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
{ 184 images found }
twitterlinkedinfacebook

Loading ()...

  • Bembix rostrata - a protected species of sand wasp
    156777.jpg
  • Bembix rostrata - a protected species of sand wasp
    156819.jpg
  • Osprey - Pandion haliaetus
    160617.jpg
  • Pellenes tripunctatus - female. A jumping spider that is very rare (RDB1) in Britain. It only occurs on a few coastal shingle sites along the South Coast.
    157296.jpg
  • Dipoenas tristis - female. This rare species (Na) hunts in grass and heather on heathlands in Southern England and feeds on ants.
    157128.jpg
  • Blakeney Point, Norfolk, UK
    143178.jpg
  • Blakeney Point, Norfolk, UK
    143179.jpg
  • Snakeshead Fritillaries in full bloom in North Meadow Nature Reserve, Cricklade, Wiltshire, Uk
    154502.jpg
  • Osprey - Pandion haliaetus - adult bird USA
    160434.jpg
  • Pellenes tripunctatus - male. A jumping spider that is very rare (RDB1) in Britain. It only occurs on a few coastal shingle sites along the South Coast.
    157298.jpg
  • Pellenes tripunctatus - male. A jumping spider that is very rare (RDB1) in Britain. It only occurs on a few coastal shingle sites along the South Coast.
    157297.jpg
  • Pellenes tripunctatus - female. A jumping spider that is very rare (RDB1) in Britain. It only occurs on a few coastal shingle sites along the South Coast.
    157295.jpg
  • Trichopterna cito - male. A very rare RDB2 spider that only occurs in a few coastal locations in South East England on dunes and shingle.
    156839.jpg
  • Trichopterna cito - male. A very rare RDB2 spider that only occurs in a few coastal locations in South East England on dunes and shingle.
    156838.jpg
  • Yellow-Striped Bear Spider - Arctosa fulvolineata. A Wolf Spider specialist of saltmarshes.  It inhabits the upper shore amongst high tideline vegetation and debris. A Biodiversity Acton Plan RDB3 species in the UK as it is very rare and potentially vulnerable.
    155123.jpg
  • Blakeney Point, Norfolk, UK
    143177.jpg
  • Blakeney Point, Norfolk, UK
    143180.jpg
  • Cley Beach, Blakeney Point, Norfolk, UK
    160391.jpg
  • Cley Beach Winter Norfolk
    160392.jpg
  • Trap camera pointing at Fen Orchids - Liparis loeselii ovata, Sutton Fen RSPB Reserve, Norfolk UK
    156784.jpg
  • Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus L 46-51cm. Graceful waterbird with slender neck and dagger-like bill. White wing panels revealed in flight. Dives frequently. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has grey-brown upperparts and mainly whitish underparts; head has black cap and crest, and orange-buff ruff bordering paler cheeks. Bill is pink and eye is red. In winter, has drab grey-brown and white plumage. Juvenile recalls winter adult but has dark stripes on cheeks. Voice Utters wails and croaks in breeding season. Status Locally common breeding species on lakes and reservoirs. Widespread in winter, when also found in inshore seas.
    137583.jpg
  • Great Crested Grebe - Podiceps cristatus - adult with chick. L 46-51cm. Graceful waterbird with slender neck and dagger-like bill. White wing panels revealed in flight. Dives frequently. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has grey-brown upperparts and mainly whitish underparts; head has black cap and crest, and orange-buff ruff bordering paler cheeks. Bill is pink and eye is red. In winter, has drab grey-brown and white plumage. Juvenile recalls winter adult but has dark stripes on cheeks. Voice Utters wails and croaks in breeding season. Status Locally common breeding species on lakes and reservoirs. Widespread in winter, when also found in inshore seas.
    156643.jpg
  • Northern Elephant Seal - Mirounga angustirostris - cows and pups in colony
    158096.jpg
  • Northern Elephant Seal - Mirounga angustirostris
    158089.jpg
  • Fen Raft Spider - Dolomedes plantarius - female guarding nursery of spiderlings
    156756.jpg
  • Polar Bear Ursus maritimus Length 2.5-3m, weight 350-650kg The largest land predator, quite capable of competent swimming. Fur is white, often stained yellowish. Feeds mainly on seals and adapted to life associated with pack ice.
    118578.jpg
  • Polar Bear Ursus maritimus Length 2.5-3m, weight 350-650kg The largest land predator, quite capable of competent swimming. Fur is white, often stained yellowish. Feeds mainly on seals and adapted to life associated with pack ice.
    120416.jpg
  • Spanish Imperial Eagle - Aquila adalberti, adult attacking Griffon Vulture - Gyps fulvus
    155219.jpg
  • Northern Elephant Seal - Mirounga angustirostris - males fighting
    158100.jpg
  • Northern Elephant Seal - Mirounga angustirostris - colony
    158098.jpg
  • Northern Elephant Seal - Mirounga angustirostris - males fighting
    158097.jpg
  • Northern Elephant Seal - Mirounga angustirostris - fighting males
    158094.jpg
  • Northern Elephant Seal - Mirounga angustirostris
    158093.jpg
  • Northern Elephant Seal - Mirounga angustirostris
    158092.jpg
  • Northern Elephant Seal - Mirounga angustirostris
    158091.jpg
  • Northern Elephant Seal - Mirounga angustirostris
    158090.jpg
  • Northern Elephant Seal - Mirounga angustirostris - males fighting
    158099.jpg
  • Northern Elephant Seal - Mirounga angustirostris - young pup
    158095.jpg
  • Fen Mason Wasp - Odynerus simillimus
    156775.jpg
  • Fen Mason Wasp - Odynerus simillimus
    156774.jpg
  • Dyke showing water level, Sutton Fen RSPB Reserve, Norfolk UK
    156754.jpg
  • Sedge cutting on Sutton Fen RSPB Reserve, Norfolk, UK
    156748.jpg
  • Sedge cutting on Sutton Fen RSPB Reserve, Norfolk, UK
    156747.jpg
  • Bermuda Petrel - Pterodroma cahow - artificial nest burrow and chamber being examined by Jeremy Madeiros, warden of Nonsuch Island, with wooden 'baffle' to exclude White-tailed Tropicbirds from burrows
    155105.jpg
  • Hazel Corylus avellana Betulaceae Height to 6m<br />
Multi-stemmed shrub, or short tree. Bark Smooth, shiny, peeling into papery strips. Branches Upright to spreading. Twigs with stiff hairs, buds oval and smooth. Leaves Rounded, to 10cm long, hairy above; heart-shaped base and pointed tip. Margins double-toothed. Reproductive parts Male catkins to 8cm long, pendulous and yellow. Female flowers red and tiny; produce hard-shelled nuts. Status Common, often coppiced.
    114354.jpg
  • Fen Mason Wasp - Odynerus simillimus
    156776.jpg
  • Fen Mason Wasp - Odynerus simillimus
    156773.jpg
  • Fen Mason Wasp - Odynerus simillimus
    156772.jpg
  • Sedge cutting on Sutton Fen RSPB Reserve, Norfolk, UK
    156750.jpg
  • Sedge cutting on Sutton Fen RSPB Reserve, Norfolk, UK
    156749.jpg
  • Bermuda Petrel - Pterodroma cahow<br />
being handled by Jeremy Madeiros
    155008.jpg
  • Nonsuch Island, Bermuda - the centre of the Bermuda Pertrel breeding programme
    155017.jpg
  • Bermuda Petrel - Pterodroma cahow being handled by Jeremy Madeiros
    155016.jpg
  • Bermuda Petrel - Pterodroma cahow being examined by Jeremy Madeiros
    155018.jpg
  • Bermuda Petrel - Pterodroma cahow being weighed by Jeremy Madeiros
    155019.jpg
  • Bermuda Petrel - Pterodroma cahow being handled by Jeremy Madeiros
    155020.jpg
  • Green Island, Bermuda adjacent to Nonsuch Island, and a Bermuda Petrel breeding islet
    155022.jpg
  • Nonsuch Island, Bermuda - the centre of the Bermuda Pertrel breeding programme
    155023.jpg
  • Horseshoe Bay, South Shore, Bermuda
    155024.jpg
  • Horseshoe Bay, South Shore, Bermuda
    155025.jpg
  • Brown Quail - Synoicus ypsilophorus
    157891.jpg
  • Brown Quail - Synoicus ypsilophorus
    157879.jpg
  • Brown Quail - Synoicus ypsilophorus
    157890.jpg
  • Hedgehog Erinaceus europaeus Length 23-27cm Mainly nocturnal animal, protected by spines (modified hairs). Feeds mainly on invertebrates but will take food put out by people. Hibernates from Oct-Apr. Spines are erectile and an effective deterrent when animal rolls into a defensive ball. Head and underparts are covered in coarse hairs. Muzzle-shaped head ends in a sensitive nose. Utters a pig-like squeal in distress, and grunts when courting. Familiar garden resident.
    157701.jpg
  • Lesser Spotted Catshark - Scyliorhinus canicula Length to 75cm<br />
 Juvenile in bright light – note slit-like pupil in eye.<br />
 Familiar inshore fish, better known as a Dogfish. Found in inshore waters, on mixed substrates. Adult is slender and buffish-yellow above with darker spots. Skin is rough, with a texture like sandpaper. The eye has slit-like pupil in bright light. It lays eggs, protected in a tough case, a so called ‘Mermaid’s Purse’. Widespread and locally common, except along E coast.
    142507.jpg
  • Cobweb Beetle larva - Ctesias serrais. On cobweb of Tegenaria. Protected by its long hairs against the spiders whose cobwebs it frequents looking for the dry remains of insects left by the spiders. It is a relative of the well known Woolly Bear Carpet Beetle larvae.
    157119.jpg
  • Natterjack Toad Epidalea calamita Local and scarce, and legally protected in Britain. Has a rather flattened body, short hind legs and greenish yellow iris. Burrows walk and walks rather than hops. Breeds (mainly April-June) in seasonally drying and sometimes slightly saline pools. Adult has diagnostic pale yellowish vertebral stripe. Skin is warty and ground colour can be yellowish brown or greenish brown. Back is usually darker than flanks and marbled with dark spots; underparts are creamy white. Juvenile resembles a tiny, large-headed adult with reddish warts. Male utters a purring croak, often after dark, when courting. Rare in Britain, found mainly on lowland heathlands and coastal dunes, but also on stabilised saltmarshes
    155933.jpg
  • Hedgehog Erinaceus europaeus Length 23-27cm Mainly nocturnal animal, protected by spines (modified hairs). Feeds mainly on invertebrates but will take food put out by people. Hibernates from Oct-Apr. Spines are erectile and an effective deterrent when animal rolls into a defensive ball. Head and underparts are covered in coarse hairs. Muzzle-shaped head ends in a sensitive nose. Utters a pig-like squeal in distress, and grunts when courting. Familiar garden resident.
    155605.jpg
  • Hedgehog Erinaceus europaeus Length 23-27cm Mainly nocturnal animal, protected by spines (modified hairs). Feeds mainly on invertebrates but will take food put out by people. Hibernates from Oct-Apr. Spines are erectile and an effective deterrent when animal rolls into a defensive ball. Head and underparts are covered in coarse hairs. Muzzle-shaped head ends in a sensitive nose. Utters a pig-like squeal in distress, and grunts when courting. Familiar garden resident.
    102725.jpg
  • Hedgehog Erinaceus europaeus Length 23-27cm Mainly nocturnal animal, protected by spines (modified hairs). Feeds mainly on invertebrates but will take food put out by people. Hibernates from Oct-Apr. Spines are erectile and an effective deterrent when animal rolls into a defensive ball. Head and underparts are covered in coarse hairs. Muzzle-shaped head ends in a sensitive nose. Utters a pig-like squeal in distress, and grunts when courting. Familiar garden resident.
    102726.jpg
  • Hedgehog Erinaceus europaeus Length 23-27cm Mainly nocturnal animal, protected by spines (modified hairs). Feeds mainly on invertebrates but will take food put out by people. Hibernates from Oct-Apr. Spines are erectile and an effective deterrent when animal rolls into a defensive ball. Head and underparts are covered in coarse hairs. Muzzle-shaped head ends in a sensitive nose. Utters a pig-like squeal in distress, and grunts when courting. Familiar garden resident.
    110990.jpg
  • Hedgehog Erinaceus europaeus Length 23-27cm Mainly nocturnal animal, protected by spines (modified hairs). Feeds mainly on invertebrates but will take food put out by people. Hibernates from Oct-Apr. Spines are erectile and an effective deterrent when animal rolls into a defensive ball. Head and underparts are covered in coarse hairs. Muzzle-shaped head ends in a sensitive nose. Utters a pig-like squeal in distress, and grunts when courting. Familiar garden resident.
    153774.jpg
  • Hedgehog - Erinaceus europaeus crossing a country road at night. Length 23-27cm Mainly nocturnal animal, protected by spines (modified hairs). Feeds mainly on invertebrates but will take food put out by people. Hibernates from Oct-Apr. Spines are erectile and an effective deterrent when animal rolls into a defensive ball. Head and underparts are covered in coarse hairs. Muzzle-shaped head ends in a sensitive nose. Utters a pig-like squeal in distress, and grunts when courting. Familiar garden resident.
    154273.jpg
  • Hedgehog Erinaceus europaeus on the beach, Isles of Scilly Length 23-27cm Mainly nocturnal animal, protected by spines (modified hairs). Feeds mainly on invertebrates but will take food put out by people. Hibernates from Oct-Apr. Spines are erectile and an effective deterrent when animal rolls into a defensive ball. Head and underparts are covered in coarse hairs. Muzzle-shaped head ends in a sensitive nose. Utters a pig-like squeal in distress, and grunts when courting. Familiar garden resident.
    143571.jpg
  • Thornback Ray Raja clavata Length to 90cm<br />
The most familiar inshore ray. Adult has a flat, roughly diamond-shaped body with a short snout. Dorsal surface of the long tail has thorny spines with swollen bases; these continue in a line along the dorsal surface of the body. Upper body surface is grey-brown with dark stripes or pale and dark spots; lower surface is pale. Tail looks banded. Lays eggs, protected in a tough case.
    142954.jpg
  • Small-eyed Ray Raja microocellata Length to 75cm<br />
Well-marked ray. Found in mouths of estuaries and sandy bays. Adult has typical ray shape with rather short snout. Upper surface is grey-brown with pale lines and spots. Lays eggs, protected in a tough case. Widespread and locally common in S and W only.
    142681.jpg
  • Lesser Spotted Catshark Scyliorhinus canicula Length to 75cm<br />
Juvenile in bright light – note slit-like pupil in eye.<br />
Familiar inshore fish, better known as a Dogfish. Found in inshore waters, on mixed substrates. Adult is slender and buffish-yellow above with darker spots. Skin is rough, with a texture like sandpaper. The eye has slit-like pupil in bright light. It lays eggs, protected in a tough case, a so called ‘Mermaid’s Purse’. Widespread and locally common, except along E coast.
    142509.jpg
  • Thornback Ray Raja clavata Length to 90cm<br />
The most familiar inshore ray. Adult has flat, roughly diamond-shaped body with a short snout. Dorsal surface of long tail has thorny spines with swollen bases; these continue in a line along dorsal surface of body. Upper body surface is grey-brown with dark stripes or pale and dark spots; lower surface is pale. Tail looks banded. Lays eggs, protected in a tough case. Widespread and locally common in S and W only.
    142225.jpg
  • Spotted Ray Raja montagui Length to 75cm<br />
Similar to Thornback Ray but separable using pattern and structure. Fairly common in shallow inshore waters over sand. Adult has roughly diamond-shaped body and short, pointed snout. Upper surface is grey-brown with dark spots that do not extend to wing margins. Tail is long and does not look banded. Has spines along dorsal surface of tail and along centre of body; these lack swollen bases. Lays eggs, protected in a tough case. Widespread and locally common in S and W only.
    142226.jpg
  • Small-eyed Ray Raja microocellata Length to 75cm<br />
Well-marked ray. Found in mouths of estuaries and sandy bays. Adult has typical ray shape with rather short snout. Upper surface is grey-brown with pale lines and spots. Lays eggs, protected in a tough case. Widespread and locally common in S and W only.
    142224.jpg
  • Totara Podocarpus totara (Podocarpaceae) (Height to 18m) A large tree in its native New Zealand, but in Britain thrives only in sheltered gardens in the west, if protected from frequent frosts. The flattened leaves are tough and leathery, with noticeable spines, and look yellowish-green. The greyish-brown bark peels off in mature specimens.
    134943.jpg
  • Kermes Oak Oak Quercus coccifera (Fagaceae) HEIGHT to 5m. Small evergreen oak, often just a dense, much-branched shrub. BARK Greyish and smooth at first, finely patterned in older trees. BRANCHES Young twigs are yellowish with branched hairs, but become hairless with maturity. LEAVES Tough and holly-like, dark green above and a little paler below, to 4cm long with pronounced spines; petiole is short or almost absent. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Small acorns, to 1.5cm long, sit in a shallow cup protected by strong spiny scales. Take two years to mature so trees always have some acorns on them. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Widespread around Mediterranean. Grown here for its intriguing foliage; not hardy and so rare.
    134876.jpg
  • Kermes Oak Oak Quercus coccifera (Fagaceae) HEIGHT to 5m. Small evergreen oak, often just a dense, much-branched shrub. BARK Greyish and smooth at first, finely patterned in older trees. BRANCHES Young twigs are yellowish with branched hairs, but become hairless with maturity. LEAVES Tough and holly-like, dark green above and a little paler below, to 4cm long with pronounced spines; petiole is short or almost absent. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Small acorns, to 1.5cm long, sit in a shallow cup protected by strong spiny scales. Take two years to mature so trees always have some acorns on them. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Widespread around Mediterranean. Grown here for its intriguing foliage; not hardy and so rare.
    132510.jpg
  • Totara Podocarpus totara (Podocarpaceae) (Height to 18m) A large tree in its native New Zealand, but in Britain thrives only in sheltered gardens in the west, if protected from frequent frosts. The flattened leaves are tough and leathery, with noticeable spines, and look yellowish-green. The greyish-brown bark peels off in mature specimens.
    132462.jpg
  • LIMESTONE WOUNDWORT Stachys alpina (Lamiaceae) Height to 80cm. Creeping and patch-forming, softly hairy perennial with upright flowering stems. Superficially similar to Hedge Woundwort but the plant is not scented when bruised. Grows in open woodland and on rocky ground on limestone. FLOWERS are 15-22mm long, often with creamy yellow markings; borne in whorls in open, leafy spikes (Jun-Aug).  FRUITS are nutlets. LEAVES are stalked and heart-shaped with rounded teeth. STATUS-Rare and restricted to protected sites in Gloucestshire and N Wales.
    134290.jpg
  • LIMESTONE WOUNDWORT Stachys alpina (Lamiaceae) Height to 80cm. Creeping and patch-forming, softly hairy perennial with upright flowering stems. Superficially similar to Hedge Woundwort but the plant is not scented when bruised. Grows in open woodland and on rocky ground on limestone. FLOWERS are 15-22mm long, often with creamy yellow markings; borne in whorls in open, leafy spikes (Jun-Aug).  FRUITS are nutlets. LEAVES are stalked and heart-shaped with rounded teeth. STATUS-Rare and restricted to protected sites in Gloucestshire and N Wales.
    131256.jpg
  • Hedgehog Erinaceus europaeus Length 23-27cm Mainly nocturnal animal, protected by spines (modified hairs). Feeds mainly on invertebrates but will take food put out by people. Hibernates from Oct-Apr. Spines are erectile and an effective deterrent when animal rolls into a defensive ball. Head and underparts are covered in coarse hairs. Muzzle-shaped head ends in a sensitive nose. Utters a pig-like squeal in distress, and grunts when courting. Familiar garden resident.
    112537.jpg
  • Hedgehog Erinaceus europaeus Length 23-27cm Mainly nocturnal animal, protected by spines (modified hairs). Feeds mainly on invertebrates but will take food put out by people. Hibernates from Oct-Apr. Spines are erectile and an effective deterrent when animal rolls into a defensive ball. Head and underparts are covered in coarse hairs. Muzzle-shaped head ends in a sensitive nose. Utters a pig-like squeal in distress, and grunts when courting. Familiar garden resident.
    118416.jpg
  • Hedgehog Erinaceus europaeus Length 23-27cm Mainly nocturnal animal, protected by spines (modified hairs). Feeds mainly on invertebrates but will take food put out by people. Hibernates from Oct-Apr. Spines are erectile and an effective deterrent when animal rolls into a defensive ball. Head and underparts are covered in coarse hairs. Muzzle-shaped head ends in a sensitive nose. Utters a pig-like squeal in distress, and grunts when courting. Familiar garden resident.
    128118.jpg
  • Hedgehog Erinaceus europaeus Length 23-27cm Mainly nocturnal animal, protected by spines (modified hairs). Feeds mainly on invertebrates but will take food put out by people. Hibernates from Oct-Apr. Spines are erectile and an effective deterrent when animal rolls into a defensive ball. Head and underparts are covered in coarse hairs. Muzzle-shaped head ends in a sensitive nose. Utters a pig-like squeal in distress, and grunts when courting. Familiar garden resident.
    128150.jpg
  • Hedgehog Erinaceus europaeus Length 23-27cm Mainly nocturnal animal, protected by spines (modified hairs). Feeds mainly on invertebrates but will take food put out by people. Hibernates from Oct-Apr. Spines are erectile and an effective deterrent when animal rolls into a defensive ball. Head and underparts are covered in coarse hairs. Muzzle-shaped head ends in a sensitive nose. Utters a pig-like squeal in distress, and grunts when courting. Familiar garden resident.
    132842.jpg
  • Hedgehog Erinaceus europaeus Length 23-27cm Mainly nocturnal animal, protected by spines (modified hairs). Feeds mainly on invertebrates but will take food put out by people. Hibernates from Oct-Apr. Spines are erectile and an effective deterrent when animal rolls into a defensive ball. Head and underparts are covered in coarse hairs. Muzzle-shaped head ends in a sensitive nose. Utters a pig-like squeal in distress, and grunts when courting. Familiar garden resident.
    144319.jpg
  • Hedgehog Erinaceus europaeus Length 23-27cm Mainly nocturnal animal, protected by spines (modified hairs). Feeds mainly on invertebrates but will take food put out by people. Hibernates from Oct-Apr. Spines are erectile and an effective deterrent when animal rolls into a defensive ball. Head and underparts are covered in coarse hairs. Muzzle-shaped head ends in a sensitive nose. Utters a pig-like squeal in distress, and grunts when courting. Familiar garden resident.
    144321.jpg
  • Hedgehog Erinaceus europaeus Length 23-27cm Mainly nocturnal animal, protected by spines (modified hairs). Feeds mainly on invertebrates but will take food put out by people. Hibernates from Oct-Apr. Spines are erectile and an effective deterrent when animal rolls into a defensive ball. Head and underparts are covered in coarse hairs. Muzzle-shaped head ends in a sensitive nose. Utters a pig-like squeal in distress, and grunts when courting. Familiar garden resident.
    144323.jpg
  • Great Crested Newt Triturus cristatus Length 14-16cm Britain’s largest newt. Present in breeding ponds February-August. Adult is mainly blackish brown with variable dark spots and patches, and white-tipped warts. Underparts, from neck to vent, are orange-yellow with black spots; blackish throat has smallish orange-yellow spots. Breeding male develops large, jagged dorsal crest and undulating crest on tail; pale stripe runs along centre of tail. Female, non-breeding male and juvenile lack a crest and body is darker; note yellowish stripe along lower edge of tail. Scarce and local. Favours neutral to slightly alkaline, fish-free ponds that seldom dry up for breeding. Woods and scrub are used at other times. Protected by law in Britain and parts of Europe.
    101725.jpg
  • Natterjack Toad Epidalea calamita Local and scarce, and legally protected in Britain. Has a rather flattened body, short hind legs and greenish yellow iris. Burrows walk and walks rather than hops. Breeds (mainly April-June) in seasonally drying and sometimes slightly saline pools. Adult has diagnostic pale yellowish vertebral stripe. Skin is warty and ground colour can be yellowish brown or greenish brown. Back is usually darker than flanks and marbled with dark spots; underparts are creamy white. Juvenile resembles a tiny, large-headed adult with reddish warts. Male utters a purring croak, often after dark, when courting. Rare in Britain, found mainly on lowland heathlands and coastal dunes, but also on stabilised saltmarshes
    101971.jpg
  • Great Crested Newt Triturus cristatus Length 14-16cm Britain’s largest newt. Present in breeding ponds February-August. Adult is mainly blackish brown with variable dark spots and patches, and white-tipped warts. Underparts, from neck to vent, are orange-yellow with black spots; blackish throat has smallish orange-yellow spots. Breeding male develops large, jagged dorsal crest and undulating crest on tail; pale stripe runs along centre of tail. Female, non-breeding male and juvenile lack a crest and body is darker; note yellowish stripe along lower edge of tail. Scarce and local. Favours neutral to slightly alkaline, fish-free ponds that seldom dry up for breeding. Woods and scrub are used at other times. Protected by law in Britain and parts of Europe.
    112986.jpg
  • Sand Lizard Lacerta agilis Length 16-19cm Bulky lizard. Hibernates Sept-Mar. Females lay eggs. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has relatively large head. Ground colour of back is typically buffish brown but note three rows of white-centred dark spots along length of body. Head and flanks are flushed bright green in spring and summer. Adult female has smaller head and more bulky body than male. Ground colour is pale to rich brown with three longitudinal rows of eyespots. Juvenile recalls a small, slender adult female with eyespots on back and flanks. In Britain (where protected by law), restricted to heathland sites in Dorset and Surrey, and coastal sand dunes in Merseyside.
    118485.jpg
  • Great Crested Newt Triturus cristatus Length 14-16cm Britain’s largest newt. Present in breeding ponds February-August. Adult is mainly blackish brown with variable dark spots and patches, and white-tipped warts. Underparts, from neck to vent, are orange-yellow with black spots; blackish throat has smallish orange-yellow spots. Breeding male develops large, jagged dorsal crest and undulating crest on tail; pale stripe runs along centre of tail. Female, non-breeding male and juvenile lack a crest and body is darker; note yellowish stripe along lower edge of tail. Scarce and local. Favours neutral to slightly alkaline, fish-free ponds that seldom dry up for breeding. Woods and scrub are used at other times. Protected by law in Britain and parts of Europe.
    128475.jpg
  • Great Crested Newt Triturus cristatus Length 14-16cm Britain’s largest newt. Present in breeding ponds February-August. Adult is mainly blackish brown with variable dark spots and patches, and white-tipped warts. Underparts, from neck to vent, are orange-yellow with black spots; blackish throat has smallish orange-yellow spots. Breeding male develops large, jagged dorsal crest and undulating crest on tail; pale stripe runs along centre of tail. Female, non-breeding male and juvenile lack a crest and body is darker; note yellowish stripe along lower edge of tail. Scarce and local. Favours neutral to slightly alkaline, fish-free ponds that seldom dry up for breeding. Woods and scrub are used at other times. Protected by law in Britain and parts of Europe.
    128476.jpg
Next