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  • Electro fishing survey of Norfolk's chalk rivers, Norfolk Rivers Trust, autumn, Norfolk UK
    157594.jpg
  • Electro fishing survey of Norfolk's chalk rivers, Norfolk Rivers Trust, autumn, Norfolk UK
    157595.jpg
  • River Ystwyth, Ceredigion, with well developed shingle banks. Habitat of Arctosa cinerea. Some of the Rivers in Mid and North Wales have well developed shingle banks that support  populations of rare, specially adapted, invertebrates including the large River Bear-Spider Arctosa cinera
    155333.jpg
  • River Bear-Spider, Arctosa cinerea - Female. On river gravel, West Wales. This largest Wolf spider in Britain and is a local specialist on fast flowing rivers Scotland, Wales and Northern England.
    155341.jpg
  • Dipper - Cinclus cinclus - juvenile. L 18cm. Dumpy waterside bird that perches on river boulders. Flies low over water. Dives readily in search of invertebrates. Sexes are similar. Adult has dark grey-brown wings, back and tail. Head is reddish brown and throat and breast (bib) are white. Belly grades from reddish chestnut at front to blackish brown at rear. Legs and feet are stout and powerful. Juvenile has greyish upperparts and barred, pale underparts. Voice Utters a shrill striitz call. Status Fairly common but local on fast-flowing streams and rivers.
    153886.jpg
  • Dipper Cinclus cinclus L 18cm. Dumpy waterside bird that perches on river boulders. Flies low over water. Dives readily in search of invertebrates. Sexes are similar. Adult has dark grey-brown wings, back and tail. Head is reddish brown and throat and breast (bib) are white. Belly grades from reddish chestnut at front to blackish brown at rear. Legs and feet are stout and powerful. Juvenile has greyish upperparts and barred, pale underparts. Voice Utters a shrill striitz call. Status Fairly common but local on fast-flowing streams and rivers.
    121025.jpg
  • Dipper Cinclus cinclus L 18cm. Dumpy waterside bird that perches on river boulders. Flies low over water. Dives readily in search of invertebrates. Sexes are similar. Adult has dark grey-brown wings, back and tail. Head is reddish brown and throat and breast (bib) are white. Belly grades from reddish chestnut at front to blackish brown at rear. Legs and feet are stout and powerful. Juvenile has greyish upperparts and barred, pale underparts. Voice Utters a shrill striitz call. Status Fairly common but local on fast-flowing streams and rivers.
    136398.jpg
  • Dipper Cinclus cinclus L 18cm. Dumpy waterside bird that perches on river boulders. Flies low over water. Dives readily in search of invertebrates. Sexes are similar. Adult has dark grey-brown wings, back and tail. Head is reddish brown and throat and breast (bib) are white. Belly grades from reddish chestnut at front to blackish brown at rear. Legs and feet are stout and powerful. Juvenile has greyish upperparts and barred, pale underparts. Voice Utters a shrill striitz call. Status Fairly common but local on fast-flowing streams and rivers.
    136404.jpg
  • Dipper Cinclus cinclus L 18cm. Dumpy waterside bird that perches on river boulders. Flies low over water. Dives readily in search of invertebrates. Sexes are similar. Adult has dark grey-brown wings, back and tail. Head is reddish brown and throat and breast (bib) are white. Belly grades from reddish chestnut at front to blackish brown at rear. Legs and feet are stout and powerful. Juvenile has greyish upperparts and barred, pale underparts. Voice Utters a shrill striitz call. Status Fairly common but local on fast-flowing streams and rivers.
    136403.jpg
  • Dipper Cinclus cinclus L 18cm. Dumpy waterside bird that perches on river boulders. Flies low over water. Dives readily in search of invertebrates. Sexes are similar. Adult has dark grey-brown wings, back and tail. Head is reddish brown and throat and breast (bib) are white. Belly grades from reddish chestnut at front to blackish brown at rear. Legs and feet are stout and powerful. Juvenile has greyish upperparts and barred, pale underparts. Voice Utters a shrill striitz call. Status Fairly common but local on fast-flowing streams and rivers.
    136405.jpg
  • Dipper Cinclus cinclus L 18cm. Dumpy waterside bird that perches on river boulders. Flies low over water. Dives readily in search of invertebrates. Sexes are similar. Adult has dark grey-brown wings, back and tail. Head is reddish brown and throat and breast (bib) are white. Belly grades from reddish chestnut at front to blackish brown at rear. Legs and feet are stout and powerful. Juvenile has greyish upperparts and barred, pale underparts. Voice Utters a shrill striitz call. Status Fairly common but local on fast-flowing streams and rivers.
    136406.jpg
  • Dipper Cinclus cinclus L 18cm. Dumpy waterside bird that perches on river boulders. Flies low over water. Dives readily in search of invertebrates. Sexes are similar. Adult has dark grey-brown wings, back and tail. Head is reddish brown and throat and breast (bib) are white. Belly grades from reddish chestnut at front to blackish brown at rear. Legs and feet are stout and powerful. Juvenile has greyish upperparts and barred, pale underparts. Voice Utters a shrill striitz call. Status Fairly common but local on fast-flowing streams and rivers.
    136418.jpg
  • Dipper Cinclus cinclus L 18cm. Dumpy waterside bird that perches on river boulders. Flies low over water. Dives readily in search of invertebrates. Sexes are similar. Adult has dark grey-brown wings, back and tail. Head is reddish brown and throat and breast (bib) are white. Belly grades from reddish chestnut at front to blackish brown at rear. Legs and feet are stout and powerful. Juvenile has greyish upperparts and barred, pale underparts. Voice Utters a shrill striitz call. Status Fairly common but local on fast-flowing streams and rivers.
    145670.jpg
  • MARSH WOUNDWORT Stachys palustris (Lamiaceae) Height to 1m. Robust, non-smelling perennial with creeping stems and unbranched flowering stalks. Grows in damp ground in marshes, and beside ditches and rivers; occasionally found along the margins of damp arable field. FLOWERS are 12-15mm long and pinkish purple with white markings; borne in elegant, open spikes (Jun-Sep). FRUITS are nutlets. LEAVES are toothed, narrow-oblong, often heart-shaped at the base and mostly unstalked. STATUS-Widespread and locally common throughout the region.
    131711.jpg
  • Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea Length 18cm. Elegant waterside bird. Strikingly long tail is continually pumped up and down. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male in summer has blue-grey upperparts and lemon-yellow underparts. Note black bib, white sub-moustachial stripe and white supercilium. Bill is dark, legs are reddish and outer tail feathers are white. Adult female in summer is similar but bib is whitish and variably marked with grey while underparts are paler with yellow colour confined mainly to vent. Winter adults and juveniles are similar to respective summer plumages but with white throats. Voice Utters a sharp chsee-tsit call in flight. Status Favours fast-flowing stony streams and rivers; commonest in N and W.
    136121.jpg
  • Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator L 52-58cm. Slim duck with shaggy, spiky, crest. Dives frequently in search of fish. In flight, all birds show white on upper surface of inner wing; extent is greatest in male. Sexes are dissimilar in other regards. Adult male has narrow red bill, green head, white neck and orange-red breast. Flanks are grey and back is black. In eclipse, similar to adult female but retains extensive white on wing. Adult female has red bill, dirty orange head and nape and paler throat; body is otherwise greyish buff. Juvenile resembles adult female. Voice Mostly silent. Status Nests beside fish-rich lakes and rivers, mainly in N; locally common. Influx from N Europe boosts numbers in winter and then common on estuaries and sheltered coasts.
    157026.jpg
  • Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator L 52-58cm. Slim duck with shaggy, spiky, crest. Dives frequently in search of fish. In flight, all birds show white on upper surface of inner wing; extent is greatest in male. Sexes are dissimilar in other regards. Adult male has narrow red bill, green head, white neck and orange-red breast. Flanks are grey and back is black. In eclipse, similar to adult female but retains extensive white on wing. Adult female has red bill, dirty orange head and nape and paler throat; body is otherwise greyish buff. Juvenile resembles adult female. Voice Mostly silent. Status Nests beside fish-rich lakes and rivers, mainly in N; locally common. Influx from N Europe boosts numbers in winter and then common on estuaries and sheltered coasts.
    155737.jpg
  • Goosander Mergus merganser - Adult Male. L 58-66cm. Large, elegant diving duck. Narrow mandibles have serrated edges. In flight, upper surface of male’s inner wing is white; in female white is restricted to trailing edge. Sexes are dissimilar in other regards. Adult male has bright red bill, green-glossed head (looks dark in poor light), mainly pink-flushed white body and black back. In eclipse, resembles adult female but retains white wing pattern. Adult female has reddish bill, orange-red head with shaggy crest, and greyish body palest on breast; chin is white. Juvenile resembles dull adult female. Voice Displaying male utters ringing calls. Status Fairly common freshwater species beside wooded upland rivers; nests in tree holes. Influx from mainland Europe boosts winter numbers; found on reservoirs, lochs and flooded gravel pits.
    155552.jpg
  • Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator L 52-58cm. Slim duck with shaggy, spiky, crest. Dives frequently in search of fish. In flight, all birds show white on upper surface of inner wing; extent is greatest in male. Sexes are dissimilar in other regards. Adult male has narrow red bill, green head, white neck and orange-red breast. Flanks are grey and back is black. In eclipse, similar to adult female but retains extensive white on wing. Adult female has red bill, dirty orange head and nape and paler throat; body is otherwise greyish buff. Juvenile resembles adult female. Voice Mostly silent. Status Nests beside fish-rich lakes and rivers, mainly in N; locally common. Influx from N Europe boosts numbers in winter and then common on estuaries and sheltered coasts.
    155391.jpg
  • Goosander Mergus merganser L 58-66cm. Large, elegant diving duck. Narrow mandibles have serrated edges. In flight, upper surface of male’s inner wing is white; in female white is restricted to trailing edge. Sexes are dissimilar in other regards. Adult male has bright red bill, green-glossed head (looks dark in poor light), mainly pink-flushed white body and black back. In eclipse, resembles adult female but retains white wing pattern. Adult female has reddish bill, orange-red head with shaggy crest, and greyish body palest on breast; chin is white. Juvenile resembles dull adult female. Voice Displaying male utters ringing calls. Status Fairly common freshwater species beside wooded upland rivers; nests in tree holes. Influx from mainland Europe boosts winter numbers; found on reservoirs, lochs and flooded gravel pits.
    153965.jpg
  • Goosander Mergus merganser L 58-66cm. Large, elegant diving duck. Narrow mandibles have serrated edges. In flight, upper surface of male’s inner wing is white; in female white is restricted to trailing edge. Sexes are dissimilar in other regards. Adult male has bright red bill, green-glossed head (looks dark in poor light), mainly pink-flushed white body and black back. In eclipse, resembles adult female but retains white wing pattern. Adult female has reddish bill, orange-red head with shaggy crest, and greyish body palest on breast; chin is white. Juvenile resembles dull adult female. Voice Displaying male utters ringing calls. Status Fairly common freshwater species beside wooded upland rivers; nests in tree holes. Influx from mainland Europe boosts winter numbers; found on reservoirs, lochs and flooded gravel pits.
    153966.jpg
  • Goosander Mergus merganser L 58-66cm. Large, elegant diving duck. Narrow mandibles have serrated edges. In flight, upper surface of male’s inner wing is white; in female white is restricted to trailing edge. Sexes are dissimilar in other regards. Adult male has bright red bill, green-glossed head (looks dark in poor light), mainly pink-flushed white body and black back. In eclipse, resembles adult female but retains white wing pattern. Adult female has reddish bill, orange-red head with shaggy crest, and greyish body palest on breast; chin is white. Juvenile resembles dull adult female. Voice Displaying male utters ringing calls. Status Fairly common freshwater species beside wooded upland rivers; nests in tree holes. Influx from mainland Europe boosts winter numbers; found on reservoirs, lochs and flooded gravel pits.
    153967.jpg
  • Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea Length 18cm. Elegant waterside bird. Strikingly long tail is continually pumped up and down. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male in summer has blue-grey upperparts and lemon-yellow underparts. Note black bib, white sub-moustachial stripe and white supercilium. Bill is dark, legs are reddish and outer tail feathers are white. Adult female in summer is similar but bib is whitish and variably marked with grey while underparts are paler with yellow colour confined mainly to vent. Winter adults and juveniles are similar to respective summer plumages but with white throats. Voice Utters a sharp chsee-tsit call in flight. Status Favours fast-flowing stony streams and rivers; commonest in N and W.
    153975.jpg
  • Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea Length 18cm. Elegant waterside bird. Strikingly long tail is continually pumped up and down. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male in summer has blue-grey upperparts and lemon-yellow underparts. Note black bib, white sub-moustachial stripe and white supercilium. Bill is dark, legs are reddish and outer tail feathers are white. Adult female in summer is similar but bib is whitish and variably marked with grey while underparts are paler with yellow colour confined mainly to vent. Winter adults and juveniles are similar to respective summer plumages but with white throats. Voice Utters a sharp chsee-tsit call in flight. Status Favours fast-flowing stony streams and rivers; commonest in N and W.
    153976.jpg
  • Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea Length 18cm. Elegant waterside bird. Strikingly long tail is continually pumped up and down. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male in summer has blue-grey upperparts and lemon-yellow underparts. Note black bib, white sub-moustachial stripe and white supercilium. Bill is dark, legs are reddish and outer tail feathers are white. Adult female in summer is similar but bib is whitish and variably marked with grey while underparts are paler with yellow colour confined mainly to vent. Winter adults and juveniles are similar to respective summer plumages but with white throats. Voice Utters a sharp chsee-tsit call in flight. Status Favours fast-flowing stony streams and rivers; commonest in N and W.
    153978.jpg
  • BUTTERBUR Petasites hybridus (Asteraceae) Height to 50cm<br />
Impressive, patch-forming perennial with creeping rhizomes. Grows in damp ground, often beside rivers and ditches. FLOWERS are borne in pinkish red heads with separate sex plants (male flower heads are 7-12mm across, females flower heads are 3-6mm across); carried on impressive and robust spikes, up to 40cm tall, (Mar-May), going over as the leaves appear. FRUITS are achenes. LEAVES are heart-shaped, up to 1m across, and most evident in summer. STATUS-Locally common throughout the region.
    153659.jpg
  • Brook Lamprey Lampetra planeri (L 15cm) Elongated fish, resident in unpolluted streams and rivers. It spends most of its 3-5 year lifespan as a larva living buried in silt; here it filters organic matter. Following metamorphosis, adults are sometimes seen spawning in Apilr-May in shallow gravel beds; the sucker is used to move stones to create an egg-laying site. Adults die after spawning.
    139721.jpg
  • Brook Lamprey Lampetra planeri (L 15cm) Elongated fish, resident in unpolluted streams and rivers. It spends most of its 3-5 year lifespan as a larva living buried in silt; here it filters organic matter. Following metamorphosis, adults are sometimes seen spawning in Apilr-May in shallow gravel beds; the sucker is used to move stones to create an egg-laying site. Adults die after spawning.
    139728.jpg
  • Purple Willow Salix purpurea (Salicaceae) HEIGHT to 6m<br />
Spreading shrub or small tree. BARK Grey and shiny. SHOOTS Shiny and reddish purple when young. LEAVES Elongate ovate, broadest towards the blunt tip and up to 12cm long; hairless, the margin toothed only near the tip. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male catkins are golden-yellow with reddish purple anthers. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native, widespread but rather local; absent from, or scarce in, SE England, W Britain and the Scottish Highlands. Grows in damp ground, beside rivers and ponds and in marshes
    133880.jpg
  • Almond Willow Salix triandra (Salicaceae) HEIGHT to 10m <br />
Small tree or untidy shrub. BARK Smooth, flaking off in small patches. SHOOTS Greenish or reddish-brown and terminate in brown, ovoid, smooth buds. LEAVES Ovate, up to 10cm long, with a serrated margin and pointed tip, usually smooth, hairless, and a dark glossy green. The petiole to 1.5cm long and smooth. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Catkins usually appear at the same time as the leaves on short leafy shoots and are erect and cylindrical. Male catkins up to 5cm long and greenish-yellow, remaining on tree for some time. Female catkins shorter and more compact. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native, widespread in southern England but becoming scarce further north and west. Grows in damp ground, often beside rivers and ponds or in marshes.
    133813.jpg
  • Purple Willow Salix purpurea (Salicaceae) HEIGHT to 6m<br />
Spreading shrub or small tree. BARK Grey and shiny. SHOOTS Shiny and reddish purple when young. LEAVES Elongate ovate, broadest towards the blunt tip and up to 12cm long; hairless, the margin toothed only near the tip. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male catkins are golden-yellow with reddish purple anthers. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native, widespread but rather local; absent from, or scarce in, SE England, W Britain and the Scottish Highlands. Grows in damp ground, beside rivers and ponds and in marshes
    133812.jpg
  • Purple Willow Salix purpurea (Salicaceae) HEIGHT to 6m<br />
Spreading shrub or small tree. BARK Grey and shiny. SHOOTS Shiny and reddish purple when young. LEAVES Elongate ovate, broadest towards the blunt tip and up to 12cm long; hairless, the margin toothed only near the tip. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male catkins are golden-yellow with reddish purple anthers. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native, widespread but rather local; absent from, or scarce in, SE England, W Britain and the Scottish Highlands. Grows in damp ground, beside rivers and ponds and in marshes
    133753.jpg
  • Almond Willow Salix triandra (Salicaceae) HEIGHT to 10m <br />
Small tree or untidy shrub. BARK Smooth, flaking off in small patches. SHOOTS Greenish or reddish-brown and terminate in brown, ovoid, smooth buds. LEAVES Ovate, up to 10cm long, with a serrated margin and pointed tip, usually smooth, hairless, and a dark glossy green. The petiole to 1.5cm long and smooth. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Catkins usually appear at the same time as the leaves on short leafy shoots and are erect and cylindrical. Male catkins up to 5cm long and greenish-yellow, remaining on tree for some time. Female catkins shorter and more compact. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native, widespread in southern England but becoming scarce further north and west. Grows in damp ground, often beside rivers and ponds or in marshes.
    133751.jpg
  • Almond Willow Salix triandra (Salicaceae) HEIGHT to 10m <br />
Small tree or untidy shrub. BARK Smooth, flaking off in small patches. SHOOTS Greenish or reddish-brown and terminate in brown, ovoid, smooth buds. LEAVES Ovate, up to 10cm long, with a serrated margin and pointed tip, usually smooth, hairless, and a dark glossy green. The petiole to 1.5cm long and smooth. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Catkins usually appear at the same time as the leaves on short leafy shoots and are erect and cylindrical. Male catkins up to 5cm long and greenish-yellow, remaining on tree for some time. Female catkins shorter and more compact. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native, widespread in southern England but becoming scarce further north and west. Grows in damp ground, often beside rivers and ponds or in marshes.
    132639.jpg
  • LESSER SPEARWORT Ranunculus flammula (Ranunculaceae) Height to 50cm. Upright or creeping perennial. Often roots where leaf nodes touch the ground. Favours damp ground, often beside rivers. FLOWERS are 5-15mm across and usually solitary; borne on furrowed stalks (Jun-Oct). FRUITS are beaked but not winged. LEAVES are oval (basal leaves); stem leaves are narrow. STATUS-Widespread, commonest in the N.
    140181.jpg
  • BUTTERBUR Petasites hybridus (Asteraceae) Height to 50cm<br />
Impressive, patch-forming perennial with creeping rhizomes. Grows in damp ground, often beside rivers and ditches. FLOWERS are borne in pinkish red heads with separate sex plants (male flower heads are 7-12mm across, females flower heads are 3-6mm across); carried on impressive and robust spikes, up to 40cm tall, (Mar-May), going over as the leaves appear. FRUITS are achenes. LEAVES are heart-shaped, up to 1m across, and most evident in summer. STATUS-Locally common throughout the region.
    133494.jpg
  • LESSER SPEARWORT Ranunculus flammula (Ranunculaceae) Height to 50cm. Upright or creeping perennial. Often roots where leaf nodes touch the ground. Favours damp ground, often beside rivers. FLOWERS are 5-15mm across and usually solitary; borne on furrowed stalks (Jun-Oct). FRUITS are beaked but not winged. LEAVES are oval (basal leaves); stem leaves are narrow. STATUS-Widespread, commonest in the N.
    132072.jpg
  • LESSER SPEARWORT Ranunculus flammula (Ranunculaceae) Height to 50cm. Upright or creeping perennial. Often roots where leaf nodes touch the ground. Favours damp ground, often beside rivers. FLOWERS are 5-15mm across and usually solitary; borne on furrowed stalks (Jun-Oct). FRUITS are beaked but not winged. LEAVES are oval (basal leaves); stem leaves are narrow. STATUS-Widespread, commonest in the N.
    132073.jpg
  • ORANGE BALSAM Impatiens capensis (Balsaminaceae) Height to 1.5m. Upright, hairless and bushy annual. Found in damp ground beside rivers. FLOWERS are 2-3cm long and orange with brown blotches and a curved spur; borne on stalks that arise from leaf axils (Jun-Aug). FRUITS are explosive capsules. LEAVES are wavy, with fewer than 10 teeth. STATUS-Naturalised locally in England and Wales.
    131943.jpg
  • YELLOW LOOSESTRIFE Lysimachia vulgaris (Primulaceae) Height to 1m. Softly hairy perennial of damp grassland, and often found beside rivers and in fens. FLOWERS are 15-20mm across and yellow, with 5 pointed lobes; borne in terminal heads (Jun-Aug). FRUITS are capsules. LEAVES are narrow, ovate and borne in whorls of 3 or 4; often adorned with black dots. STATUS-Widespread and locally common throughout.
    131897.jpg
  • YELLOW LOOSESTRIFE Lysimachia vulgaris (Primulaceae) Height to 1m. Softly hairy perennial of damp grassland, and often found beside rivers and in fens. FLOWERS are 15-20mm across and yellow, with 5 pointed lobes; borne in terminal heads (Jun-Aug). FRUITS are capsules. LEAVES are narrow, ovate and borne in whorls of 3 or 4; often adorned with black dots. STATUS-Widespread and locally common throughout.
    131896.jpg
  • BLOOD-DROP-EMLETS Mimulus luteus (Scrophulariaceae) Height to 50cm. Showy and distinctive perennial. Similar to Monkeyflower but with strikingly marked flowers. Grows in damp soil, typically beside streams and rivers. FLOWERS are 25-45mm across, the corolla yellow but with large red blotches on the throat, and a 3-lobed lower lip and 2-lobed upper lip; borne in open, terminal clusters (Jun-Sep). FRUITS are capsules. LEAVES are oval and borne in opposite pairs, the upper ones clasping the stem. STATUS-Introduced from N America but naturalised, mainly in the N.
    131610.jpg
  • RED CURRANT Ribes rubrum (Grossulariaceae) Height to 2m<br />
Deciduous shrub, found in damp woodland and beside streams and rivers. FLOWERS are greenish, bell-shaped and pendent; in clusters of up to 20 flowers (Apr-May). FRUITS are red, shiny berries. LEAVES are rounded, irregularly 5-lobed and are not aromatic when bruised. STATUS-Widespread and locally common native; also widely naturalised.
    131369.jpg
  • COMMON VALERIAN Valeriana officinalis (Valerianaceae) * Height to 1.5m. Upright, usually unbranched perennial. Grows in grassy, wayside places, beside rivers and in woodland; favours both dry and damp soil, growing tallest in latter situation. FLOWERS are 3-5mm long, the corolla funnel-shaped, 5-lobed and pale pink; borne in dense, terminal umbels (Jun-Aug). FRUITS are oblong with a feathery pappus. LEAVES are lanceolate, toothed and in opposite pairs. STATUS-Widespread and locally common.
    131166.jpg
  • COMMON COMFREY Symphytum officinale (Boraginaceae) Height to 1m. Roughly hairy perennial with strikingly winged stems. Grows in damp ground beside rivers and ditches. FLOWERS are 12-18mm long and tubular to bell-shaped; colour varies but usually white, pink or purple, and borne in curved clusters (May-Jun). FRUITS are shiny nutlets. LEAVES are oval and hairy, the upper ones clasping, and the stalk running down the main stem. STATUS-Widespread; common only in C and S England.
    130907.jpg
  • RED CURRANT Ribes rubrum (Grossulariaceae) Height to 2m<br />
Deciduous shrub, found in damp woodland and beside streams and rivers. FLOWERS are greenish, bell-shaped and pendent; in clusters of up to 20 flowers (Apr-May). FRUITS are red, shiny berries. LEAVES are rounded, irregularly 5-lobed and are not aromatic when bruised. STATUS-Widespread and locally common native; also widely naturalised.
    130661.jpg
  • NORTHERN DOCK Rumex longifolius (Polygonaceae) Upright perennial of disturbed ground, often beside rivers and roads, or near the coast. Rather similar to Curled Dock. FLOWERS are pale green, borne in narrow spikes. FRUITS are heart-shaped and lack teeth and tubercles (Jul-Sep). LEAVES are up to 80cm long, broader than those of Curled Dock. STATUS-Locally common only in C Scotland.
    129825.jpg
  • MONKEYFLOWER Mimulus guttatus (Scrophulariaceae) * Height 50cm. Attractive and distinctive perennial, the upper parts of which are downy. Grows in damp soil, typically beside streams and rivers. FLOWERS are 25-45mm across and showy, the corolla yellow, marked with small red spots and a 3-lobed lower lip and 2-lobed upper lip; borne in open, terminal clusters (Jun-Sep). FRUITS are capsules. LEAVES are oval and borne in opposite pairs; upper ones unstalked and clasping. STATUS-N American species, introduced and now widely naturalised across the region.
    128066.jpg
  • BUTTERBUR Petasites hybridus (Asteraceae) Height to 50cm<br />
Impressive, patch-forming perennial with creeping rhizomes. Grows in damp ground, often beside rivers and ditches. FLOWERS are borne in pinkish red heads with separate sex plants (male flower heads are 7-12mm across, females flower heads are 3-6mm across); carried on impressive and robust spikes, up to 40cm tall, (Mar-May), going over as the leaves appear. FRUITS are achenes. LEAVES are heart-shaped, up to 1m across, and most evident in summer. STATUS-Locally common throughout the region.
    144575.jpg
  • Goosander Mergus merganser L 58-66cm. Large, elegant diving duck. Narrow mandibles have serrated edges. In flight, upper surface of male’s inner wing is white; in female white is restricted to trailing edge. Sexes are dissimilar in other regards. Adult male has bright red bill, green-glossed head (looks dark in poor light), mainly pink-flushed white body and black back. In eclipse, resembles adult female but retains white wing pattern. Adult female has reddish bill, orange-red head with shaggy crest, and greyish body palest on breast; chin is white. Juvenile resembles dull adult female. Voice Displaying male utters ringing calls. Status Fairly common freshwater species beside wooded upland rivers; nests in tree holes. Influx from mainland Europe boosts winter numbers; found on reservoirs, lochs and flooded gravel pits.
    121531.jpg
  • Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos L 18-20cm. Active little wader with a bobbing gait and elongated tail end. Flies on bowed, fluttering wings low over water: note white wingbar and absence of white rump. Sexes are similar.<br />
Adult has warm brown upperparts with faint dark centres and barring feathers of back and wings. Head and neck are grey-brown; note clear demarcation between dark breast and white underparts, white extending up sides of breast. Juvenile is similar but wing covert feathers s are barred. Voice Utters a whistling tswee-wee-wee call. Status Fairly common summer visitor, nesting beside upland and northern rivers and lakes. Widespread and fairly common passage migrant, found at inland sites and on coasts. A handful overwinter.
    127326.jpg
  • Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos L 18-20cm. Active little wader with a bobbing gait and elongated tail end. Flies on bowed, fluttering wings low over water: note white wingbar and absence of white rump. Sexes are similar.<br />
Adult has warm brown upperparts with faint dark centres and barring feathers of back and wings. Head and neck are grey-brown; note clear demarcation between dark breast and white underparts, white extending up sides of breast. Juvenile is similar but wing covert feathers s are barred. Voice Utters a whistling tswee-wee-wee call. Status Fairly common summer visitor, nesting beside upland and northern rivers and lakes. Widespread and fairly common passage migrant, found at inland sites and on coasts. A handful overwinter.
    127763.jpg
  • Goosander Mergus merganser L 58-66cm. Large, elegant diving duck. Narrow mandibles have serrated edges. In flight, upper surface of male’s inner wing is white; in female white is restricted to trailing edge. Sexes are dissimilar in other regards. Adult male has bright red bill, green-glossed head (looks dark in poor light), mainly pink-flushed white body and black back. In eclipse, resembles adult female but retains white wing pattern. Adult female has reddish bill, orange-red head with shaggy crest, and greyish body palest on breast; chin is white. Juvenile resembles dull adult female. Voice Displaying male utters ringing calls. Status Fairly common freshwater species beside wooded upland rivers; nests in tree holes. Influx from mainland Europe boosts winter numbers; found on reservoirs, lochs and flooded gravel pits.
    128862.jpg
  • Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator L 52-58cm. Slim duck with shaggy, spiky, crest. Dives frequently in search of fish. In flight, all birds show white on upper surface of inner wing; extent is greatest in male. Sexes are dissimilar in other regards. Adult male has narrow red bill, green head, white neck and orange-red breast. Flanks are grey and back is black. In eclipse, similar to adult female but retains extensive white on wing. Adult female has red bill, dirty orange head and nape and paler throat; body is otherwise greyish buff. Juvenile resembles adult female. Voice Mostly silent. Status Nests beside fish-rich lakes and rivers, mainly in N; locally common. Influx from N Europe boosts numbers in winter and then common on estuaries and sheltered coasts.
    128867.jpg
  • Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator L 52-58cm. Slim duck with shaggy, spiky, crest. Dives frequently in search of fish. In flight, all birds show white on upper surface of inner wing; extent is greatest in male. Sexes are dissimilar in other regards. Adult male has narrow red bill, green head, white neck and orange-red breast. Flanks are grey and back is black. In eclipse, similar to adult female but retains extensive white on wing. Adult female has red bill, dirty orange head and nape and paler throat; body is otherwise greyish buff. Juvenile resembles adult female. Voice Mostly silent. Status Nests beside fish-rich lakes and rivers, mainly in N; locally common. Influx from N Europe boosts numbers in winter and then common on estuaries and sheltered coasts.
    136042.jpg
  • Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator L 52-58cm. Slim duck with shaggy, spiky, crest. Dives frequently in search of fish. In flight, all birds show white on upper surface of inner wing; extent is greatest in male. Sexes are dissimilar in other regards. Adult male has narrow red bill, green head, white neck and orange-red breast. Flanks are grey and back is black. In eclipse, similar to adult female but retains extensive white on wing. Adult female has red bill, dirty orange head and nape and paler throat; body is otherwise greyish buff. Juvenile resembles adult female. Voice Mostly silent. Status Nests beside fish-rich lakes and rivers, mainly in N; locally common. Influx from N Europe boosts numbers in winter and then common on estuaries and sheltered coasts.
    136043.jpg
  • Goosander Mergus merganser L 58-66cm. Large, elegant diving duck. Narrow mandibles have serrated edges. In flight, upper surface of male’s inner wing is white; in female white is restricted to trailing edge. Sexes are dissimilar in other regards. Adult male has bright red bill, green-glossed head (looks dark in poor light), mainly pink-flushed white body and black back. In eclipse, resembles adult female but retains white wing pattern. Adult female has reddish bill, orange-red head with shaggy crest, and greyish body palest on breast; chin is white. Juvenile resembles dull adult female. Voice Displaying male utters ringing calls. Status Fairly common freshwater species beside wooded upland rivers; nests in tree holes. Influx from mainland Europe boosts winter numbers; found on reservoirs, lochs and flooded gravel pits.
    137582.jpg
  • Goosander Mergus merganser L 58-66cm. Large, elegant diving duck. Narrow mandibles have serrated edges. In flight, upper surface of male’s inner wing is white; in female white is restricted to trailing edge. Sexes are dissimilar in other regards. Adult male has bright red bill, green-glossed head (looks dark in poor light), mainly pink-flushed white body and black back. In eclipse, resembles adult female but retains white wing pattern. Adult female has reddish bill, orange-red head with shaggy crest, and greyish body palest on breast; chin is white. Juvenile resembles dull adult female. Voice Displaying male utters ringing calls. Status Fairly common freshwater species beside wooded upland rivers; nests in tree holes. Influx from mainland Europe boosts winter numbers; found on reservoirs, lochs and flooded gravel pits.
    139170.jpg
  • Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos L 18-20cm. Active little wader with a bobbing gait and elongated tail end. Flies on bowed, fluttering wings low over water: note white wingbar and absence of white rump. Sexes are similar.<br />
Adult has warm brown upperparts with faint dark centres and barring feathers of back and wings. Head and neck are grey-brown; note clear demarcation between dark breast and white underparts, white extending up sides of breast. Juvenile is similar but wing covert feathers s are barred. Voice Utters a whistling tswee-wee-wee call. Status Fairly common summer visitor, nesting beside upland and northern rivers and lakes. Widespread and fairly common passage migrant, found at inland sites and on coasts. A handful overwinter.
    139636.jpg
  • Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos L 18-20cm. Active little wader with a bobbing gait and elongated tail end. Flies on bowed, fluttering wings low over water: note white wingbar and absence of white rump. Sexes are similar.<br />
Adult has warm brown upperparts with faint dark centres and barring feathers of back and wings. Head and neck are grey-brown; note clear demarcation between dark breast and white underparts, white extending up sides of breast. Juvenile is similar but wing covert feathers s are barred. Voice Utters a whistling tswee-wee-wee call. Status Fairly common summer visitor, nesting beside upland and northern rivers and lakes. Widespread and fairly common passage migrant, found at inland sites and on coasts. A handful overwinter.
    140418.jpg
  • Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator L 52-58cm. Slim duck with shaggy, spiky, crest. Dives frequently in search of fish. In flight, all birds show white on upper surface of inner wing; extent is greatest in male. Sexes are dissimilar in other regards. Adult male has narrow red bill, green head, white neck and orange-red breast. Flanks are grey and back is black. In eclipse, similar to adult female but retains extensive white on wing. Adult female has red bill, dirty orange head and nape and paler throat; body is otherwise greyish buff. Juvenile resembles adult female. Voice Mostly silent. Status Nests beside fish-rich lakes and rivers, mainly in N; locally common. Influx from N Europe boosts numbers in winter and then common on estuaries and sheltered coasts.
    143234.jpg
  • Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator L 52-58cm. Slim duck with shaggy, spiky, crest. Dives frequently in search of fish. In flight, all birds show white on upper surface of inner wing; extent is greatest in male. Sexes are dissimilar in other regards. Adult male has narrow red bill, green head, white neck and orange-red breast. Flanks are grey and back is black. In eclipse, similar to adult female but retains extensive white on wing. Adult female has red bill, dirty orange head and nape and paler throat; body is otherwise greyish buff. Juvenile resembles adult female. Voice Mostly silent. Status Nests beside fish-rich lakes and rivers, mainly in N; locally common. Influx from N Europe boosts numbers in winter and then common on estuaries and sheltered coasts.
    143235.jpg
  • Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator L 52-58cm. Slim duck with shaggy, spiky, crest. Dives frequently in search of fish. In flight, all birds show white on upper surface of inner wing; extent is greatest in male. Sexes are dissimilar in other regards. Adult male has narrow red bill, green head, white neck and orange-red breast. Flanks are grey and back is black. In eclipse, similar to adult female but retains extensive white on wing. Adult female has red bill, dirty orange head and nape and paler throat; body is otherwise greyish buff. Juvenile resembles adult female. Voice Mostly silent. Status Nests beside fish-rich lakes and rivers, mainly in N; locally common. Influx from N Europe boosts numbers in winter and then common on estuaries and sheltered coasts.
    143236.jpg
  • Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator L 52-58cm. Slim duck with shaggy, spiky, crest. Dives frequently in search of fish. In flight, all birds show white on upper surface of inner wing; extent is greatest in male. Sexes are dissimilar in other regards. Adult male has narrow red bill, green head, white neck and orange-red breast. Flanks are grey and back is black. In eclipse, similar to adult female but retains extensive white on wing. Adult female has red bill, dirty orange head and nape and paler throat; body is otherwise greyish buff. Juvenile resembles adult female. Voice Mostly silent. Status Nests beside fish-rich lakes and rivers, mainly in N; locally common. Influx from N Europe boosts numbers in winter and then common on estuaries and sheltered coasts.
    143237.jpg
  • Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator L 52-58cm. Slim duck with shaggy, spiky, crest. Dives frequently in search of fish. In flight, all birds show white on upper surface of inner wing; extent is greatest in male. Sexes are dissimilar in other regards. Adult male has narrow red bill, green head, white neck and orange-red breast. Flanks are grey and back is black. In eclipse, similar to adult female but retains extensive white on wing. Adult female has red bill, dirty orange head and nape and paler throat; body is otherwise greyish buff. Juvenile resembles adult female. Voice Mostly silent. Status Nests beside fish-rich lakes and rivers, mainly in N; locally common. Influx from N Europe boosts numbers in winter and then common on estuaries and sheltered coasts.
    143238.jpg
  • Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos L 18-20cm. Active little wader with a bobbing gait and elongated tail end. Flies on bowed, fluttering wings low over water: note white wingbar and absence of white rump. Sexes are similar.<br />
Adult has warm brown upperparts with faint dark centres and barring feathers of back and wings. Head and neck are grey-brown; note clear demarcation between dark breast and white underparts, white extending up sides of breast. Juvenile is similar but wing covert feathers s are barred. Voice Utters a whistling tswee-wee-wee call. Status Fairly common summer visitor, nesting beside upland and northern rivers and lakes. Widespread and fairly common passage migrant, found at inland sites and on coasts. A handful overwinter.
    143890.jpg
  • Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea Length 18cm. Elegant waterside bird. Strikingly long tail is continually pumped up and down. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male in summer has blue-grey upperparts and lemon-yellow underparts. Note black bib, white sub-moustachial stripe and white supercilium. Bill is dark, legs are reddish and outer tail feathers are white. Adult female in summer is similar but bib is whitish and variably marked with grey while underparts are paler with yellow colour confined mainly to vent. Winter adults and juveniles are similar to respective summer plumages but with white throats. Voice Utters a sharp chsee-tsit call in flight. Status Favours fast-flowing stony streams and rivers; commonest in N and W.
    144069.jpg
  • Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator L 52-58cm. Slim duck with shaggy, spiky, crest. Dives frequently in search of fish. In flight, all birds show white on upper surface of inner wing; extent is greatest in male. Sexes are dissimilar in other regards. Adult male has narrow red bill, green head, white neck and orange-red breast. Flanks are grey and back is black. In eclipse, similar to adult female but retains extensive white on wing. Adult female has red bill, dirty orange head and nape and paler throat; body is otherwise greyish buff. Juvenile resembles adult female. Voice Mostly silent. Status Nests beside fish-rich lakes and rivers, mainly in N; locally common. Influx from N Europe boosts numbers in winter and then common on estuaries and sheltered coasts.
    145419.jpg
  • Goosander Mergus merganser - Adult Male. L 58-66cm. Large, elegant diving duck. Narrow mandibles have serrated edges. In flight, upper surface of male’s inner wing is white; in female white is restricted to trailing edge. Sexes are dissimilar in other regards. Adult male has bright red bill, green-glossed head (looks dark in poor light), mainly pink-flushed white body and black back. In eclipse, resembles adult female but retains white wing pattern. Adult female has reddish bill, orange-red head with shaggy crest, and greyish body palest on breast; chin is white. Juvenile resembles dull adult female. Voice Displaying male utters ringing calls. Status Fairly common freshwater species beside wooded upland rivers; nests in tree holes. Influx from mainland Europe boosts winter numbers; found on reservoirs, lochs and flooded gravel pits.
    157642.jpg
  • Common Sandpiper - Actitis hypoleucos L 18-20cm. Active little wader with a bobbing gait and elongated tail end. Flies on bowed, fluttering wings low over water: note white wingbar and absence of white rump. Sexes are similar.<br />
Adult has warm brown upperparts with faint dark centres and barring feathers of back and wings. Head and neck are grey-brown; note clear demarcation between dark breast and white underparts, white extending up sides of breast. Juvenile is similar but wing covert feathers s are barred. Voice Utters a whistling tswee-wee-wee call. Status Fairly common summer visitor, nesting beside upland and northern rivers and lakes. Widespread and fairly common passage migrant, found at inland sites and on coasts. A handful overwinter.
    157244.jpg
  • Goosander Mergus merganser L 58-66cm. Large, elegant diving duck. Narrow mandibles have serrated edges. In flight, upper surface of male’s inner wing is white; in female white is restricted to trailing edge. Sexes are dissimilar in other regards. Adult male has bright red bill, green-glossed head (looks dark in poor light), mainly pink-flushed white body and black back. In eclipse, resembles adult female but retains white wing pattern. Adult female has reddish bill, orange-red head with shaggy crest, and greyish body palest on breast; chin is white. Juvenile resembles dull adult female. Voice Displaying male utters ringing calls. Status Fairly common freshwater species beside wooded upland rivers; nests in tree holes. Influx from mainland Europe boosts winter numbers; found on reservoirs, lochs and flooded gravel pits.
    153963.jpg
  • Goosander Mergus merganser L 58-66cm. Large, elegant diving duck. Narrow mandibles have serrated edges. In flight, upper surface of male’s inner wing is white; in female white is restricted to trailing edge. Sexes are dissimilar in other regards. Adult male has bright red bill, green-glossed head (looks dark in poor light), mainly pink-flushed white body and black back. In eclipse, resembles adult female but retains white wing pattern. Adult female has reddish bill, orange-red head with shaggy crest, and greyish body palest on breast; chin is white. Juvenile resembles dull adult female. Voice Displaying male utters ringing calls. Status Fairly common freshwater species beside wooded upland rivers; nests in tree holes. Influx from mainland Europe boosts winter numbers; found on reservoirs, lochs and flooded gravel pits.
    153964.jpg
  • Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea Length 18cm. Elegant waterside bird. Strikingly long tail is continually pumped up and down. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male in summer has blue-grey upperparts and lemon-yellow underparts. Note black bib, white sub-moustachial stripe and white supercilium. Bill is dark, legs are reddish and outer tail feathers are white. Adult female in summer is similar but bib is whitish and variably marked with grey while underparts are paler with yellow colour confined mainly to vent. Winter adults and juveniles are similar to respective summer plumages but with white throats. Voice Utters a sharp chsee-tsit call in flight. Status Favours fast-flowing stony streams and rivers; commonest in N and W.
    153977.jpg
  • COMMON VALERIAN Valeriana officinalis (Valerianaceae) Height to 1.5m. Upright, usually unbranched perennial. Grows in grassy, wayside places, beside rivers and in woodland; favours both dry and damp soil, growing tallest in latter situation. FLOWERS are 3-5mm long, the corolla funnel-shaped, 5-lobed and pale pink; borne in dense, terminal umbels (Jun-Aug). FRUITS are oblong with a feathery pappus. LEAVES are lanceolate, toothed and in opposite pairs. STATUS-Widespread and locally common.
    131342.jpg
  • LESSER SPEARWORT Ranunculus flammula (Ranunculaceae) Height less than 50cm. Upright or creeping perennial. Often roots where leaf nodes touch the ground. Favours damp ground, often beside rivers. FLOWERS are 5-15mm across and usually solitary; borne on furrowed stalks (Jun-Oct). FRUITS are beaked but not winged. LEAVES are oval (basal leaves); stem leaves are narrow.
    108844.jpg
  • Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos L 18-20cm. Active little wader with a bobbing gait and elongated tail end. Flies on bowed, fluttering wings low over water: note white wingbar and absence of white rump. Sexes are similar.<br />
Adult has warm brown upperparts with faint dark centres and barring feathers of back and wings. Head and neck are grey-brown; note clear demarcation between dark breast and white underparts, white extending up sides of breast. Juvenile is similar but wing covert feathers s are barred. Voice Utters a whistling tswee-wee-wee call. Status Fairly common summer visitor, nesting beside upland and northern rivers and lakes. Widespread and fairly common passage migrant, found at inland sites and on coasts. A handful overwinter.
    127325.jpg
  • Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea Length 18cm. Elegant waterside bird. Strikingly long tail is continually pumped up and down. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male in summer has blue-grey upperparts and lemon-yellow underparts. Note black bib, white sub-moustachial stripe and white supercilium. Bill is dark, legs are reddish and outer tail feathers are white. Adult female in summer is similar but bib is whitish and variably marked with grey while underparts are paler with yellow colour confined mainly to vent. Winter adults and juveniles are similar to respective summer plumages but with white throats. Voice Utters a sharp chsee-tsit call in flight. Status Favours fast-flowing stony streams and rivers; commonest in N and W.
    129165.jpg
  • Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea Length 18cm. Elegant waterside bird. Strikingly long tail is continually pumped up and down. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male in summer has blue-grey upperparts and lemon-yellow underparts. Note black bib, white sub-moustachial stripe and white supercilium. Bill is dark, legs are reddish and outer tail feathers are white. Adult female in summer is similar but bib is whitish and variably marked with grey while underparts are paler with yellow colour confined mainly to vent. Winter adults and juveniles are similar to respective summer plumages but with white throats. Voice Utters a sharp chsee-tsit call in flight. Status Favours fast-flowing stony streams and rivers; commonest in N and W.
    136118.jpg
  • Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos L 18-20cm. Active little wader with a bobbing gait and elongated tail end. Flies on bowed, fluttering wings low over water: note white wingbar and absence of white rump. Sexes are similar.<br />
Adult has warm brown upperparts with faint dark centres and barring feathers of back and wings. Head and neck are grey-brown; note clear demarcation between dark breast and white underparts, white extending up sides of breast. Juvenile is similar but wing covert feathers s are barred. Voice Utters a whistling tswee-wee-wee call. Status Fairly common summer visitor, nesting beside upland and northern rivers and lakes. Widespread and fairly common passage migrant, found at inland sites and on coasts. A handful overwinter.
    140417.jpg
  • Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator L 52-58cm. Slim duck with shaggy, spiky, crest. Dives frequently in search of fish. In flight, all birds show white on upper surface of inner wing; extent is greatest in male. Sexes are dissimilar in other regards. Adult male has narrow red bill, green head, white neck and orange-red breast. Flanks are grey and back is black. In eclipse, similar to adult female but retains extensive white on wing. Adult female has red bill, dirty orange head and nape and paler throat; body is otherwise greyish buff. Juvenile resembles adult female. Voice Mostly silent. Status Nests beside fish-rich lakes and rivers, mainly in N; locally common. Influx from N Europe boosts numbers in winter and then common on estuaries and sheltered coasts.
    143231.jpg
  • Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator L 52-58cm. Slim duck with shaggy, spiky, crest. Dives frequently in search of fish. In flight, all birds show white on upper surface of inner wing; extent is greatest in male. Sexes are dissimilar in other regards. Adult male has narrow red bill, green head, white neck and orange-red breast. Flanks are grey and back is black. In eclipse, similar to adult female but retains extensive white on wing. Adult female has red bill, dirty orange head and nape and paler throat; body is otherwise greyish buff. Juvenile resembles adult female. Voice Mostly silent. Status Nests beside fish-rich lakes and rivers, mainly in N; locally common. Influx from N Europe boosts numbers in winter and then common on estuaries and sheltered coasts.
    143233.jpg
  • Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator L 52-58cm. Slim duck with shaggy, spiky, crest. Dives frequently in search of fish. In flight, all birds show white on upper surface of inner wing; extent is greatest in male. Sexes are dissimilar in other regards. Adult male has narrow red bill, green head, white neck and orange-red breast. Flanks are grey and back is black. In eclipse, similar to adult female but retains extensive white on wing. Adult female has red bill, dirty orange head and nape and paler throat; body is otherwise greyish buff. Juvenile resembles adult female. Voice Mostly silent. Status Nests beside fish-rich lakes and rivers, mainly in N; locally common. Influx from N Europe boosts numbers in winter and then common on estuaries and sheltered coasts.
    143624.jpg
  • Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos L 18-20cm. Active little wader with a bobbing gait and elongated tail end. Flies on bowed, fluttering wings low over water: note white wingbar and absence of white rump. Sexes are similar.<br />
Adult has warm brown upperparts with faint dark centres and barring feathers of back and wings. Head and neck are grey-brown; note clear demarcation between dark breast and white underparts, white extending up sides of breast. Juvenile is similar but wing covert feathers s are barred. Voice Utters a whistling tswee-wee-wee call. Status Fairly common summer visitor, nesting beside upland and northern rivers and lakes. Widespread and fairly common passage migrant, found at inland sites and on coasts. A handful overwinter.
    143633.jpg
  • Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos L 18-20cm. Active little wader with a bobbing gait and elongated tail end. Flies on bowed, fluttering wings low over water: note white wingbar and absence of white rump. Sexes are similar.Adult has warm brown upperparts with faint dark centres and barring feathers of back and wings. Head and neck are grey-brown; note clear demarcation between dark breast and white underparts, white extending up sides of breast. Juvenile is similar but wing covert feathers s are barred. Voice Utters a whistling tswee-wee-wee call. Status Fairly common summer visitor, nesting beside upland and northern rivers and lakes. Widespread and fairly common passage migrant, found at inland sites and on coasts. A handful overwinter.
    158062.jpg
  • Grey Wagtail - Motacilla cinerea. Length 18cm. Elegant waterside bird. Strikingly long tail is continually pumped up and down. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male in summer has blue-grey upperparts and lemon-yellow underparts. Note black bib, white sub-moustachial stripe and white supercilium. Bill is dark, legs are reddish and outer tail feathers are white. Adult female in summer is similar but bib is whitish and variably marked with grey while underparts are paler with yellow colour confined mainly to vent. Winter adults and juveniles are similar to respective summer plumages but with white throats. Voice Utters a sharp chsee-tsit call in flight. Status Favours fast-flowing stony streams and rivers; commonest in N and W.
    158018.jpg
  • Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea Length 18cm. Elegant waterside bird. Strikingly long tail is continually pumped up and down. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male in summer has blue-grey upperparts and lemon-yellow underparts. Note black bib, white sub-moustachial stripe and white supercilium. Bill is dark, legs are reddish and outer tail feathers are white. Adult female in summer is similar but bib is whitish and variably marked with grey while underparts are paler with yellow colour confined mainly to vent. Winter adults and juveniles are similar to respective summer plumages but with white throats. Voice Utters a sharp chsee-tsit call in flight. Status Favours fast-flowing stony streams and rivers; commonest in N and W.
    158009.jpg
  • Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator L 52-58cm. Slim duck with shaggy, spiky, crest. Dives frequently in search of fish. In flight, all birds show white on upper surface of inner wing; extent is greatest in male. Sexes are dissimilar in other regards. Adult male has narrow red bill, green head, white neck and orange-red breast. Flanks are grey and back is black. In eclipse, similar to adult female but retains extensive white on wing. Adult female has red bill, dirty orange head and nape and paler throat; body is otherwise greyish buff. Juvenile resembles adult female. Voice Mostly silent. Status Nests beside fish-rich lakes and rivers, mainly in N; locally common. Influx from N Europe boosts numbers in winter and then common on estuaries and sheltered coasts.
    135738.jpg
  • Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator L 52-58cm. Slim duck with shaggy, spiky, crest. Dives frequently in search of fish. In flight, all birds show white on upper surface of inner wing; extent is greatest in male. Sexes are dissimilar in other regards. Adult male has narrow red bill, green head, white neck and orange-red breast. Flanks are grey and back is black. In eclipse, similar to adult female but retains extensive white on wing. Adult female has red bill, dirty orange head and nape and paler throat; body is otherwise greyish buff. Juvenile resembles adult female. Voice Mostly silent. Status Nests beside fish-rich lakes and rivers, mainly in N; locally common. Influx from N Europe boosts numbers in winter and then common on estuaries and sheltered coasts.
    135742.jpg
  • Goosander Mergus merganser L 58-66cm. Large, elegant diving duck. Narrow mandibles have serrated edges. In flight, upper surface of male’s inner wing is white; in female white is restricted to trailing edge. Sexes are dissimilar in other regards. Adult male has bright red bill, green-glossed head (looks dark in poor light), mainly pink-flushed white body and black back. In eclipse, resembles adult female but retains white wing pattern. Adult female has reddish bill, orange-red head with shaggy crest, and greyish body palest on breast; chin is white. Juvenile resembles dull adult female. Voice Displaying male utters ringing calls. Status Fairly common freshwater species beside wooded upland rivers; nests in tree holes. Influx from mainland Europe boosts winter numbers; found on reservoirs, lochs and flooded gravel pits.
    135780.jpg
  • Goosander Mergus merganser L 58-66cm. Large, elegant diving duck. Narrow mandibles have serrated edges. In flight, upper surface of male’s inner wing is white; in female white is restricted to trailing edge. Sexes are dissimilar in other regards. Adult male has bright red bill, green-glossed head (looks dark in poor light), mainly pink-flushed white body and black back. In eclipse, resembles adult female but retains white wing pattern. Adult female has reddish bill, orange-red head with shaggy crest, and greyish body palest on breast; chin is white. Juvenile resembles dull adult female. Voice Displaying male utters ringing calls. Status Fairly common freshwater species beside wooded upland rivers; nests in tree holes. Influx from mainland Europe boosts winter numbers; found on reservoirs, lochs and flooded gravel pits.
    135795.jpg
  • Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator L 52-58cm. Slim duck with shaggy, spiky, crest. Dives frequently in search of fish. In flight, all birds show white on upper surface of inner wing; extent is greatest in male. Sexes are dissimilar in other regards. Adult male has narrow red bill, green head, white neck and orange-red breast. Flanks are grey and back is black. In eclipse, similar to adult female but retains extensive white on wing. Adult female has red bill, dirty orange head and nape and paler throat; body is otherwise greyish buff. Juvenile resembles adult female. Voice Mostly silent. Status Nests beside fish-rich lakes and rivers, mainly in N; locally common. Influx from N Europe boosts numbers in winter and then common on estuaries and sheltered coasts.
    135996.jpg
  • Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator L 52-58cm. Slim duck with shaggy, spiky, crest. Dives frequently in search of fish. In flight, all birds show white on upper surface of inner wing; extent is greatest in male. Sexes are dissimilar in other regards. Adult male has narrow red bill, green head, white neck and orange-red breast. Flanks are grey and back is black. In eclipse, similar to adult female but retains extensive white on wing. Adult female has red bill, dirty orange head and nape and paler throat; body is otherwise greyish buff. Juvenile resembles adult female. Voice Mostly silent. Status Nests beside fish-rich lakes and rivers, mainly in N; locally common. Influx from N Europe boosts numbers in winter and then common on estuaries and sheltered coasts.
    143232.jpg
  • Dawn at the source of the River Test Overton, Hampshire
    153657.jpg
  • Dawn at the source of the River Test Overton, Hampshire
    153658.jpg
  • Saskatchewan River Crossing on the Icefields Parkway, Jasper National Park, Canada.
    159954.jpg
  • Saskatchewan River Crossing on the Icefields Parkway, Jasper National Park, Canada.
    159955.jpg
  • Saskatchewan River Crossing on the Icefields Parkway, Jasper National Park, Canada.
    159956.jpg
  • River Lamprey - Lampetra fluviatilis
    156245.jpg
  • Barge on the River Thames at Newbridge in Oxfordshire, Uk
    156265.jpg
  • River Swale, near Buckden, Yorkshire
    145294.jpg
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