adult. Courting male utters croaking calls in spring. More terrestrial than most other amphibians and adults spend much of their lives on land:  woodland, scrub, grassland and moors are favoured. Must return to water to breed and most are found within 2km or so of suitable ponds. Not deterred by fish: tadpole’ toxic skin acts as deterrent to predation. Observation tips Courting is easy to watch in suitable ponds in spring (February-March are typical months). Sometimes found hibernating under logs in winter.
    128651.jpg
  • Common Toad Bufo bufo Length 5-9cm A widespread toad; the only common species in Britain. Skin is covered in toxin-containing warts. Spawn is laid in double-rowed spawn strings. Gait consists of short hops. Adult is olive-brown to greenish buff (hue is influenced by ambient light). Has red iris and webbed hind feet. Female is larger than male. Juvenile recalls a tiny, large-headed adult. Courting male utters croaking calls in spring. More terrestrial than most other amphibians and adults spend much of their lives on land:  woodland, scrub, grassland and moors are favoured. Must return to water to breed and most are found within 2km or so of suitable ponds. Not deterred by fish: tadpole’ toxic skin acts as deterrent to predation. Observation tips Courting is easy to watch in suitable ponds in spring (February-March are typical months). Sometimes found hibernating under logs in winter.
    128653.jpg
  • Common Toad Bufo bufo Length 5-9cm A widespread toad; the only common species in Britain. Skin is covered in toxin-containing warts. Spawn is laid in double-rowed spawn strings. Gait consists of short hops. Adult is olive-brown to greenish buff (hue is influenced by ambient light). Has red iris and webbed hind feet. Female is larger than male. Juvenile recalls a tiny, large-headed adult. Courting male utters croaking calls in spring. More terrestrial than most other amphibians and adults spend much of their lives on land:  woodland, scrub, grassland and moors are favoured. Must return to water to breed and most are found within 2km or so of suitable ponds. Not deterred by fish: tadpole’ toxic skin acts as deterrent to predation. Observation tips Courting is easy to watch in suitable ponds in spring (February-March are typical months). Sometimes found hibernating under logs in winter.
    144138.jpg
  • Common Toad Bufo bufo Length 5-9cm A widespread toad; the only common species in Britain. Skin is covered in toxin-containing warts. Spawn is laid in double-rowed spawn strings. Gait consists of short hops. Adult is olive-brown to greenish buff (hue is influenced by ambient light). Has red iris and webbed hind feet. Female is larger than male. Juvenile recalls a tiny, large-headed adult. Courting male utters croaking calls in spring. More terrestrial than most other amphibians and adults spend much of their lives on land:  woodland, scrub, grassland and moors are favoured. Must return to water to breed and most are found within 2km or so of suitable ponds. Not deterred by fish: tadpole’ toxic skin acts as deterrent to predation. Observation tips Courting is easy to watch in suitable ponds in spring (February-March are typical months). Sometimes found hibernating under logs in winter.
    144144.jpg
  • Common Toad Bufo bufo Length 5-9cm A widespread toad; the only common species in Britain. Skin is covered in toxin-containing warts. Spawn is laid in double-rowed spawn strings. Gait consists of short hops. Adult is olive-brown to greenish buff (hue is influenced by ambient light). Has red iris and webbed hind feet. Female is larger than male. Juvenile recalls a tiny, large-headed adult. Courting male utters croaking calls in spring. More terrestrial than most other amphibians and adults spend much of their lives on land:  woodland, scrub, grassland and moors are favoured. Must return to water to breed and most are found within 2km or so of suitable ponds. Not deterred by fish: tadpole’ toxic skin acts as deterrent to predation. Observation tips Courting is easy to watch in suitable ponds in spring (February-March are typical months). Sometimes found hibernating under logs in winter.
    144143.jpg
  • Coelotes terrestris - Female. A large, silk tube dwelling, forest floor  Amaurobiid spider found under logs and in the litter layer of woodlands in the south- centre and south-east of England. Notable b.
    155688.jpg
  • Cicurina cicur, Dictynidae - Female. Our largest Dyctinid at about 8mm. This spider is a local species rather uncommon and found in cool darl damp locations such as under logs iun woodland or in caves.
    155118.jpg
  • Common Toad Bufo bufo Length 5-9cm A widespread toad; the only common species in Britain. Skin is covered in toxin-containing warts. Spawn is laid in double-rowed spawn strings. Gait consists of short hops. Adult is olive-brown to greenish buff (hue is influenced by ambient light). Has red iris and webbed hind feet. Female is larger than male. Juvenile recalls a tiny, large-headed adult. Courting male utters croaking calls in spring. More terrestrial than most other amphibians and adults spend much of their lives on land:  woodland, scrub, grassland and moors are favoured. Must return to water to breed and most are found within 2km or so of suitable ponds. Not deterred by fish: tadpole’ toxic skin acts as deterrent to predation. Observation tips Courting is easy to watch in suitable ponds in spring (February-March are typical months). Sometimes found hibernating under logs in winter.
    105100.jpg
  • Common Toad Bufo bufo Length 5-9cm A widespread toad; the only common species in Britain. Skin is covered in toxin-containing warts. Spawn is laid in double-rowed spawn strings. Gait consists of short hops. Adult is olive-brown to greenish buff (hue is influenced by ambient light). Has red iris and webbed hind feet. Female is larger than male. Juvenile recalls a tiny, large-headed adult. Courting male utters croaking calls in spring. More terrestrial than most other amphibians and adults spend much of their lives on land:  woodland, scrub, grassland and moors are favoured. Must return to water to breed and most are found within 2km or so of suitable ponds. Not deterred by fish: tadpole’ toxic skin acts as deterrent to predation. Observation tips Courting is easy to watch in suitable ponds in spring (February-March are typical months). Sometimes found hibernating under logs in winter.
    108275.jpg
  • Common Toad Bufo bufo Length 5-9cm A widespread toad; the only common species in Britain. Skin is covered in toxin-containing warts. Spawn is laid in double-rowed spawn strings. Gait consists of short hops. Adult is olive-brown to greenish buff (hue is influenced by ambient light). Has red iris and webbed hind feet. Female is larger than male. Juvenile recalls a tiny, large-headed adult. Courting male utters croaking calls in spring. More terrestrial than most other amphibians and adults spend much of their lives on land:  woodland, scrub, grassland and moors are favoured. Must return to water to breed and most are found within 2km or so of suitable ponds. Not deterred by fish: tadpole’ toxic skin acts as deterrent to predation. Observation tips Courting is easy to watch in suitable ponds in spring (February-March are typical months). Sometimes found hibernating under logs in winter.
    114336.jpg
  • Common Toad Bufo bufo Length 5-9cm A widespread toad; the only common species in Britain. Skin is covered in toxin-containing warts. Spawn is laid in double-rowed spawn strings. Gait consists of short hops. Adult is olive-brown to greenish buff (hue is influenced by ambient light). Has red iris and webbed hind feet. Female is larger than male. Juvenile recalls a tiny, large-headed adult. Courting male utters croaking calls in spring. More terrestrial than most other amphibians and adults spend much of their lives on land:  woodland, scrub, grassland and moors are favoured. Must return to water to breed and most are found within 2km or so of suitable ponds. Not deterred by fish: tadpole’ toxic skin acts as deterrent to predation. Observation tips Courting is easy to watch in suitable ponds in spring (February-March are typical months). Sometimes found hibernating under logs in winter.
    128403.jpg
  • Common Toad Bufo bufo Length 5-9cm A widespread toad; the only common species in Britain. Skin is covered in toxin-containing warts. Spawn is laid in double-rowed spawn strings. Gait consists of short hops. Adult is olive-brown to greenish buff (hue is influenced by ambient light). Has red iris and webbed hind feet. Female is larger than male. Juvenile recalls a tiny, large-headed adult. Courting male utters croaking calls in spring. More terrestrial than most other amphibians and adults spend much of their lives on land:  woodland, scrub, grassland and moors are favoured. Must return to water to breed and most are found within 2km or so of suitable ponds. Not deterred by fish: tadpole’ toxic skin acts as deterrent to predation. Observation tips Courting is easy to watch in suitable ponds in spring (February-March are typical months). Sometimes found hibernating under logs in winter.
    128650.jpg
  • Common Toad Bufo bufo Length 5-9cm A widespread toad; the only common species in Britain. Skin is covered in toxin-containing warts. Spawn is laid in double-rowed spawn strings. Gait consists of short hops. Adult is olive-brown to greenish buff (hue is influenced by ambient light). Has red iris and webbed hind feet. Female is larger than male. Juvenile recalls a tiny, large-headed adult. Courting male utters croaking calls in spring. More terrestrial than most other amphibians and adults spend much of their lives on land:  woodland, scrub, grassland and moors are favoured. Must return to water to breed and most are found within 2km or so of suitable ponds. Not deterred by fish: tadpole’ toxic skin acts as deterrent to predation. Observation tips Courting is easy to watch in suitable ponds in spring (February-March are typical months). Sometimes found hibernating under logs in winter.
    128683.jpg
  • Common Toad Bufo bufo Length 5-9cm A widespread toad; the only common species in Britain. Skin is covered in toxin-containing warts. Spawn is laid in double-rowed spawn strings. Gait consists of short hops. Adult is olive-brown to greenish buff (hue is influenced by ambient light). Has red iris and webbed hind feet. Female is larger than male. Juvenile recalls a tiny, large-headed adult. Courting male utters croaking calls in spring. More terrestrial than most other amphibians and adults spend much of their lives on land:  woodland, scrub, grassland and moors are favoured. Must return to water to breed and most are found within 2km or so of suitable ponds. Not deterred by fish: tadpole’ toxic skin acts as deterrent to predation. Observation tips Courting is easy to watch in suitable ponds in spring (February-March are typical months). Sometimes found hibernating under logs in winter.
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