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  • Lapland Bunting Calcarius lapponicus L 14-16cm. Nervous and wary bunting. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male in summer (seldom seen here) has black face and throat defined by white line; crown is black and nape is chestnut. Underparts are mainly white and back is streaked brown and black. Bill is yellow. Adult female in summer (seldom seen here) has pale suggestion of male’s head pattern. Winter adults and juvenile have reddish brown face with dark line defining ear coverts; crown is dark, back is streaked brown and note reddish brown wing panel and whitish wingbars. Whitish underparts are streaked on flanks. Voice Has a rattling flight call. Status Scarce passage migrant and winter visitor to coastal fields and saltmarshes, mainly in E England.
    155077.jpg
  • Saltmarsh Goosefoot Chenopodium chenopodioides (Chenopodiaceae). Height to 30cm. Recalls Red Goosefoot but the mature leaves are always red below and indeed the whole plant is often red tinged. The reddish-green flowers are borne in clusters (July-Sep) and the plant grows on drying mud in saltmarshes, with north Kent as its stronghold.
    141502.jpg
  • SALTMARSH RUSH Juncus gerardii (Juncaceae) Height to 50cm. Characteristic rush of saltmarshes, often covering extensive areas. FLOWERS are dark brown and borne in loose clusters, flanked by leaf-like bracts (Jun-Jul). FRUITS are brown, egg-shaped, glossy and equal in length to the sepals. LEAVES are dark green and arise at base of plant, and on stems. STATUS-Locally common around coasts.
    132076.jpg
  • Saltmarsh Goosefoot Chenopodium chenopodioides (Chenopodiaceae). Height to 30cm. Recalls Red Goosefoot but the mature leaves are always red below and indeed the whole plant is often red tinged. The reddish-green flowers are borne in clusters (July-Sep) and the plant grows on drying mud in saltmarshes, with north Kent as its stronghold.
    141506.jpg
  • Saltmarsh with Sea Lavender - Limonium vulgare. Height to 30cm. Distinctive, hairless perennial that is woody at the base. Entirely restricted to saltmarshes and tolerates tidal inundation. FLOWERS are 6-7mm long and pinkish lilac; they are borne in branched, flat-topped heads on arching sprays (Jul-Sep). FRUITS are capsules. LEAVES are spoon-shaped with long stalks. STATUS-Widespread and locally common in S and SE England but scarce or absent elsewhere.
    128303.jpg
  • COMMON SALTMARSH-GRASS Puccinellia maritima Height to 30cm. Hairless, tufted perennial. Grows in saltmarshes and forms swards. FLOWERS are borne in spike-like heads, with spikelets along all the branches, which are mainly upright, not spreading (Jul-Aug). FRUITS are small, dry nutlets. LEAVES are grey-green and often inrolled. STATUS-Widespread and locally common.
    131566.jpg
  • Saltmarsh Goosefoot Chenopodium chenopodioides (Chenopodiaceae). Height to 30cm. Recalls Red Goosefoot but the mature leaves are always red below and indeed the whole plant is often red tinged. The reddish-green flowers are borne in clusters (July-Sep) and the plant grows on drying mud in saltmarshes, with north Kent as its stronghold.
    141507.jpg
  • SALTMARSH GOOSEFOOT Chenopodium chenopodioides (Height to 30cm) recalls Red Goosefoot but the mature leaves are always red below and indeed the whole plant is often red-tinged. The reddish green flowers are borne in clusters (Jul-Sep) and the plant grows on drying mud in saltmarshes, with north Kent being the species’ stronghold in our region.
    129886.jpg
  • MATTED SEA-LAVENDER - Limonium bellidifolium on the saltmarsh at Holme Nature Reserve, Norfolk. (Height to 25cm) is a compact perennial that grows in saltmarshes, and is restricted mainly to the north Norfolk coast. The spoon-shaped basal leaves mostly wither before the spreading, arching sprays of pinkish lilac flowers, with many non-flowering shoots below, appear (Jul-Aug).
    154247.jpg
  • MATTED SEA-LAVENDER - Limonium bellidifolium on the saltmarsh at Holme Nature Reserve, Norfolk. (Height to 25cm) is a compact perennial that grows in saltmarshes, and is restricted mainly to the north Norfolk coast. The spoon-shaped basal leaves mostly wither before the spreading, arching sprays of pinkish lilac flowers, with many non-flowering shoots below, appear (Jul-Aug).
    154248.jpg
  • GOLDEN SAMPHIRE Inula crithmoides (Asteraceae) Height less than 75cm. Attractive, tufted and upright perennial that grows on saltmarshes, coastal shingle and sea cliffs. FLOWERS are borne in heads, 15-30mm across with spreading, yellow ray florets and orange-yellow central disc florets; arranged in terminal clusters (Jul-Sep). FRUITS are achenes. LEAVES are bright green, narrow and fleshy.
    155676.jpg
  • SEA PURSLANE Atriplex portulacoides (Chenopodiaceae) Height to 1m. Spreading, mealy perennial that sometimes forms rounded clumps. Entirely coastal, and restricted to drier reaches of saltmarshes. FLOWERS are yellowish and borne in spikes (Jul-Oct). FRUITS are lobed. LEAVES are grey-green and oval at the base but narrow further up the stem. STATUS-Widespread and locally common.
    141449.jpg
  • Snow Bunting Plectrophenax nivalis L 16-17cm. Confiding, plump-bodied bunting. All birds have extensive white on inner wing, rump and tail. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male in summer has mainly white plumage with blackish back, black on wings, and black bill and legs. Adult female in summer is similar but back is brownish and has brown and buff streaking on head, neck and sides of breast. Winter birds have mainly white underparts and buffish orange upperparts. Adult males are whitest on wings, face and underparts. Bill is yellowish and legs are black. Voice Has tinkling flight call. Song is twittering. Status Small numbers breed in Scottish mountains but best known as winter visitor, commonest on E coast; saltmarshes, coastal grassland and beach strandlines are favoured.
    137337.jpg
  • COMMON SEA-LAVENDER Limonium vulgare (Plumbaginaceae) Height to 30cm. Distinctive, hairless perennial that is woody at the base. Entirely restricted to saltmarshes and tolerates tidal inundation. FLOWERS are 6-7mm long and pinkish lilac; they are borne in branched, flat-topped heads on arching sprays (Jul-Sep). FRUITS are capsules. LEAVES are spoon-shaped with long stalks. STATUS-Widespread and locally common in S and SE England but scarce or absent elsewhere.
    154990.jpg
  • SLENDER HARE’S-EAR Bupleurum tenuissimum (Apiaceae) Height to 50cm. Slender and easily overlooked annual. Entirely restricted to coastal grassland and upper reaches of saltmarshes. FLOWERS are yellow and borne in tiny umbels, 3-4mm across, surrounded by bracts, and arising from leaf axils (Jul-Sep). FRUITS are globular. LEAVES are narrow and pointed. STATUS-Local; coastal S and E England only.
    132045.jpg
  • Lapland Bunting Calcarius lapponicus L 14-16cm. Nervous and wary bunting. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male in summer (seldom seen here) has black face and throat defined by white line; crown is black and nape is chestnut. Underparts are mainly white and back is streaked brown and black. Bill is yellow. Adult female in summer (seldom seen here) has pale suggestion of male’s head pattern. Winter adults and juvenile have reddish brown face with dark line defining ear coverts; crown is dark, back is streaked brown and note reddish brown wing panel and whitish wingbars. Whitish underparts are streaked on flanks. Voice Has a rattling flight call. Status Scarce passage migrant and winter visitor to coastal fields and saltmarshes, mainly in E England.
    137707.jpg
  • MARSH-MALLOW Althaea officinalis (Malvaceae) Height to 2m. Attractive, downy perennial with starry hairs; very soft to touch. Found in coastal wetlands and often on the upper reaches of saltmarshes. FLOWERS are 35-40mm across and pale pink (Aug-Sep). FRUITS are rounded flat capsules. LEAVES are triangular with shallow lobes. STATUS-Locally common on S coasts of Britain and Ireland.
    131948.jpg
  • MARSH-MALLOW Althaea officinalis (Malvaceae) Height to 2m. Attractive, downy perennial with starry hairs; very soft to touch. Found in coastal wetlands and often on the upper reaches of saltmarshes. FLOWERS are 35-40mm across and pale pink (Aug-Sep). FRUITS are rounded flat capsules. LEAVES are triangular with shallow lobes. STATUS-Locally common on S coasts of Britain and Ireland.
    131935.jpg
  • Snow Bunting - Plectrophenax nivalis - 1st winter. L 16-17cm. Confiding, plump-bodied bunting. All birds have extensive white on inner wing, rump and tail. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male in summer has mainly white plumage with blackish back, black on wings, and black bill and legs. Adult female in summer is similar but back is brownish and has brown and buff streaking on head, neck and sides of breast. Winter birds have mainly white underparts and buffish orange upperparts. Adult males are whitest on wings, face and underparts. Bill is yellowish and legs are black. Voice Has tinkling flight call. Song is twittering. Status Small numbers breed in Scottish mountains but best known as winter visitor, commonest on E coast; saltmarshes, coastal grassland and beach strandlines are favoured.
    155060.jpg
  • COMMON SEA-LAVENDER Limonium vulgare (Plumbaginaceae) Height to 30cm. Distinctive, hairless perennial that is woody at the base. Entirely restricted to saltmarshes and tolerates tidal inundation. FLOWERS are 6-7mm long and pinkish lilac; they are borne in branched, flat-topped heads on arching sprays (Jul-Sep). FRUITS are capsules. LEAVES are spoon-shaped with long stalks. STATUS-Widespread and locally common in S and SE England but scarce or absent elsewhere.
    128336.jpg
  • Barnacle Goose Branta leucopsis L 58-69cm. Small, well-marked goose seen in large, noisy flocks. All birds have black legs and bill. Looks strikingly black-and-white in flight. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly white face with black line from bill to eye; black crown and nape merge with black neck and breast. Belly is whitish grey with faint dark barring on flanks; back is grey with well-defined black and white barring. Stern is white while tail is black. Juvenile is similar to adult but white elements of plumage are often tinged yellow and barring on back is less well defined. Voice Utters loud, barking calls. Status Winter visitor to coastal farmland and saltmarshes.
    145733.jpg
  • Lapland Bunting Calcarius lapponicus L 14-16cm. Nervous and wary bunting. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male in summer (seldom seen here) has black face and throat defined by white line; crown is black and nape is chestnut. Underparts are mainly white and back is streaked brown and black. Bill is yellow. Adult female in summer (seldom seen here) has pale suggestion of male’s head pattern. Winter adults and juvenile have reddish brown face with dark line defining ear coverts; crown is dark, back is streaked brown and note reddish brown wing panel and whitish wingbars. Whitish underparts are streaked on flanks. Voice Has a rattling flight call. Status Scarce passage migrant and winter visitor to coastal fields and saltmarshes, mainly in E England.
    155073.jpg
  • SEA-MILKWORT Glaux maritima (Primulaceae) Height to 10cm. Low-growing and generally creeping, hairless perennial that is found on the upper reaches of saltmarshes and on sea walls. FLOWERS are 5-6mm across and comprise 5 pink, petal-like sepals; borne on upright shoots (May-Sep). FRUITS are dark brown capsules. LEAVES are ovate, succulent and borne in opposite pairs along the trailing stems. STATUS-Widespread and locally common on coasts throughout the region.
    116482.jpg
  • SEA WORMWOOD Seriphidium maritimum (Asteraceae) Height to 65cm. Highly aromatic, much branched perennial with both upright and spreading stems that are woody at the base. Grows in saltmarshes and on sea walls, and tolerates salt spray and occasional inundation. FLOWERS are borne in egg-shaped, slightly nodding and yellow heads, 1-2mm across; these are carried in dense, branched and leafy spikes (Aug-Oct). FRUITS are achenes. LEAVES are pinnately divided and downy on both sides.
    106417.jpg
  • Twite Carduelis flavirostris L 13-14cm. Upland counterpart of Linnet. Bill is grey in spring and summer but yellow in autumn and winter (Linnet’s is grey at all times). Throat is unstreaked. Sexes are very similar.<br />
Adult male in summer has streaked brown upperparts, pinkish rump and white margins to flight and tail feathers. Pale underparts are heavily streaked. In winter, head and breast are warm buffish brown. Adult female and juvenile are similar to winter male but rump is brown, not pink. Voice Utters a sharp tveeht call. Song is a series of trilling notes. Status Local breeder on N heather moors and coasts. In winter, favours saltmarshes and coastal fields; migrants from N Europe boost numbers in winter.
    129404.jpg
  • Lapland Bunting Calcarius lapponicus L 14-16cm. Nervous and wary bunting. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male in summer (seldom seen here) has black face and throat defined by white line; crown is black and nape is chestnut. Underparts are mainly white and back is streaked brown and black. Bill is yellow. Adult female in summer (seldom seen here) has pale suggestion of male’s head pattern. Winter adults and juvenile have reddish brown face with dark line defining ear coverts; crown is dark, back is streaked brown and note reddish brown wing panel and whitish wingbars. Whitish underparts are streaked on flanks. Voice Has a rattling flight call. Status Scarce passage migrant and winter visitor to coastal fields and saltmarshes, mainly in E England.
    141738.jpg
  • Twite Carduelis flavirostris L 13-14cm. Upland counterpart of Linnet. Bill is grey in spring and summer but yellow in autumn and winter (Linnet’s is grey at all times). Throat is unstreaked. Sexes are very similar.<br />
Adult male in summer has streaked brown upperparts, pinkish rump and white margins to flight and tail feathers. Pale underparts are heavily streaked. In winter, head and breast are warm buffish brown. Adult female and juvenile are similar to winter male but rump is brown, not pink. Voice Utters a sharp tveeht call. Song is a series of trilling notes. Status Local breeder on N heather moors and coasts. In winter, favours saltmarshes and coastal fields; migrants from N Europe boost numbers in winter
    155646.jpg
  • Lapland Bunting Calcarius lapponicus L 14-16cm. Nervous and wary bunting. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male in summer (seldom seen here) has black face and throat defined by white line; crown is black and nape is chestnut. Underparts are mainly white and back is streaked brown and black. Bill is yellow. Adult female in summer (seldom seen here) has pale suggestion of male’s head pattern. Winter adults and juvenile have reddish brown face with dark line defining ear coverts; crown is dark, back is streaked brown and note reddish brown wing panel and whitish wingbars. Whitish underparts are streaked on flanks. Voice Has a rattling flight call. Status Scarce passage migrant and winter visitor to coastal fields and saltmarshes, mainly in E England.
    155075.jpg
  • Snow Bunting Plectrophenax nivalis L 16-17cm. Confiding, plump-bodied bunting. All birds have extensive white on inner wing, rump and tail. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male in summer has mainly white plumage with blackish back, black on wings, and black bill and legs. Adult female in summer is similar but back is brownish and has brown and buff streaking on head, neck and sides of breast. Winter birds have mainly white underparts and buffish orange upperparts. Adult males are whitest on wings, face and underparts. Bill is yellowish and legs are black. Voice Has tinkling flight call. Song is twittering. Status Small numbers breed in Scottish mountains but best known as winter visitor, commonest on E coast; saltmarshes, coastal grassland and beach strandlines are favoured.
    154154.jpg
  • Snow Bunting Plectrophenax nivalis L 16-17cm. Confiding, plump-bodied bunting. All birds have extensive white on inner wing, rump and tail. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male in summer has mainly white plumage with blackish back, black on wings, and black bill and legs. Adult female in summer is similar but back is brownish and has brown and buff streaking on head, neck and sides of breast. Winter birds have mainly white underparts and buffish orange upperparts. Adult males are whitest on wings, face and underparts. Bill is yellowish and legs are black. Voice Has tinkling flight call. Song is twittering. Status Small numbers breed in Scottish mountains but best known as winter visitor, commonest on E coast; saltmarshes, coastal grassland and beach strandlines are favoured.
    154155.jpg
  • COMMON SEA-LAVENDER Limonium vulgare (Plumbaginaceae) Height to 30cm. Distinctive, hairless perennial that is woody at the base. Entirely restricted to saltmarshes and tolerates tidal inundation. FLOWERS are 6-7mm long and pinkish lilac; they are borne in branched, flat-topped heads on arching sprays (Jul-Sep). FRUITS are capsules. LEAVES are spoon-shaped with long stalks. STATUS-Widespread and locally common in S and SE England but scarce or absent elsewhere.
    141470.jpg
  • COMMON SEA-LAVENDER Limonium vulgare (Plumbaginaceae) Height to 30cm. Distinctive, hairless perennial that is woody at the base. Entirely restricted to saltmarshes and tolerates tidal inundation. FLOWERS are 6-7mm long and pinkish lilac; they are borne in branched, flat-topped heads on arching sprays (Jul-Sep). FRUITS are capsules. LEAVES are spoon-shaped with long stalks. STATUS-Widespread and locally common in S and SE England but scarce or absent elsewhere.
    131938.jpg
  • LESSER SEA-SPURREY Spergularia marina (Caryophyllaceae) Prostrate. Straggling, often stickily hairy annual. Found on the drier, grassy upper margins of saltmarshes. FLOWERS are deep pink and 6-8mm across; 5 petals shorter than the sepals (May-Aug). FRUITS are capsules. LEAVES are narrow, fleshy and pointed; in opposite pairs on trailing stems. STATUS-Widespread and locally common around the coast.
    130878.jpg
  • SHRUBBY SEA-BLITE Suaeda vera (Chenopodiaceae) ** Height to 1m. Much-branched, evergreen perennial with woody stems. Restricted to coastal shingle and upper saltmarshes. FLOWERS are tiny and yellowish green; 1-3 appear in leaf axils (Jun-Oct). FRUITS produce rounded, black seeds. LEAVES are succulent, bluish green, blunt and almost semi-circular in cross-section. STATUS-Locally common in SE England.
    129719.jpg
  • Lapland Bunting Calcarius lapponicus L 14-16cm. Nervous and wary bunting. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male in summer (seldom seen here) has black face and throat defined by white line; crown is black and nape is chestnut. Underparts are mainly white and back is streaked brown and black. Bill is yellow. Adult female in summer (seldom seen here) has pale suggestion of male’s head pattern. Winter adults and juvenile have reddish brown face with dark line defining ear coverts; crown is dark, back is streaked brown and note reddish brown wing panel and whitish wingbars. Whitish underparts are streaked on flanks. Voice Has a rattling flight call. Status Scarce passage migrant and winter visitor to coastal fields and saltmarshes, mainly in E England.
    137040.jpg
  • PERENNIAL GLASSWORT Sarcocornia perennis (Chenopodiaceae) Height to 30cm. Branched and patch-forming succulent perennial with woody lower stems that turn orange with age. Entirely coastal; restricted to drier reaches of saltmarshes. FLOWERS are small and yellow (Aug-Oct). FRUITS are minute; appear at stem junctions, in 3s, the central one largest. LEAVES are small, paired and fleshy. STATUS-Local in S and E England, and S Wales.
    131474.jpg
  • Barnacle Goose Branta leucopsis L 58-69cm. Small, well-marked goose seen in large, noisy flocks. All birds have black legs and bill. Looks strikingly black-and-white in flight. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly white face with black line from bill to eye; black crown and nape merge with black neck and breast. Belly is whitish grey with faint dark barring on flanks; back is grey with well-defined black and white barring. Stern is white while tail is black. Juvenile is similar to adult but white elements of plumage are often tinged yellow and barring on back is less well defined. Voice Utters loud, barking calls. Status Winter visitor to coastal farmland and saltmarshes.
    137895.jpg
  • Barnacle Goose Branta leucopsis L 58-69cm. Small, well-marked goose seen in large, noisy flocks. All birds have black legs and bill. Looks strikingly black-and-white in flight. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly white face with black line from bill to eye; black crown and nape merge with black neck and breast. Belly is whitish grey with faint dark barring on flanks; back is grey with well-defined black and white barring. Stern is white while tail is black. Juvenile is similar to adult but white elements of plumage are often tinged yellow and barring on back is less well defined. Voice Utters loud, barking calls. Status Winter visitor to coastal farmland and saltmarshes.
    145802.jpg
  • Twite - Carduelis flavirostris. L 13-14cm. Upland counterpart of Linnet. Bill is grey in spring and summer but yellow in autumn and winter (Linnet’s is grey at all times). Throat is unstreaked. Sexes are very similar.<br />
Adult male in summer has streaked brown upperparts, pinkish rump and white margins to flight and tail feathers. Pale underparts are heavily streaked. In winter, head and breast are warm buffish brown. Adult female and juvenile are similar to winter male but rump is brown, not pink. Voice Utters a sharp tveeht call. Song is a series of trilling notes. Status Local breeder on N heather moors and coasts. In winter, favours saltmarshes and coastal fields; migrants from N Europe boost numbers in winter
    157253.jpg
  • Wells channel & Saltmarshes, Norfolk, UK
    143189.jpg
  • Snow Bunting Plectrophenax nivalis L 16-17cm. Confiding, plump-bodied bunting. All birds have extensive white on inner wing, rump and tail. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male in summer has mainly white plumage with blackish back, black on wings, and black bill and legs. Adult female in summer is similar but back is brownish and has brown and buff streaking on head, neck and sides of breast. Winter birds have mainly white underparts and buffish orange upperparts. Adult males are whitest on wings, face and underparts. Bill is yellowish and legs are black. Voice Has tinkling flight call. Song is twittering. Status Small numbers breed in Scottish mountains but best known as winter visitor, commonest on E coast; saltmarshes, coastal grassland and beach strandlines are favoured.
    129471.jpg
  • Snow Bunting Plectrophenax nivalis L 16-17cm. Confiding, plump-bodied bunting. All birds have extensive white on inner wing, rump and tail. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male in summer has mainly white plumage with blackish back, black on wings, and black bill and legs. Adult female in summer is similar but back is brownish and has brown and buff streaking on head, neck and sides of breast. Winter birds have mainly white underparts and buffish orange upperparts. Adult males are whitest on wings, face and underparts. Bill is yellowish and legs are black. Voice Has tinkling flight call. Song is twittering. Status Small numbers breed in Scottish mountains but best known as winter visitor, commonest on E coast; saltmarshes, coastal grassland and beach strandlines are favoured.
    129473.jpg
  • Barnacle Goose Branta leucopsis L 58-69cm. Small, well-marked goose seen in large, noisy flocks. All birds have black legs and bill. Looks strikingly black-and-white in flight. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly white face with black line from bill to eye; black crown and nape merge with black neck and breast. Belly is whitish grey with faint dark barring on flanks; back is grey with well-defined black and white barring. Stern is white while tail is black. Juvenile is similar to adult but white elements of plumage are often tinged yellow and barring on back is less well defined. Voice Utters loud, barking calls. Status Winter visitor to coastal farmland and saltmarshes.
    145721.jpg
  • Twite Carduelis flavirostris L 13-14cm. Upland counterpart of Linnet. Bill is grey in spring and summer but yellow in autumn and winter (Linnet’s is grey at all times). Throat is unstreaked. Sexes are very similar.<br />
Adult male in summer has streaked brown upperparts, pinkish rump and white margins to flight and tail feathers. Pale underparts are heavily streaked. In winter, head and breast are warm buffish brown. Adult female and juvenile are similar to winter male but rump is brown, not pink. Voice Utters a sharp tveeht call. Song is a series of trilling notes. Status Local breeder on N heather moors and coasts. In winter, favours saltmarshes and coastal fields; migrants from N Europe boost numbers in winter
    157023.jpg
  • Barnacle Goose Branta leucopsis L 58-69cm. Small, well-marked goose seen in large, noisy flocks. All birds have black legs and bill. Looks strikingly black-and-white in flight. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly white face with black line from bill to eye; black crown and nape merge with black neck and breast. Belly is whitish grey with faint dark barring on flanks; back is grey with well-defined black and white barring. Stern is white while tail is black. Juvenile is similar to adult but white elements of plumage are often tinged yellow and barring on back is less well defined. Voice Utters loud, barking calls. Status Winter visitor to coastal farmland and saltmarshes.
    156206.jpg
  • Lapland Bunting Calcarius lapponicus L 14-16cm. Nervous and wary bunting. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male in summer (seldom seen here) has black face and throat defined by white line; crown is black and nape is chestnut. Underparts are mainly white and back is streaked brown and black. Bill is yellow. Adult female in summer (seldom seen here) has pale suggestion of male’s head pattern. Winter adults and juvenile have reddish brown face with dark line defining ear coverts; crown is dark, back is streaked brown and note reddish brown wing panel and whitish wingbars. Whitish underparts are streaked on flanks. Voice Has a rattling flight call. Status Scarce passage migrant and winter visitor to coastal fields and saltmarshes, mainly in E England.
    155076.jpg
  • COMMON SEA-LAVENDER Limonium vulgare (Plumbaginaceae) Height to 30cm. Distinctive, hairless perennial that is woody at the base. Entirely restricted to saltmarshes and tolerates tidal inundation. FLOWERS are 6-7mm long and pinkish lilac; they are borne in branched, flat-topped heads on arching sprays (Jul-Sep). FRUITS are capsules. LEAVES are spoon-shaped with long stalks. STATUS-Widespread and locally common in S and SE England but scarce or absent elsewhere.
    154989.jpg
  • SEA-HEATH Frankenia laevis (Frankeniaceae) ** Prostrate<br />
Branched, mat-forming and woody perennial. Restricted to the drier, upper reaches of saltmarshes. FLOWERS are 5mm across with 5 pink and crinkly petals (Jun-Aug). FRUITS are capsules. LEAVES are small and narrow with inrolled margins; densely packed and opposite on side shoots. STATUS-Local, from Hants to Norfolk only.
    134564.jpg
  • SEA ASTER Aster tripolium (Asteraceae) Height to 75cm<br />
Attractive, branched, hairless and salt-tolerant perennial that grows in saltmarshes and on sea cliffs. FLOWERS comprise umbel-like clusters of flower heads, each of which consists of yellow disc florets and bluish lilac ray florets, and is 1-2cm across (Jul-Sep). FRUITS are achenes. LEAVES are fleshy and narrow, with a prominent midrib. STATUS-Locally common around the coasts of Britain and Ireland.
    132086.jpg
  • PERENNIAL GLASSWORT Sarcocornia perennis (Chenopodiaceae) Height to 30cm. Branched and patch-forming succulent perennial with woody lower stems that turn orange with age. Entirely coastal; restricted to drier reaches of saltmarshes. FLOWERS are small and yellow (Aug-Oct). FRUITS are minute; appear at stem junctions, in 3s, the central one largest. LEAVES are small, paired and fleshy. STATUS-Local in S and E England, and S Wales.
    131939.jpg
  • LAX-FLOWERED SEA-LAVENDER Limonium humile (Plumbaginaceae) Height to 25cm. Similar to Common Sea-lavender but with subtle differences in appearance of flower heads and leaves. Restricted to saltmarshes. FLOWERS are 6-7mm long and pinkish lilac; borne in open, lax clusters with well-spaced flowers; sprays branch below the middle (Jul-Sep). FRUITS are capsules. LEAVES are narrow and long-stalked. STATUS-Local in England, Wales and S Scotland; widespread and fairly common on Irish coasts.
    131936.jpg
  • Snow Bunting Plectrophenax nivalis L 16-17cm. Confiding, plump-bodied bunting. All birds have extensive white on inner wing, rump and tail. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male in summer has mainly white plumage with blackish back, black on wings, and black bill and legs. Adult female in summer is similar but back is brownish and has brown and buff streaking on head, neck and sides of breast. Winter birds have mainly white underparts and buffish orange upperparts. Adult males are whitest on wings, face and underparts. Bill is yellowish and legs are black. Voice Has tinkling flight call. Song is twittering. Status Small numbers breed in Scottish mountains but best known as winter visitor, commonest on E coast; saltmarshes, coastal grassland and beach strandlines are favoured.
    137710.jpg
  • Barnacle Goose Branta leucopsis L 58-69cm. Small, well-marked goose seen in large, noisy flocks. All birds have black legs and bill. Looks strikingly black-and-white in flight. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly white face with black line from bill to eye; black crown and nape merge with black neck and breast. Belly is whitish grey with faint dark barring on flanks; back is grey with well-defined black and white barring. Stern is white while tail is black. Juvenile is similar to adult but white elements of plumage are often tinged yellow and barring on back is less well defined. Voice Utters loud, barking calls. Status Winter visitor to coastal farmland and saltmarshes.
    138057.jpg
  • Snow Bunting - Plectrophenax nivalis. L 16-17cm. Confiding, plump-bodied bunting. All birds have extensive white on inner wing, rump and tail. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male in summer has mainly white plumage with blackish back, black on wings, and black bill and legs. Adult female in summer is similar but back is brownish and has brown and buff streaking on head, neck and sides of breast. Winter birds have mainly white underparts and buffish orange upperparts. Adult males are whitest on wings, face and underparts. Bill is yellowish and legs are black. Voice Has tinkling flight call. Song is twittering. Status Small numbers breed in Scottish mountains but best known as winter visitor, commonest on E coast; saltmarshes, coastal grassland and beach strandlines are favoured.
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  • Twite - Carduelis flavirostris. L 13-14cm. Upland counterpart of Linnet. Bill is grey in spring and summer but yellow in autumn and winter (Linnet’s is grey at all times). Throat is unstreaked. Sexes are very similar.<br />
Adult male in summer has streaked brown upperparts, pinkish rump and white margins to flight and tail feathers. Pale underparts are heavily streaked. In winter, head and breast are warm buffish brown. Adult female and juvenile are similar to winter male but rump is brown, not pink. Voice Utters a sharp tveeht call. Song is a series of trilling notes. Status Local breeder on N heather moors and coasts. In winter, favours saltmarshes and coastal fields; migrants from N Europe boost numbers in winter
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  • Twite - Carduelis flavirostris. L 13-14cm. Upland counterpart of Linnet. Bill is grey in spring and summer but yellow in autumn and winter (Linnet’s is grey at all times). Throat is unstreaked. Sexes are very similar.<br />
Adult male in summer has streaked brown upperparts, pinkish rump and white margins to flight and tail feathers. Pale underparts are heavily streaked. In winter, head and breast are warm buffish brown. Adult female and juvenile are similar to winter male but rump is brown, not pink. Voice Utters a sharp tveeht call. Song is a series of trilling notes. Status Local breeder on N heather moors and coasts. In winter, favours saltmarshes and coastal fields; migrants from N Europe boost numbers in winter
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  • SEA RUSH Juncus maritimus (Juncaceae) Height to 1m<br />
Upright, stiff perennial that forms clumps and grows in the drier upper reaches of saltmarshes, and among coastal rocks. FLOWERS are pale yellow and borne in loose clusters below a sharp-pointed bract (Jun-Jul). FRUITS are brown, bluntly pointed equal length to sepals. LEAVES are sharply pointed. STATUS-Locally common on coasts.
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  • COMMON CORD-GRASS Spartina anglica Height to 1.3m<br />
Tufted perennial, of hybrid origin, found on mudflats and saltmarshes. FLOWERS borne in a stiff inflorescence of elongated clusters of 3-6 yellowish flower heads, up to 35cm long (Jul-Sep). FRUITS are small, dry nutlets. LEAVES are grey-green and tough. STATUS-Widespread on coasts of England, Wales and E and S Ireland.
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  • COMMON SCURVYGRASS Cochlearia officinalis (Brassicaceae) Height to 50cm. Biennial or perennial of saltmarshes, coastal walls and cliffs, and mountains inland. FLOWERS are 8-10mm across with 4 white petals (Apr-Oct). FRUITS are rounded to ovoid, 4-7mm long and longer than stalk. LEAVES comprise kidney-shaped basal leaves more than 2cm long, and clasping, arrow-shaped ones on stem. STATUS-Locally common.
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  • SEA-HEATH Frankenia laevis (Frankeniaceae) Prostrate<br />
Branched, mat-forming and woody perennial. Restricted to the drier, upper reaches of saltmarshes. FLOWERS are 5mm across with 5 pink and crinkly petals (Jun-Aug). FRUITS are capsules. LEAVES are small and narrow with inrolled margins; densely packed and opposite on side shoots. STATUS-Local, from Hants to Norfolk only.
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  • ANNUAL SEA-BLITE Suaeda maritima (Chenopodiaceae) Height 50cm. Much-branched annual of saltmarshes. Forms small clumps that vary from yellowish green to reddish. FLOWERS are tiny and green; 1-3 appear in axils of upper leaves (Aug-Oct). FRUITS produce dark, flattish seeds. LEAVES are succulent, cylindrical and pointed. STATUS-Widespread and locally common on all suitable coasts.
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  • Snow Bunting Plectrophenax nivalis L 16-17cm. Confiding, plump-bodied bunting. All birds have extensive white on inner wing, rump and tail. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male in summer has mainly white plumage with blackish back, black on wings, and black bill and legs. Adult female in summer is similar but back is brownish and has brown and buff streaking on head, neck and sides of breast. Winter birds have mainly white underparts and buffish orange upperparts. Adult males are whitest on wings, face and underparts. Bill is yellowish and legs are black. Voice Has tinkling flight call. Song is twittering. Status Small numbers breed in Scottish mountains but best known as winter visitor, commonest on E coast; saltmarshes, coastal grassland and beach strandlines are favoured.
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  • Barnacle Goose Branta leucopsis L 58-69cm. Small, well-marked goose seen in large, noisy flocks. All birds have black legs and bill. Looks strikingly black-and-white in flight. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly white face with black line from bill to eye; black crown and nape merge with black neck and breast. Belly is whitish grey with faint dark barring on flanks; back is grey with well-defined black and white barring. Stern is white while tail is black. Juvenile is similar to adult but white elements of plumage are often tinged yellow and barring on back is less well defined. Voice Utters loud, barking calls. Status Winter visitor to coastal farmland and saltmarshes.
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  • Twite - Carduelis flavirostris. L 13-14cm. Upland counterpart of Linnet. Bill is grey in spring and summer but yellow in autumn and winter (Linnet’s is grey at all times). Throat is unstreaked. Sexes are very similar.<br />
Adult male in summer has streaked brown upperparts, pinkish rump and white margins to flight and tail feathers. Pale underparts are heavily streaked. In winter, head and breast are warm buffish brown. Adult female and juvenile are similar to winter male but rump is brown, not pink. Voice Utters a sharp tveeht call. Song is a series of trilling notes. Status Local breeder on N heather moors and coasts. In winter, favours saltmarshes and coastal fields; migrants from N Europe boost numbers in winter
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  • Wareham Saltmarshes, Norfolk, UK
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  • Sea Purslane (Atriplex portulacoides) at Holme Nature Reserve on the Norfolk coast. Height to 1m. Spreading, mealy perennial that sometimes forms rounded clumps. Entirely coastal, and restricted to drier reaches of saltmarshes. FLOWERS are yellowish and borne in spikes (Jul-Oct). FRUITS are lobed. LEAVES are grey-green and oval at the base but narrow further up the stem. STATUS-Widespread and locally common.
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  • COMMON SEA-LAVENDER Limonium vulgare (Plumbaginaceae) Height to 30cm. Distinctive, hairless perennial that is woody at the base. Entirely restricted to saltmarshes and tolerates tidal inundation. FLOWERS are 6-7mm long and pinkish lilac; they are borne in branched, flat-topped heads on arching sprays (Jul-Sep). FRUITS are capsules. LEAVES are spoon-shaped with long stalks. STATUS-Widespread and locally common in S and SE England but scarce or absent elsewhere.
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  • MATTED SEA-LAVENDER Limonium bellidifolium (Height to 25cm) is a compact perennial that grows in saltmarshes, and is restricted mainly to the north Norfolk coast. The spoon-shaped basal leaves mostly wither before the spreading, arching sprays of pinkish lilac flowers, with many non-flowering shoots below, appear (Jul-Aug).
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  • Twite Carduelis flavirostris L 13-14cm. Upland counterpart of Linnet. Bill is grey in spring and summer but yellow in autumn and winter (Linnet’s is grey at all times). Throat is unstreaked. Sexes are very similar.<br />
Adult male in summer has streaked brown upperparts, pinkish rump and white margins to flight and tail feathers. Pale underparts are heavily streaked. In winter, head and breast are warm buffish brown. Adult female and juvenile are similar to winter male but rump is brown, not pink. Voice Utters a sharp tveeht call. Song is a series of trilling notes. Status Local breeder on N heather moors and coasts. In winter, favours saltmarshes and coastal fields; migrants from N Europe boost numbers in winter. "
    129403.jpg
  • Twite Carduelis flavirostris L 13-14cm. Upland counterpart of Linnet. Bill is grey in spring and summer but yellow in autumn and winter (Linnet’s is grey at all times). Throat is unstreaked. Sexes are very similar.<br />
Adult male in summer has streaked brown upperparts, pinkish rump and white margins to flight and tail feathers. Pale underparts are heavily streaked. In winter, head and breast are warm buffish brown. Adult female and juvenile are similar to winter male but rump is brown, not pink. Voice Utters a sharp tveeht call. Song is a series of trilling notes. Status Local breeder on N heather moors and coasts. In winter, favours saltmarshes and coastal fields; migrants from N Europe boost numbers in winter
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  • SEA ARROWGRASS Triglochin maritimum (Juncaginaceae) Height to 50cm. Plantain-like tufted perennial that grows in saltmarshes. FLOWERS are 3-4mm across, 3-petalled and green, edged with purple; borne in a long, narrow spike, which itself is long-stalked (May-Sep). FRUITS are egg-shaped with 6 segments. LEAVES are long, narrow and not furrowed. STATUS-Widespread and locally common around all coasts.
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  • SEA PURSLANE Atriplex portulacoides (Chenopodiaceae) Height to 1m. Spreading, mealy perennial that sometimes forms rounded clumps. Entirely coastal, and restricted to drier reaches of saltmarshes. FLOWERS are yellowish and borne in spikes (Jul-Oct). FRUITS are lobed. LEAVES are grey-green and oval at the base but narrow further up the stem. STATUS-Widespread and locally common.
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  • GOLDEN SAMPHIRE Inula crithmoides (Asteraceae) Height less than 75cm. Attractive, tufted and upright perennial that grows on saltmarshes, coastal shingle and sea cliffs. FLOWERS are borne in heads, 15-30mm across with spreading, yellow ray florets and orange-yellow central disc florets; arranged in terminal clusters (Jul-Sep). FRUITS are achenes. LEAVES are bright green, narrow and fleshy.
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  • Snow Bunting Plectrophenax nivalis L 16-17cm. Confiding, plump-bodied bunting. All birds have extensive white on inner wing, rump and tail. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male in summer has mainly white plumage with blackish back, black on wings, and black bill and legs. Adult female in summer is similar but back is brownish and has brown and buff streaking on head, neck and sides of breast. Winter birds have mainly white underparts and buffish orange upperparts. Adult males are whitest on wings, face and underparts. Bill is yellowish and legs are black. Voice Has tinkling flight call. Song is twittering. Status Small numbers breed in Scottish mountains but best known as winter visitor, commonest on E coast; saltmarshes, coastal grassland and beach strandlines are favoured.
    129504.jpg
  • GOLDEN SAMPHIRE Inula crithmoides (Asteraceae) Height less than 75cm. Attractive, tufted and upright perennial that grows on saltmarshes, coastal shingle and sea cliffs. FLOWERS are borne in heads, 15-30mm across with spreading, yellow ray florets and orange-yellow central disc florets; arranged in terminal clusters (Jul-Sep). FRUITS are achenes. LEAVES are bright green, narrow and fleshy.
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  • Saltmarshes on Blakeney Point, Norfolk, UK
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  • Snow Bunting Plectrophenax nivalis L 16-17cm. Confiding, plump-bodied bunting. All birds have extensive white on inner wing, rump and tail. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male in summer has mainly white plumage with blackish back, black on wings, and black bill and legs. Adult female in summer is similar but back is brownish and has brown and buff streaking on head, neck and sides of breast. Winter birds have mainly white underparts and buffish orange upperparts. Adult males are whitest on wings, face and underparts. Bill is yellowish and legs are black. Voice Has tinkling flight call. Song is twittering. Status Small numbers breed in Scottish mountains but best known as winter visitor, commonest on E coast; saltmarshes, coastal grassland and beach strandlines are favoured.
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  • Barnacle Goose Branta leucopsis L 58-69cm. Small, well-marked goose seen in large, noisy flocks. All birds have black legs and bill. Looks strikingly black-and-white in flight. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly white face with black line from bill to eye; black crown and nape merge with black neck and breast. Belly is whitish grey with faint dark barring on flanks; back is grey with well-defined black and white barring. Stern is white while tail is black. Juvenile is similar to adult but white elements of plumage are often tinged yellow and barring on back is less well defined. Voice Utters loud, barking calls. Status Winter visitor to coastal farmland and saltmarshes.
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  • Common Scurvygrass - Cochleria officinalis. Height to 50cm. Biennial or perennial of saltmarshes, coastal walls and cliffs, and mountains inland. FLOWERS are 8-10mm across with 4 white petals (Apr-Oct). FRUITS are rounded to ovoid, 4-7mm long and longer than stalk. LEAVES comprise kidney-shaped basal leaves more than 2cm long, and clasping, arrow-shaped ones on stem. STATUS-Locally common.
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  • Sea Purslane (Atriplex portulacoides) at Holme Nature Reserve on the Norfolk coast. Height to 1m. Spreading, mealy perennial that sometimes forms rounded clumps. Entirely coastal, and restricted to drier reaches of saltmarshes. FLOWERS are yellowish and borne in spikes (Jul-Oct). FRUITS are lobed. LEAVES are grey-green and oval at the base but narrow further up the stem. STATUS-Widespread and locally common.
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  • Snow Bunting Plectrophenax nivalis L 16-17cm. Confiding, plump-bodied bunting. All birds have extensive white on inner wing, rump and tail. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male in summer has mainly white plumage with blackish back, black on wings, and black bill and legs. Adult female in summer is similar but back is brownish and has brown and buff streaking on head, neck and sides of breast. Winter birds have mainly white underparts and buffish orange upperparts. Adult males are whitest on wings, face and underparts. Bill is yellowish and legs are black. Voice Has tinkling flight call. Song is twittering. Status Small numbers breed in Scottish mountains but best known as winter visitor, commonest on E coast; saltmarshes, coastal grassland and beach strandlines are favoured.
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  • SEA ASTER Aster tripolium (Asteraceae) Height to 75cm<br />
Attractive, branched, hairless and salt-tolerant perennial that grows in saltmarshes and on sea cliffs. FLOWERS comprise umbel-like clusters of flower heads, each of which consists of yellow disc florets and bluish lilac ray florets, and is 1-2cm across (Jul-Sep). FRUITS are achenes. LEAVES are fleshy and narrow, with a prominent midrib. STATUS-Locally common around the coasts of Britain and Ireland.
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  • GREATER SEA-SPURREY Spergularia media (Caryophyllaceae) Height to 10cm. Robust, fleshy perennial associated with the drier, upper reaches of saltmarshes. FLOWERS are pinkish white and 7-12mm across, the 5 petals longer than the sepals (Jun-Sep). FRUITS are capsules. LEAVES are fleshy, bristle-tipped and semi-circular in cross section. STATUS-Widespread and common around coasts.
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  • LAX-FLOWERED SEA-LAVENDER Limonium humile (Plumbaginaceae) Height to 25cm. Similar to Common Sea-lavender but with subtle differences in appearance of flower heads and leaves. Restricted to saltmarshes. FLOWERS are 6-7mm long and pinkish lilac; borne in open, lax clusters with well-spaced flowers; sprays branch below the middle (Jul-Sep). FRUITS are capsules. LEAVES are narrow and long-stalked. STATUS-Local in England, Wales and S Scotland; widespread and fairly common on Irish coasts.
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  • Lapland Bunting Calcarius lapponicus L 14-16cm. Nervous and wary bunting. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male in summer (seldom seen here) has black face and throat defined by white line; crown is black and nape is chestnut. Underparts are mainly white and back is streaked brown and black. Bill is yellow. Adult female in summer (seldom seen here) has pale suggestion of male’s head pattern. Winter adults and juvenile have reddish brown face with dark line defining ear coverts; crown is dark, back is streaked brown and note reddish brown wing panel and whitish wingbars. Whitish underparts are streaked on flanks. Voice Has a rattling flight call. Status Scarce passage migrant and winter visitor to coastal fields and saltmarshes, mainly in E England.
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  • Snow Bunting Plectrophenax nivalis L 16-17cm. Confiding, plump-bodied bunting. All birds have extensive white on inner wing, rump and tail. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male in summer has mainly white plumage with blackish back, black on wings, and black bill and legs. Adult female in summer is similar but back is brownish and has brown and buff streaking on head, neck and sides of breast. Winter birds have mainly white underparts and buffish orange upperparts. Adult males are whitest on wings, face and underparts. Bill is yellowish and legs are black. Voice Has tinkling flight call. Song is twittering. Status Small numbers breed in Scottish mountains but best known as winter visitor, commonest on E coast; saltmarshes, coastal grassland and beach strandlines are favoured.
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  • Barnacle Goose Branta leucopsis L 58-69cm. Small, well-marked goose seen in large, noisy flocks. All birds have black legs and bill. Looks strikingly black-and-white in flight. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly white face with black line from bill to eye; black crown and nape merge with black neck and breast. Belly is whitish grey with faint dark barring on flanks; back is grey with well-defined black and white barring. Stern is white while tail is black. Juvenile is similar to adult but white elements of plumage are often tinged yellow and barring on back is less well defined. Voice Utters loud, barking calls. Status Winter visitor to coastal farmland and saltmarshes.
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  • Snow Bunting Plectrophenax nivalis L 16-17cm. Confiding, plump-bodied bunting. All birds have extensive white on inner wing, rump and tail. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male in summer has mainly white plumage with blackish back, black on wings, and black bill and legs. Adult female in summer is similar but back is brownish and has brown and buff streaking on head, neck and sides of breast. Winter birds have mainly white underparts and buffish orange upperparts. Adult males are whitest on wings, face and underparts. Bill is yellowish and legs are black. Voice Has tinkling flight call. Song is twittering. Status Small numbers breed in Scottish mountains but best known as winter visitor, commonest on E coast; saltmarshes, coastal grassland and beach strandlines are favoured.
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  • Wareham Saltmarshes, Norfolk, UK
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  • SLENDER HARE’S-EAR Bupleurum tenuissimum (Apiaceae) Height to 50cm. Slender and easily overlooked annual. Entirely restricted to coastal grassland and upper reaches of saltmarshes. FLOWERS are yellow and borne in tiny umbels, 3-4mm across, surrounded by bracts, and arising from leaf axils (Jul-Sep). FRUITS are globular. LEAVES are narrow and pointed. STATUS-Local; coastal S and E England only.
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  • Lapland Bunting - Calcarius lapponicus. L 14-16cm. Nervous and wary bunting. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male in summer (seldom seen here) has black face and throat defined by white line; crown is black and nape is chestnut. Underparts are mainly white and back is streaked brown and black. Bill is yellow. Adult female in summer (seldom seen here) has pale suggestion of male’s head pattern. Winter adults and juvenile have reddish brown face with dark line defining ear coverts; crown is dark, back is streaked brown and note reddish brown wing panel and whitish wingbars. Whitish underparts are streaked on flanks. Voice Has a rattling flight call. Status Scarce passage migrant and winter visitor to coastal fields and saltmarshes, mainly in E England.
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  • Lapland Bunting - Calcarius lapponicus. L 14-16cm. Nervous and wary bunting. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male in summer (seldom seen here) has black face and throat defined by white line; crown is black and nape is chestnut. Underparts are mainly white and back is streaked brown and black. Bill is yellow. Adult female in summer (seldom seen here) has pale suggestion of male’s head pattern. Winter adults and juvenile have reddish brown face with dark line defining ear coverts; crown is dark, back is streaked brown and note reddish brown wing panel and whitish wingbars. Whitish underparts are streaked on flanks. Voice Has a rattling flight call. Status Scarce passage migrant and winter visitor to coastal fields and saltmarshes, mainly in E England.
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  • Snow Bunting Plectrophenax nivalis L 16-17cm. Confiding, plump-bodied bunting. All birds have extensive white on inner wing, rump and tail. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male in summer has mainly white plumage with blackish back, black on wings, and black bill and legs. Adult female in summer is similar but back is brownish and has brown and buff streaking on head, neck and sides of breast. Winter birds have mainly white underparts and buffish orange upperparts. Adult males are whitest on wings, face and underparts. Bill is yellowish and legs are black. Voice Has tinkling flight call. Song is twittering. Status Small numbers breed in Scottish mountains but best known as winter visitor, commonest on E coast; saltmarshes, coastal grassland and beach strandlines are favoured.
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  • Coastal lagoons and saltmarsh at Pennington Nature Reserve on the Hampshire coast, UK
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  • Saltmarsh behind Hurst Spit at Milford-on-Sea, Hampshire, UK
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  • Shorelark Eremophila alpestris L 16-17cm. Well-marked but unobtrusive when feeding among saltmarsh plants. Sexes are similar but female is duller than male. Summer adult (sometimes seen on migration) has grey-brown or sandy brown upperparts, streaked on back. Underparts are mainly white but with black breast band and faint buff streaks on flanks. Head is yellow with black band through eye and ear coverts; black forecrown extends to 2 projecting ‘horns’. Winter adult is similar but duller and ‘horns’ are absent. Juvenile is similar to winter adult but upperparts have pale spots. Voice Flight call is a thin see-seer. Status Best known as a scarce winter visitor to coastal saltmarsh. Usually found in small flocks.
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  • Coastal lagoons and saltmarsh at Pennington Nature Reserve on the Hampshire coast, UK
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  • Coastal lagoons and saltmarsh at Pennington Nature Reserve on the Hampshire coast, UK
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  • Coastal lagoons and saltmarsh at Pennington Nature Reserve on the Hampshire coast, UK
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  • Saltmarsh behind Hurst Spit at Milford-on-Sea, Hampshire, UK
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