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  • Southern Elephant Seal Mirounga leonina Length 2-3m, weight 400-850kg Massive seal. Male is up to four times larger than female, with distinctive proboscis. Breeds on Sub-Antarctic islands, notably South Georgia.
    132250.jpg
  • Grizzly Bear Ursus arctos horribilis Length to 2m Large bear with a grizzled brown coat. Once widespread west of the Rockies, now confined to Northwest.
    133032.jpg
  • Otter Lutra lutra Length 95-135cm Sinuous swimmer with a bounding gait on land. Feeds mainly on fish. Adult has long, cylindrical body, with short legs and long, thickset tail. Blunt head has sensitive bristles and toes are webbed. Coat is mainly brown but chin, throat and belly are whitish. Fur has water-repellent properties: sleek in water but ‘spiky’ when dry. Mostly silent. Persecuted and poisoned (by agricultural pesticides) until mostly extinct in lowland Britain by 1960s. Now recovering and recolonising former haunts.
    135810.jpg
  • Southern Elephant Seal bull - Mirounga leonina
    159590.jpg
  • Southern Elephant Seal bull - Mirounga leonina
    159594.jpg
  • Mute Swan - Cygnus olor
    164148.jpg
  • Mute Swan - Cygnus olor
    164147.jpg
  • Mute Swan - Cygnus olor - adult
    164145.jpg
  • Mute Swan - Cygnus olor
    163897.jpg
  • Mute Swan - Cygnus olor
    163896.jpg
  • Mute Swan - Cygnus olor
    163895.jpg
  • Mute Swan - Cygnus olor
    163894.jpg
  • Mute Swan - Cygnus olor - adult
    163891.jpg
  • Mute Swan - Cygnus olor
    163893.jpg
  • Mute Swan - Cygnus olor
    163337.jpg
  • Southern Elephant Seal - Mirounga leonina - pup. Length 2-3m, weight 400-850kg Massive seal. Male is up to four times larger than female, with distinctive proboscis. Breeds on Sub-Antarctic islands, notably South Georgia.
    157632.jpg
  • Mute Swan - Cygnus olor - adult
    164146.jpg
  • Mute Swan - Cygnus olor
    163898.jpg
  • Mute Swan - Cygnus olor - adult
    163892.jpg
  • Mute Swan - Cygnus olor - adult
    163890.jpg
  • Black-browed Albatross - Thalassarche melanophris - sat on nest, Saunders Island, Falkland Islands
    160467.jpg
  • Southern Elephant Seal - Mirounga leonina - bull. Length 2-3m, weight 400-850kg Massive seal. Male is up to four times larger than female, with distinctive proboscis. Breeds on Sub-Antarctic islands, notably South Georgia.
    157635.jpg
  • Southern Elephant Seal - Mirounga leonina  - pup. Length 2-3m, weight 400-850kg Massive seal. Male is up to four times larger than female, with distinctive proboscis. Breeds on Sub-Antarctic islands, notably South Georgia.
    157633.jpg
  • Purple Thorn Selenia tetralunaria Wingspan 32-38mm. A beautifully marked moth that rests with its wings held at an acute angle or folded above body at rest. Adult has angular, jagged margins to its wings. The undersides of the wings (that seen at rest) are purplish-brown, flushed orange-brown towards the base. Each wing has a white, angular crescent-moon mark. Flies April-May, and sometimes in August as a second brood. Larva feeds on deciduous trees and shrubs. Widespread and fairly common.
    157416.jpg
  • Purple Thorn Selenia tetralunaria Wingspan 32-38mm. A beautifully marked moth that rests with its wings held at an acute angle or folded above body at rest. Adult has angular, jagged margins to its wings. The undersides of the wings (that seen at rest) are purplish-brown, flushed orange-brown towards the base. Each wing has a white, angular crescent-moon mark. Flies April-May, and sometimes in August as a second brood. Larva feeds on deciduous trees and shrubs. Widespread and fairly common.
    108053.jpg
  • Broom Moth Ceramica pisi Length 15-19mm. A well-marked moth that rests with its wings spread flat on in a tent-like manner. Adult has forewings whose ground colour is variable, orange-brown and grey-brown being the extremes. All forms show a yellow submarginal jagged line expanding to a pale spot on the wing’s trailing margin; at rest the spots are aligned. Flies May-July. Larva has longitudinal brown and yellow lines; feeds on various plants including Broom and Bracken. Widespread and locally common.
    157566.jpg
  • Red Underwing Catocala nupta Wingspan 65-75mm. A large moth that rests with its wings spread flat. The forewing colours and markings are a good match for weathered timber; at rest they conceal the colourful hindwings, but these are revealed as a shock tactic if the moth is alarmed. Adult has grey and brown forewings and black-barred red underwings. Flies August–September. Larva feeds on willows and poplars. Widespread and fairly common only in southern and central England.
    140689.jpg
  • White Ermine Spilosoma lubricipeda Length 28mm. A distinctive moth. Its striking white colour means it is fairly frequently discovered resting in the daytime with its wings folded in tent-like manner over body. Ault has white wings with numerous small black spots; yellow and black abdomen is hidden by wings at rest. Flies May–July. Larva feeds on a range of herbaceous plants. Widespread and common.
    127827.jpg
  • White Ermine Spilosoma lubricipeda Length 28mm. A distinctive moth. Its striking white colour means it is fairly frequently discovered resting in the daytime with its wings folded in tent-like manner over body. Ault has white wings with numerous small black spots; yellow and black abdomen is hidden by wings at rest. Flies May–July. Larva feeds on a range of herbaceous plants. Widespread and common.
    127826.jpg
  • Winter Moth Operophtera brumata Wingspan 22-26mm. The classic moth of winter, whose rounded wings (only males have wings) are held flat at rest. Often seen flying in car headlights, or found resting on walls near outside lights. To see wingless female, look for mating pairs by torchlight on foodplant. Adult male has grey-brown wings with concentric cross lines. Flies November–February. Larva feeds on most deciduous trees and shrubs. Widespread and common.
    120914.jpg
  • Broom Moth Ceramica pisi Length 15-19mm. A well-marked moth that rests with its wings spread flat on in a tent-like manner. Adult has forewings whose ground colour is variable, orange-brown and grey-brown being the extremes. All forms show a yellow submarginal jagged line expanding to a pale spot on the wing’s trailing margin; at rest the spots are aligned. Flies May-July. Larva has longitudinal brown and yellow lines; feeds on various plants including Broom and Bracken. Widespread and locally common.
    157565.jpg
  • Early Thorn - Selenia dentaria Wingspan 30-40mm. A well-marked and subtly attractive moth that rests with its wings folded above body. Adult has angular, jagged margins to wings. The undersides of the wings (that seen at rest) are orange-brown with purplish-grey marbling and dark cross lines. Flies August-September. Larva feeds on deciduous trees and shrubs. Widespread and common.
    157502.jpg
  • Early Thorn - Selenia dentaria Wingspan 30-40mm. A well-marked and subtly attractive moth that rests with its wings folded above body. Adult has angular, jagged margins to wings. The undersides of the wings (that seen at rest) are orange-brown with purplish-grey marbling and dark cross lines. Flies August-September. Larva feeds on deciduous trees and shrubs. Widespread and common.
    157498.jpg
  • Early Thorn - Selenia dentaria Wingspan 30-40mm. A well-marked and subtly attractive moth that rests with its wings folded above body. Adult has angular, jagged margins to wings. The undersides of the wings (that seen at rest) are orange-brown with purplish-grey marbling and dark cross lines. Flies August-September. Larva feeds on deciduous trees and shrubs. Widespread and common.
    157497.jpg
  • Early Thorn - Selenia dentaria Wingspan 30-40mm. A well-marked and subtly attractive moth that rests with its wings folded above body. Adult has angular, jagged margins to wings. The undersides of the wings (that seen at rest) are orange-brown with purplish-grey marbling and dark cross lines. Flies August-September. Larva feeds on deciduous trees and shrubs. Widespread and common.
    157494.jpg
  • Grayling - Hipparchia semele - male (top) - female (bottom). Wingspan 50mm. An active, sun-loving butterfly. Typically rests with its wings folded and angled to sun to cast the least shadow. Adult has well patterned underwings: hindwing is marbled grey and brown while forewing has an orange patch with two eyespots. Forewings are seldom revealed at rest, but are buffish brown with a yellowish submarginal band marked with eyespots. Flies June–August. Larva feeds on grasses. Widespread but only locally common, favouring warm, dry places including sea cliffs, heaths and dunes.
    157060.jpg
  • Broom Moth Ceramica pisi Length 15-19mm. A well-marked moth that rests with its wings spread flat on in a tent-like manner. Adult has forewings whose ground colour is variable, orange-brown and grey-brown being the extremes. All forms show a yellow submarginal jagged line expanding to a pale spot on the wing’s trailing margin; at rest the spots are aligned. Flies May-July. Larva has longitudinal brown and yellow lines; feeds on various plants including Broom and Bracken. Widespread and locally common.
    143544.jpg
  • Broom Moth Ceramica pisi Length 15-19mm. A well-marked moth that rests with its wings spread flat on in a tent-like manner. Adult has forewings whose ground colour is variable, orange-brown and grey-brown being the extremes. All forms show a yellow submarginal jagged line expanding to a pale spot on the wing’s trailing margin; at rest the spots are aligned. Flies May-July. Larva has longitudinal brown and yellow lines; feeds on various plants including Broom and Bracken. Widespread and locally common.
    143545.jpg
  • Grayling Hipparchia semele Wingspan 50mm. An active, sun-loving butterfly. Typically rests with its wings folded and angled to sun to cast the least shadow. Adult has well patterned underwings: hindwing is marbled grey and brown while forewing has an orange patch with two eyespots. Forewings are seldom revealed at rest, but are buffish brown with a yellowish submarginal band marked with eyespots. Flies June–August. Larva feeds on grasses. Widespread but only locally common, favouring warm, dry places including sea cliffs, heaths and dunes.
    144914.jpg
  • Early Thorn Selenia dentaria Wingspan 30-40mm. A well-marked and subtly attractive moth that rests with its wings folded above body. Adult has angular, jagged margins to wings. The undersides of the wings (that seen at rest) are orange-brown with purplish-grey marbling and dark cross lines. Flies August-September. Larva feeds on deciduous trees and shrubs. Widespread and common.
    143221.jpg
  • White Ermine Spilosoma lubricipeda Length 28mm. A distinctive moth. Its striking white colour means it is fairly frequently discovered resting in the daytime with its wings folded in tent-like manner over body. Ault has white wings with numerous small black spots; yellow and black abdomen is hidden by wings at rest. Flies May–July. Larva feeds on a range of herbaceous plants. Widespread and common.
    141347.jpg
  • Winter Moth Operophtera brumata Wingspan 22-26mm. The classic moth of winter, whose rounded wings (only males have wings) are held flat at rest. Often seen flying in car headlights, or found resting on walls near outside lights. To see wingless female, look for mating pairs by torchlight on foodplant. Adult male has grey-brown wings with concentric cross lines. Flies November–February. Larva feeds on most deciduous trees and shrubs. Widespread and common.
    141131.jpg
  • Early Thorn Selenia dentaria Wingspan 30-40mm. A well-marked and subtly attractive moth that rests with its wings folded above body. Adult has angular, jagged margins to wings. The undersides of the wings (that seen at rest) are orange-brown with purplish-grey marbling and dark cross lines. Flies August-September. Larva feeds on deciduous trees and shrubs. Widespread and common.
    140981.jpg
  • Winter Moth Operophtera brumata Wingspan 22-26mm. The classic moth of winter, whose rounded wings (only males have wings) are held flat at rest. Often seen flying in car headlights, or found resting on walls near outside lights. To see wingless female, look for mating pairs by torchlight on foodplant. Adult male has grey-brown wings with concentric cross lines. Flies November–February. Larva feeds on most deciduous trees and shrubs. Widespread and common.
    140978.jpg
  • November Moth Epirrita dilutata Wingspan 20mm. A classic autumn moth that is often attracted outside house lights and found resting on nearby walls. Its rounded wings are spread flat at rest. Almost impossible to separate from Pale November Moth E. chrystyi. Adult has marbled grey and brown wings, with concentric, jagged cross lines. Some individuals have a central dark spot within central band. Flies October-November. Larva feeds on a variety of shrubs and trees. Widespread and common.
    140849.jpg
  • Red Underwing Catocala nupta Wingspan 65-75mm. A large moth that rests with its wings spread flat. The forewing colours and markings are a good match for weathered timber; at rest they conceal the colourful hindwings, but these are revealed as a shock tactic if the moth is alarmed. Adult has grey and brown forewings and black-barred red underwings. Flies August–September. Larva feeds on willows and poplars. Widespread and fairly common only in southern and central England.
    140663.jpg
  • Red Underwing Catocala nupta Wingspan 65-75mm. A large moth that rests with its wings spread flat. The forewing colours and markings are a good match for weathered timber; at rest they conceal the colourful hindwings, but these are revealed as a shock tactic if the moth is alarmed. Adult has grey and brown forewings and black-barred red underwings. Flies August–September. Larva feeds on willows and poplars. Widespread and fairly common only in southern and central England.
    140454.jpg
  • Red Underwing Catocala nupta Wingspan 65-75mm. A large moth that rests with its wings spread flat. The forewing colours and markings are a good match for weathered timber; at rest they conceal the colourful hindwings, but these are revealed as a shock tactic if the moth is alarmed. Adult has grey and brown forewings and black-barred red underwings. Flies August–September. Larva feeds on willows and poplars. Widespread and fairly common only in southern and central England.
    140453.jpg
  • Red Underwing Catocala nupta Wingspan 65-75mm. A large moth that rests with its wings spread flat. The forewing colours and markings are a good match for weathered timber; at rest they conceal the colourful hindwings, but these are revealed as a shock tactic if the moth is alarmed. Adult has grey and brown forewings and black-barred red underwings. Flies August–September. Larva feeds on willows and poplars. Widespread and fairly common only in southern and central England.
    140440.jpg
  • Red Underwing Catocala nupta Wingspan 65-75mm. A large moth that rests with its wings spread flat. The forewing colours and markings are a good match for weathered timber; at rest they conceal the colourful hindwings, but these are revealed as a shock tactic if the moth is alarmed. Adult has grey and brown forewings and black-barred red underwings. Flies August–September. Larva feeds on willows and poplars. Widespread and fairly common only in southern and central England.
    140438.jpg
  • Red Underwing Catocala nupta Wingspan 65-75mm. A large moth that rests with its wings spread flat. The forewing colours and markings are a good match for weathered timber; at rest they conceal the colourful hindwings, but these are revealed as a shock tactic if the moth is alarmed. Adult has grey and brown forewings and black-barred red underwings. Flies August–September. Larva feeds on willows and poplars. Widespread and fairly common only in southern and central England.
    140439.jpg
  • Early Thorn Selenia dentaria Wingspan 30-40mm. A well-marked and subtly attractive moth that rests with its wings folded above body. Adult has angular, jagged margins to wings. The undersides of the wings (that seen at rest) are orange-brown with purplish-grey marbling and dark cross lines. Flies August-September. Larva feeds on deciduous trees and shrubs. Widespread and common.
    140146.jpg
  • Grayling Hipparchia semele Wingspan 50mm. An active, sun-loving butterfly. Typically rests with its wings folded and angled to sun to cast the least shadow. Adult has well patterned underwings: hindwing is marbled grey and brown while forewing has an orange patch with two eyespots. Forewings are seldom revealed at rest, but are buffish brown with a yellowish submarginal band marked with eyespots. Flies June–August. Larva feeds on grasses. Widespread but only locally common, favouring warm, dry places including sea cliffs, heaths and dunes.
    136160.jpg
  • November Moth Epirrita dilutata Wingspan 20mm. A classic autumn moth that is often attracted outside house lights and found resting on nearby walls. Its rounded wings are spread flat at rest. Almost impossible to separate from Pale November Moth E. chrystyi. Adult has marbled grey and brown wings, with concentric, jagged cross lines. Some individuals have a central dark spot within central band. Flies October-November. Larva feeds on a variety of shrubs and trees. Widespread and common.
    132857.jpg
  • Winter Moth Operophtera brumata Wingspan 22-26mm. The classic moth of winter, whose rounded wings (only males have wings) are held flat at rest. Often seen flying in car headlights, or found resting on walls near outside lights. To see wingless female, look for mating pairs by torchlight on foodplant. Adult male has grey-brown wings with concentric cross lines. Flies November–February. Larva feeds on most deciduous trees and shrubs. Widespread and common.
    132742.jpg
  • Winter Moth Operophtera brumata Wingspan 22-26mm. The classic moth of winter, whose rounded wings (only males have wings) are held flat at rest. Often seen flying in car headlights, or found resting on walls near outside lights. To see wingless female, look for mating pairs by torchlight on foodplant. Adult male has grey-brown wings with concentric cross lines. Flies November–February. Larva feeds on most deciduous trees and shrubs. Widespread and common.
    132743.jpg
  • Red Underwing Catocala nupta Wingspan 65-75mm. A large moth that rests with its wings spread flat. The forewing colours and markings are a good match for weathered timber; at rest they conceal the colourful hindwings, but these are revealed as a shock tactic if the moth is alarmed. Adult has grey and brown forewings and black-barred red underwings. Flies August–September. Larva feeds on willows and poplars. Widespread and fairly common only in southern and central England.
    132210.jpg
  • Red Underwing Catocala nupta Wingspan 65-75mm. A large moth that rests with its wings spread flat. The forewing colours and markings are a good match for weathered timber; at rest they conceal the colourful hindwings, but these are revealed as a shock tactic if the moth is alarmed. Adult has grey and brown forewings and black-barred red underwings. Flies August–September. Larva feeds on willows and poplars. Widespread and fairly common only in southern and central England.
    128657.jpg
  • Broom Moth Ceramica pisi Length 15-19mm. A well-marked moth that rests with its wings spread flat on in a tent-like manner. Adult has forewings whose ground colour is variable, orange-brown and grey-brown being the extremes. All forms show a yellow submarginal jagged line expanding to a pale spot on the wing’s trailing margin; at rest the spots are aligned. Flies May-July. Larva has longitudinal brown and yellow lines; feeds on various plants including Broom and Bracken. Widespread and locally common.
    123187.jpg
  • Great Black-backed Gull - Larus marinus. L 64-79cm. Our largest gull species. Bulkier than Lesser Black-backed, adult with darker back, massive bill and pink legs. Sexes are similar. Adult has almost uniformly dark back and upperwings; wingtips only marginally darker than rest of wings. Note white patch at tip of wings and broad white trailing edge. Plumage is otherwise white. Bill is yellow with an orange spot. Juvenile and 1st winter are mottled and streaked grey brown. In flight, brown upperwings have pale panels and inner primaries. Bill is dark, legs are dull pink and whitish tail is dark-tipped. Adult plumage acquired over 3 years. Voice Utters a deep kaa-ga-ga call. Status Local and coastal in the breeding season. Often nests in vicinity of mixed seabird colonies and pairs are territorial. Outside breeding season, more widespread inland and numbers boosted by migrants from N Europe.
    157948.jpg
  • Wigeon (male) Mareca penelope. L 45-47cm. Males are colourful and attractive. Forms large flocks outside breeding season. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has mainly orange-red head with yellow forehead. Breast is pinkish; rest of plumage is mainly finely marked grey except for white belly and black and white stern. In flight, has white patch on wing. Bill is pale grey and dark-tipped. In eclipse, resembles an adult female although white wing patch is still evident. Adult female is mainly reddish brown, darkest on head and back. Note, however, the white belly and stern. In flight, lacks male’s white wing patch. Bill is grey and dark-tipped. Juvenile resembles adult female. Voice Male utters evocative wheeeoo whistle.
    148447.jpg
  • Wigeon (male) Mareca penelope. L 45-47cm. Males are colourful and attractive. Forms large flocks outside breeding season. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has mainly orange-red head with yellow forehead. Breast is pinkish; rest of plumage is mainly finely marked grey except for white belly and black and white stern. In flight, has white patch on wing. Bill is pale grey and dark-tipped. In eclipse, resembles an adult female although white wing patch is still evident. Adult female is mainly reddish brown, darkest on head and back. Note, however, the white belly and stern. In flight, lacks male’s white wing patch. Bill is grey and dark-tipped. Juvenile resembles adult female. Voice Male utters evocative wheeeoo whistle.
    148448.jpg
  • Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus L 53-56cm. Similar to Herring Gull but adult has dark grey back and upperwings and bright yellow legs. Note, confusion possible with adult Yellow-legged (upperparts paler). Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has dark grey back and upperwings. Black wingtips are darker than rest of upperwing except for white trailing edge; plumage is otherwise white. Bill is yellow with orange spot. Iris is yellow and orbital ring is red. In winter, similar but with streaks on head and neck, and duller leg and bill colours. Juvenile and 1st winter have streaked and mottled grey-brown plumage, palest on head. Upperwings dark brown and whitish tail is dark-tipped. Eye and bill are dark. Adult plumage acquired over 3 years. 2nd winter similar to 1st winter but with grey back, pinkish legs and dark-tipped pink bill; 3rd winter resembles heavily streaked winter adult. Voice Utters a distinctive kyaoo and anxious ga-ka-ka. Status Locally common in summer, nesting colonially on seacliffs and islands. Most migrate S to Mediterranean outside breeding season; small numbers remain, often roosting on reservoirs.
    156537.jpg
  • Lesser Black-backed Gull - Larus fuscus - juvenile - 1st winter.  L 53-56cm. Similar to Herring Gull but adult has dark grey back and upperwings and bright yellow legs. Note, confusion possible with adult Yellow-legged (upperparts paler). Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has dark grey back and upperwings. Black wingtips are darker than rest of upperwing except for white trailing edge; plumage is otherwise white. Bill is yellow with orange spot. Iris is yellow and orbital ring is red. In winter, similar but with streaks on head and neck, and duller leg and bill colours. Juvenile and 1st winter have streaked and mottled grey-brown plumage, palest on head. Upperwings dark brown and whitish tail is dark-tipped. Eye and bill are dark. Adult plumage acquired over 3 years. 2nd winter similar to 1st winter but with grey back, pinkish legs and dark-tipped pink bill; 3rd winter resembles heavily streaked winter adult. Voice Utters a distinctive kyaoo and anxious ga-ka-ka. Status Locally common in summer, nesting colonially on seacliffs and islands. Most migrate S to Mediterranean outside breeding season; small numbers remain, often roosting on reservoirs.
    155487.jpg
  • White-tailed Eagle Haliaeetus albicilla - Juvenile. W 190-240cm. Immense raptor with long, broad and parallel-sided wings, and by relatively short, wedge-shaped tail. Surprisingly manoeuvrable, despite it size, and catches fish and waterbirds while hunting low over water. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly brown plumage, palest on head and neck. At rest, white tail is often obscured by wings. Bill and legs are yellow. In flight from below, looks mainly dark except for paler head and neck, and white tail. Juvenile is similar to adult but looks darker overall and tail is uniformly dark. Subadult acquires adult plumage over successive moults; last immature feature to disappear is dark terminal band on tail. Voice Utters mournful whistling calls. Status Formerly just a rare visitor from mainland Europe but now reintroduced successfully to certain Scottish islands.
    155041.jpg
  • Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus L 64-79cm. Our largest gull species. Bulkier than Lesser Black-backed, adult with darker back, massive bill and pink legs. Sexes are similar. Adult has almost uniformly dark back and upperwings; wingtips only marginally darker than rest of wings. Note white patch at tip of wings and broad white trailing edge. Plumage is otherwise white. Bill is yellow with an orange spot. Juvenile and 1st winter are mottled and streaked grey brown. In flight, brown upperwings have pale panels and inner primaries. Bill is dark, legs are dull pink and whitish tail is dark-tipped. Adult plumage acquired over 3 years. Voice Utters a deep kaa-ga-ga call. Status Local and coastal in the breeding season. Often nests in vicinity of mixed seabird colonies and pairs are territorial. Outside breeding season, more widespread inland and numbers boosted by migrants from N Europe.
    154984.jpg
  • White-tailed Eagle Haliaeetus albicilla W 190-240cm. Immense raptor with long, broad and parallel-sided wings, and by relatively short, wedge-shaped tail. Surprisingly manoeuvrable, despite it size, and catches fish and waterbirds while hunting low over water. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly brown plumage, palest on head and neck. At rest, white tail is often obscured by wings. Bill and legs are yellow. In flight from below, looks mainly dark except for paler head and neck, and white tail. Juvenile is similar to adult but looks darker overall and tail is uniformly dark. Subadult acquires adult plumage over successive moults; last immature feature to disappear is dark terminal band on tail. Voice Utters mournful whistling calls. Status Formerly just a rare visitor from mainland Europe but now reintroduced successfully to certain Scottish islands.
    154207.jpg
  • Dot Moth Melanchra persicarieae Length 18-20mm. A striking and aptly-named moth. At rest the wings are usually held in a shallow tent-like manner. Adult has blackish forewings with deep bluish marbling, brown flecks and a white kidney spot. Flies July-August. Larva feeds on a wide range of herbaceous plants. Widespread and very common in southern and central Britain.
    145212.jpg
  • Holly Blue Celastrina argiolus Wingspan 30mm. A familiar sight in mature gardens, especially if the larval foodplants (Holly and Ivy) grow nearby. In flight, looks rather silvery and can be hard to follow. Adult has violet-blue upperwings (seldom revealed at rest) and black-dotted white underwings. Double brooded: flies April-May and August-September. Eggs from spring brood are laid on Holly; in autumn they are laid on Ivy. Larva is green and grub-like. Fairly common in southern England, south Wales and southern Ireland.
    144922.jpg
  • The Mullein Shargacucullia verbasci Length 25-27mm. A striking, narrow-winged moth whose shape and markings make it resemble a snapped twig. At rest, the wings are held in a tight tent-like manner, and tufts of hairs project from the head end. Adult has buff wings with dark brown leading and trailing edges, and a lengthways pale stripe. Flies April-May. Larva is white with yellow bands and black spots; feeds on mulleins, figworts and Buddleia. Widespread but common only in southern and central Britain.
    144747.jpg
  • Red-green Carpet Chloroclysta siterata Wingspan 30-35mm. An attractive moth whose wings are held flat at rest creating a narrowly- triangular outline. Adult is rather variable in appearance with variable amounts of red and green. The typical form is green overall with dark cross bands and red patches or lines. In some forms, the red is entirely absent. Flies September-October, and again in spring after hibernation. Larva feeds on oaks and Rowan. Widespread and locally common.
    143212.jpg
  • The Drinker Euthrix potatoria Length 30-35mm. A well-marked moth. At rest, holds wings in a tent-like manner, and has a distinct ‘snout’. Female is larger than male. Adult has broad wings, the forewing with a pointed tip and diagonal stripe; overall, male is orange-yellow, female is yellow-buff. Flies July-August. Larva is large and hairy, brown with yellow lengthways bands; feeds on grasses. Widespread and common in the southern half of Britain, and northwest Scotland.
    141330.jpg
  • Brindled Pug Eupithecia abbreviata Wingspan 20mm. A well-marked little moth with narrow wings that are held flat at rest. Adult has marbled brown wings with a dark spot in the centre of the forewing, and a dark patch near its trailing edge. Flies April-May. Larva feeds on oaks and Hawthorn. Widespread and locally common in southern and central England and Wales; local in lowland Scotland.
    141237.jpg
  • March Moth  Alsophila aescularia Length 19mm. A distinctive, narrow-winged moth. Wings overlap one another at rest. Adult male has buffish-grey and brown wings; female is wingless and found crawling on tree trunks after dark. Flies March-April. Larva feeds on deciduous trees, notably oaks and Hawthorn. Widespread but commonest in central and southern Britain.
    141210.jpg
  • Sharp-angled Carpet Euphyia unangulata Wingspan 25-27mm. A distinctive and well-marked moth whose broad wings are held flat at rest. Adult has forewings with cross bands of marbled yellowish-brown and off-white; central dark band has an angular margin and usually contains a blackish spot. Flies June-July. Larva feeds on chickweeds and other low-growing plants. Widespread but commonest in south.
    140973.jpg
  • Green Oak Tortrix Tortrix viridana Wingspan 18-22mm. A distinctive and unmistakable moth. Adult has bright green forewings; at rest these are held flat creating a shield-like outline. Flies May-June. Larva feeds inside a rolled-up oak leaf. Widespread and common throughout much of the region.
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  • Green Oak Tortrix Tortrix viridana Wingspan 18-22mm. A distinctive and unmistakable moth. Adult has bright green forewings; at rest these are held flat creating a shield-like outline. Flies May-June. Larva feeds inside a rolled-up oak leaf. Widespread and common throughout much of the region.
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  • Common Wainscot Mythimna pallens Length 17-19mm. A rather plain grassland moth. At rest, wings are held in a tent-like manner. Adult has buffish forewings with whitish veins; hindwings are whitish. Flies July-August. Larva feeds on various grasses. Widespread and fairly common in southern and central Britain; more local further north.
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  • Grey Pine Carpet Thera obeliscata Wingspan 30-34mm. A variable moth that holds its wings flat at rest. Adult has forewings whose background colour varies from orange-buff to dull grey-brown. All have a dark central band that broadens at leading edge of wing. Pine Carpet T. firmata is similar but dark band on forewing is more indented. Larva feeds on pines and spruces. Widespread and common wherever larval foodplant trees are grown.
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  • Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing Noctua fimbriata Length 25mm. An active moth that is easily disturbed in the daytime. At rest, the wings are held flat, one forewing overlapping the other. Adult has forewings that are rich brown in the male, paler buff in the female; all individuals have a dark cross band and dark mark near the tip of the leading edge. The hindwings are orange-yellow with a broad black, subterminal band. Has an extended flying season, from July–September. Larva eats a wide range of herbaceous plants. Widespread and common in lowland Britain.
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  • Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing Noctua fimbriata Length 25mm. An active moth that is easily disturbed in the daytime. At rest, the wings are held flat, one forewing overlapping the other. Adult has forewings that are rich brown in the male, paler buff in the female; all individuals have a dark cross band and dark mark near the tip of the leading edge. The hindwings are orange-yellow with a broad black, subterminal band. Has an extended flying season, from July–September. Larva eats a wide range of herbaceous plants. Widespread and common in lowland Britain.
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  • Green Carpet Colostygia pectinataria Wingspan 22-25mm. A colourful moth whose broadly rounded wings are held flat at rest. Adult has forewings that are bright lime-green when newly emerged with a broad, darker central band, outlined in white; the colours fade with time. Flies May-July. Larva feeds on bedstraws. Widespread and common throughout much of lowland Britain.
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  • Poplar Hawk-moth  Laothoe populi Wingspan 70mm. An interesting moth whose wing shape and colouration is a good match for dry, crumpled leaves. Adult has grey-brown forewings with darker central band containing white crescent mark. At rest, hindwings project slightly in front of forewings; a reddish patch on the hindwing is exposed if the moth is startled. Double-brooded: flies May–August. Larva is bright green with a pale diagonal stripe on each segment and a ‘horn’ at the tail end. Feeds on poplar and willows. Common and widespread.
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  • Lime-speck Pug Eupithecia centaureata Wingspan 16-19mm. A very narrow-winged pug whose wings are spread flat when at rest with a gap between hindwings and abdome. Adult has wing markings and colours that create the impression of a bird-dropping: the whitish forewings have a dark spot on the middle of the leading edge, and a buff band and dark lines. Double-brooded: on the wing April-August. Larava feeds on a variety of low-growing plants. Widespread and common.
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  • Green Carpet Colostygia pectinataria Wingspan 22-25mm. A colourful moth whose broadly rounded wings are held flat at rest. Adult has forewings that are bright lime-green when newly emerged with a broad, darker central band, outlined in white; the colours fade with time. Flies May-July. Larva feeds on bedstraws. Widespread and common throughout much of lowland Britain.
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  • Lead-coloured Pug  Eupithecia plumbeolata Wingspan 15mm. A narrow-winged moth with a rather drab appearance. Wings are spread flat at rest with both forewings and hindwings visible. Adult has uniform-looking dark greyish-brown wings. Flies May-June. Larva feeds on the flowers of Common Cow-wheat. Widespread but rather local in southern and central Britain, its precise range determined by presence of larval foodplant.
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  • The Drinker Euthrix potatoria Length 30-35mm. A well-marked moth. At rest, holds wings in a tent-like manner, and has a distinct ‘snout’. Female is larger than male. Adult has broad wings, the forewing with a pointed tip and diagonal stripe; overall, male is orange-yellow, female is yellow-buff. Flies July-August. Larva is large and hairy, brown with yellow lengthways bands; feeds on grasses. Widespread and common in the southern half of Britain, and northwest Scotland.
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  • Swallow-tailed Moth Ourapteryx sambucaria Wingspan 52mm. A colourful and unmistakable moth that holds its wings spread flat at rest; can look rather butterfly-like. Adult has pale yellow wings, the forewing with an angular tip and the hindwing with a short tail streamer. Both wings are marked with brown cross lines, and the hindwing is fringed brown. Flies June–July. Larva feeds on Ivy, Hawthorn and other shrubs. Widespread and locally common in southern and central Britain.
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  • Common Wainscot Mythimna pallens Length 17-19mm. A rather plain grassland moth. At rest, wings are held in a tent-like manner. Adult has buffish forewings with whitish veins; hindwings are whitish. Flies July-August. Larva feeds on various grasses. Widespread and fairly common in southern and central Britain; more local further north.
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  • Fin Whale Balaenoptera physalus Length 18-22m Second only in terms of size to Blue Whale. Uniquely, has asymmetrical markings on head. Fast swimmer, catching shoaling fish. Adult has slender body with narrow, pointed head. Body is mainly dark grey, palest on underparts and throat. Right side of lower jaw is whitish (as are front half of right side of baleen plates and tongue) whereas left side is same colour as rest of body. Single median ridge extends from nostril to tip of rostrum. Flippers are relatively long. Dorsal fin is curved, rather large, set a long way back. Tailstock is thick and tail fin is large.
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  • Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus L 64-79cm. Our largest gull species. Bulkier than Lesser Black-backed, adult with darker back, massive bill and pink legs. Sexes are similar. Adult has almost uniformly dark back and upperwings; wingtips only marginally darker than rest of wings. Note white patch at tip of wings and broad white trailing edge. Plumage is otherwise white. Bill is yellow with an orange spot. Juvenile and 1st winter are mottled and streaked grey brown. In flight, brown upperwings have pale panels and inner primaries. Bill is dark, legs are dull pink and whitish tail is dark-tipped. Adult plumage acquired over 3 years. Voice Utters a deep kaa-ga-ga call. Status Local and coastal in the breeding season. Often nests in vicinity of mixed seabird colonies and pairs are territorial. Outside breeding season, more widespread inland and numbers boosted by migrants from N Europe.
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  • Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus L 53-56cm. Similar to Herring Gull but adult has dark grey back and upperwings and bright yellow legs. Note, confusion possible with adult Yellow-legged (upperparts paler). Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has dark grey back and upperwings. Black wingtips are darker than rest of upperwing except for white trailing edge; plumage is otherwise white. Bill is yellow with orange spot. Iris is yellow and orbital ring is red. In winter, similar but with streaks on head and neck, and duller leg and bill colours. Juvenile and 1st winter have streaked and mottled grey-brown plumage, palest on head. Upperwings dark brown and whitish tail is dark-tipped. Eye and bill are dark. Adult plumage acquired over 3 years. 2nd winter similar to 1st winter but with grey back, pinkish legs and dark-tipped pink bill; 3rd winter resembles heavily streaked winter adult. Voice Utters a distinctive kyaoo and anxious ga-ka-ka. Status Locally common in summer, nesting colonially on seacliffs and islands. Most migrate S to Mediterranean outside breeding season; small numbers remain, often roosting on reservoirs.
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  • White-tailed Eagle Haliaeetus albicilla W 190-240cm. Immense raptor with long, broad and parallel-sided wings, and by relatively short, wedge-shaped tail. Surprisingly manoeuvrable, despite it size, and catches fish and waterbirds while hunting low over water. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly brown plumage, palest on head and neck. At rest, white tail is often obscured by wings. Bill and legs are yellow. In flight from below, looks mainly dark except for paler head and neck, and white tail. Juvenile is similar to adult but looks darker overall and tail is uniformly dark. Subadult acquires adult plumage over successive moults; last immature feature to disappear is dark terminal band on tail. Voice Utters mournful whistling calls. Status Formerly just a rare visitor from mainland Europe but now reintroduced successfully to certain Scottish islands.
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  • Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus L 53-56cm. Similar to Herring Gull but adult has dark grey back and upperwings and bright yellow legs. Note, confusion possible with adult Yellow-legged (upperparts paler). Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has dark grey back and upperwings. Black wingtips are darker than rest of upperwing except for white trailing edge; plumage is otherwise white. Bill is yellow with orange spot. Iris is yellow and orbital ring is red. In winter, similar but with streaks on head and neck, and duller leg and bill colours. Juvenile and 1st winter have streaked and mottled grey-brown plumage, palest on head. Upperwings dark brown and whitish tail is dark-tipped. Eye and bill are dark. Adult plumage acquired over 3 years. 2nd winter similar to 1st winter but with grey back, pinkish legs and dark-tipped pink bill; 3rd winter resembles heavily streaked winter adult. Voice Utters a distinctive kyaoo and anxious ga-ka-ka. Status Locally common in summer, nesting colonially on seacliffs and islands. Most migrate S to Mediterranean outside breeding season; small numbers remain, often roosting on reservoirs.
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  • Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus L 53-56cm. Similar to Herring Gull but adult has dark grey back and upperwings and bright yellow legs. Note, confusion possible with adult Yellow-legged (upperparts paler). Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has dark grey back and upperwings. Black wingtips are darker than rest of upperwing except for white trailing edge; plumage is otherwise white. Bill is yellow with orange spot. Iris is yellow and orbital ring is red. In winter, similar but with streaks on head and neck, and duller leg and bill colours. Juvenile and 1st winter have streaked and mottled grey-brown plumage, palest on head. Upperwings dark brown and whitish tail is dark-tipped. Eye and bill are dark. Adult plumage acquired over 3 years. 2nd winter similar to 1st winter but with grey back, pinkish legs and dark-tipped pink bill; 3rd winter resembles heavily streaked winter adult. Voice Utters a distinctive kyaoo and anxious ga-ka-ka. Status Locally common in summer, nesting colonially on seacliffs and islands. Most migrate S to Mediterranean outside breeding season; small numbers remain, often roosting on reservoirs.
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  • Wigeon - Mareca penelope. L 45-47cm. Males are colourful and attractive. Forms large flocks outside breeding season. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has mainly orange-red head with yellow forehead. Breast is pinkish; rest of plumage is mainly finely marked grey except for white belly and black and white stern. In flight, has white patch on wing. Bill is pale grey and dark-tipped. In eclipse, resembles an adult female although white wing patch is still evident. Adult female is mainly reddish brown, darkest on head and back. Note, however, the white belly and stern. In flight, lacks male’s white wing patch. Bill is grey and dark-tipped. Juvenile resembles adult female. Voice Male utters evocative wheeeoo whistle.
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  • White-tailed Eagle Haliaeetus albicilla W 190-240cm. Immense raptor with long, broad and parallel-sided wings, and by relatively short, wedge-shaped tail. Surprisingly manoeuvrable, despite it size, and catches fish and waterbirds while hunting low over water. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly brown plumage, palest on head and neck. At rest, white tail is often obscured by wings. Bill and legs are yellow. In flight from below, looks mainly dark except for paler head and neck, and white tail. Juvenile is similar to adult but looks darker overall and tail is uniformly dark. Subadult acquires adult plumage over successive moults; last immature feature to disappear is dark terminal band on tail. Voice Utters mournful whistling calls. Status Formerly just a rare visitor from mainland Europe but now reintroduced successfully to certain Scottish islands.
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  • White-tailed Eagle Haliaeetus albicilla W 190-240cm. Immense raptor with long, broad and parallel-sided wings, and by relatively short, wedge-shaped tail. Surprisingly manoeuvrable, despite it size, and catches fish and waterbirds while hunting low over water. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly brown plumage, palest on head and neck. At rest, white tail is often obscured by wings. Bill and legs are yellow. In flight from below, looks mainly dark except for paler head and neck, and white tail. Juvenile is similar to adult but looks darker overall and tail is uniformly dark. Subadult acquires adult plumage over successive moults; last immature feature to disappear is dark terminal band on tail. Voice Utters mournful whistling calls. Status Formerly just a rare visitor from mainland Europe but now reintroduced successfully to certain Scottish islands.
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  • White-tailed Eagle Haliaeetus albicilla W 190-240cm. Immense raptor with long, broad and parallel-sided wings, and by relatively short, wedge-shaped tail. Surprisingly manoeuvrable, despite it size, and catches fish and waterbirds while hunting low over water. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly brown plumage, palest on head and neck. At rest, white tail is often obscured by wings. Bill and legs are yellow. In flight from below, looks mainly dark except for paler head and neck, and white tail. Juvenile is similar to adult but looks darker overall and tail is uniformly dark. Subadult acquires adult plumage over successive moults; last immature feature to disappear is dark terminal band on tail. Voice Utters mournful whistling calls. Status Formerly just a rare visitor from mainland Europe but now reintroduced successfully to certain Scottish islands.
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  • 70.296 (1664)<br />
Rest Harrow - Aplasta ononaria
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