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
{ 298 images found }
twitterlinkedinfacebook

Loading ()...

  • Farmoor Reservoir and the Thames Valley from a hillside near Cumnor, Oxfordshire, UK
    154454.jpg
  • Ladybower Reservoir, Peak District, UK
    128713.jpg
  • Drift Reservoir, Cornwall, UK
    109003.jpg
  • Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula L 40-47cm. Familiar diving duck. Tufted crown useful in identification. Gregarious in winter. In flight, note white wingbar. Sexes are dissimilar in other regards. Adult male has mainly black and white plumage; purplish sheen on head seen in good light. Has yellow eye and black-tipped blue-grey bill. In eclipse, white elements of plumage are buffish brown. Adult female has mainly brown plumage, palest on flanks and belly. Has white at base of bill (less than female Scaup), yellow eye and black-tipped blue-grey bill. Juvenile is similar to adult female but with duller colours. Voice Male utters a soft peep. Status Common year-round on lakes, reservoirs and flooded gravel pits.. Several thousand pairs breed; winter numbers boosted dramatically by migrants from mainland Europe.
    127282.jpg
  • Pochard Aythya ferina L 42-49cm. Distinctive diving duck with long bill, curving forehead and peaked crown. Gregarious in winter, often with Tufted Ducks. Both sexes have dark bill with pale grey band. In flight, all birds have uniform grey wings with dark trailing edge to outer flight feathers. Sexes are dissimilar in other regards. Adult male has reddish orange head, black breast, finely marked grey flanks and back, and black stern. In eclipse, black elements of plumage are sooty brown. Adult female has brown head and breast, grey-brown back and flanks, and pale ‘spectacle’. Juvenile resembles adult female but plumage is more uniformly brown. Voice Mostly silent. Status Scarce breeder but locally common in winter: migrants arrive from mainland Europe. Favours flooded gravel pits, reservoirs and lakes.
    143103.jpg
  • Common Pochard Athya ferina - male in flight. L 42-49cm. Distinctive diving duck with long bill, curving forehead and peaked crown. Gregarious in winter, often with Tufted Ducks. Both sexes have dark bill with pale grey band. In flight, all birds have uniform grey wings with dark trailing edge to outer flight feathers. Sexes are dissimilar in other regards. Adult male has reddish orange head, black breast, finely marked grey flanks and back, and black stern. In eclipse, black elements of plumage are sooty brown. Adult female has brown head and breast, grey-brown back and flanks, and pale ‘spectacle’. Juvenile resembles adult female but plumage is more uniformly brown. Voice Mostly silent. Status Scarce breeder but locally common in winter: migrants arrive from mainland Europe. Favours flooded gravel pits, reservoirs and lakes.
    154383.jpg
  • Pochard Aythya farina L 42-49cm. Distinctive diving duck with long bill, curving forehead and peaked crown. Gregarious in winter, often with Tufted Ducks. Both sexes have dark bill with pale grey band. In flight, all birds have uniform grey wings with dark trailing edge to outer flight feathers. Sexes are dissimilar in other regards. Adult male has reddish orange head, black breast, finely marked grey flanks and back, and black stern. In eclipse, black elements of plumage are sooty brown. Adult female has brown head and breast, grey-brown back and flanks, and pale ‘spectacle’. Juvenile resembles adult female but plumage is more uniformly brown. Voice Mostly silent. Status Scarce breeder but locally common in winter: migrants arrive from mainland Europe. Favours flooded gravel pits, reservoirs and lakes.
    133162.jpg
  • Pochard (male) Aythya ferina L 42-49cm. Distinctive diving duck with long bill, curving forehead and peaked crown. Gregarious in winter, often with Tufted Ducks. Both sexes have dark bill with pale grey band. In flight, all birds have uniform grey wings with dark trailing edge to outer flight feathers. Sexes are dissimilar in other regards. Adult male has reddish orange head, black breast, finely marked grey flanks and back, and black stern. In eclipse, black elements of plumage are sooty brown. Adult female has brown head and breast, grey-brown back and flanks, and pale ‘spectacle’. Juvenile resembles adult female but plumage is more uniformly brown. Voice Mostly silent. Status Scarce breeder but locally common in winter: migrants arrive from mainland Europe. Favours flooded gravel pits, reservoirs and lakes.
    136035.jpg
  • Pochard Aythya ferina L 42-49cm. Distinctive diving duck with long bill, curving forehead and peaked crown. Gregarious in winter, often with Tufted Ducks. Both sexes have dark bill with pale grey band. In flight, all birds have uniform grey wings with dark trailing edge to outer flight feathers. Sexes are dissimilar in other regards. Adult male has reddish orange head, black breast, finely marked grey flanks and back, and black stern. In eclipse, black elements of plumage are sooty brown. Adult female has brown head and breast, grey-brown back and flanks, and pale ‘spectacle’. Juvenile resembles adult female but plumage is more uniformly brown. Voice Mostly silent. Status Scarce breeder but locally common in winter: migrants arrive from mainland Europe. Favours flooded gravel pits, reservoirs and lakes.
    145646.jpg
  • Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula - Male. L 40-47cm. Familiar diving duck. Tufted crown useful in identification. Gregarious in winter. In flight, note white wingbar. Sexes are dissimilar in other regards. Adult male has mainly black and white plumage; purplish sheen on head seen in good light. Has yellow eye and black-tipped blue-grey bill. In eclipse, white elements of plumage are buffish brown. Adult female has mainly brown plumage, palest on flanks and belly. Has white at base of bill (less than female Scaup), yellow eye and black-tipped blue-grey bill. Juvenile is similar to adult female but with duller colours. Voice Male utters a soft peep. Status Common year-round on lakes, reservoirs and flooded gravel pits.. Several thousand pairs breed; winter numbers boosted dramatically by migrants from mainland Europe.
    154828.jpg
  • Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula L 40-47cm. Familiar diving duck. Tufted crown useful in identification. Gregarious in winter. In flight, note white wingbar. Sexes are dissimilar in other regards. Adult male has mainly black and white plumage; purplish sheen on head seen in good light. Has yellow eye and black-tipped blue-grey bill. In eclipse, white elements of plumage are buffish brown. Adult female has mainly brown plumage, palest on flanks and belly. Has white at base of bill (less than female Scaup), yellow eye and black-tipped blue-grey bill. Juvenile is similar to adult female but with duller colours. Voice Male utters a soft peep. Status Common year-round on lakes, reservoirs and flooded gravel pits.. Several thousand pairs breed; winter numbers boosted dramatically by migrants from mainland Europe.
    127281.jpg
  • Pochard Aythya farina L 42-49cm. Distinctive diving duck with long bill, curving forehead and peaked crown. Gregarious in winter, often with Tufted Ducks. Both sexes have dark bill with pale grey band. In flight, all birds have uniform grey wings with dark trailing edge to outer flight feathers. Sexes are dissimilar in other regards. Adult male has reddish orange head, black breast, finely marked grey flanks and back, and black stern. In eclipse, black elements of plumage are sooty brown. Adult female has brown head and breast, grey-brown back and flanks, and pale ‘spectacle’. Juvenile resembles adult female but plumage is more uniformly brown. Voice Mostly silent. Status Scarce breeder but locally common in winter: migrants arrive from mainland Europe. Favours flooded gravel pits, reservoirs and lakes.
    128870.jpg
  • Smew Mergus albellus L 38-44cm. Elegant little diving duck. Male is stunning and unmistakable. Female might be confused with grebe in winter plumage. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male looks pure white at a distance but close view reveals black patch through eye and black lines on breast and back. In eclipse (not seen here) resembles adult female but retains more extensive white on wing. Adult female, Juvenile and 1st winter birds (so-called ‘Redhead’ Smews) have orange-red cap and nape, white on cheek and throat, and grey-brown body. Voice Silent. Status Occasional and unpredictable winter visitor. Turns up on flooded gravel pits, reservoirs and lakes.
    128889.jpg
  • Smew Mergus albellus L 38-44cm. Elegant little diving duck. Male is stunning and unmistakable. Female might be confused with grebe in winter plumage. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male looks pure white at a distance but close view reveals black patch through eye and black lines on breast and back. In eclipse (not seen here) resembles adult female but retains more extensive white on wing. Adult female, Juvenile and 1st winter birds (so-called ‘Redhead’ Smews) have orange-red cap and nape, white on cheek and throat, and grey-brown body. Voice Silent. Status Occasional and unpredictable winter visitor. Turns up on flooded gravel pits, reservoirs and lakes.
    128890.jpg
  • Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula L 40-47cm. Familiar diving duck. Tufted crown useful in identification. Gregarious in winter. In flight, note white wingbar. Sexes are dissimilar in other regards. Adult male has mainly black and white plumage; purplish sheen on head seen in good light. Has yellow eye and black-tipped blue-grey bill. In eclipse, white elements of plumage are buffish brown. Adult female has mainly brown plumage, palest on flanks and belly. Has white at base of bill (less than female Scaup), yellow eye and black-tipped blue-grey bill. Juvenile is similar to adult female but with duller colours. Voice Male utters a soft peep. Status Common year-round on lakes, reservoirs and flooded gravel pits.. Several thousand pairs breed; winter numbers boosted dramatically by migrants from mainland Europe.
    133088.jpg
  • Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula L 40-47cm. Familiar diving duck. Tufted crown useful in identification. Gregarious in winter. In flight, note white wingbar. Sexes are dissimilar in other regards. Adult male has mainly black and white plumage; purplish sheen on head seen in good light. Has yellow eye and black-tipped blue-grey bill. In eclipse, white elements of plumage are buffish brown. Adult female has mainly brown plumage, palest on flanks and belly. Has white at base of bill (less than female Scaup), yellow eye and black-tipped blue-grey bill. Juvenile is similar to adult female but with duller colours. Voice Male utters a soft peep. Status Common year-round on lakes, reservoirs and flooded gravel pits.. Several thousand pairs breed; winter numbers boosted dramatically by migrants from mainland Europe.
    133092.jpg
  • Pochard (female) Aythya ferina L 42-49cm. Distinctive diving duck with long bill, curving forehead and peaked crown. Gregarious in winter, often with Tufted Ducks. Both sexes have dark bill with pale grey band. In flight, all birds have uniform grey wings with dark trailing edge to outer flight feathers. Sexes are dissimilar in other regards. Adult male has reddish orange head, black breast, finely marked grey flanks and back, and black stern. In eclipse, black elements of plumage are sooty brown. Adult female has brown head and breast, grey-brown back and flanks, and pale ‘spectacle’. Juvenile resembles adult female but plumage is more uniformly brown. Voice Mostly silent. Status Scarce breeder but locally common in winter: migrants arrive from mainland Europe. Favours flooded gravel pits, reservoirs and lakes.
    136036.jpg
  • Pochard Aythya ferina L 42-49cm. Distinctive diving duck with long bill, curving forehead and peaked crown. Gregarious in winter, often with Tufted Ducks. Both sexes have dark bill with pale grey band. In flight, all birds have uniform grey wings with dark trailing edge to outer flight feathers. Sexes are dissimilar in other regards. Adult male has reddish orange head, black breast, finely marked grey flanks and back, and black stern. In eclipse, black elements of plumage are sooty brown. Adult female has brown head and breast, grey-brown back and flanks, and pale ‘spectacle’. Juvenile resembles adult female but plumage is more uniformly brown. Voice Mostly silent. Status Scarce breeder but locally common in winter: migrants arrive from mainland Europe. Favours flooded gravel pits, reservoirs and lakes.
    136073.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.
    143756.jpg
  • Pochard Aythya ferina L 42-49cm. Distinctive diving duck with long bill, curving forehead and peaked crown. Gregarious in winter, often with Tufted Ducks. Both sexes have dark bill with pale grey band. In flight, all birds have uniform grey wings with dark trailing edge to outer flight feathers. Sexes are dissimilar in other regards. Adult male has reddish orange head, black breast, finely marked grey flanks and back, and black stern. In eclipse, black elements of plumage are sooty brown. Adult female has brown head and breast, grey-brown back and flanks, and pale ‘spectacle’. Juvenile resembles adult female but plumage is more uniformly brown. Voice Mostly silent. Status Scarce breeder but locally common in winter: migrants arrive from mainland Europe. Favours flooded gravel pits, reservoirs and lakes.
    145635.jpg
  • Pochard Aythya ferina L 42-49cm. Distinctive diving duck with long bill, curving forehead and peaked crown. Gregarious in winter, often with Tufted Ducks. Both sexes have dark bill with pale grey band. In flight, all birds have uniform grey wings with dark trailing edge to outer flight feathers. Sexes are dissimilar in other regards. Adult male has reddish orange head, black breast, finely marked grey flanks and back, and black stern. In eclipse, black elements of plumage are sooty brown. Adult female has brown head and breast, grey-brown back and flanks, and pale ‘spectacle’. Juvenile resembles adult female but plumage is more uniformly brown. Voice Mostly silent. Status Scarce breeder but locally common in winter: migrants arrive from mainland Europe. Favours flooded gravel pits, reservoirs and lakes.
    145638.jpg
  • Pochard Aythya ferina L 42-49cm. Distinctive diving duck with long bill, curving forehead and peaked crown. Gregarious in winter, often with Tufted Ducks. Both sexes have dark bill with pale grey band. In flight, all birds have uniform grey wings with dark trailing edge to outer flight feathers. Sexes are dissimilar in other regards. Adult male has reddish orange head, black breast, finely marked grey flanks and back, and black stern. In eclipse, black elements of plumage are sooty brown. Adult female has brown head and breast, grey-brown back and flanks, and pale ‘spectacle’. Juvenile resembles adult female but plumage is more uniformly brown. Voice Mostly silent. Status Scarce breeder but locally common in winter: migrants arrive from mainland Europe. Favours flooded gravel pits, reservoirs and lakes.
    145645.jpg
  • Pochard - Aythya ferina - Females in flight.  L 42-49cm. Distinctive diving duck with long bill, curving forehead and peaked crown. Gregarious in winter, often with Tufted Ducks. Both sexes have dark bill with pale grey band. In flight, all birds have uniform grey wings with dark trailing edge to outer flight feathers. Sexes are dissimilar in other regards. Adult male has reddish orange head, black breast, finely marked grey flanks and back, and black stern. In eclipse, black elements of plumage are sooty brown. Adult female has brown head and breast, grey-brown back and flanks, and pale ‘spectacle’. Juvenile resembles adult female but plumage is more uniformly brown. Voice Mostly silent. Status Scarce breeder but locally common in winter: migrants arrive from mainland Europe. Favours flooded gravel pits, reservoirs and lakes.
    155365.jpg
  • Pochard Aythya farina L 42-49cm. Distinctive diving duck with long bill, curving forehead and peaked crown. Gregarious in winter, often with Tufted Ducks. Both sexes have dark bill with pale grey band. In flight, all birds have uniform grey wings with dark trailing edge to outer flight feathers. Sexes are dissimilar in other regards. Adult male has reddish orange head, black breast, finely marked grey flanks and back, and black stern. In eclipse, black elements of plumage are sooty brown. Adult female has brown head and breast, grey-brown back and flanks, and pale ‘spectacle’. Juvenile resembles adult female but plumage is more uniformly brown. Voice Mostly silent. Status Scarce breeder but locally common in winter: migrants arrive from mainland Europe. Favours flooded gravel pits, reservoirs and lakes.
    128869.jpg
  • Pochard (male) Aythya ferina L 42-49cm. Distinctive diving duck with long bill, curving forehead and peaked crown. Gregarious in winter, often with Tufted Ducks. Both sexes have dark bill with pale grey band. In flight, all birds have uniform grey wings with dark trailing edge to outer flight feathers. Sexes are dissimilar in other regards. Adult male has reddish orange head, black breast, finely marked grey flanks and back, and black stern. In eclipse, black elements of plumage are sooty brown. Adult female has brown head and breast, grey-brown back and flanks, and pale ‘spectacle’. Juvenile resembles adult female but plumage is more uniformly brown. Voice Mostly silent. Status Scarce breeder but locally common in winter: migrants arrive from mainland Europe. Favours flooded gravel pits, reservoirs and lakes.
    136032.jpg
  • Pochard Aythya ferina L 42-49cm. Distinctive diving duck with long bill, curving forehead and peaked crown. Gregarious in winter, often with Tufted Ducks. Both sexes have dark bill with pale grey band. In flight, all birds have uniform grey wings with dark trailing edge to outer flight feathers. Sexes are dissimilar in other regards. Adult male has reddish orange head, black breast, finely marked grey flanks and back, and black stern. In eclipse, black elements of plumage are sooty brown. Adult female has brown head and breast, grey-brown back and flanks, and pale ‘spectacle’. Juvenile resembles adult female but plumage is more uniformly brown. Voice Mostly silent. Status Scarce breeder but locally common in winter: migrants arrive from mainland Europe. Favours flooded gravel pits, reservoirs and lakes.
    145644.jpg
  • Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula L 40-47cm. Familiar diving duck. Tufted crown useful in identification. Gregarious in winter. In flight, note white wingbar. Sexes are dissimilar in other regards. Adult male has mainly black and white plumage; purplish sheen on head seen in good light. Has yellow eye and black-tipped blue-grey bill. In eclipse, white elements of plumage are buffish brown. Adult female has mainly brown plumage, palest on flanks and belly. Has white at base of bill (less than female Scaup), yellow eye and black-tipped blue-grey bill. Juvenile is similar to adult female but with duller colours. Voice Male utters a soft peep. Status Common year-round on lakes, reservoirs and flooded gravel pits.. Several thousand pairs breed; winter numbers boosted dramatically by migrants from mainland Europe.
    145749.jpg
  • Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula L 40-47cm. Familiar diving duck. Tufted crown useful in identification. Gregarious in winter. In flight, note white wingbar. Sexes are dissimilar in other regards. Adult male has mainly black and white plumage; purplish sheen on head seen in good light. Has yellow eye and black-tipped blue-grey bill. In eclipse, white elements of plumage are buffish brown. Adult female has mainly brown plumage, palest on flanks and belly. Has white at base of bill (less than female Scaup), yellow eye and black-tipped blue-grey bill. Juvenile is similar to adult female but with duller colours. Voice Male utters a soft peep. Status Common year-round on lakes, reservoirs and flooded gravel pits.. Several thousand pairs breed; winter numbers boosted dramatically by migrants from mainland Europe.
    135913.jpg
  • Pochard Aythya ferina L 42-49cm. Distinctive diving duck with long bill, curving forehead and peaked crown. Gregarious in winter, often with Tufted Ducks. Both sexes have dark bill with pale grey band. In flight, all birds have uniform grey wings with dark trailing edge to outer flight feathers. Sexes are dissimilar in other regards. Adult male has reddish orange head, black breast, finely marked grey flanks and back, and black stern. In eclipse, black elements of plumage are sooty brown. Adult female has brown head and breast, grey-brown back and flanks, and pale ‘spectacle’. Juvenile resembles adult female but plumage is more uniformly brown. Voice Mostly silent. Status Scarce breeder but locally common in winter: migrants arrive from mainland Europe. Favours flooded gravel pits, reservoirs and lakes.
    135919.jpg
  • Tufted Duck - Aythya fuligula - male
    164134.jpg
  • Coot Fulica atra L 36-38cm. Robust waterbird, often found with Moorhen. Has lobed toes. Feeds by upending, making shallow dives or grazing waterside vegetation. Gregarious outside breeding season. Sexes are similar. Adult has blackish plumage, darkest on head and neck. Note white bill and frontal shield on head, and beady red eye. Legs are pale yellowish. In flight, shows white trailing edge on otherwise dark, rounded wings. Juvenile has dark greyish brown upperparts and white on throat and front of neck. Voice Utters a loud kwoot call. Status Common resident, found on range of freshwater wetland habitats; numbers boosted in winter by influx of migrants.
    133038.jpg
  • Water Rail Rallus aquaticus L 23-28cm. Secretive wetland bird. Distinctive call is heard far more frequently than bird is seen. In profile, note dumpy body, short tail and long bill. Seen head-on, body is laterally compressed. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly blue-grey underparts, reddish brown upperparts, and black and white barring on flanks. Bill and legs are red. Juvenile is similar to adult but duller. Voice Utters a pig-like squeal and various choking calls. Status Favours reedbeds and marshes; migrants sometimes found on streams and watercress beds.
    136931.jpg
  • Coot Fulica atra L 36-38cm. Robust waterbird, often found with Moorhen. Has lobed toes. Feeds by upending, making shallow dives or grazing waterside vegetation. Gregarious outside breeding season. Sexes are similar. Adult has blackish plumage, darkest on head and neck. Note white bill and frontal shield on head, and beady red eye. Legs are pale yellowish. In flight, shows white trailing edge on otherwise dark, rounded wings. Juvenile has dark greyish brown upperparts and white on throat and front of neck. Voice Utters a loud kwoot call. Status Common resident, found on range of freshwater wetland habitats; numbers boosted in winter by influx of migrants.
    145209.jpg
  • Water Rail Rallus aquaticus L 23-28cm. Secretive wetland bird. Distinctive call is heard far more frequently than bird is seen. In profile, note dumpy body, short tail and long bill. Seen head-on, body is laterally compressed. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly blue-grey underparts, reddish brown upperparts, and black and white barring on flanks. Bill and legs are red. Juvenile is similar to adult but duller. Voice Utters a pig-like squeal and various choking calls. Status Favours reedbeds and marshes; migrants sometimes found on streams and watercress beds.
    145458.jpg
  • Tufted Duck - Aythya fuligula - male
    164126.jpg
  • Tufted Duck - Aythya fuligula - 1st winter female
    164131.jpg
  • Coot Fulica atra L 36-38cm. Robust waterbird, often found with Moorhen. Has lobed toes. Feeds by upending, making shallow dives or grazing waterside vegetation. Gregarious outside breeding season. Sexes are similar. Adult has blackish plumage, darkest on head and neck. Note white bill and frontal shield on head, and beady red eye. Legs are pale yellowish. In flight, shows white trailing edge on otherwise dark, rounded wings. Juvenile has dark greyish brown upperparts and white on throat and front of neck. Voice Utters a loud kwoot call. Status Common resident, found on range of freshwater wetland habitats; numbers boosted in winter by influx of migrants.
    157663.jpg
  • Coot Fulica atra L 36-38cm. Robust waterbird, often found with Moorhen. Has lobed toes. Feeds by upending, making shallow dives or grazing waterside vegetation. Gregarious outside breeding season. Sexes are similar. Adult has blackish plumage, darkest on head and neck. Note white bill and frontal shield on head, and beady red eye. Legs are pale yellowish. In flight, shows white trailing edge on otherwise dark, rounded wings. Juvenile has dark greyish brown upperparts and white on throat and front of neck. Voice Utters a loud kwoot call. Status Common resident, found on range of freshwater wetland habitats; numbers boosted in winter by influx of migrants.
    154930.jpg
  • Coot Fulica atra L 36-38cm. Robust waterbird, often found with Moorhen. Has lobed toes. Feeds by upending, making shallow dives or grazing waterside vegetation. Gregarious outside breeding season. Sexes are similar. Adult has blackish plumage, darkest on head and neck. Note white bill and frontal shield on head, and beady red eye. Legs are pale yellowish. In flight, shows white trailing edge on otherwise dark, rounded wings. Juvenile has dark greyish brown upperparts and white on throat and front of neck. Voice Utters a loud kwoot call. Status Common resident, found on range of freshwater wetland habitats; numbers boosted in winter by influx of migrants.
    154374.jpg
  • Water Rail Rallus aquaticus L 23-28cm. Secretive wetland bird. Distinctive call is heard far more frequently than bird is seen. In profile, note dumpy body, short tail and long bill. Seen head-on, body is laterally compressed. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly blue-grey underparts, reddish brown upperparts, and black and white barring on flanks. Bill and legs are red. Juvenile is similar to adult but duller. Voice Utters a pig-like squeal and various choking calls. Status Favours reedbeds and marshes; migrants sometimes found on streams and watercress beds.
    127299.jpg
  • Osprey Pandion halieaetus W 145-160cm. The classic fish-eating raptor. Can look gull-like in flight but fishing technique is unmistakable: hovers, then plunges talons first into water. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly brown upperparts, except for pale crown; underparts are mainly whitish with darker chest band. In flight from below, looks pale overall with dark carpal patches, dark band along base of flight feathers and dark terminal band on barred tail. Juvenile is similar to adult but darker markings are less distinct. Voice Utters various whistling calls. Status Migrant visitor, seldom seen far from water even on migration. Nests close to large waterbodies, mainly in N. Breeding range is gradually extending S; also introduced in places (notably Rutland Water). Passage migrants sometimes linger for a few days at fish-rich lakes and flooded gravel pits.
    143445.jpg
  • Osprey Pandion halieaetus W 145-160cm. The classic fish-eating raptor. Can look gull-like in flight but fishing technique is unmistakable: hovers, then plunges talons first into water. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly brown upperparts, except for pale crown; underparts are mainly whitish with darker chest band. In flight from below, looks pale overall with dark carpal patches, dark band along base of flight feathers and dark terminal band on barred tail. Juvenile is similar to adult but darker markings are less distinct. Voice Utters various whistling calls. Status Migrant visitor, seldom seen far from water even on migration. Nests close to large waterbodies, mainly in N. Breeding range is gradually extending S; also introduced in places (notably Rutland Water). Passage migrants sometimes linger for a few days at fish-rich lakes and flooded gravel pits.
    143994.jpg
  • Water Rail Rallus aquaticus L 23-28cm. Secretive wetland bird. Distinctive call is heard far more frequently than bird is seen. In profile, note dumpy body, short tail and long bill. Seen head-on, body is laterally compressed. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly blue-grey underparts, reddish brown upperparts, and black and white barring on flanks. Bill and legs are red. Juvenile is similar to adult but duller. Voice Utters a pig-like squeal and various choking calls. Status Favours reedbeds and marshes; migrants sometimes found on streams and watercress beds.
    145457.jpg
  • Coot - Fulica atra
    164155.jpg
  • Coot - Fulica atra
    164153.jpg
  • Coot - Fulica atra
    164154.jpg
  • Coot - Fulica atra
    164152.jpg
  • Tufted Duck - Aythya fuligula - male
    164137.jpg
  • Tufted Duck - Aythya fuligula - 1st winter female
    164136.jpg
  • Tufted Duck - Aythya fuligula - male
    164135.jpg
  • Tufted Duck - Aythya fuligula - male
    164133.jpg
  • Tufted Duck - Aythya fuligula - male
    164129.jpg
  • Coot Fulica atra L 36-38cm. Robust waterbird, often found with Moorhen. Has lobed toes. Feeds by upending, making shallow dives or grazing waterside vegetation. Gregarious outside breeding season. Sexes are similar. Adult has blackish plumage, darkest on head and neck. Note white bill and frontal shield on head, and beady red eye. Legs are pale yellowish. In flight, shows white trailing edge on otherwise dark, rounded wings. Juvenile has dark greyish brown upperparts and white on throat and front of neck. Voice Utters a loud kwoot call. Status Common resident, found on range of freshwater wetland habitats; numbers boosted in winter by influx of migrants.
    157662.jpg
  • Water Rail - Rallus aquaticus L 23-28cm. Secretive wetland bird. Distinctive call is heard far more frequently than bird is seen. In profile, note dumpy body, short tail and long bill. Seen head-on, body is laterally compressed. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly blue-grey underparts, reddish brown upperparts, and black and white barring on flanks. Bill and legs are red. Juvenile is similar to adult but duller. Voice Utters a pig-like squeal and various choking calls. Status Favours reedbeds and marshes; migrants sometimes found on streams and watercress beds.
    156893.jpg
  • Coot Fulica atra L 36-38cm. Robust waterbird, often found with Moorhen. Has lobed toes. Feeds by upending, making shallow dives or grazing waterside vegetation. Gregarious outside breeding season. Sexes are similar. Adult has blackish plumage, darkest on head and neck. Note white bill and frontal shield on head, and beady red eye. Legs are pale yellowish. In flight, shows white trailing edge on otherwise dark, rounded wings. Juvenile has dark greyish brown upperparts and white on throat and front of neck. Voice Utters a loud kwoot call. Status Common resident, found on range of freshwater wetland habitats; numbers boosted in winter by influx of migrants.
    154907.jpg
  • Coot Fulica atra L 36-38cm. Robust waterbird, often found with Moorhen. Has lobed toes. Feeds by upending, making shallow dives or grazing waterside vegetation. Gregarious outside breeding season. Sexes are similar. Adult has blackish plumage, darkest on head and neck. Note white bill and frontal shield on head, and beady red eye. Legs are pale yellowish. In flight, shows white trailing edge on otherwise dark, rounded wings. Juvenile has dark greyish brown upperparts and white on throat and front of neck. Voice Utters a loud kwoot call. Status Common resident, found on range of freshwater wetland habitats; numbers boosted in winter by influx of migrants.
    154913.jpg
  • Coot Fulica atra L 36-38cm. Robust waterbird, often found with Moorhen. Has lobed toes. Feeds by upending, making shallow dives or grazing waterside vegetation. Gregarious outside breeding season. Sexes are similar. Adult has blackish plumage, darkest on head and neck. Note white bill and frontal shield on head, and beady red eye. Legs are pale yellowish. In flight, shows white trailing edge on otherwise dark, rounded wings. Juvenile has dark greyish brown upperparts and white on throat and front of neck. Voice Utters a loud kwoot call. Status Common resident, found on range of freshwater wetland habitats; numbers boosted in winter by influx of migrants.
    154375.jpg
  • Osprey Pandion haliaetus W 145-160cm. The classic fish-eating raptor. Can look gull-like in flight but fishing technique is unmistakable: hovers, then plunges talons first into water. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly brown upperparts, except for pale crown; underparts are mainly whitish with darker chest band. In flight from below, looks pale overall with dark carpal patches, dark band along base of flight feathers and dark terminal band on barred tail. Juvenile is similar to adult but darker markings are less distinct. Voice Utters various whistling calls. Status Migrant visitor, seldom seen far from water even on migration. Nests close to large waterbodies, mainly in N. Breeding range is gradually extending S; also introduced in places (notably Rutland Water). Passage migrants sometimes linger for a few days at fish-rich lakes and flooded gravel pits.
    154099.jpg
  • Osprey Pandion haliaetus W 145-160cm. The classic fish-eating raptor. Can look gull-like in flight but fishing technique is unmistakable: hovers, then plunges talons first into water. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly brown upperparts, except for pale crown; underparts are mainly whitish with darker chest band. In flight from below, looks pale overall with dark carpal patches, dark band along base of flight feathers and dark terminal band on barred tail. Juvenile is similar to adult but darker markings are less distinct. Voice Utters various whistling calls. Status Migrant visitor, seldom seen far from water even on migration. Nests close to large waterbodies, mainly in N. Breeding range is gradually extending S; also introduced in places (notably Rutland Water). Passage migrants sometimes linger for a few days at fish-rich lakes and flooded gravel pits.
    154101.jpg
  • Water Rail Rallus aquaticus L 23-28cm. Secretive wetland bird. Distinctive call is heard far more frequently than bird is seen. In profile, note dumpy body, short tail and long bill. Seen head-on, body is laterally compressed. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly blue-grey underparts, reddish brown upperparts, and black and white barring on flanks. Bill and legs are red. Juvenile is similar to adult but duller. Voice Utters a pig-like squeal and various choking calls. Status Favours reedbeds and marshes; migrants sometimes found on streams and watercress beds.
    127298.jpg
  • Osprey Pandion haliaetus W 145-160cm. The classic fish-eating raptor. Can look gull-like in flight but fishing technique is unmistakable: hovers, then plunges talons first into water. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly brown upperparts, except for pale crown; underparts are mainly whitish with darker chest band. In flight from below, looks pale overall with dark carpal patches, dark band along base of flight feathers and dark terminal band on barred tail. Juvenile is similar to adult but darker markings are less distinct. Voice Utters various whistling calls. Status Migrant visitor, seldom seen far from water even on migration. Nests close to large waterbodies, mainly in N. Breeding range is gradually extending S; also introduced in places (notably Rutland Water). Passage migrants sometimes linger for a few days at fish-rich lakes and flooded gravel pits.
    127980.jpg
  • Osprey Pandion haliaetus W 145-160cm. The classic fish-eating raptor. Can look gull-like in flight but fishing technique is unmistakable: hovers, then plunges talons first into water. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly brown upperparts, except for pale crown; underparts are mainly whitish with darker chest band. In flight from below, looks pale overall with dark carpal patches, dark band along base of flight feathers and dark terminal band on barred tail. Juvenile is similar to adult but darker markings are less distinct. Voice Utters various whistling calls. Status Migrant visitor, seldom seen far from water even on migration. Nests close to large waterbodies, mainly in N. Breeding range is gradually extending S; also introduced in places (notably Rutland Water). Passage migrants sometimes linger for a few days at fish-rich lakes and flooded gravel pits.
    127981.jpg
  • Coot Fulica atra L 36-38cm. Robust waterbird, often found with Moorhen. Has lobed toes. Feeds by upending, making shallow dives or grazing waterside vegetation. Gregarious outside breeding season. Sexes are similar. Adult has blackish plumage, darkest on head and neck. Note white bill and frontal shield on head, and beady red eye. Legs are pale yellowish. In flight, shows white trailing edge on otherwise dark, rounded wings. Juvenile has dark greyish brown upperparts and white on throat and front of neck. Voice Utters a loud kwoot call. Status Common resident, found on range of freshwater wetland habitats; numbers boosted in winter by influx of migrants.
    133410.jpg
  • Osprey Pandion halieaetus W 145-160cm. The classic fish-eating raptor. Can look gull-like in flight but fishing technique is unmistakable: hovers, then plunges talons first into water. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly brown upperparts, except for pale crown; underparts are mainly whitish with darker chest band. In flight from below, looks pale overall with dark carpal patches, dark band along base of flight feathers and dark terminal band on barred tail. Juvenile is similar to adult but darker markings are less distinct. Voice Utters various whistling calls. Status Migrant visitor, seldom seen far from water even on migration. Nests close to large waterbodies, mainly in N. Breeding range is gradually extending S; also introduced in places (notably Rutland Water). Passage migrants sometimes linger for a few days at fish-rich lakes and flooded gravel pits.
    136104.jpg
  • Coot Fulica atra L 36-38cm. Robust waterbird, often found with Moorhen. Has lobed toes. Feeds by upending, making shallow dives or grazing waterside vegetation. Gregarious outside breeding season. Sexes are similar. Adult has blackish plumage, darkest on head and neck. Note white bill and frontal shield on head, and beady red eye. Legs are pale yellowish. In flight, shows white trailing edge on otherwise dark, rounded wings. Juvenile has dark greyish brown upperparts and white on throat and front of neck. Voice Utters a loud kwoot call. Status Common resident, found on range of freshwater wetland habitats; numbers boosted in winter by influx of migrants.
    137579.jpg
  • Osprey Pandion halieaetus W 145-160cm. The classic fish-eating raptor. Can look gull-like in flight but fishing technique is unmistakable: hovers, then plunges talons first into water. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly brown upperparts, except for pale crown; underparts are mainly whitish with darker chest band. In flight from below, looks pale overall with dark carpal patches, dark band along base of flight feathers and dark terminal band on barred tail. Juvenile is similar to adult but darker markings are less distinct. Voice Utters various whistling calls. Status Migrant visitor, seldom seen far from water even on migration. Nests close to large waterbodies, mainly in N. Breeding range is gradually extending S; also introduced in places (notably Rutland Water). Passage migrants sometimes linger for a few days at fish-rich lakes and flooded gravel pits.
    137581.jpg
  • Coot Fulica atra L 36-38cm. Robust waterbird, often found with Moorhen. Has lobed toes. Feeds by upending, making shallow dives or grazing waterside vegetation. Gregarious outside breeding season. Sexes are similar. Adult has blackish plumage, darkest on head and neck. Note white bill and frontal shield on head, and beady red eye. Legs are pale yellowish. In flight, shows white trailing edge on otherwise dark, rounded wings. Juvenile has dark greyish brown upperparts and white on throat and front of neck. Voice Utters a loud kwoot call. Status Common resident, found on range of freshwater wetland habitats; numbers boosted in winter by influx of migrants.
    137612.jpg
  • Coot Fulica atra L 36-38cm. Robust waterbird, often found with Moorhen. Has lobed toes. Feeds by upending, making shallow dives or grazing waterside vegetation. Gregarious outside breeding season. Sexes are similar. Adult has blackish plumage, darkest on head and neck. Note white bill and frontal shield on head, and beady red eye. Legs are pale yellowish. In flight, shows white trailing edge on otherwise dark, rounded wings. Juvenile has dark greyish brown upperparts and white on throat and front of neck. Voice Utters a loud kwoot call. Status Common resident, found on range of freshwater wetland habitats; numbers boosted in winter by influx of migrants.
    137894.jpg
  • Water Rail Rallus aquaticus L 23-28cm. Secretive wetland bird. Distinctive call is heard far more frequently than bird is seen. In profile, note dumpy body, short tail and long bill. Seen head-on, body is laterally compressed. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly blue-grey underparts, reddish brown upperparts, and black and white barring on flanks. Bill and legs are red. Juvenile is similar to adult but duller. Voice Utters a pig-like squeal and various choking calls. Status Favours reedbeds and marshes; migrants sometimes found on streams and watercress beds.
    142985.jpg
  • Osprey Pandion halieaetus W 145-160cm. The classic fish-eating raptor. Can look gull-like in flight but fishing technique is unmistakable: hovers, then plunges talons first into water. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly brown upperparts, except for pale crown; underparts are mainly whitish with darker chest band. In flight from below, looks pale overall with dark carpal patches, dark band along base of flight feathers and dark terminal band on barred tail. Juvenile is similar to adult but darker markings are less distinct. Voice Utters various whistling calls. Status Migrant visitor, seldom seen far from water even on migration. Nests close to large waterbodies, mainly in N. Breeding range is gradually extending S; also introduced in places (notably Rutland Water). Passage migrants sometimes linger for a few days at fish-rich lakes and flooded gravel pits.
    143706.jpg
  • Osprey Pandion halieaetus W 145-160cm. The classic fish-eating raptor. Can look gull-like in flight but fishing technique is unmistakable: hovers, then plunges talons first into water. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly brown upperparts, except for pale crown; underparts are mainly whitish with darker chest band. In flight from below, looks pale overall with dark carpal patches, dark band along base of flight feathers and dark terminal band on barred tail. Juvenile is similar to adult but darker markings are less distinct. Voice Utters various whistling calls. Status Migrant visitor, seldom seen far from water even on migration. Nests close to large waterbodies, mainly in N. Breeding range is gradually extending S; also introduced in places (notably Rutland Water). Passage migrants sometimes linger for a few days at fish-rich lakes and flooded gravel pits.
    143993.jpg
  • Coot Fulica atra L 36-38cm. Robust waterbird, often found with Moorhen. Has lobed toes. Feeds by upending, making shallow dives or grazing waterside vegetation. Gregarious outside breeding season. Sexes are similar. Adult has blackish plumage, darkest on head and neck. Note white bill and frontal shield on head, and beady red eye. Legs are pale yellowish. In flight, shows white trailing edge on otherwise dark, rounded wings. Juvenile has dark greyish brown upperparts and white on throat and front of neck. Voice Utters a loud kwoot call. Status Common resident, found on range of freshwater wetland habitats; numbers boosted in winter by influx of migrants.
    144068.jpg
  • Coot Fulica atra L 36-38cm. Robust waterbird, often found with Moorhen. Has lobed toes. Feeds by upending, making shallow dives or grazing waterside vegetation. Gregarious outside breeding season. Sexes are similar. Adult has blackish plumage, darkest on head and neck. Note white bill and frontal shield on head, and beady red eye. Legs are pale yellowish. In flight, shows white trailing edge on otherwise dark, rounded wings. Juvenile has dark greyish brown upperparts and white on throat and front of neck. Voice Utters a loud kwoot call. Status Common resident, found on range of freshwater wetland habitats; numbers boosted in winter by influx of migrants.
    145207.jpg
  • Coot Fulica atra L 36-38cm. Robust waterbird, often found with Moorhen. Has lobed toes. Feeds by upending, making shallow dives or grazing waterside vegetation. Gregarious outside breeding season. Sexes are similar. Adult has blackish plumage, darkest on head and neck. Note white bill and frontal shield on head, and beady red eye. Legs are pale yellowish. In flight, shows white trailing edge on otherwise dark, rounded wings. Juvenile has dark greyish brown upperparts and white on throat and front of neck. Voice Utters a loud kwoot call. Status Common resident, found on range of freshwater wetland habitats; numbers boosted in winter by influx of migrants.
    145208.jpg
  • Water Rail Rallus aquaticus L 23-28cm. Secretive wetland bird. Distinctive call is heard far more frequently than bird is seen. In profile, note dumpy body, short tail and long bill. Seen head-on, body is laterally compressed. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly blue-grey underparts, reddish brown upperparts, and black and white barring on flanks. Bill and legs are red. Juvenile is similar to adult but duller. Voice Utters a pig-like squeal and various choking calls. Status Favours reedbeds and marshes; migrants sometimes found on streams and watercress beds.
    145456.jpg
  • Coot Fulica atra L 36-38cm. Robust waterbird, often found with Moorhen. Has lobed toes. Feeds by upending, making shallow dives or grazing waterside vegetation. Gregarious outside breeding season. Sexes are similar. Adult has blackish plumage, darkest on head and neck. Note white bill and frontal shield on head, and beady red eye. Legs are pale yellowish. In flight, shows white trailing edge on otherwise dark, rounded wings. Juvenile has dark greyish brown upperparts and white on throat and front of neck. Voice Utters a loud kwoot call. Status Common resident, found on range of freshwater wetland habitats; numbers boosted in winter by influx of migrants.
    145769.jpg
  • Water Rail Rallus aquaticus L 23-28cm. Secretive wetland bird. Distinctive call is heard far more frequently than bird is seen. In profile, note dumpy body, short tail and long bill. Seen head-on, body is laterally compressed. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly blue-grey underparts, reddish brown upperparts, and black and white barring on flanks. Bill and legs are red. Juvenile is similar to adult but duller. Voice Utters a pig-like squeal and various choking calls. Status Favours reedbeds and marshes; migrants sometimes found on streams and watercress beds.
    145817.jpg
  • Osprey Pandion halieaetus W 145-160cm. The classic fish-eating raptor. Can look gull-like in flight but fishing technique is unmistakable: hovers, then plunges talons first into water. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly brown upperparts, except for pale crown; underparts are mainly whitish with darker chest band. In flight from below, looks pale overall with dark carpal patches, dark band along base of flight feathers and dark terminal band on barred tail. Juvenile is similar to adult but darker markings are less distinct. Voice Utters various whistling calls. Status Migrant visitor, seldom seen far from water even on migration. Nests close to large waterbodies, mainly in N. Breeding range is gradually extending S; also introduced in places (notably Rutland Water). Passage migrants sometimes linger for a few days at fish-rich lakes and flooded gravel pits.
    145820.jpg
  • Tufted Duck - Aythya fuligula - male
    164128.jpg
  • Tufted Duck - Aythya fuligula - male
    164127.jpg
  • Coot - Fulica atra
    164151.jpg
  • Tufted Duck - Aythya fuligula - 1st winter female
    164132.jpg
  • Tufted Duck - Aythya fuligula - 1st winter female
    164130.jpg
  • Coot Fulica atra L 36-38cm. Robust waterbird, often found with Moorhen. Has lobed toes. Feeds by upending, making shallow dives or grazing waterside vegetation. Gregarious outside breeding season. Sexes are similar. Adult has blackish plumage, darkest on head and neck. Note white bill and frontal shield on head, and beady red eye. Legs are pale yellowish. In flight, shows white trailing edge on otherwise dark, rounded wings. Juvenile has dark greyish brown upperparts and white on throat and front of neck. Voice Utters a loud kwoot call. Status Common resident, found on range of freshwater wetland habitats; numbers boosted in winter by influx of migrants.
    157089.jpg
  • Water Rail Rallus aquaticus L 23-28cm. Secretive wetland bird. Distinctive call is heard far more frequently than bird is seen. In profile, note dumpy body, short tail and long bill. Seen head-on, body is laterally compressed. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly blue-grey underparts, reddish brown upperparts, and black and white barring on flanks. Bill and legs are red. Juvenile is similar to adult but duller. Voice Utters a pig-like squeal and various choking calls. Status Favours reedbeds and marshes; migrants sometimes found on streams and watercress beds.
    156872.jpg
  • Osprey Pandion haliaetus W 145-160cm. The classic fish-eating raptor. Can look gull-like in flight but fishing technique is unmistakable: hovers, then plunges talons first into water. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly brown upperparts, except for pale crown; underparts are mainly whitish with darker chest band. In flight from below, looks pale overall with dark carpal patches, dark band along base of flight feathers and dark terminal band on barred tail. Juvenile is similar to adult but darker markings are less distinct. Voice Utters various whistling calls. Status Migrant visitor, seldom seen far from water even on migration. Nests close to large waterbodies, mainly in N. Breeding range is gradually extending S; also introduced in places (notably Rutland Water). Passage migrants sometimes linger for a few days at fish-rich lakes and flooded gravel pits.
    154100.jpg
  • Coot Fulica atra L 36-38cm. Robust waterbird, often found with Moorhen. Has lobed toes. Feeds by upending, making shallow dives or grazing waterside vegetation. Gregarious outside breeding season. Sexes are similar. Adult has blackish plumage, darkest on head and neck. Note white bill and frontal shield on head, and beady red eye. Legs are pale yellowish. In flight, shows white trailing edge on otherwise dark, rounded wings. Juvenile has dark greyish brown upperparts and white on throat and front of neck. Voice Utters a loud kwoot call. Status Common resident, found on range of freshwater wetland habitats; numbers boosted in winter by influx of migrants.
    127287.jpg
  • Osprey Pandion halieaetus W 145-160cm. The classic fish-eating raptor. Can look gull-like in flight but fishing technique is unmistakable: hovers, then plunges talons first into water. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly brown upperparts, except for pale crown; underparts are mainly whitish with darker chest band. In flight from below, looks pale overall with dark carpal patches, dark band along base of flight feathers and dark terminal band on barred tail. Juvenile is similar to adult but darker markings are less distinct. Voice Utters various whistling calls. Status Migrant visitor, seldom seen far from water even on migration. Nests close to large waterbodies, mainly in N. Breeding range is gradually extending S; also introduced in places (notably Rutland Water). Passage migrants sometimes linger for a few days at fish-rich lakes and flooded gravel pits.
    133548.jpg
  • Coot Fulica atra L 36-38cm. Robust waterbird, often found with Moorhen. Has lobed toes. Feeds by upending, making shallow dives or grazing waterside vegetation. Gregarious outside breeding season. Sexes are similar. Adult has blackish plumage, darkest on head and neck. Note white bill and frontal shield on head, and beady red eye. Legs are pale yellowish. In flight, shows white trailing edge on otherwise dark, rounded wings. Juvenile has dark greyish brown upperparts and white on throat and front of neck. Voice Utters a loud kwoot call. Status Common resident, found on range of freshwater wetland habitats; numbers boosted in winter by influx of migrants.
    137627.jpg
  • Osprey Pandion halieaetus W 145-160cm. The classic fish-eating raptor. Can look gull-like in flight but fishing technique is unmistakable: hovers, then plunges talons first into water. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly brown upperparts, except for pale crown; underparts are mainly whitish with darker chest band. In flight from below, looks pale overall with dark carpal patches, dark band along base of flight feathers and dark terminal band on barred tail. Juvenile is similar to adult but darker markings are less distinct. Voice Utters various whistling calls. Status Migrant visitor, seldom seen far from water even on migration. Nests close to large waterbodies, mainly in N. Breeding range is gradually extending S; also introduced in places (notably Rutland Water). Passage migrants sometimes linger for a few days at fish-rich lakes and flooded gravel pits.
    143995.jpg
  • Osprey Pandion halieaetus W 145-160cm. The classic fish-eating raptor. Can look gull-like in flight but fishing technique is unmistakable: hovers, then plunges talons first into water. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly brown upperparts, except for pale crown; underparts are mainly whitish with darker chest band. In flight from below, looks pale overall with dark carpal patches, dark band along base of flight feathers and dark terminal band on barred tail. Juvenile is similar to adult but darker markings are less distinct. Voice Utters various whistling calls. Status Migrant visitor, seldom seen far from water even on migration. Nests close to large waterbodies, mainly in N. Breeding range is gradually extending S; also introduced in places (notably Rutland Water). Passage migrants sometimes linger for a few days at fish-rich lakes and flooded gravel pits.
    145422.jpg
  • Water Rail Rallus aquaticus L 23-28cm. Secretive wetland bird. Distinctive call is heard far more frequently than bird is seen. In profile, note dumpy body, short tail and long bill. Seen head-on, body is laterally compressed. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly blue-grey underparts, reddish brown upperparts, and black and white barring on flanks. Bill and legs are red. Juvenile is similar to adult but duller. Voice Utters a pig-like squeal and various choking calls. Status Favours reedbeds and marshes; migrants sometimes found on streams and watercress beds.
    145816.jpg
  • Coot Fulica atra L 36-38cm. Robust waterbird, often found with Moorhen. Has lobed toes. Feeds by upending, making shallow dives or grazing waterside vegetation. Gregarious outside breeding season. Sexes are similar. Adult has blackish plumage, darkest on head and neck. Note white bill and frontal shield on head, and beady red eye. Legs are pale yellowish. In flight, shows white trailing edge on otherwise dark, rounded wings. Juvenile has dark greyish brown upperparts and white on throat and front of neck. Voice Utters a loud kwoot call. Status Common resident, found on range of freshwater wetland habitats; numbers boosted in winter by influx of migrants.
    145925.jpg
  • Tufted Duck - Aythya fuligula - Male
    163374.jpg
  • Coot - Fulica atra
    163419.jpg
  • Tufted Duck - Aythya fuligula (male)
    163391.jpg
  • Tufted Duck - Aythya fuligula - male
    161501.jpg
  • Tufted Duck - Aythya fuligula - male preening
    160754.jpg
  • Tufted Duck - Aythya fuligula - male preening
    160753.jpg
  • Smew - Mergus albellus - male
    160759.jpg
Next