Nature Photographers Ltd

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

Search Results

Refine Search
Match all words
Match any word
Prints
Personal Use
Royalty-Free
Rights-Managed
(leave unchecked to
search all images)
Next
{ 6214 images found }
twitterlinkedinfacebook

Loading ()...

  • Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus - Male. L 14cm. Colourful Robin-sized bird. Dark-centred red tail is pumped up and down when perched. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has grey back, nape and crown, black face and throat, and orange-red underparts (most colourful on breast). Note white forehead and supercilium. Adult female has grey-brown upperparts and head, and orange wash to pale underparts. 1st winter birds recall respective adult plumages but feathers have pale margins. Voice Utters a soft huiit call. Song is tuneful but melancholy. Status Locally common summer visitor to open woodland with plenty of tree holes for nesting and limited ground cover.
    154139.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.
    155211.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.
    115705.jpg
  • Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo L 80-100cm. Dark water bird with heavy, hook-tipped bill. Swims low in water, propelled by large webbed feet. Wings often held outstretched when perched. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer is mainly dark with an oily sheen and black-bordered brownish feathers on wings, and white on thigh and head. Eye is green; skin at base of bill is yellowish. In winter, white feathering is absent. Juvenile has brown upperparts and whitish underparts. Voice Silent except at nest. Status Common, favouring sheltered seas and large freshwater lakes. Breeds colonially.
    153865.jpg
  • Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo L 80-100cm. Dark water bird with heavy, hook-tipped bill. Swims low in water, propelled by large webbed feet. Wings often held outstretched when perched. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer is mainly dark with an oily sheen and black-bordered brownish feathers on wings, and white on thigh and head. Eye is green; skin at base of bill is yellowish. In winter, white feathering is absent. Juvenile has brown upperparts and whitish underparts. Voice Silent except at nest. Status Common, favouring sheltered seas and large freshwater lakes. Breeds colonially.
    153866.jpg
  • Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo L 80-100cm. Dark water bird with heavy, hook-tipped bill. Swims low in water, propelled by large webbed feet. Wings often held outstretched when perched. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer is mainly dark with an oily sheen and black-bordered brownish feathers on wings, and white on thigh and head. Eye is green; skin at base of bill is yellowish. In winter, white feathering is absent. Juvenile has brown upperparts and whitish underparts. Voice Silent except at nest. Status Common, favouring sheltered seas and large freshwater lakes. Breeds colonially.
    153868.jpg
  • Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo L 80-100cm. Dark water bird with heavy, hook-tipped bill. Swims low in water, propelled by large webbed feet. Wings often held outstretched when perched. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer is mainly dark with an oily sheen and black-bordered brownish feathers on wings, and white on thigh and head. Eye is green; skin at base of bill is yellowish. In winter, white feathering is absent. Juvenile has brown upperparts and whitish underparts. Voice Silent except at nest. Status Common, favouring sheltered seas and large freshwater lakes. Breeds colonially.
    128775.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.
    129117.jpg
  • Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus L 14cm. Colourful Robin-sized bird. Dark-centred red tail is pumped up and down when perched. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has grey back, nape and crown, black face and throat, and orange-red underparts (most colourful on breast). Note white forehead and supercilium. Adult female has grey-brown upperparts and head, and orange wash to pale underparts. 1st winter birds recall respective adult plumages but feathers have pale margins. Voice Utters a soft huiit call. Song is tuneful but melancholy. Status Locally common summer visitor to open woodland with plenty of tree holes for nesting and limited ground cover.
    129287.jpg
  • Dartford Warbler Sylvia undata (L 12-13cm), often seen perched on a Gorse spray with its tail cocked up, is emblematic of heathland conservation. Adults have blue-grey upperparts, reddish underparts with a white belly, a beady red eye and reddish eyering, and pinkish yellow legs; males are brighter than females. The species is often first detected by sound: it utters a tchrr-tche alarm call and has a rapid, scratchy warbling song. Dartford Warblers are restricted to Gorse-covered heathland areas in southern England and are mainly resident.
    133586.jpg
  • Dartford Warbler Sylvia undata (L 12-13cm), often seen perched on a Gorse spray with its tail cocked up, is emblematic of heathland conservation. Adults have blue-grey upperparts, reddish underparts with a white belly, a beady red eye and reddish eyering, and pinkish yellow legs; males are brighter than females. The species is often first detected by sound: it utters a tchrr-tche alarm call and has a rapid, scratchy warbling song. Dartford Warblers are restricted to Gorse-covered heathland areas in southern England and are mainly resident.
    133620.jpg
  • Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus L 14cm. Colourful Robin-sized bird. Dark-centred red tail is pumped up and down when perched. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has grey back, nape and crown, black face and throat, and orange-red underparts (most colourful on breast). Note white forehead and supercilium. Adult female has grey-brown upperparts and head, and orange wash to pale underparts. 1st winter birds recall respective adult plumages but feathers have pale margins. Voice Utters a soft huiit call. Song is tuneful but melancholy. Status Locally common summer visitor to open woodland with plenty of tree holes for nesting and limited ground cover.
    143081.jpg
  • Dartford Warbler Sylvia undata (L 12-13cm), often seen perched on a Gorse spray with its tail cocked up, is emblematic of heathland conservation. Adults have blue-grey upperparts, reddish underparts with a white belly, a beady red eye and reddish eyering, and pinkish yellow legs; males are brighter than females. The species is often first detected by sound: it utters a tchrr-tche alarm call and has a rapid, scratchy warbling song. Dartford Warblers are restricted to Gorse-covered heathland areas in southern England and are mainly resident.
    143144.jpg
  • Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus L 14cm. Colourful Robin-sized bird. Dark-centred red tail is pumped up and down when perched. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has grey back, nape and crown, black face and throat, and orange-red underparts (most colourful on breast). Note white forehead and supercilium. Adult female has grey-brown upperparts and head, and orange wash to pale underparts. 1st winter birds recall respective adult plumages but feathers have pale margins. Voice Utters a soft huiit call. Song is tuneful but melancholy. Status Locally common summer visitor to open woodland with plenty of tree holes for nesting and limited ground cover.
    143153.jpg
  • Dartford Warbler Sylvia undata (L 12-13cm), often seen perched on a Gorse spray with its tail cocked up, is emblematic of heathland conservation. Adults have blue-grey upperparts, reddish underparts with a white belly, a beady red eye and reddish eyering, and pinkish yellow legs; males are brighter than females. The species is often first detected by sound: it utters a tchrr-tche alarm call and has a rapid, scratchy warbling song. Dartford Warblers are restricted to Gorse-covered heathland areas in southern England and are mainly resident.
    145043.jpg
  • Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus L 14cm. Colourful Robin-sized bird. Dark-centred red tail is pumped up and down when perched. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has grey back, nape and crown, black face and throat, and orange-red underparts (most colourful on breast). Note white forehead and supercilium. Adult female has grey-brown upperparts and head, and orange wash to pale underparts. 1st winter birds recall respective adult plumages but feathers have pale margins. Voice Utters a soft huiit call. Song is tuneful but melancholy. Status Locally common summer visitor to open woodland with plenty of tree holes for nesting and limited ground cover.
    145819.jpg
  • Dartford Warbler Sylvia undata (L 12-13cm), often seen perched on a Gorse spray with its tail cocked up, is emblematic of heathland conservation. Adults have blue-grey upperparts, reddish underparts with a white belly, a beady red eye and reddish eyering, and pinkish yellow legs; males are brighter than females. The species is often first detected by sound: it utters a tchrr-tche alarm call and has a rapid, scratchy warbling song. Dartford Warblers are restricted to Gorse-covered heathland areas in southern England and are mainly resident.
    157232.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.
    155043.jpg
  • Stonechat Saxicola torquata - Male at nest. L 12-13cm. Small, compact bird. When perched, flicks short, dark tail and utters harsh alarm call. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has blackish head, white on side of neck, and dark back. Breast is orange-red, grading into pale underparts. In autumn, pale feather fringes make head appear paler. Adult female is similar but colours are muted and plumage is more streaked. 1st winter bird has streaked sandy brown upperparts and head, and buffish orange underparts. Voice Utters harsh tchak call, like two pebbles knocked together. Song is rapid and warbling. Status Locally common heaths, commons and gorse-covered slopes near coast. Some dispersal, mainly to coasts, occurs in winter.
    120944.jpg
  • Redstart - Phoenicurus phoenicurus - Male. L 14cm. Colourful Robin-sized bird. Dark-centred red tail is pumped up and down when perched. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has grey back, nape and crown, black face and throat, and orange-red underparts (most colourful on breast). Note white forehead and supercilium. Adult female has grey-brown upperparts and head, and orange wash to pale underparts. 1st winter birds recall respective adult plumages but feathers have pale margins. Voice Utters a soft huiit call. Song is tuneful but melancholy. Status Locally common summer visitor to open woodland with plenty of tree holes for nesting and limited ground cover.
    154384.jpg
  • Redstart - Phoenicurus phoenicurus - female. L 14cm. Colourful Robin-sized bird. Dark-centred red tail is pumped up and down when perched. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has grey back, nape and crown, black face and throat, and orange-red underparts (most colourful on breast). Note white forehead and supercilium. Adult female has grey-brown upperparts and head, and orange wash to pale underparts. 1st winter birds recall respective adult plumages but feathers have pale margins. Voice Utters a soft huiit call. Song is tuneful but melancholy. Status Locally common summer visitor to open woodland with plenty of tree holes for nesting and limited ground cover.
    154385.jpg
  • Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo L 80-100cm. Dark water bird with heavy, hook-tipped bill. Swims low in water, propelled by large webbed feet. Wings often held outstretched when perched. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer is mainly dark with an oily sheen and black-bordered brownish feathers on wings, and white on thigh and head. Eye is green; skin at base of bill is yellowish. In winter, white feathering is absent. Juvenile has brown upperparts and whitish underparts. Voice Silent except at nest. Status Common, favouring sheltered seas and large freshwater lakes. Breeds colonially.
    153867.jpg
  • Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo L 80-100cm. Dark water bird with heavy, hook-tipped bill. Swims low in water, propelled by large webbed feet. Wings often held outstretched when perched. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer is mainly dark with an oily sheen and black-bordered brownish feathers on wings, and white on thigh and head. Eye is green; skin at base of bill is yellowish. In winter, white feathering is absent. Juvenile has brown upperparts and whitish underparts. Voice Silent except at nest. Status Common, favouring sheltered seas and large freshwater lakes. Breeds colonially.
    153869.jpg
  • Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo L 80-100cm. Dark water bird with heavy, hook-tipped bill. Swims low in water, propelled by large webbed feet. Wings often held outstretched when perched. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer is mainly dark with an oily sheen and black-bordered brownish feathers on wings, and white on thigh and head. Eye is green; skin at base of bill is yellowish. In winter, white feathering is absent. Juvenile has brown upperparts and whitish underparts. Voice Silent except at nest. Status Common, favouring sheltered seas and large freshwater lakes. Breeds colonially.
    153870.jpg
  • Stonechat Saxicola torquata - Female. L 12-13cm. Small, compact bird. When perched, flicks short, dark tail and utters harsh alarm call. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has blackish head, white on side of neck, and dark back. Breast is orange-red, grading into pale underparts. In autumn, pale feather fringes make head appear paler. Adult female is similar but colours are muted and plumage is more streaked. 1st winter bird has streaked sandy brown upperparts and head, and buffish orange underparts. Voice Utters harsh tchak call, like two pebbles knocked together. Song is rapid and warbling. Status Locally common heaths, commons and gorse-covered slopes near coast. Some dispersal, mainly to coasts, occurs in winter.
    154192.jpg
  • Stonechat Saxicola torquata - Female. L 12-13cm. Small, compact bird. When perched, flicks short, dark tail and utters harsh alarm call. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has blackish head, white on side of neck, and dark back. Breast is orange-red, grading into pale underparts. In autumn, pale feather fringes make head appear paler. Adult female is similar but colours are muted and plumage is more streaked. 1st winter bird has streaked sandy brown upperparts and head, and buffish orange underparts. Voice Utters harsh tchak call, like two pebbles knocked together. Song is rapid and warbling. Status Locally common heaths, commons and gorse-covered slopes near coast. Some dispersal, mainly to coasts, occurs in winter.
    154193.jpg
  • Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo L 80-100cm. Dark water bird with heavy, hook-tipped bill. Swims low in water, propelled by large webbed feet. Wings often held outstretched when perched. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer is mainly dark with an oily sheen and black-bordered brownish feathers on wings, and white on thigh and head. Eye is green; skin at base of bill is yellowish. In winter, white feathering is absent. Juvenile has brown upperparts and whitish underparts. Voice Silent except at nest. Status Common, favouring sheltered seas and large freshwater lakes. Breeds colonially.
    101366.jpg
  • Dartford Warbler Sylvia undata (L 12-13cm), often seen perched on a Gorse spray with its tail cocked up, is emblematic of heathland conservation. Adults have blue-grey upperparts, reddish underparts with a white belly, a beady red eye and reddish eyering, and pinkish yellow legs; males are brighter than females. The species is often first detected by sound: it utters a tchrr-tche alarm call and has a rapid, scratchy warbling song. Dartford Warblers are restricted to Gorse-covered heathland areas in southern England and are mainly resident.
    143143.jpg
  • Dartford Warbler Sylvia undata (L 12-13cm), often seen perched on a Gorse spray with its tail cocked up, is emblematic of heathland conservation. Adults have blue-grey upperparts, reddish underparts with a white belly, a beady red eye and reddish eyering, and pinkish yellow legs; males are brighter than females. The species is often first detected by sound: it utters a tchrr-tche alarm call and has a rapid, scratchy warbling song. Dartford Warblers are restricted to Gorse-covered heathland areas in southern England and are mainly resident.
    143146.jpg
  • Dartford Warbler Sylvia undata (L 12-13cm), often seen perched on a Gorse spray with its tail cocked up, is emblematic of heathland conservation. Adults have blue-grey upperparts, reddish underparts with a white belly, a beady red eye and reddish eyering, and pinkish yellow legs; males are brighter than females. The species is often first detected by sound: it utters a tchrr-tche alarm call and has a rapid, scratchy warbling song. Dartford Warblers are restricted to Gorse-covered heathland areas in southern England and are mainly resident.
    145044.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.
    145835.jpg
  • Redstart - Phoenicurus phoenicurus - female. L 14cm. Colourful Robin-sized bird. Dark-centred red tail is pumped up and down when perched. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has grey back, nape and crown, black face and throat, and orange-red underparts (most colourful on breast). Note white forehead and supercilium. Adult female has grey-brown upperparts and head, and orange wash to pale underparts. 1st winter birds recall respective adult plumages but feathers have pale margins. Voice Utters a soft huiit call. Song is tuneful but melancholy. Status Locally common summer visitor to open woodland with plenty of tree holes for nesting and limited ground cover.
    157998.jpg
  • Stonechat Saxicola torquata - Juvenile/First winter. L 12-13cm. Small, compact bird. When perched, flicks short, dark tail and utters harsh alarm call. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has blackish head, white on side of neck, and dark back. Breast is orange-red, grading into pale underparts. In autumn, pale feather fringes make head appear paler. Adult female is similar but colours are muted and plumage is more streaked. 1st winter bird has streaked sandy brown upperparts and head, and buffish orange underparts. Voice Utters harsh tchak call, like two pebbles knocked together. Song is rapid and warbling. Status Locally common heaths, commons and gorse-covered slopes near coast. Some dispersal, mainly to coasts, occurs in winter.<br />
nature photographers #
    155951.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.
    155212.jpg
  • Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus - Male. L 14cm. Colourful Robin-sized bird. Dark-centred red tail is pumped up and down when perched. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has grey back, nape and crown, black face and throat, and orange-red underparts (most colourful on breast). Note white forehead and supercilium. Adult female has grey-brown upperparts and head, and orange wash to pale underparts. 1st winter birds recall respective adult plumages but feathers have pale margins. Voice Utters a soft huiit call. Song is tuneful but melancholy. Status Locally common summer visitor to open woodland with plenty of tree holes for nesting and limited ground cover.
    154140.jpg
  • Siberian Stonechat Saxicola maurus - Male. L 12-13cm. Small, compact bird. When perched, flicks short, dark tail and utters harsh alarm call. Sexes are dissimilar. All birds have a pale, unmarked rump. Adult male has blackish head, white on side of neck, and dark back. Breast is orange-red, grading into pale underparts. In autumn, pale feather fringes make head appear paler. Adult female is similar but colours are muted and plumage is more streaked. 1st winter bird has streaked sandy brown upperparts and head, and buffish orange underparts. Voice Utters harsh tchak call, like two pebbles knocked together. Song is rapid and warbling. Status Breeds in Siberia and central Asia and winters in southern Asia. Vagrant in Europe.
    154191.jpg
  • Stonechat Saxicola torquata L 12-13cm. Small, compact bird. When perched, flicks short, dark tail and utters harsh alarm call. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has blackish head, white on side of neck, and dark back. Breast is orange-red, grading into pale underparts. In autumn, pale feather fringes make head appear paler. Adult female is similar but colours are muted and plumage is more streaked. 1st winter bird has streaked sandy brown upperparts and head, and buffish orange underparts. Voice Utters harsh tchak call, like two pebbles knocked together. Song is rapid and warbling. Status Locally common heaths, commons and gorse-covered slopes near coast. Some dispersal, mainly to coasts, occurs in winter.
    120946.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.
    124708.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.
    129107.jpg
  • Stonechat Saxicola torquata L 12-13cm. Small, compact bird. When perched, flicks short, dark tail and utters harsh alarm call. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has blackish head, white on side of neck, and dark back. Breast is orange-red, grading into pale underparts. In autumn, pale feather fringes make head appear paler. Adult female is similar but colours are muted and plumage is more streaked. 1st winter bird has streaked sandy brown upperparts and head, and buffish orange underparts. Voice Utters harsh tchak call, like two pebbles knocked together. Song is rapid and warbling. Status Locally common heaths, commons and gorse-covered slopes near coast. Some dispersal, mainly to coasts, occurs in winter.
    136148.jpg
  • Stonechat Saxicola torquata L 12-13cm. Small, compact bird. When perched, flicks short, dark tail and utters harsh alarm call. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has blackish head, white on side of neck, and dark back. Breast is orange-red, grading into pale underparts. In autumn, pale feather fringes make head appear paler. Adult female is similar but colours are muted and plumage is more streaked. 1st winter bird has streaked sandy brown upperparts and head, and buffish orange underparts. Voice Utters harsh tchak call, like two pebbles knocked together. Song is rapid and warbling. Status Locally common heaths, commons and gorse-covered slopes near coast. Some dispersal, mainly to coasts, occurs in winter.
    136149.jpg
  • Stonechat Saxicola torquata L 12-13cm. Small, compact bird. When perched, flicks short, dark tail and utters harsh alarm call. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has blackish head, white on side of neck, and dark back. Breast is orange-red, grading into pale underparts. In autumn, pale feather fringes make head appear paler. Adult female is similar but colours are muted and plumage is more streaked. 1st winter bird has streaked sandy brown upperparts and head, and buffish orange underparts. Voice Utters harsh tchak call, like two pebbles knocked together. Song is rapid and warbling. Status Locally common heaths, commons and gorse-covered slopes near coast. Some dispersal, mainly to coasts, occurs in winter.
    144044.jpg
  • Stonechat Saxicola torquata L 12-13cm. Small, compact bird. When perched, flicks short, dark tail and utters harsh alarm call. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has blackish head, white on side of neck, and dark back. Breast is orange-red, grading into pale underparts. In autumn, pale feather fringes make head appear paler. Adult female is similar but colours are muted and plumage is more streaked. 1st winter bird has streaked sandy brown upperparts and head, and buffish orange underparts. Voice Utters harsh tchak call, like two pebbles knocked together. Song is rapid and warbling. Status Locally common heaths, commons and gorse-covered slopes near coast. Some dispersal, mainly to coasts, occurs in winter.
    144045.jpg
  • Dartford Warbler - Sylvia undata. (L 12-13cm), often seen perched on a Gorse spray with its tail cocked up, is emblematic of heathland conservation. Adults have blue-grey upperparts, reddish underparts with a white belly, a beady red eye and reddish eyering, and pinkish yellow legs; males are brighter than females. The species is often first detected by sound: it utters a tchrr-tche alarm call and has a rapid, scratchy warbling song. Dartford Warblers are restricted to Gorse-covered heathland areas in southern England and are mainly resident.
    157986.jpg
  • Siberian Stonechat - Saxicola maurus Length 12-13cm Small, compact bird. Similar to European Stonechat Saxicola rubicola; formerly treated as a subspecies of that bird, but now elevated to species status. Diagnostic difference is white, unstreaked rump. When perched, flicks short, dark tail and utters harsh alarm call. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has blackish head, white on side of neck, and dark back, feathers fringed brown in winter. Compared to European Stonechat, underparts are paler and less colourful. Adult female is similar but colours are muted. 1st winter bird has streaked sandy brown upperparts and head, and buffish orange underparts. Utters harsh tchak call, like two pebbles knocked together. Song is rapid and warbling. Breeds across much of central Asia and winters further south. Vagrants turn up in western Europe, mainly in autumn.
    145656.jpg
  • 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.
    129241.jpg
  • Dunnock Prunella modularis L 13-14cm. House Sparrow-like bird with a thin, warbler-like bill. Mostly rather skulking. Sexes are similar. Adult has streaked chestnut-brown back. Underparts are mostly bluish grey but flanks are streaked with brown and chestnut. Face is bluish grey with brown streaking on ear coverts and crown. Bill is dark and legs are reddish pink. Juvenile is similar but has bolder streaking. Voice Song is warbler-like; usually delivered from prominent perch. Alarm call is a thin tseer. Status Common resident of woodlands, hedgerows and gardens with plenty of cover.
    156287.jpg
  • Dunnock Prunella modularis L 13-14cm. House Sparrow-like bird with a thin, warbler-like bill. Mostly rather skulking. Sexes are similar. Adult has streaked chestnut-brown back. Underparts are mostly bluish grey but flanks are streaked with brown and chestnut. Face is bluish grey with brown streaking on ear coverts and crown. Bill is dark and legs are reddish pink. Juvenile is similar but has bolder streaking. Voice Song is warbler-like; usually delivered from prominent perch. Alarm call is a thin tseer. Status Common resident of woodlands, hedgerows and gardens with plenty of cover.
    155063.jpg
  • Whitethroat Sylvia communis 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.
    153859.jpg
  • Dunnock Prunella modularis L 13-14cm. House Sparrow-like bird with a thin, warbler-like bill. Mostly rather skulking. Sexes are similar. Adult has streaked chestnut-brown back. Underparts are mostly bluish grey but flanks are streaked with brown and chestnut. Face is bluish grey with brown streaking on ear coverts and crown. Bill is dark and legs are reddish pink. Juvenile is similar but has bolder streaking. Voice Song is warbler-like; usually delivered from prominent perch. Alarm call is a thin tseer. Status Common resident of woodlands, hedgerows and gardens with plenty of cover.
    129517.jpg
  • Dunnock Prunella modularis L 13-14cm. House Sparrow-like bird with a thin, warbler-like bill. Mostly rather skulking. Sexes are similar. Adult has streaked chestnut-brown back. Underparts are mostly bluish grey but flanks are streaked with brown and chestnut. Face is bluish grey with brown streaking on ear coverts and crown. Bill is dark and legs are reddish pink. Juvenile is similar but has bolder streaking. Voice Song is warbler-like; usually delivered from prominent perch. Alarm call is a thin tseer. Status Common resident of woodlands, hedgerows and gardens with plenty of cover.
    143277.jpg
  • Dunnock Prunella modularis L 13-14cm. House Sparrow-like bird with a thin, warbler-like bill. Mostly rather skulking. Sexes are similar. Adult has streaked chestnut-brown back. Underparts are mostly bluish grey but flanks are streaked with brown and chestnut. Face is bluish grey with brown streaking on ear coverts and crown. Bill is dark and legs are reddish pink. Juvenile is similar but has bolder streaking. Voice Song is warbler-like; usually delivered from prominent perch. Alarm call is a thin tseer. Status Common resident of woodlands, hedgerows and gardens with plenty of cover.
    143282.jpg
  • Whitethroat Sylvia communis 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.
    143336.jpg
  • Whitethroat Sylvia communis 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.
    143338.jpg
  • Dunnock Prunella modularis L 13-14cm. House Sparrow-like bird with a thin, warbler-like bill. Mostly rather skulking. Sexes are similar. Adult has streaked chestnut-brown back. Underparts are mostly bluish grey but flanks are streaked with brown and chestnut. Face is bluish grey with brown streaking on ear coverts and crown. Bill is dark and legs are reddish pink. Juvenile is similar but has bolder streaking. Voice Song is warbler-like; usually delivered from prominent perch. Alarm call is a thin tseer. Status Common resident of woodlands, hedgerows and gardens with plenty of cover.
    144786.jpg
  • Whitethroat Sylvia communis 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.
    145459.jpg
  • Whitethroat Sylvia communis 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.
    157607.jpg
  • Dunnock Prunella modularis L 13-14cm. House Sparrow-like bird with a thin, warbler-like bill. Mostly rather skulking. Sexes are similar. Adult has streaked chestnut-brown back. Underparts are mostly bluish grey but flanks are streaked with brown and chestnut. Face is bluish grey with brown streaking on ear coverts and crown. Bill is dark and legs are reddish pink. Juvenile is similar but has bolder streaking. Voice Song is warbler-like; usually delivered from prominent perch. Alarm call is a thin tseer. Status Common resident of woodlands, hedgerows and gardens with plenty of cover.
    155062.jpg
  • Whitethroat Sylvia communis 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.
    153860.jpg
  • Whitethroat Sylvia communis 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.
    153862.jpg
  • Whitethroat Sylvia communis 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.
    154209.jpg
  • Dunnock Prunella modularis L 13-14cm. House Sparrow-like bird with a thin, warbler-like bill. Mostly rather skulking. Sexes are similar. Adult has streaked chestnut-brown back. Underparts are mostly bluish grey but flanks are streaked with brown and chestnut. Face is bluish grey with brown streaking on ear coverts and crown. Bill is dark and legs are reddish pink. Juvenile is similar but has bolder streaking. Voice Song is warbler-like; usually delivered from prominent perch. Alarm call is a thin tseer. Status Common resident of woodlands, hedgerows and gardens with plenty of cover.
    122754.jpg
  • Roller Coracias garrulus. Length 30-32cm. A colourful and unmistakeable bird of crow-like proportions and size, with a powerful, hook-tipped bill. Adult has a blue head, neck and underparts, palest on the forehead and with a narrow dark patch through the eye. The back is chestnut and the rump, tail and parts of the wing are bluish-purple. In flight, the wings look striking, the dark flight feathers contrasting with the paler blue coverts; note also the dark tips to the otherwise pale blue outer tail feathers. Juvenile has similar markings but the colours are much duller. The Roller breeds in southern Europe and winters in Africa, and most records in our region (four or five in a good year) occur around migration times. Vagrants are usually found in dry, open habitats such as heaths, and typically perch out in the open.
    129082.jpg
  • Whitethroat Sylvia communis 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.
    133679.jpg
  • Whitethroat Sylvia communis 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.
    133680.jpg
  • Whitethroat Sylvia communis 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.
    143334.jpg
  • Whitethroat Sylvia communis 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.
    143335.jpg
  • Whitethroat Sylvia communis 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.
    143339.jpg
  • Whitethroat Sylvia communis 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.
    153858.jpg
  • Whitethroat Sylvia communis 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.
    153861.jpg
  • Whitethroat Sylvia communis 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.
    154208.jpg
  • Whitethroat Sylvia communis 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.
    133677.jpg
  • Whitethroat Sylvia communis 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.
    133717.jpg
  • Kingfisher- Alcedo atthis - female. L 16-17cm. Dazzling bird with dagger-like bill. Perches on branches overhanging water and plunge-dives after small fish. Flies low over water on whirring wings. Excavates nest burrow in riverbank. Sexes are separable. Adult male has orange-red underparts, mainly blue upperparts with electric-blue back. Legs and feet are red and bill is all-dark. Adult female is similar but base of lower mandible is flushed red. Juvenile is similar to adult but bill tip is pale. Voice Utters high-pitched call in flight. Status Widespread resident of streams and lakes, commonest in lowland areas.
    157704.jpg
  • Black Redstart - Phoenicurus ochruros - female. (L 14cm) has benefited from urban sprawl and indeed often thrives in areas where industrial dereliction prevails. It is a bold bird that perches conspicuously, quivering striking red tail in an obvious manner. Adult males are particularly striking, with slate-grey body plumage darkest on the face and breast. By comparison, female and immature birds are rather drab, with mainly grey-brown body plumage. In a strange way, the Black Redstart’s song sometimes match its surroundings and includes curious crackling, static-like phrases. Between 50 and 100 pairs attempt to nest here each year but the species is more numerous as a passage migrant and occasional winter visitor to south coasts.
    157612.jpg
  • Black Redstart - Phoenicurus ochruros - immature. (L 14cm) has benefited from urban sprawl and indeed often thrives in areas where industrial dereliction prevails. It is a bold bird that perches conspicuously, quivering striking red tail in an obvious manner. Adult males are particularly striking, with slate-grey body plumage darkest on the face and breast. By comparison, female and immature birds are rather drab, with mainly grey-brown body plumage. In a strange way, the Black Redstart’s song sometimes match its surroundings and includes curious crackling, static-like phrases. Between 50 and 100 pairs attempt to nest here each year but the species is more numerous as a passage migrant and occasional winter visitor to south coasts.
    156997.jpg
  • Black Redstart - Phoenicurus ochruros - immature. (L 14cm) has benefited from urban sprawl and indeed often thrives in areas where industrial dereliction prevails. It is a bold bird that perches conspicuously, quivering striking red tail in an obvious manner. Adult males are particularly striking, with slate-grey body plumage darkest on the face and breast. By comparison, female and immature birds are rather drab, with mainly grey-brown body plumage. In a strange way, the Black Redstart’s song sometimes match its surroundings and includes curious crackling, static-like phrases. Between 50 and 100 pairs attempt to nest here each year but the species is more numerous as a passage migrant and occasional winter visitor to south coasts.
    156996.jpg
  • Bee-eater Merops apiaster L 26-29cm.Stunning bird that catches insects in flight. Sometimes perches on dead branches. Sexes are similar. Adult has chestnut crown and nape, grading to yellow on back and rump; uppertail is green and note 2 projecting central tail feathers. Underparts are blue except for black-bordered yellow throat. In flight, wings are chestnut and blue above. Juvenile is duller and lacks tail projections. Voice Utters a bubbling pruuupp call. Status Has bred here but best known as a rare migrant visitor in spring and autumn.
    156815.jpg
  • Bee-eater Merops apiaster L 26-29cm.Stunning bird that catches insects in flight. Sometimes perches on dead branches. Sexes are similar. Adult has chestnut crown and nape, grading to yellow on back and rump; uppertail is green and note 2 projecting central tail feathers. Underparts are blue except for black-bordered yellow throat. In flight, wings are chestnut and blue above. Juvenile is duller and lacks tail projections. Voice Utters a bubbling pruuupp call. Status Has bred here but best known as a rare migrant visitor in spring and autumn.
    156816.jpg
  • Bee-eater Merops apiaster L 26-29cm.Stunning bird that catches insects in flight. Sometimes perches on dead branches. Sexes are similar. Adult has chestnut crown and nape, grading to yellow on back and rump; uppertail is green and note 2 projecting central tail feathers. Underparts are blue except for black-bordered yellow throat. In flight, wings are chestnut and blue above. Juvenile is duller and lacks tail projections. Voice Utters a bubbling pruuupp call. Status Has bred here but best known as a rare migrant visitor in spring and autumn.
    156817.jpg
  • Bee-eater Merops apiaster L 26-29cm.Stunning bird that catches insects in flight. Sometimes perches on dead branches. Sexes are similar. Adult has chestnut crown and nape, grading to yellow on back and rump; uppertail is green and note 2 projecting central tail feathers. Underparts are blue except for black-bordered yellow throat. In flight, wings are chestnut and blue above. Juvenile is duller and lacks tail projections. Voice Utters a bubbling pruuupp call. Status Has bred here but best known as a rare migrant visitor in spring and autumn.
    156818.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.
    156385.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
  • Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata L 14cm. Charming, perky bird with unremarkable plumage. Recognised by upright posture and habit of making insect-catching aerial sorties from regular perches. Sexes are similar. Adult has grey-brown upperparts, streaked on crown, and pale greyish white underparts heavily streaked on breast. Juvenile is similar but has pale spots on back and dark spots on throat and breast. Voice Utters a thin tsee call. Song is simple and includes thin, call-like notes. Status Widespread summer visitor to open, sunny woodland, parks and gardens; often nests around habitation.
    155003.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
  • Red Kite Milvus milvus W 145-165cm. Graceful raptor, identified in flight by deeply forked tail (twisted to aid flight control) and long, bowed wings. Seldom spends much time on ground but sometimes perches in trees. Sexes are similar. Adult has pale grey head but otherwise mainly reddish brown plumage. Eye, base of bill and legs are yellow. In flight from below, note reddish brown body and underwing coverts, silvery grey tail and patch on primaries, and otherwise dark wings. From above, tail appears red while reddish brown back and wing coverts contrast with dark flight feathers. Juvenile resembles dull adult with pale margins to wing covert feathers. Voice Utters shrill calls in flight, like somebody whistling for their dog. Status As recently as late 1980’s, confined to central Wales. Re-introduction programmes mean it is now very locally common in England and Scotland as well.
    154129.jpg
  • Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata L 14cm. Charming, perky bird with unremarkable plumage. Recognised by upright posture and habit of making insect-catching aerial sorties from regular perches. Sexes are similar. Adult has grey-brown upperparts, streaked on crown, and pale greyish white underparts heavily streaked on breast. Juvenile is similar but has pale spots on back and dark spots on throat and breast. Voice Utters a thin tsee call. Song is simple and includes thin, call-like notes. Status Widespread summer visitor to open, sunny woodland, parks and gardens; often nests around habitation.
    154167.jpg
  • Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata L 14cm. Charming, perky bird with unremarkable plumage. Recognised by upright posture and habit of making insect-catching aerial sorties from regular perches. Sexes are similar. Adult has grey-brown upperparts, streaked on crown, and pale greyish white underparts heavily streaked on breast. Juvenile is similar but has pale spots on back and dark spots on throat and breast. Voice Utters a thin tsee call. Song is simple and includes thin, call-like notes. Status Widespread summer visitor to open, sunny woodland, parks and gardens; often nests around habitation.
    154168.jpg
  • Kestrel Falco tinnunculus W 65-80cm. Familiar small falcon that habitually hovers where look-out perches are not available. Feeds on small mammals, ground-dwelling birds and insects. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has spotted, orange-brown back, blue-grey head, and blue-grey tail with black terminal band. Underparts are creamy buff with bold black spots. In flight from above, dark outer wing contrasts with orange-brown inner wing and back. Adult female has barred brown upperparts and pale creamy buff underparts with dark spots. In flight from above, contrast between brown inner wing and dark outer wing is less distinct than with male and tail is barred. Juvenile resembles adult female but upperparts are more reddish brown. Voice Utters a shrill kee-kee-kee… Status Common and widespread in open, grassy places. Breeding success dependent upon prey populations, notably Short-tailed Voles and Wood Mice.
    113987.jpg
  • Woodchat Shrike Lanius senator. 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.
    119737.jpg
  • Bee-eater Merops apiaster L 26-29cm.Stunning bird that catches insects in flight. Sometimes perches on dead branches. Sexes are similar. Adult has chestnut crown and nape, grading to yellow on back and rump; uppertail is green and note 2 projecting central tail feathers. Underparts are blue except for black-bordered yellow throat. In flight, wings are chestnut and blue above. Juvenile is duller and lacks tail projections. Voice Utters a bubbling pruuupp call. Status Has bred here but best known as a rare migrant visitor in spring and autumn.
    127940.jpg
  • 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.
    128752.jpg
  • Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros (L 14cm) has benefited from urban sprawl and indeed often thrives in areas where industrial dereliction prevails. It is a bold bird that perches conspicuously, quivering striking red tail in an obvious manner. Adult males are particularly striking, with slate-grey body plumage darkest on the face and breast. By comparison, female and immature birds are rather drab, with mainly grey-brown body plumage. In a strange way, the Black Redstart’s song sometimes match its surroundings and includes curious crackling, static-like phrases. Between 50 and 100 pairs attempt to nest here each year but the species is more numerous as a passage migrant and occasional winter visitor to south coasts.
    129280.jpg
  • Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis L 15cm. Similar to Meadow Pipit but separable with care using plumage details, voice and habitat preferences. Sexes are similar. Adult has streaked sandy brown upperparts. Underparts are pale, whitish and unmarked on throat and belly but boldly streaked and flushed with yellow-buff on breast and flanks. Note striking pale supercilium and dark sub-moustachial stripe. Legs are pinkish and outer tail feathers are white. Juvenile is similar to adult. Voice Flight call is a buzzing spzzzt. Song (delivered in flight but starts and ends from different tree perches) comprises accelerating trill ending with thin notes. Status Widespread migrant summer visitor, commonest in W and N. Favours open woodland and heaths with scattered trees.
    133886.jpg
  • Merlin Falco columbarius 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.
    136097.jpg
  • Merlin Falco columbarius 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.
    136304.jpg
  • 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.
    136403.jpg
  • Kingfisher Alcedo atthis L 16-17cm. Dazzling bird with dagger-like bill. Perches on branches overhanging water and plunge-dives after small fish. Flies low over water on whirring wings. Excavates nest burrow in riverbank. Sexes are separable. Adult male has orange-red underparts, mainly blue upperparts with electric-blue back. Legs and feet are red and bill is all-dark. Adult female is similar but base of lower mandible is flushed red. Juvenile is similar to adult but bill tip is pale. Voice Utters high-pitched call in flight. Status Widespread resident of streams and lakes, commonest in lowland areas.
    136866.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.
    137269.jpg
  • Kingfisher Alcedo atthis L 16-17cm. Dazzling bird with dagger-like bill. Perches on branches overhanging water and plunge-dives after small fish. Flies low over water on whirring wings. Excavates nest burrow in riverbank. Sexes are separable. Adult male has orange-red underparts, mainly blue upperparts with electric-blue back. Legs and feet are red and bill is all-dark. Adult female is similar but base of lower mandible is flushed red. Juvenile is similar to adult but bill tip is pale. Voice Utters high-pitched call in flight. Status Widespread resident of streams and lakes, commonest in lowland areas.
    137563.jpg
Next