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  • Cetti’s Warbler Cettia cetti L 14cm - cut-out of nest. Unobtrusive wetland warbler whose loud song is heard more than bird is seen. Sexes are similar. Adult and juvenile have dark reddish brown upperparts, including tail. Underparts are pale: has whitish throat, grey face and breast, grey-buff belly. Legs are reddish and bill is dark-tipped. Voice Utters a loud pluut call. Song is explosive chee, chippi-chippi-chippi. Most vocal in spring but snatches of song are heard at other times. Status Recent colonist, now a local resident of scrubby margins of marshes and clumps of bushes in extensive reedbeds.
    155546.jpg
  • HEMP-AGRIMONY Eupatorium cannabinum (Asteraceae) Height to 1.5m. Tall, upright and downy perennial that grows mainly in damp grassland and marshes, but (perhaps surprisingly) also in scrub on chalk. FLOWERS are dull pinkish lilac; borne in heads, 2-5mm across, comprising 5-6 florets, in rather dense, terminal clusters (Jul-Sep). FRUITS are 1-seeded with pappus hairs. LEAVES are trifoliate and borne in opposite pairs up the stem. STATUS-Widespread and common, except in N.
    131789.jpg
  • MARSH CINQUEFOIL Potentilla palustris (Rosaceae) Height to 40cm. Hairless perennial of marshes and damp meadows. FLOWERS are star-shaped, upright and comprise 5 reddish sepals and smaller purple petals (May-Jul). FRUITS are dry and papery. LEAVES are greyish and pinnately divided into 3 or 5 toothed, oval leaflets. STATUS-Widespread but local; common only in N England and Ireland.
    131750.jpg
  • GRASS-OF-PARNASSUS Parnassia palustris (Saxifragaceae) Height to 25cm. Distinctive, tufted and hairless perennial of damp, peaty grassland, marshes and moors. FLOWERS are 15-20mm across and superficially buttercup-like, with 5 white petals and greenish veins; on upright stalks with clasping leaves (Jun-Sep). FRUITS are dry capsules. LEAVES are deep green; basal leaves are heart-shaped and stalked. STATUS-Locally common in N Britain and Ireland; scarce in, or absent from, the S.
    144494.jpg
  • Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus Wingspan 110-125cm.Graceful wetland raptor.  Adult male is mostly reddish brown with blue-grey head and grey tail. In flight, note patches of grey and reddish brown on wings, and black wingtips. Adult female is mainly dark brown with pale leading edge to wings and pale cap and chin. Tail is reddish brown. Juvenile is similar to an adult female but tail is dark brown. Voice – mainly silent. Status and habitat – Commonest in summer months, but some birds are present year-round. Usually seen in flight over marshes and reedbeds. Easiest to see in East Anglia.
    143130.jpg
  • Redshank Tringa totanus L 28cm. Medium-sized wader with shrill alarm call. In flight, note white trailing edge to wings, white back and rump, and trailing red legs. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer is mainly grey-brown above and pale below but back is marked with dark spots and neck, breast and flanks are streaked. Note faint, pale supercilium and eyering; base of bill is reddish. In winter, has uniform grey-brown upperparts, head, neck and breast, with paler, mottled underparts. Bill and leg colours are dull. Juvenile recalls winter adult but plumage is overall browner, back feathers have pale marginal spots, and legs and base of bill are dull yellow. Voice Utters a yelping tiu-uu alarm call. Song is musical and yodelling. Status Locally common nesting species in damp grassland, moors and marshes. Migrants boost numbers outside breeding season and common on coasts in winter.
    143366.jpg
  • Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus Wingspan 110-125cm.Graceful wetland raptor.  Adult male is mostly reddish brown with blue-grey head and grey tail. In flight, note patches of grey and reddish brown on wings, and black wingtips. Adult female is mainly dark brown with pale leading edge to wings and pale cap and chin. Tail is reddish brown. Juvenile is similar to an adult female but tail is dark brown. Voice – mainly silent. Status and habitat – Commonest in summer months, but some birds are present year-round. Usually seen in flight over marshes and reedbeds. Easiest to see in East Anglia.
    143782.jpg
  • Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus schoenobaenus L 12-13cm. Well-marked wetland warbler with distinctive song. Sexes are similar. Adult has dark-streaked sandy brown upperparts and pale underparts, flushed orange-buff on breast and flanks. Head has dark-streaked crown, striking pale supercilium and dark eyestripe. Juvenile is similar but breast is faintly streaked. Voice Utters a sharp chek alarm call. Song comprises rasping and grating phrases interspersed with trills and whistles. Status Widespread summer visitor to rank marshy vegetation, scrub patches on fringes of reedbeds and overgrown ditches.
    145486.jpg
  • Marsh Harrier -  Circus aeruginosus - Immature male Wingspan 110-125cm.Graceful wetland raptor. Adult male is mostly reddish brown with blue-grey head and grey tail. In flight, note patches of grey and reddish brown on wings, and black wingtips. Adult female is mainly dark brown with pale leading edge to wings and pale cap and chin. Tail is reddish brown. Juvenile is similar to an adult female but tail is dark brown. Voice – mainly silent. Status and habitat – Commonest in summer months, but some birds are present year-round. Usually seen in flight over marshes and reedbeds. Easiest to see in East Anglia.
    157029.jpg
  • Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus schoenobaenus L 12-13cm. Well-marked wetland warbler with distinctive song. Sexes are similar. Adult has dark-streaked sandy brown upperparts and pale underparts, flushed orange-buff on breast and flanks. Head has dark-streaked crown, striking pale supercilium and dark eyestripe. Juvenile is similar but breast is faintly streaked. Voice Utters a sharp chek alarm call. Song comprises rasping and grating phrases interspersed with trills and whistles. Status Widespread summer visitor to rank marshy vegetation, scrub patches on fringes of reedbeds and overgrown ditches.
    155727.jpg
  • Saltmarsh with Sea Lavender - Limonium vulgare. Height to 30cm. Distinctive, hairless perennial that is woody at the base. Entirely restricted to saltmarshes and tolerates tidal inundation. FLOWERS are 6-7mm long and pinkish lilac; they are borne in branched, flat-topped heads on arching sprays (Jul-Sep). FRUITS are capsules. LEAVES are spoon-shaped with long stalks. STATUS-Widespread and locally common in S and SE England but scarce or absent elsewhere.
    128303.jpg
  • White-winged Black Tern Chlidonias leucopterus (L 20-24cm) in breeding plumage is mainly black with pale grey upperwings, pale grey flight feathers seen from below and white rump, stern and tail are pure white; at other times it is grey above and white below with a whitish collar and rump, and dark ear spot.
    154310.jpg
  • MARSH VIOLET Viola palustris (Violaceae) Height to 15cm<br />
Distinctive, hairless perennial with creeping runners. Found in bogs and marshy places on acid soils. FLOWERS are 10-15mm across with rounded, dark-veined, pale lilac petals and a blunt, pale spur (Apr-Jul). FRUITS are egg-shaped. LEAVES are kidney-shaped and long-stalked. STATUS-Widespread but local; commonest in N and W.
    137703.jpg
  • Redshank Tringa totanus L 28cm. Medium-sized wader with shrill alarm call. In flight, note white trailing edge to wings, white back and rump, and trailing red legs. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer is mainly grey-brown above and pale below but back is marked with dark spots and neck, breast and flanks are streaked. Note faint, pale supercilium and eyering; base of bill is reddish. In winter, has uniform grey-brown upperparts, head, neck and breast, with paler, mottled underparts. Bill and leg colours are dull. Juvenile recalls winter adult but plumage is overall browner, back feathers have pale marginal spots, and legs and base of bill are dull yellow. Voice Utters a yelping tiu-uu alarm call. Song is musical and yodelling. Status Locally common nesting species in damp grassland, moors and marshes. Migrants boost numbers outside breeding season and common on coasts in winter.
    137049.jpg
  • Common Tern - Sterna hirundo
    162759.jpg
  • Rough-legged Buzzard - Buteo lagopus - juvenile
    162241.jpg
  • YELLOW IRIS Iris pseudacorus (Iridaceae) Height to 1m. Familiar and robust perennial that grows in pond margins and marshes, and on river banks. FLOWERS are 8-10cm across and bright yellow with faint purplish veins; borne in clusters of 2-3 flowers (May-Aug). FRUITS are oblong and 3-sided. LEAVES are grey-green, sword shaped and often wrinkled. STATUS-Widespread and common throughout.
    153641.jpg
  • CELERY-LEAVED BUTTERCUP Ranunculus scleratus (Ranunculaceae) Height to 50cm. Yellowish green annual with hollow stems. Favours marshes and wet grazing meadows, often on trampled ground. FLOWERS are 5-10mm across with pale yellow petals; borne in clusters (May-Sep). FRUITS have elongated heads. LEAVES are celery-like and divided into 3 lobes (basal leaves); stem leaves less divided. STATUS-Locally common in S.
    131950.jpg
  • MARSH WOUNDWORT Stachys palustris (Lamiaceae) Height to 1m. Robust, non-smelling perennial with creeping stems and unbranched flowering stalks. Grows in damp ground in marshes, and beside ditches and rivers; occasionally found along the margins of damp arable field. FLOWERS are 12-15mm long and pinkish purple with white markings; borne in elegant, open spikes (Jun-Sep). FRUITS are nutlets. LEAVES are toothed, narrow-oblong, often heart-shaped at the base and mostly unstalked. STATUS-Widespread and locally common throughout the region.
    131711.jpg
  • Bean Goose, Taiga race - Anser fabalis fabalis
    145730.jpg
  • Bean goose - Anser fabalis
    162259.jpg
  • Rough-legged Buzzard - Buteo lagopus
    162244.jpg
  • Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus schoenobaenus L 12-13cm. Well-marked wetland warbler with distinctive song. Sexes are similar. Adult has dark-streaked sandy brown upperparts and pale underparts, flushed orange-buff on breast and flanks. Head has dark-streaked crown, striking pale supercilium and dark eyestripe. Juvenile is similar but breast is faintly streaked. Voice Utters a sharp chek alarm call. Song comprises rasping and grating phrases interspersed with trills and whistles. Status Widespread summer visitor to rank marshy vegetation, scrub patches on fringes of reedbeds and overgrown ditches.
    155725.jpg
  • Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus - Female. Wingspan 110-125cm.Graceful wetland raptor. Adult male is mostly reddish brown with blue-grey head and grey tail. In flight, note patches of grey and reddish brown on wings, and black wingtips. Adult female is mainly dark brown with pale leading edge to wings and pale cap and chin. Tail is reddish brown. Juvenile is similar to an adult female but tail is dark brown. Voice – mainly silent. Status and habitat – Commonest in summer months, but some birds are present year-round. Usually seen in flight over marshes and reedbeds. Easiest to see in East Anglia.
    155625.jpg
  • Cetti’s Warbler - Cettia cetti. L 14cm. Unobtrusive wetland warbler whose loud song is heard more than bird is seen. Sexes are similar. Adult and juvenile have dark reddish brown upperparts, including tail. Underparts are pale: has whitish throat, grey face and breast, grey-buff belly. Legs are reddish and bill is dark-tipped. Voice Utters a loud pluut call. Song is explosive chee, chippi-chippi-chippi. Most vocal in spring but snatches of song are heard at other times. Status Recent colonist, now a local resident of scrubby margins of marshes and clumps of bushes in extensive reedbeds.
    155545.jpg
  • Sharp-flowered Rush Juncus acutiflorus is similar to Jointed Rush J. articulatus but has sharply pointed tepals (mostly blunt in Jointed Rush). Widespread on acid soils.
    143615.jpg
  • Rough-legged Buzzard Buteo lagopus Wingspan 125-140cm. Similar to Buzzard but most individuals are separable using plumage details and behaviour. In flight and from above, the pale base to the tail gives the Rough-legged Buzzard a white-rumped appearance. Hovers more frequently than Buzzards. Adult male has brown upperparts, except for white tail with a dark terminal band and smaller second bar. From below, underparts are pale except for dark head, carpal patches, wing tips and trailing edge to wing; pale tail is tipped with two dark bands. Adult female is similar but has a dark belly and single dark terminal band on tail. Juvenile is similar to adult female but dark markings are indistinct. Voice - mainly silent. Status and habitat – A winter visitor to Britain, mainly to East coast, and usually between October and March. Favours coastal marshes and grassland.
    137586.jpg
  • Redshank Tringa totanus L 28cm. Medium-sized wader with shrill alarm call. In flight, note white trailing edge to wings, white back and rump, and trailing red legs. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer is mainly grey-brown above and pale below but back is marked with dark spots and neck, breast and flanks are streaked. Note faint, pale supercilium and eyering; base of bill is reddish. In winter, has uniform grey-brown upperparts, head, neck and breast, with paler, mottled underparts. Bill and leg colours are dull. Juvenile recalls winter adult but plumage is overall browner, back feathers have pale marginal spots, and legs and base of bill are dull yellow. Voice Utters a yelping tiu-uu alarm call. Song is musical and yodelling. Status Locally common nesting species in damp grassland, moors and marshes. Migrants boost numbers outside breeding season and common on coasts in winter.
    143060.jpg
  • Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus schoenobaenus L 12-13cm. Well-marked wetland warbler with distinctive song. Sexes are similar. Adult has dark-streaked sandy brown upperparts and pale underparts, flushed orange-buff on breast and flanks. Head has dark-streaked crown, striking pale supercilium and dark eyestripe. Juvenile is similar but breast is faintly streaked. Voice Utters a sharp chek alarm call. Song comprises rasping and grating phrases interspersed with trills and whistles. Status Widespread summer visitor to rank marshy vegetation, scrub patches on fringes of reedbeds and overgrown ditches.
    143063.jpg
  • Redshank Tringa totanus L 28cm. Medium-sized wader with shrill alarm call. In flight, note white trailing edge to wings, white back and rump, and trailing red legs. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer is mainly grey-brown above and pale below but back is marked with dark spots and neck, breast and flanks are streaked. Note faint, pale supercilium and eyering; base of bill is reddish. In winter, has uniform grey-brown upperparts, head, neck and breast, with paler, mottled underparts. Bill and leg colours are dull. Juvenile recalls winter adult but plumage is overall browner, back feathers have pale marginal spots, and legs and base of bill are dull yellow. Voice Utters a yelping tiu-uu alarm call. Song is musical and yodelling. Status Locally common nesting species in damp grassland, moors and marshes. Migrants boost numbers outside breeding season and common on coasts in winter.
    143364.jpg
  • Cetti’s Warbler Cettia cetti L 14cm. Unobtrusive wetland warbler whose loud song is heard more than bird is seen. Sexes are similar. Adult and juvenile have dark reddish brown upperparts, including tail. Underparts are pale: has whitish throat, grey face and breast, grey-buff belly. Legs are reddish and bill is dark-tipped. Voice Utters a loud pluut call. Song is explosive chee, chippi-chippi-chippi. Most vocal in spring but snatches of song are heard at other times. Status Recent colonist, now a local resident of scrubby margins of marshes and clumps of bushes in extensive reedbeds.
    143708.jpg
  • Redshank Tringa totanus L 28cm. Medium-sized wader with shrill alarm call. In flight, note white trailing edge to wings, white back and rump, and trailing red legs. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer is mainly grey-brown above and pale below but back is marked with dark spots and neck, breast and flanks are streaked. Note faint, pale supercilium and eyering; base of bill is reddish. In winter, has uniform grey-brown upperparts, head, neck and breast, with paler, mottled underparts. Bill and leg colours are dull. Juvenile recalls winter adult but plumage is overall browner, back feathers have pale marginal spots, and legs and base of bill are dull yellow. Voice Utters a yelping tiu-uu alarm call. Song is musical and yodelling. Status Locally common nesting species in damp grassland, moors and marshes. Migrants boost numbers outside breeding season and common on coasts in winter.
    145936.jpg
  • Common Tern - Sterna hirundo
    162764.jpg
  • Common Tern - Sterna hirundo
    162758.jpg
  • Rough-legged Buzzard - Buteo lagopus
    162275.jpg
  • Rough-legged Buzzard Buteo lagopus Wingspan 125-140cm. Similar to Buzzard but most individuals are separable using plumage details and behaviour. In flight and from above, the pale base to the tail gives the Rough-legged Buzzard a white-rumped appearance. Hovers more frequently than Buzzards. Adult male has brown upperparts, except for white tail with a dark terminal band and smaller second bar. From below, underparts are pale except for dark head, carpal patches, wing tips and trailing edge to wing; pale tail is tipped with two dark bands. Adult female is similar but has a dark belly and single dark terminal band on tail. Juvenile is similar to adult female but dark markings are indistinct. Voice - mainly silent. Status and habitat – A winter visitor to Britain, mainly to East coast, and usually between October and March. Favours coastal marshes and grassland.
    157659.jpg
  • Rough-legged Buzzard Buteo lagopus Wingspan 125-140cm. Similar to Buzzard but most individuals are separable using plumage details and behaviour. In flight and from above, the pale base to the tail gives the Rough-legged Buzzard a white-rumped appearance. Hovers more frequently than Buzzards. Adult male has brown upperparts, except for white tail with a dark terminal band and smaller second bar. From below, underparts are pale except for dark head, carpal patches, wing tips and trailing edge to wing; pale tail is tipped with two dark bands. Adult female is similar but has a dark belly and single dark terminal band on tail. Juvenile is similar to adult female but dark markings are indistinct. Voice - mainly silent. Status and habitat – A winter visitor to Britain, mainly to East coast, and usually between October and March. Favours coastal marshes and grassland.
    157660.jpg
  • Jack Snipe - Lymnocryptes minimus. L 18-20cm. Dumpy wader. Much smaller than Snipe, with shorter bill and legs, and more striking head and back markings. Pumps body up and down as it walks. Easy to overlook: plumage is cryptic and bird is very reluctant to fly. Sexes and ages are similar. Adult and juvenile have mainly brown upperparts with intricate, cryptic dark feather markings. Note striking yellow stripes on back; greenish sheen sometimes discerned. Head is has dark and pale buff stripes, including forked, pale supercilium. Neck and breast are streaked and underparts are white. Voice Mostly silent. Status Non-breeding visitor in small numbers. Favours muddy margins of pools and marshes, where tangled dead rush and grass stems match its cryptic plumage.
    156932.jpg
  • Marsh Harrier -  Circus aeruginosus - Immature male Wingspan 110-125cm.Graceful wetland raptor. Adult male is mostly reddish brown with blue-grey head and grey tail. In flight, note patches of grey and reddish brown on wings, and black wingtips. Adult female is mainly dark brown with pale leading edge to wings and pale cap and chin. Tail is reddish brown. Juvenile is similar to an adult female but tail is dark brown. Voice – mainly silent. Status and habitat – Commonest in summer months, but some birds are present year-round. Usually seen in flight over marshes and reedbeds. Easiest to see in East Anglia.
    156391.jpg
  • Marsh Harrier - Circus aeruginosus - Immature male. Wingspan 110-125cm.Graceful wetland raptor. Adult male is mostly reddish brown with blue-grey head and grey tail. In flight, note patches of grey and reddish brown on wings, and black wingtips. Adult female is mainly dark brown with pale leading edge to wings and pale cap and chin. Tail is reddish brown. Juvenile is similar to an adult female but tail is dark brown. Voice – mainly silent. Status and habitat – Commonest in summer months, but some birds are present year-round. Usually seen in flight over marshes and reedbeds. Easiest to see in East Anglia.
    156390.jpg
  • Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus L 35-40cm. Well-marked owl that often hunts in daylight. Flight is leisurely, often with stiffly-held wings. Perches on fenceposts. Sexes are similar. Adult and juvenile have buffish brown plumage, heavily spotted and streaked on upperparts; underparts are streaked but paler. Facial disc is rounded; note yellow eyes and short ‘ear’ tufts. Voice Displaying birds sometimes uttera deep hoots. Status Local and rather scarce. Nests on upland moors but outside breeding season favours lowland marshes, grassland and heaths, particularly near coasts. Influx of birds from Europe boosts winter numbers.
    156384.jpg
  • Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus - Female. Wingspan 110-125cm.Graceful wetland raptor. Adult male is mostly reddish brown with blue-grey head and grey tail. In flight, note patches of grey and reddish brown on wings, and black wingtips. Adult female is mainly dark brown with pale leading edge to wings and pale cap and chin. Tail is reddish brown. Juvenile is similar to an adult female but tail is dark brown. Voice – mainly silent. Status and habitat – Commonest in summer months, but some birds are present year-round. Usually seen in flight over marshes and reedbeds. Easiest to see in East Anglia.
    155731.jpg
  • Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus - Female. Wingspan 110-125cm.Graceful wetland raptor. Adult male is mostly reddish brown with blue-grey head and grey tail. In flight, note patches of grey and reddish brown on wings, and black wingtips. Adult female is mainly dark brown with pale leading edge to wings and pale cap and chin. Tail is reddish brown. Juvenile is similar to an adult female but tail is dark brown. Voice – mainly silent. Status and habitat – Commonest in summer months, but some birds are present year-round. Usually seen in flight over marshes and reedbeds. Easiest to see in East Anglia.
    155627.jpg
  • Cetti’s Warbler Cettia cetti L 14cm - cut-out of nest. Unobtrusive wetland warbler whose loud song is heard more than bird is seen. Sexes are similar. Adult and juvenile have dark reddish brown upperparts, including tail. Underparts are pale: has whitish throat, grey face and breast, grey-buff belly. Legs are reddish and bill is dark-tipped. Voice Utters a loud pluut call. Song is explosive chee, chippi-chippi-chippi. Most vocal in spring but snatches of song are heard at other times. Status Recent colonist, now a local resident of scrubby margins of marshes and clumps of bushes in extensive reedbeds.
    155544.jpg
  • Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybridus (L 24-27cm) is more like a miniature Common Tern in breeding plumage but at other times it is mainly white with pale grey upperwings and blackish speckling on hindcrown.
    155526.jpg
  • White-winged Black Tern - Chlidonias leucopterus
    155279.jpg
  • White-winged Black Tern - Chlidonias leucopterus - Juvenile
    155201.jpg
  • Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus - with Avocet flock. Wingspan 110-125cm.Graceful wetland raptor. Adult male is mostly reddish brown with blue-grey head and grey tail. In flight, note patches of grey and reddish brown on wings, and black wingtips. Adult female is mainly dark brown with pale leading edge to wings and pale cap and chin. Tail is reddish brown. Juvenile is similar to an adult female but tail is dark brown. Voice – mainly silent. Status and habitat – Commonest in summer months, but some birds are present year-round. Usually seen in flight over marshes and reedbeds. Easiest to see in East Anglia.
    155185.jpg
  • SALTPANS, LYMINGTON, HANTS
    123595.jpg
  • Wicken Fen, Cambridgeshire, UK
    128712.jpg
  • Reedbed
    129488.jpg
  • Saltmarsh, Pagham Harbour
    129497.jpg
  • Shingle and Saltmarsh
    133447.jpg
  • White-winged Black Tern Chlidonias leucopterus (L 20-24cm) in breeding plumage is mainly black with pale grey upperwings, pale grey flight feathers seen from below and white rump, stern and tail are pure white; at other times it is grey above and white below with a whitish collar and rump, and dark ear spot.
    154210.jpg
  • MARSH HELLEBORINE Epipactis palustris (Orchidaceae) Height to 50cm. Upright and elegant perennial. Grows in marshes, fens and wet dune-slacks. FLOWERS comprise reddish- or brownish-green sepals, narrow, whitish upper petals that are marked with red, and a frilly, whitish lip marked with red streaks towards the base; borne in open spikes of up to 14 flowers (Jul-Aug). FRUITS are pear-shaped. LEAVES are broad and oval towards the base of the plant but narrower up the stem. STATUS-Very locally common in S England, S Wales and S Ireland; scarce or absent elsewhere.
    138041.jpg
  • LARGE BITTER-CRESS Cardamine amara (Brassicaceae) Height to 60cm. Upright perennial found in damp, shady places in woods and marshes. FLOWERS are 12mm across with 4 white petals and violet anthers (Apr-Jun). FRUITS are slender, beaked pods, up to 4cm long. LEAVES are pinnately divided, with slightly toothed oval lobes. STATUS-Widespread but local; scarce in, or absent from, W England and S Ireland.
    133843.jpg
  • MEADOWSWEET Filipendula ulmaria (Rosaceae) Height to 1.25m. Striking perennial of damp meadows, marshes and stream margins. FLOWERS are 4-6mm across, fragrant and creamy white; borne in sprays (Jun-Sep). FRUITS are spirally twisted and 1-seeded. LEAVES are dark green and comprise 3-5 pairs of oval leaflets with smaller leaflets between. STATUS-Widespread and common throughout.
    132208.jpg
  • DEVIL’S-BIT SCABIOUS Succisa pratensis (Dipsacaceae) Height to 75cm. Upright perennial with hairy or hairless stems. Grows in damp grassland, woodland rides and marshes. FLOWERS are pinkish lilac to violet blue with projecting anthers (like tiny mallets); borne in dense, domed terminal heads, 15-25mm across, on long, slender stalks (Jun-Oct). FRUITS are dry and papery. LEAVES are spoon-shaped at the base of the plant, and narrow on the stem. STATUS-Widespread and common throughout.
    132069.jpg
  • COMMON CLUB-RUSH Schoenoplectus lacustris. Height to 3m. Tall, grey-green perennial of river margins and fresh and brackish marshes. Flowers stalked, egg-shaped brown spikelets bourne in clusters (June-Aug). Fruits greyish brown. Leaves narrow and submereged. Status locally common.
    132016.jpg
  • PARSLEY WATER-DROPWORT Oenanthe lachenalii (Apiaceae) Height to 1m. Upright, hairless perennial with solid, ridged stems. Found in damp meadows and marshes; tolerates brackish conditions. FLOWERS are white and borne in terminal umbels, 2-6cm across, with 6-15 rays (Jun-Sep). FRUITS are egg-shaped, ribbed and lack swollen, cocky bases (see next species). LEAVES are 2- or 3-pinnate with narrow to oval, flat leaflets, the whole recalling young, fresh Parsley leaves. STATUS-Locally common (mainly coastal) in England, Wales and Ireland; scarce in Scotland.
    131997.jpg
  • PARSLEY WATER-DROPWORT Oenanthe lachenalii (Apiaceae) Height to 1m. Upright, hairless perennial with solid, ridged stems. Found in damp meadows and marshes; tolerates brackish conditions. FLOWERS are white and borne in terminal umbels, 2-6cm across, with 6-15 rays (Jun-Sep). FRUITS are egg-shaped, ribbed and lack swollen, cocky bases (see next species). LEAVES are 2- or 3-pinnate with narrow to oval, flat leaflets, the whole recalling young, fresh Parsley leaves. STATUS-Locally common (mainly coastal) in England, Wales and Ireland; scarce in Scotland.
    131996.jpg
  • GRASS-OF-PARNASSUS Parnassia palustris (Saxifragaceae) Height to 25cm. Distinctive, tufted and hairless perennial of damp, peaty grassland, marshes and moors. FLOWERS are 15-20mm across and superficially buttercup-like, with 5 white petals and greenish veins; on upright stalks with clasping leaves (Jun-Sep). FRUITS are dry capsules. LEAVES are deep green; basal leaves are heart-shaped and stalked. STATUS-Locally common in N Britain and Ireland; scarce in, or absent from, the S.
    131741.jpg
  • JOINTED RUSH Juncus articulatus (Juncaceae) Height to 60cm. Creeping or tufted and upright perennial that grows in marshes and on damp heaths, moors and dune-slacks. FLOWERS are brown and borne in open, branched clusters (Jun-Aug). FRUITS are brown, egg-shaped and abruptly pointed at the tip. LEAVES are curved, narrow and flattened with a transverse joint. STATUS-Locally common.
    131387.jpg
  • LESSER MARSHWORT Apium inundatum (Apiaceae) * Creeping. Creeping and prostrate, hairless perennial with smooth stems. Found in damp ground, often on the margins of ponds and marshes, and sometimes growing submerged. FLOWERS are white and borne in small stalked umbels with 2-4 rays (Jun-Jul). FRUITS are narrow ovoid. LEAVES are pinnate with narrow, hair-like leaflets, not unlike those of some water-crowfoot species. STATUS-Widespread but rather local.
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  • CREEPING FORGET-ME-NOT Myosotis secunda (Boraginaceae) Height to 12cm. Creeping perennial with close-pressed hairs on its upright stems. Grows in watery ground on acid soils including bogs. FLOWERS are 6-8mm across and blue with 5 slightly notched lobes, the calyx divided more than halfway into teeth; borne in clusters (Jun-Aug). FRUITS are nutlets. Fruit stalks much longer than calyx. LEAVES are oblong. STATUS-Common in W and N Britain and Ireland; scarce or absent elsewhere.
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  • COMMON SPIKE-RUSH Eleocharis palustris (Cyperaceae) Height to 50cm. Creeping, hairless perennial with green, leafless stems. Grows in marshes and pond margins. FLOWERS are brown and borne in terminal, egg-shaped spikelets of 20-70 flowers (May-Jul). FRUITS are yellowish brown. LEAVES are reduced to brownish, basal sheaths on the stems. STATUS-Widespread and locally common throughout.
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  • JOINTED RUSH Juncus articulatus (Juncaceae) Height to 60cm. Creeping or tufted and upright perennial that grows in marshes and on damp heaths, moors and dune-slacks. FLOWERS are brown and borne in open, branched clusters (Jun-Aug). FRUITS are brown, egg-shaped and abruptly pointed at the tip. LEAVES are curved, narrow and flattened with a transverse joint. STATUS-Locally common.
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  • GRASS-OF-PARNASSUS Parnassia palustris (Saxifragaceae) Height to 25cm. Distinctive, tufted and hairless perennial of damp, peaty grassland, marshes and moors. FLOWERS are 15-20mm across and superficially buttercup-like, with 5 white petals and greenish veins; on upright stalks with clasping leaves (Jun-Sep). FRUITS are dry capsules. LEAVES are deep green; basal leaves are heart-shaped and stalked. STATUS-Locally common in N Britain and Ireland; scarce in, or absent from, the S.
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  • Marsh Frog Pelophylax ridibunda Length 11-13cm Relatively large and impressive frog, adults of which are often strikingly green with warts and dark spots. When singing (a croaking Whoa-aa-aa-aa) a male shows grey vocal sacs. Extremely tied to water, favouring still or very slow-flowing channels. Introduced to and established in coastal marshes in SE England.
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  • Marsh Frog Pelophylax ridibunda Length 11-13cm Relatively large and impressive frog, adults of which are often strikingly green with warts and dark spots. When singing (a croaking Whoa-aa-aa-aa) a male shows grey vocal sacs. Extremely tied to water, favouring still or very slow-flowing channels. Introduced to and established in coastal marshes in SE England.
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  • Cetti’s Warbler Cettia cetti L 14cm. Unobtrusive wetland warbler whose loud song is heard more than bird is seen. Sexes are similar. Adult and juvenile have dark reddish brown upperparts, including tail. Underparts are pale: has whitish throat, grey face and breast, grey-buff belly. Legs are reddish and bill is dark-tipped. Voice Utters a loud pluut call. Song is explosive chee, chippi-chippi-chippi. Most vocal in spring but snatches of song are heard at other times.<br />
Status Recent colonist, now a local resident of scrubby margins of marshes and clumps of bushes in extensive reedbeds.
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  • Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus schoenobaenus L 12-13cm. Well-marked wetland warbler with distinctive song. Sexes are similar. Adult has dark-streaked sandy brown upperparts and pale underparts, flushed orange-buff on breast and flanks. Head has dark-streaked crown, striking pale supercilium and dark eyestripe. Juvenile is similar but breast is faintly streaked. Voice Utters a sharp chek alarm call. Song comprises rasping and grating phrases interspersed with trills and whistles. Status Widespread summer visitor to rank marshy vegetation, scrub patches on fringes of reedbeds and overgrown ditches.
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  • Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus Wingspan 110-125cm.Graceful wetland raptor.  Adult male is mostly reddish brown with blue-grey head and grey tail. In flight, note patches of grey and reddish brown on wings, and black wingtips. Adult female is mainly dark brown with pale leading edge to wings and pale cap and chin. Tail is reddish brown. Juvenile is similar to an adult female but tail is dark brown. Voice – mainly silent. Status and habitat – Commonest in summer months, but some birds are present year-round. Usually seen in flight over marshes and reedbeds. Easiest to see in East Anglia.
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  • Jack Snipe Lymnocryptes minimus L 18-20cm. Dumpy wader. Much smaller than Snipe, with shorter bill and legs, and more striking head and back markings. Pumps body up and down as it walks. Easy to overlook: plumage is cryptic and bird is very reluctant to fly. Sexes and ages are similar. Adult and juvenile have mainly brown upperparts with intricate, cryptic dark feather markings. Note striking yellow stripes on back; greenish sheen sometimes discerned. Head is has dark and pale buff stripes, including forked, pale supercilium. Neck and breast are streaked and underparts are white. Voice Mostly silent. Status Non-breeding visitor in small numbers. Favours muddy margins of pools and marshes, where tangled dead rush and grass stems match its cryptic plumage.
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  • Redshank Tringa totanus L 28cm. Medium-sized wader with shrill alarm call. In flight, note white trailing edge to wings, white back and rump, and trailing red legs. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer is mainly grey-brown above and pale below but back is marked with dark spots and neck, breast and flanks are streaked. Note faint, pale supercilium and eyering; base of bill is reddish. In winter, has uniform grey-brown upperparts, head, neck and breast, with paler, mottled underparts. Bill and leg colours are dull. Juvenile recalls winter adult but plumage is overall browner, back feathers have pale marginal spots, and legs and base of bill are dull yellow. Voice Utters a yelping tiu-uu alarm call. Song is musical and yodelling. Status Locally common nesting species in damp grassland, moors and marshes. Migrants boost numbers outside breeding season and common on coasts in winter.
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  • Redshank Tringa totanus L 28cm. Medium-sized wader with shrill alarm call. In flight, note white trailing edge to wings, white back and rump, and trailing red legs. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer is mainly grey-brown above and pale below but back is marked with dark spots and neck, breast and flanks are streaked. Note faint, pale supercilium and eyering; base of bill is reddish. In winter, has uniform grey-brown upperparts, head, neck and breast, with paler, mottled underparts. Bill and leg colours are dull. Juvenile recalls winter adult but plumage is overall browner, back feathers have pale marginal spots, and legs and base of bill are dull yellow. Voice Utters a yelping tiu-uu alarm call. Song is musical and yodelling. Status Locally common nesting species in damp grassland, moors and marshes. Migrants boost numbers outside breeding season and common on coasts in winter.
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  • Redshank Tringa totanus L 28cm. Medium-sized wader with shrill alarm call. In flight, note white trailing edge to wings, white back and rump, and trailing red legs. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer is mainly grey-brown above and pale below but back is marked with dark spots and neck, breast and flanks are streaked. Note faint, pale supercilium and eyering; base of bill is reddish. In winter, has uniform grey-brown upperparts, head, neck and breast, with paler, mottled underparts. Bill and leg colours are dull. Juvenile recalls winter adult but plumage is overall browner, back feathers have pale marginal spots, and legs and base of bill are dull yellow. Voice Utters a yelping tiu-uu alarm call. Song is musical and yodelling. Status Locally common nesting species in damp grassland, moors and marshes. Migrants boost numbers outside breeding season and common on coasts in winter.
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  • Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus L 35-40cm. Well-marked owl that often hunts in daylight. Flight is leisurely, often with stiffly-held wings. Perches on fenceposts. Sexes are similar. Adult and juvenile have buffish brown plumage, heavily spotted and streaked on upperparts; underparts are streaked but paler. Facial disc is rounded; note yellow eyes and short ‘ear’ tufts. Voice Displaying birds sometimes uttera deep hoots. Status Local and rather scarce. Nests on upland moors but outside breeding season favours lowland marshes, grassland and heaths, particularly near coasts. Influx of birds from Europe boosts winter numbers.
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  • Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus L 35-40cm. Well-marked owl that often hunts in daylight. Flight is leisurely, often with stiffly-held wings. Perches on fenceposts. Sexes are similar. Adult and juvenile have buffish brown plumage, heavily spotted and streaked on upperparts; underparts are streaked but paler. Facial disc is rounded; note yellow eyes and short ‘ear’ tufts. Voice Displaying birds sometimes uttera deep hoots. Status Local and rather scarce. Nests on upland moors but outside breeding season favours lowland marshes, grassland and heaths, particularly near coasts. Influx of birds from Europe boosts winter numbers.
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  • Redshank Tringa totanus L 28cm. Medium-sized wader with shrill alarm call. In flight, note white trailing edge to wings, white back and rump, and trailing red legs. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer is mainly grey-brown above and pale below but back is marked with dark spots and neck, breast and flanks are streaked. Note faint, pale supercilium and eyering; base of bill is reddish. In winter, has uniform grey-brown upperparts, head, neck and breast, with paler, mottled underparts. Bill and leg colours are dull. Juvenile recalls winter adult but plumage is overall browner, back feathers have pale marginal spots, and legs and base of bill are dull yellow. Voice Utters a yelping tiu-uu alarm call. Song is musical and yodelling. Status Locally common nesting species in damp grassland, moors and marshes. Migrants boost numbers outside breeding season and common on coasts in winter.
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  • Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybridus (L 24-27cm) is more like a miniature Common Tern in breeding plumage but at other times it is mainly white with pale grey upperwings and blackish speckling on hindcrown.
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  • White-winged Black Tern Chlidonias leucopterus (L 20-24cm) in breeding plumage is mainly black with pale grey upperwings, pale grey flight feathers seen from below and white rump, stern and tail are pure white; at other times it is grey above and white below with a whitish collar and rump, and dark ear spot.
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  • White-winged Black Tern Chlidonias leucopterus (L 20-24cm) in breeding plumage is mainly black with pale grey upperwings, pale grey flight feathers seen from below and white rump, stern and tail are pure white; at other times it is grey above and white below with a whitish collar and rump, and dark ear spot.
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  • Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus schoenobaenus L 12-13cm. Well-marked wetland warbler with distinctive song. Sexes are similar. Adult has dark-streaked sandy brown upperparts and pale underparts, flushed orange-buff on breast and flanks. Head has dark-streaked crown, striking pale supercilium and dark eyestripe. Juvenile is similar but breast is faintly streaked. Voice Utters a sharp chek alarm call. Song comprises rasping and grating phrases interspersed with trills and whistles. Status Widespread summer visitor to rank marshy vegetation, scrub patches on fringes of reedbeds and overgrown ditches.
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  • White-winged Black Tern Chlidonias leucopterus (L 20-24cm) in breeding plumage is mainly black with pale grey upperwings, pale grey flight feathers seen from below and white rump, stern and tail are pure white; at other times it is grey above and white below with a whitish collar and rump, and dark ear spot.
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  • Redshank Tringa totanus L 28cm. Medium-sized wader with shrill alarm call. In flight, note white trailing edge to wings, white back and rump, and trailing red legs. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer is mainly grey-brown above and pale below but back is marked with dark spots and neck, breast and flanks are streaked. Note faint, pale supercilium and eyering; base of bill is reddish. In winter, has uniform grey-brown upperparts, head, neck and breast, with paler, mottled underparts. Bill and leg colours are dull. Juvenile recalls winter adult but plumage is overall browner, back feathers have pale marginal spots, and legs and base of bill are dull yellow. Voice Utters a yelping tiu-uu alarm call. Song is musical and yodelling. Status Locally common nesting species in damp grassland, moors and marshes. Migrants boost numbers outside breeding season and common on coasts in winter.
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  • Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus Wingspan 110-125cm.Graceful wetland raptor.  Adult male is mostly reddish brown with blue-grey head and grey tail. In flight, note patches of grey and reddish brown on wings, and black wingtips. Adult female is mainly dark brown with pale leading edge to wings and pale cap and chin. Tail is reddish brown. Juvenile is similar to an adult female but tail is dark brown. Voice – mainly silent. Status and habitat – Commonest in summer months, but some birds are present year-round. Usually seen in flight over marshes and reedbeds. Easiest to see in East Anglia.
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  • Redshank Tringa totanus L 28cm. Medium-sized wader with shrill alarm call. In flight, note white trailing edge to wings, white back and rump, and trailing red legs. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer is mainly grey-brown above and pale below but back is marked with dark spots and neck, breast and flanks are streaked. Note faint, pale supercilium and eyering; base of bill is reddish. In winter, has uniform grey-brown upperparts, head, neck and breast, with paler, mottled underparts. Bill and leg colours are dull. Juvenile recalls winter adult but plumage is overall browner, back feathers have pale marginal spots, and legs and base of bill are dull yellow. Voice Utters a yelping tiu-uu alarm call. Song is musical and yodelling. Status Locally common nesting species in damp grassland, moors and marshes. Migrants boost numbers outside breeding season and common on coasts in winter.
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  • Redshank Tringa totanus L 28cm. Medium-sized wader with shrill alarm call. In flight, note white trailing edge to wings, white back and rump, and trailing red legs. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer is mainly grey-brown above and pale below but back is marked with dark spots and neck, breast and flanks are streaked. Note faint, pale supercilium and eyering; base of bill is reddish. In winter, has uniform grey-brown upperparts, head, neck and breast, with paler, mottled underparts. Bill and leg colours are dull. Juvenile recalls winter adult but plumage is overall browner, back feathers have pale marginal spots, and legs and base of bill are dull yellow. Voice Utters a yelping tiu-uu alarm call. Song is musical and yodelling. Status Locally common nesting species in damp grassland, moors and marshes. Migrants boost numbers outside breeding season and common on coasts in winter.
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  • Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus Wingspan 110-125cm.Graceful wetland raptor.  Adult male is mostly reddish brown with blue-grey head and grey tail. In flight, note patches of grey and reddish brown on wings, and black wingtips. Adult female is mainly dark brown with pale leading edge to wings and pale cap and chin. Tail is reddish brown. Juvenile is similar to an adult female but tail is dark brown. Voice – mainly silent. Status and habitat – Commonest in summer months, but some birds are present year-round. Usually seen in flight over marshes and reedbeds. Easiest to see in East Anglia.
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  • Redshank Tringa totanus L 28cm. Medium-sized wader with shrill alarm call. In flight, note white trailing edge to wings, white back and rump, and trailing red legs. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer is mainly grey-brown above and pale below but back is marked with dark spots and neck, breast and flanks are streaked. Note faint, pale supercilium and eyering; base of bill is reddish. In winter, has uniform grey-brown upperparts, head, neck and breast, with paler, mottled underparts. Bill and leg colours are dull. Juvenile recalls winter adult but plumage is overall browner, back feathers have pale marginal spots, and legs and base of bill are dull yellow. Voice Utters a yelping tiu-uu alarm call. Song is musical and yodelling. Status Locally common nesting species in damp grassland, moors and marshes. Migrants boost numbers outside breeding season and common on coasts in winter.
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  • Cetti’s Warbler Cettia cetti L 14cm. Unobtrusive wetland warbler whose loud song is heard more than bird is seen. Sexes are similar. Adult and juvenile have dark reddish brown upperparts, including tail. Underparts are pale: has whitish throat, grey face and breast, grey-buff belly. Legs are reddish and bill is dark-tipped. Voice Utters a loud pluut call. Song is explosive chee, chippi-chippi-chippi. Most vocal in spring but snatches of song are heard at other times. Status Recent colonist, now a local resident of scrubby margins of marshes and clumps of bushes in extensive reedbeds.
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  • Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus schoenobaenus L 12-13cm. Well-marked wetland warbler with distinctive song. Sexes are similar. Adult has dark-streaked sandy brown upperparts and pale underparts, flushed orange-buff on breast and flanks. Head has dark-streaked crown, striking pale supercilium and dark eyestripe. Juvenile is similar but breast is faintly streaked. Voice Utters a sharp chek alarm call. Song comprises rasping and grating phrases interspersed with trills and whistles. Status Widespread summer visitor to rank marshy vegetation, scrub patches on fringes of reedbeds and overgrown ditches.
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  • Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus Wingspan 110-125cm.Graceful wetland raptor.  Adult male is mostly reddish brown with blue-grey head and grey tail. In flight, note patches of grey and reddish brown on wings, and black wingtips. Adult female is mainly dark brown with pale leading edge to wings and pale cap and chin. Tail is reddish brown. Juvenile is similar to an adult female but tail is dark brown. Voice – mainly silent. Status and habitat – Commonest in summer months, but some birds are present year-round. Usually seen in flight over marshes and reedbeds. Easiest to see in East Anglia.
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  • Rough-legged Buzzard Buteo lagopus Wingspan 125-140cm. Similar to Buzzard but most individuals are separable using plumage details and behaviour. In flight and from above, the pale base to the tail gives the Rough-legged Buzzard a white-rumped appearance. Hovers more frequently than Buzzards. Adult male has brown upperparts, except for white tail with a dark terminal band and smaller second bar. From below, underparts are pale except for dark head, carpal patches, wing tips and trailing edge to wing; pale tail is tipped with two dark bands. Adult female is similar but has a dark belly and single dark terminal band on tail. Juvenile is similar to adult female but dark markings are indistinct. Voice - mainly silent. Status and habitat – A winter visitor to Britain, mainly to East coast, and usually between October and March. Favours coastal marshes and grassland.
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  • Rough-legged Buzzard Buteo lagopus Wingspan 125-140cm. Similar to Buzzard but most individuals are separable using plumage details and behaviour. In flight and from above, the pale base to the tail gives the Rough-legged Buzzard a white-rumped appearance. Hovers more frequently than Buzzards. Adult male has brown upperparts, except for white tail with a dark terminal band and smaller second bar. From below, underparts are pale except for dark head, carpal patches, wing tips and trailing edge to wing; pale tail is tipped with two dark bands. Adult female is similar but has a dark belly and single dark terminal band on tail. Juvenile is similar to adult female but dark markings are indistinct. Voice - mainly silent. Status and habitat – A winter visitor to Britain, mainly to East coast, and usually between October and March. Favours coastal marshes and grassland.
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  • White-winged Black Tern Chlidonias leucopterus (L 20-24cm) in breeding plumage is mainly black with pale grey upperwings, pale grey flight feathers seen from below and white rump, stern and tail are pure white; at other times it is grey above and white below with a whitish collar and rump, and dark ear spot.
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  • White-winged Black Tern Chlidonias leucopterus (L 20-24cm) in breeding plumage is mainly black with pale grey upperwings, pale grey flight feathers seen from below and white rump, stern and tail are pure white; at other times it is grey above and white below with a whitish collar and rump, and dark ear spot.
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  • Redshank Tringa totanus L 28cm. Medium-sized wader with shrill alarm call. In flight, note white trailing edge to wings, white back and rump, and trailing red legs. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer is mainly grey-brown above and pale below but back is marked with dark spots and neck, breast and flanks are streaked. Note faint, pale supercilium and eyering; base of bill is reddish. In winter, has uniform grey-brown upperparts, head, neck and breast, with paler, mottled underparts. Bill and leg colours are dull. Juvenile recalls winter adult but plumage is overall browner, back feathers have pale marginal spots, and legs and base of bill are dull yellow. Voice Utters a yelping tiu-uu alarm call. Song is musical and yodelling. Status Locally common nesting species in damp grassland, moors and marshes. Migrants boost numbers outside breeding season and common on coasts in winter.
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  • Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus Wingspan 110-125cm.Graceful wetland raptor.  Adult male is mostly reddish brown with blue-grey head and grey tail. In flight, note patches of grey and reddish brown on wings, and black wingtips. Adult female is mainly dark brown with pale leading edge to wings and pale cap and chin. Tail is reddish brown. Juvenile is similar to an adult female but tail is dark brown. Voice – mainly silent. Status and habitat – Commonest in summer months, but some birds are present year-round. Usually seen in flight over marshes and reedbeds. Easiest to see in East Anglia.
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