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  • Angry clouds and surf around Shipman Head, Bryher, Isles of Scilly, UK
    155067.jpg
  • Surf around Shipman Head, Bryher, Isles of Scilly, UK
    154405.jpg
  • Surf Scoter - Melanitta perspicillata
    163879.jpg
  • Surf Scoter - Melanitta perspicillata
    163788.jpg
  • Black-tailed Godwit - Limosa limosa
    162935.jpg
  • Black-tailed Godwit - Limosa limosa
    162932.jpg
  • Black-tailed Godwit - Limosa limosa
    162926.jpg
  • Black-tailed Godwit - Limosa limosa
    162927.jpg
  • Bar-tailed Godwit - Limosa lapponica
    162731.jpg
  • Grey Seal - Halichoerus grypus - male and female.  Length 2.2-3.2m Bulky seal with proportionately large head. Inquisitive in water. Hauls out for long periods. Adult is greyish overall with dark blotchy spots; fewer, larger spots than on Common Seal. Males are larger and darker than females. In profile, looks ‘Roman nosed’: bridge of nose is convex, more pronounced in males than females. From the front, nostrils are distinctly separated and more or less parallel to one another, not V-shaped. Fore flippers have sharp claws and hind flippers propel the animal through water. Pup is born with white fur; moulted after a few weeks.Voice Utters low, moaning calls. Often found on rocky shores and tolerates rough seas heavy waves. Widespread on west coast of Britain and locally in North Sea.
    157630.jpg
  • Grey Seal - Halichoerus grypus - female.  Length 2.2-3.2m Bulky seal with proportionately large head. Inquisitive in water. Hauls out for long periods. Adult is greyish overall with dark blotchy spots; fewer, larger spots than on Common Seal. Males are larger and darker than females. In profile, looks ‘Roman nosed’: bridge of nose is convex, more pronounced in males than females. From the front, nostrils are distinctly separated and more or less parallel to one another, not V-shaped. Fore flippers have sharp claws and hind flippers propel the animal through water. Pup is born with white fur; moulted after a few weeks.Voice Utters low, moaning calls. Often found on rocky shores and tolerates rough seas heavy waves. Widespread on west coast of Britain and locally in North Sea.
    157629.jpg
  • Kynance Cove, Cornwall
    156834.jpg
  • Sunrise over the rocks on Porthselau Beach looking towards St David's Head, Pembrokeshire, Wales
    156614.jpg
  • Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica L 35-40cm. Large wader with long, slightly upturned bill. Looks shorter-legged than Black-tailed. In flight, note absence of wingbar on upperwing; white rump extends as wedge to lower back and tail is barred. Sexes are dissimilar in summer. Adult male in breeding plumage has reddish orange head, neck and underparts. Back is spangled grey, black and pale buff. Adult female in breeding plumage has buffish orange wash on head, neck and breast, pale belly and greyish back. Winter adult has grey-brown head, neck and upperparts; underparts are pale. Juvenile recalls winter adult but has buffish wash to head, neck and upperparts. Voice Utters a sharp kve-wee call in flight. Status Nests in Arctic; non-breeding visitor to coastal Britain and Ireland.
    146448.jpg
  • Turtle Rock and the Western Rocks, Isles of Scilly
    155581.jpg
  • Black-tailed Godwit - Limosa limosa - Winter Adult -  L 35-40cm. Large wader with long, slightly upturned bill. Looks shorter-legged than Black-tailed. In flight, note absence of wingbar on upperwing; white rump extends as wedge to lower back and tail is barred. Sexes are dissimilar in summer. Adult male in breeding plumage has reddish orange head, neck and underparts. Back is spangled grey, black and pale buff. Adult female in breeding plumage has buffish orange wash on head, neck and breast, pale belly and greyish back. Winter adult has grey-brown head, neck and upperparts; underparts are pale. Juvenile recalls winter adult but has buffish wash to head, neck and upperparts. Voice Utters a sharp kve-wee call in flight. Status Nests in Arctic; non-breeding visitor to coastal Britain and Ireland.
    155398.jpg
  • Black-tailed Godwit - Limosa limosa - Winter Adults. L 35-40cm. Large wader with long, slightly upturned bill. Looks shorter-legged than Black-tailed. In flight, note absence of wingbar on upperwing; white rump extends as wedge to lower back and tail is barred. Sexes are dissimilar in summer. Adult male in breeding plumage has reddish orange head, neck and underparts. Back is spangled grey, black and pale buff. Adult female in breeding plumage has buffish orange wash on head, neck and breast, pale belly and greyish back. Winter adult has grey-brown head, neck and upperparts; underparts are pale. Juvenile recalls winter adult but has buffish wash to head, neck and upperparts. Voice Utters a sharp kve-wee call in flight. Status Nests in Arctic; non-breeding visitor to coastal Britain and Ireland.
    155400.jpg
  • Waves hitting the beach on Hurst Spit, Milford-on-Sea, Hampshire at sunset
    154940.jpg
  • Waves hitting the beach on Hurst Spit, Milford-on-Sea, Hampshire at sunset
    154666.jpg
  • Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus L 40-45cm. Smaller cousin to Curlew with shorter bill, diagnostic head markings and distinctive call. Sexes are similar. Adult has grey-brown to buffish brown plumage with fine, dark streaking on neck and breast. Head pattern comprises two broad, dark lateral stripes on otherwise pale crown, and pale supercilium. Juvenile is similar but plumage is overall warmer buff. Voice Distinctive bubbling call comprises seven notes that descend slightly in pitch from start to finish. Song is confusingly similar to that of Curlew. Status Rare breeding species, favouring boggy moorland; Shetland is a hotspot. Fairly common passage migrant in spring and autumn on coasts; overwinters in S in very small numbers.
    154625.jpg
  • Blakeney Point, Norfolk, UK
    143179.jpg
  • Winterton Beach on the Norfolk coast
    143270.jpg
  • Rough sea on the British coast
    144672.jpg
  • Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica L 35-40cm. Large wader with long, slightly upturned bill. Looks shorter-legged than Black-tailed. In flight, note absence of wingbar on upperwing; white rump extends as wedge to lower back and tail is barred. Sexes are dissimilar in summer. Adult male in breeding plumage has reddish orange head, neck and underparts. Back is spangled grey, black and pale buff. Adult female in breeding plumage has buffish orange wash on head, neck and breast, pale belly and greyish back. Winter adult has grey-brown head, neck and upperparts; underparts are pale. Juvenile recalls winter adult but has buffish wash to head, neck and upperparts. Voice Utters a sharp kve-wee call in flight. Status Nests in Arctic; non-breeding visitor to coastal Britain and Ireland.
    153805.jpg
  • Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica L 35-40cm. Large wader with long, slightly upturned bill. Looks shorter-legged than Black-tailed. In flight, note absence of wingbar on upperwing; white rump extends as wedge to lower back and tail is barred. Sexes are dissimilar in summer. Adult male in breeding plumage has reddish orange head, neck and underparts. Back is spangled grey, black and pale buff. Adult female in breeding plumage has buffish orange wash on head, neck and breast, pale belly and greyish back. Winter adult has grey-brown head, neck and upperparts; underparts are pale. Juvenile recalls winter adult but has buffish wash to head, neck and upperparts. Voice Utters a sharp kve-wee call in flight. Status Nests in Arctic; non-breeding visitor to coastal Britain and Ireland.
    153809.jpg
  • Dunlin Calidris alpina (L 17-21cm) is the yardstick by which all other small waders should be judged. Get to know it in all its different plumages and you will have overcome the biggest hurdle in identification of other similar species. Several different races, with differing bill lengths, occur here outside the breeding season. Forms large flocks in winter. Summer adult has reddish brown back and cap, and whitish underparts with bold black belly and streaking on neck. Male is usually more boldly marked than female. Winter adult has uniform grey upperparts and white underparts. Juvenile has reddish brown and black feathers on the back; pale feather margins align to form ‘V’ patterns. Underparts are whitish but with black streak-like spots on the flanks and breast; head and neck are brown and streaked. Voice Utters a preeit call; breeding ‘song’ comprises a series of whistling calls. Status Local breeding species on damp moorland and mountain habitats. Locally abundant outside breeding season due to migrants from Arctic.
    153915.jpg
  • Little Gull Hydrocoloeus minutus L 25-28cm. Our smallest gull. Has buoyant, tern-like flight. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has pale grey upperwings with white wingtips, dark hood, dark bill and short, reddish legs. In flight, upperwings have white trailing edge and rounded white wingtip; underwings are dark with white trailing edge. In winter, similar but loses dark hood; otherwise white head has dark smudges on crown and ear coverts. Juvenile has striking black bar (forming letter ‘W’) on upperwings and back. Note dark markings on mantle, nape and ear coverts, and dark tail band; plumage is otherwise white. 1st winter is similar to juvenile but back is pale grey, hence dark bar is seen only on wings. Adult plumage acquired over next 2 years. Voice Utters a sharp kyeck call. Status Regular but scarce passage migrant and winter visitor; mainly coastal.
    154053.jpg
  • Purple Sandpiper Calidris maritima L 21cm. Plump-bodied wader. Unobtrusive but typically confiding. Legs are yellowish in all birds and bill has yellowish base. White wingbar seen in flight. Sexes are similar. Adult in winter is uniform blue-grey on head, breast and upperparts, darkest on back; belly is white and flanks are streaked. In summer plumage (sometimes seen in late spring) has reddish brown and black feathers on back and dark ear coverts on otherwise streaked grey-brown face. Juvenile recalls winter adult but feathers on back have pale margins creating scaly look; neck, breast and flanks are streaked. Voice Utters a sharp kwit call in flight. Status Handful of pairs breed in Scotland. Best known as a local non-breeding visitor to rocky shores and headlands.
    154126.jpg
  • Sanderling Calidris alba L 20cm. Small, robust wader. Seen in flocks running at speed along edges of breaking waves on sandy beaches. Has white wingbar and black legs and bill. Sexes are similar. Adult in winter has grey upperparts and white underparts. In summer (sometimes seen in late spring or early autumn) plumage is flushed with red on head and neck and has dark-centred feathers on back; underparts are white. Juvenile is similar to winter adult but many back feathers have dark centres. Voice Utters a sharp plit call. Status Locally common non-breeding visitor, mainly to sandy beaches; occasional on shingle or mudflats.
    154144.jpg
  • Sanderling Calidris alba L 20cm. Small, robust wader. Seen in flocks running at speed along edges of breaking waves on sandy beaches. Has white wingbar and black legs and bill. Sexes are similar. Adult in winter has grey upperparts and white underparts. In summer (sometimes seen in late spring or early autumn) plumage is flushed with red on head and neck and has dark-centred feathers on back; underparts are white. Juvenile is similar to winter adult but many back feathers have dark centres. Voice Utters a sharp plit call. Status Locally common non-breeding visitor, mainly to sandy beaches; occasional on shingle or mudflats.
    154148.jpg
  • Sanderling Calidris alba L 20cm. Small, robust wader. Seen in flocks running at speed along edges of breaking waves on sandy beaches. Has white wingbar and black legs and bill. Sexes are similar. Adult in winter has grey upperparts and white underparts. In summer (sometimes seen in late spring or early autumn) plumage is flushed with red on head and neck and has dark-centred feathers on back; underparts are white. Juvenile is similar to winter adult but many back feathers have dark centres. Voice Utters a sharp plit call. Status Locally common non-breeding visitor, mainly to sandy beaches; occasional on shingle or mudflats.
    154151.jpg
  • Sunset over the rocks on Porthselau Beach looking towards St David's Head, Pembrokeshire, Wales
    145685.jpg
  • Sunset from Porthselau Beach, Pembrokeshire, Wales, Uk
    145687.jpg
  • Whitesands Bay and St David's Head from the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path, Pembrokeshire, Wales, Uk
    145688.jpg
  • Whitesands Bay and St David's Head from the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path, Pembrokeshire, Wales, Uk
    145689.jpg
  • Whitesands Bay and St David's Head from the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path, Pembrokeshire, Wales, Uk
    145691.jpg
  • Grey Seal Halichoerus grypus Length 2.2-3.2m Bulky seal with proportionately large head. Inquisitive in water. Hauls out for long periods. Adult is greyish overall with dark blotchy spots; fewer, larger spots than on Common Seal. Males are larger and darker than females. In profile, looks ‘Roman nosed’: bridge of nose is convex, more pronounced in males than females. From the front, nostrils are distinctly separated and more or less parallel to one another, not V-shaped. Fore flippers have sharp claws and hind flippers propel the animal through water. Pup is born with white fur; moulted after a few weeks.Voice Utters low, moaning calls. Often found on rocky shores and tolerates rough seas heavy waves. Widespread on west coast of Britain and locally in North Sea.
    128326.jpg
  • Southern Elephant Seal Mirounga leonina Length 2-3m, weight 400-850kg Massive seal. Male is up to four times larger than female, with distinctive proboscis. Breeds on Sub-Antarctic islands, notably South Georgia.
    133555.jpg
  • Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica L 35-40cm. Large wader with long, slightly upturned bill. Looks shorter-legged than Black-tailed. In flight, note absence of wingbar on upperwing; white rump extends as wedge to lower back and tail is barred. Sexes are dissimilar in summer. Adult male in breeding plumage has reddish orange head, neck and underparts. Back is spangled grey, black and pale buff. Adult female in breeding plumage has buffish orange wash on head, neck and breast, pale belly and greyish back. Winter adult has grey-brown head, neck and upperparts; underparts are pale. Juvenile recalls winter adult but has buffish wash to head, neck and upperparts. Voice Utters a sharp kve-wee call in flight. Status Nests in Arctic; non-breeding visitor to coastal Britain and Ireland.
    139500.jpg
  • Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica L 35-40cm. Large wader with long, slightly upturned bill. Looks shorter-legged than Black-tailed. In flight, note absence of wingbar on upperwing; white rump extends as wedge to lower back and tail is barred. Sexes are dissimilar in summer. Adult male in breeding plumage has reddish orange head, neck and underparts. Back is spangled grey, black and pale buff. Adult female in breeding plumage has buffish orange wash on head, neck and breast, pale belly and greyish back. Winter adult has grey-brown head, neck and upperparts; underparts are pale. Juvenile recalls winter adult but has buffish wash to head, neck and upperparts. Voice Utters a sharp kve-wee call in flight. Status Nests in Arctic; non-breeding visitor to coastal Britain and Ireland.
    139507.jpg
  • Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica L 35-40cm. Large wader with long, slightly upturned bill. Looks shorter-legged than Black-tailed. In flight, note absence of wingbar on upperwing; white rump extends as wedge to lower back and tail is barred. Sexes are dissimilar in summer. Adult male in breeding plumage has reddish orange head, neck and underparts. Back is spangled grey, black and pale buff. Adult female in breeding plumage has buffish orange wash on head, neck and breast, pale belly and greyish back. Winter adult has grey-brown head, neck and upperparts; underparts are pale. Juvenile recalls winter adult but has buffish wash to head, neck and upperparts. Voice Utters a sharp kve-wee call in flight. Status Nests in Arctic; non-breeding visitor to coastal Britain and Ireland.
    139508.jpg
  • Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus L 43cm. Distinctive wader with striking black and white plumage and loud alarm call. Powerful bill used to hammer molluscs off rocks. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has black upperparts and white underparts with clear demarcation between the two on breast. Note red bill, pinkish legs and beady red eye. In winter, similar but note white half-collar. Juvenile is similar to summer adult but black elements of plumage are brownish and bill and leg colours are subdued. Voice Utters a loud, piping peep call. Status Breeds commonly on coast and beside inland lakes and rivers in N. Mainly coastal in winter, favouring estuaries and mudflats.
    139523.jpg
  • Sanderling Calidris alba L 20cm. Small, robust wader. Seen in flocks running at speed along edges of breaking waves on sandy beaches. Has white wingbar and black legs and bill. Sexes are similar. Adult in winter has grey upperparts and white underparts. In summer (sometimes seen in late spring or early autumn) plumage is flushed with red on head and neck and has dark-centred feathers on back; underparts are white. Juvenile is similar to winter adult but many back feathers have dark centres. Voice Utters a sharp plit call. Status Locally common non-breeding visitor, mainly to sandy beaches; occasional on shingle or mudflats.
    143425.jpg
  • Mixed waders in flight,North Northumberland, England
    144056.jpg
  • Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus L 43cm. Distinctive wader with striking black and white plumage and loud alarm call. Powerful bill used to hammer molluscs off rocks. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has black upperparts and white underparts with clear demarcation between the two on breast. Note red bill, pinkish legs and beady red eye. In winter, similar but note white half-collar. Juvenile is similar to summer adult but black elements of plumage are brownish and bill and leg colours are subdued. Voice Utters a loud, piping peep call. Status Breeds commonly on coast and beside inland lakes and rivers in N. Mainly coastal in winter, favouring estuaries and mudflats.
    144673.jpg
  • Black-tailed Godwit - Limosa limosa
    162936.jpg
  • Black-tailed Godwit - Limosa limosa
    162934.jpg
  • Black-tailed Godwit - Limosa limosa
    162933.jpg
  • Black-tailed Godwit - Limosa limosa
    162929.jpg
  • Black-tailed Godwit - Limosa limosa
    162924.jpg
  • Bar-tailed Godwit - Limosa lapponica
    162922.jpg
  • Bar-tailed Godwit - Limosa lapponica
    162852.jpg
  • Grey Seal - Halichoerus grypus - juveniles. Length 2.2-3.2m Bulky seal with proportionately large head. Inquisitive in water. Hauls out for long periods. Adult is greyish overall with dark blotchy spots; fewer, larger spots than on Common Seal. Males are larger and darker than females. In profile, looks ‘Roman nosed’: bridge of nose is convex, more pronounced in males than females. From the front, nostrils are distinctly separated and more or less parallel to one another, not V-shaped. Fore flippers have sharp claws and hind flippers propel the animal through water. Pup is born with white fur; moulted after a few weeks.Voice Utters low, moaning calls. Often found on rocky shores and tolerates rough seas heavy waves. Widespread on west coast of Britain and locally in North Sea.
    157631.jpg
  • Grey Seal - Halichoerus grypus - Bull. Length 2.2-3.2m Bulky seal with proportionately large head. Inquisitive in water. Hauls out for long periods. Adult is greyish overall with dark blotchy spots; fewer, larger spots than on Common Seal. Males are larger and darker than females. In profile, looks ‘Roman nosed’: bridge of nose is convex, more pronounced in males than females. From the front, nostrils are distinctly separated and more or less parallel to one another, not V-shaped. Fore flippers have sharp claws and hind flippers propel the animal through water. Pup is born with white fur; moulted after a few weeks.Voice Utters low, moaning calls. Often found on rocky shores and tolerates rough seas heavy waves. Widespread on west coast of Britain and locally in North Sea.
    157628.jpg
  • Kynance Cove, Cornwall
    156833.jpg
  • Sunrise over the rocks on Porthselau Beach looking towards St David's Head, Pembrokeshire, Wales
    156613.jpg
  • Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica - Breeding male. L 35-40cm. Large wader with long, slightly upturned bill. Looks shorter-legged than Black-tailed. In flight, note absence of wingbar on upperwing; white rump extends as wedge to lower back and tail is barred. Sexes are dissimilar in summer. Adult male in breeding plumage has reddish orange head, neck and underparts. Back is spangled grey, black and pale buff. Adult female in breeding plumage has buffish orange wash on head, neck and breast, pale belly and greyish back. Winter adult has grey-brown head, neck and upperparts; underparts are pale. Juvenile recalls winter adult but has buffish wash to head, neck and upperparts. Voice Utters a sharp kve-wee call in flight. Status Nests in Arctic; non-breeding visitor to coastal Britain and Ireland.
    146441.jpg
  • Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica - Breeding male. L 35-40cm. Large wader with long, slightly upturned bill. Looks shorter-legged than Black-tailed. In flight, note absence of wingbar on upperwing; white rump extends as wedge to lower back and tail is barred. Sexes are dissimilar in summer. Adult male in breeding plumage has reddish orange head, neck and underparts. Back is spangled grey, black and pale buff. Adult female in breeding plumage has buffish orange wash on head, neck and breast, pale belly and greyish back. Winter adult has grey-brown head, neck and upperparts; underparts are pale. Juvenile recalls winter adult but has buffish wash to head, neck and upperparts. Voice Utters a sharp kve-wee call in flight. Status Nests in Arctic; non-breeding visitor to coastal Britain and Ireland.
    146442.jpg
  • Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica - Breeding male. L 35-40cm. Large wader with long, slightly upturned bill. Looks shorter-legged than Black-tailed. In flight, note absence of wingbar on upperwing; white rump extends as wedge to lower back and tail is barred. Sexes are dissimilar in summer. Adult male in breeding plumage has reddish orange head, neck and underparts. Back is spangled grey, black and pale buff. Adult female in breeding plumage has buffish orange wash on head, neck and breast, pale belly and greyish back. Winter adult has grey-brown head, neck and upperparts; underparts are pale. Juvenile recalls winter adult but has buffish wash to head, neck and upperparts. Voice Utters a sharp kve-wee call in flight. Status Nests in Arctic; non-breeding visitor to coastal Britain and Ireland.
    146443.jpg
  • Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica - Breeding male. L 35-40cm. Large wader with long, slightly upturned bill. Looks shorter-legged than Black-tailed. In flight, note absence of wingbar on upperwing; white rump extends as wedge to lower back and tail is barred. Sexes are dissimilar in summer. Adult male in breeding plumage has reddish orange head, neck and underparts. Back is spangled grey, black and pale buff. Adult female in breeding plumage has buffish orange wash on head, neck and breast, pale belly and greyish back. Winter adult has grey-brown head, neck and upperparts; underparts are pale. Juvenile recalls winter adult but has buffish wash to head, neck and upperparts. Voice Utters a sharp kve-wee call in flight. Status Nests in Arctic; non-breeding visitor to coastal Britain and Ireland.
    146444.jpg
  • Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica - Breeding male. L 35-40cm. Large wader with long, slightly upturned bill. Looks shorter-legged than Black-tailed. In flight, note absence of wingbar on upperwing; white rump extends as wedge to lower back and tail is barred. Sexes are dissimilar in summer. Adult male in breeding plumage has reddish orange head, neck and underparts. Back is spangled grey, black and pale buff. Adult female in breeding plumage has buffish orange wash on head, neck and breast, pale belly and greyish back. Winter adult has grey-brown head, neck and upperparts; underparts are pale. Juvenile recalls winter adult but has buffish wash to head, neck and upperparts. Voice Utters a sharp kve-wee call in flight. Status Nests in Arctic; non-breeding visitor to coastal Britain and Ireland.
    146445.jpg
  • Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica - Breeding female. L 35-40cm. Large wader with long, slightly upturned bill. Looks shorter-legged than Black-tailed. In flight, note absence of wingbar on upperwing; white rump extends as wedge to lower back and tail is barred. Sexes are dissimilar in summer. Adult male in breeding plumage has reddish orange head, neck and underparts. Back is spangled grey, black and pale buff. Adult female in breeding plumage has buffish orange wash on head, neck and breast, pale belly and greyish back. Winter adult has grey-brown head, neck and upperparts; underparts are pale. Juvenile recalls winter adult but has buffish wash to head, neck and upperparts. Voice Utters a sharp kve-wee call in flight. Status Nests in Arctic; non-breeding visitor to coastal Britain and Ireland.
    146446.jpg
  • Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica - Breeding male. L 35-40cm. Large wader with long, slightly upturned bill. Looks shorter-legged than Black-tailed. In flight, note absence of wingbar on upperwing; white rump extends as wedge to lower back and tail is barred. Sexes are dissimilar in summer. Adult male in breeding plumage has reddish orange head, neck and underparts. Back is spangled grey, black and pale buff. Adult female in breeding plumage has buffish orange wash on head, neck and breast, pale belly and greyish back. Winter adult has grey-brown head, neck and upperparts; underparts are pale. Juvenile recalls winter adult but has buffish wash to head, neck and upperparts. Voice Utters a sharp kve-wee call in flight. Status Nests in Arctic; non-breeding visitor to coastal Britain and Ireland.
    146447.jpg
  • Black-tailed Godwit - Limosa limosa - Winter Adult. L 35-40cm. Large wader with long, slightly upturned bill. Looks shorter-legged than Black-tailed. In flight, note absence of wingbar on upperwing; white rump extends as wedge to lower back and tail is barred. Sexes are dissimilar in summer. Adult male in breeding plumage has reddish orange head, neck and underparts. Back is spangled grey, black and pale buff. Adult female in breeding plumage has buffish orange wash on head, neck and breast, pale belly and greyish back. Winter adult has grey-brown head, neck and upperparts; underparts are pale. Juvenile recalls winter adult but has buffish wash to head, neck and upperparts. Voice Utters a sharp kve-wee call in flight. Status Nests in Arctic; non-breeding visitor to coastal Britain and Ireland.
    155399.jpg
  • Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica - Winter Adult. L 35-40cm. Large wader with long, slightly upturned bill. Looks shorter-legged than Black-tailed. In flight, note absence of wingbar on upperwing; white rump extends as wedge to lower back and tail is barred. Sexes are dissimilar in summer. Adult male in breeding plumage has reddish orange head, neck and underparts. Back is spangled grey, black and pale buff. Adult female in breeding plumage has buffish orange wash on head, neck and breast, pale belly and greyish back. Winter adult has grey-brown head, neck and upperparts; underparts are pale. Juvenile recalls winter adult but has buffish wash to head, neck and upperparts. Voice Utters a sharp kve-wee call in flight. Status Nests in Arctic; non-breeding visitor to coastal Britain and Ireland.
    155402.jpg
  • Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica - Winter Adult. L 35-40cm. Large wader with long, slightly upturned bill. Looks shorter-legged than Black-tailed. In flight, note absence of wingbar on upperwing; white rump extends as wedge to lower back and tail is barred. Sexes are dissimilar in summer. Adult male in breeding plumage has reddish orange head, neck and underparts. Back is spangled grey, black and pale buff. Adult female in breeding plumage has buffish orange wash on head, neck and breast, pale belly and greyish back. Winter adult has grey-brown head, neck and upperparts; underparts are pale. Juvenile recalls winter adult but has buffish wash to head, neck and upperparts. Voice Utters a sharp kve-wee call in flight. Status Nests in Arctic; non-breeding visitor to coastal Britain and Ireland.
    155403.jpg
  • Horseshoe Bay, South Shore, Bermuda
    155024.jpg
  • Horseshoe Bay, South Shore, Bermuda
    155025.jpg
  • Waves hitting the beach on Hurst Spit, Milford-on-Sea, Hampshire at sunset
    154939.jpg
  • Waves hitting the beach on Hurst Spit, Milford-on-Sea, Hampshire at sunset
    154664.jpg
  • Waves hitting the beach on Hurst Spit, Milford-on-Sea, Hampshire at sunset
    154665.jpg
  • Waves hitting the beach on Hurst Spit, Milford-on-Sea, Hampshire at sunset
    154667.jpg
  • ROUGH SEAS
    113635.jpg
  • Land's End, Cornwall, Uk
    142995.jpg
  • Blakeney Point, Norfolk, UK
    143177.jpg
  • Blakeney Point, Norfolk, UK
    143178.jpg
  • Blakeney Point, Norfolk, UK
    143180.jpg
  • Winterton Beach on the Norfolk coast
    143269.jpg
  • Rough sea on the British coast
    144679.jpg
  • Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica L 35-40cm. Large wader with long, slightly upturned bill. Looks shorter-legged than Black-tailed. In flight, note absence of wingbar on upperwing; white rump extends as wedge to lower back and tail is barred. Sexes are dissimilar in summer. Adult male in breeding plumage has reddish orange head, neck and underparts. Back is spangled grey, black and pale buff. Adult female in breeding plumage has buffish orange wash on head, neck and breast, pale belly and greyish back. Winter adult has grey-brown head, neck and upperparts; underparts are pale. Juvenile recalls winter adult but has buffish wash to head, neck and upperparts. Voice Utters a sharp kve-wee call in flight. Status Nests in Arctic; non-breeding visitor to coastal Britain and Ireland.
    153806.jpg
  • Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica L 35-40cm. Large wader with long, slightly upturned bill. Looks shorter-legged than Black-tailed. In flight, note absence of wingbar on upperwing; white rump extends as wedge to lower back and tail is barred. Sexes are dissimilar in summer. Adult male in breeding plumage has reddish orange head, neck and underparts. Back is spangled grey, black and pale buff. Adult female in breeding plumage has buffish orange wash on head, neck and breast, pale belly and greyish back. Winter adult has grey-brown head, neck and upperparts; underparts are pale. Juvenile recalls winter adult but has buffish wash to head, neck and upperparts. Voice Utters a sharp kve-wee call in flight. Status Nests in Arctic; non-breeding visitor to coastal Britain and Ireland.
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  • Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica L 35-40cm. Large wader with long, slightly upturned bill. Looks shorter-legged than Black-tailed. In flight, note absence of wingbar on upperwing; white rump extends as wedge to lower back and tail is barred. Sexes are dissimilar in summer. Adult male in breeding plumage has reddish orange head, neck and underparts. Back is spangled grey, black and pale buff. Adult female in breeding plumage has buffish orange wash on head, neck and breast, pale belly and greyish back. Winter adult has grey-brown head, neck and upperparts; underparts are pale. Juvenile recalls winter adult but has buffish wash to head, neck and upperparts. Voice Utters a sharp kve-wee call in flight. Status Nests in Arctic; non-breeding visitor to coastal Britain and Ireland.
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  • Dunlin Calidris alpina (L 17-21cm) is the yardstick by which all other small waders should be judged. Get to know it in all its different plumages and you will have overcome the biggest hurdle in identification of other similar species. Several different races, with differing bill lengths, occur here outside the breeding season. Forms large flocks in winter. Summer adult has reddish brown back and cap, and whitish underparts with bold black belly and streaking on neck. Male is usually more boldly marked than female. Winter adult has uniform grey upperparts and white underparts. Juvenile has reddish brown and black feathers on the back; pale feather margins align to form ‘V’ patterns. Underparts are whitish but with black streak-like spots on the flanks and breast; head and neck are brown and streaked. Voice Utters a preeit call; breeding ‘song’ comprises a series of whistling calls. Status Local breeding species on damp moorland and mountain habitats. Locally abundant outside breeding season due to migrants from Arctic.
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  • Dunlin Calidris alpina (L 17-21cm) is the yardstick by which all other small waders should be judged. Get to know it in all its different plumages and you will have overcome the biggest hurdle in identification of other similar species. Several different races, with differing bill lengths, occur here outside the breeding season. Forms large flocks in winter. Summer adult has reddish brown back and cap, and whitish underparts with bold black belly and streaking on neck. Male is usually more boldly marked than female. Winter adult has uniform grey upperparts and white underparts. Juvenile has reddish brown and black feathers on the back; pale feather margins align to form ‘V’ patterns. Underparts are whitish but with black streak-like spots on the flanks and breast; head and neck are brown and streaked. Voice Utters a preeit call; breeding ‘song’ comprises a series of whistling calls. Status Local breeding species on damp moorland and mountain habitats. Locally abundant outside breeding season due to migrants from Arctic.
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  • Little Gull Hydrocoloeus minutus L 25-28cm. Our smallest gull. Has buoyant, tern-like flight. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has pale grey upperwings with white wingtips, dark hood, dark bill and short, reddish legs. In flight, upperwings have white trailing edge and rounded white wingtip; underwings are dark with white trailing edge. In winter, similar but loses dark hood; otherwise white head has dark smudges on crown and ear coverts. Juvenile has striking black bar (forming letter ‘W’) on upperwings and back. Note dark markings on mantle, nape and ear coverts, and dark tail band; plumage is otherwise white. 1st winter is similar to juvenile but back is pale grey, hence dark bar is seen only on wings. Adult plumage acquired over next 2 years. Voice Utters a sharp kyeck call. Status Regular but scarce passage migrant and winter visitor; mainly coastal.
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  • Little Gull Hydrocoloeus minutus L 25-28cm. Our smallest gull. Has buoyant, tern-like flight. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has pale grey upperwings with white wingtips, dark hood, dark bill and short, reddish legs. In flight, upperwings have white trailing edge and rounded white wingtip; underwings are dark with white trailing edge. In winter, similar but loses dark hood; otherwise white head has dark smudges on crown and ear coverts. Juvenile has striking black bar (forming letter ‘W’) on upperwings and back. Note dark markings on mantle, nape and ear coverts, and dark tail band; plumage is otherwise white. 1st winter is similar to juvenile but back is pale grey, hence dark bar is seen only on wings. Adult plumage acquired over next 2 years. Voice Utters a sharp kyeck call. Status Regular but scarce passage migrant and winter visitor; mainly coastal.
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  • Purple Sandpiper Calidris maritima L 21cm. Plump-bodied wader. Unobtrusive but typically confiding. Legs are yellowish in all birds and bill has yellowish base. White wingbar seen in flight. Sexes are similar. Adult in winter is uniform blue-grey on head, breast and upperparts, darkest on back; belly is white and flanks are streaked. In summer plumage (sometimes seen in late spring) has reddish brown and black feathers on back and dark ear coverts on otherwise streaked grey-brown face. Juvenile recalls winter adult but feathers on back have pale margins creating scaly look; neck, breast and flanks are streaked. Voice Utters a sharp kwit call in flight. Status Handful of pairs breed in Scotland. Best known as a local non-breeding visitor to rocky shores and headlands.
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  • Purple Sandpiper Calidris maritima L 21cm. Plump-bodied wader. Unobtrusive but typically confiding. Legs are yellowish in all birds and bill has yellowish base. White wingbar seen in flight. Sexes are similar. Adult in winter is uniform blue-grey on head, breast and upperparts, darkest on back; belly is white and flanks are streaked. In summer plumage (sometimes seen in late spring) has reddish brown and black feathers on back and dark ear coverts on otherwise streaked grey-brown face. Juvenile recalls winter adult but feathers on back have pale margins creating scaly look; neck, breast and flanks are streaked. Voice Utters a sharp kwit call in flight. Status Handful of pairs breed in Scotland. Best known as a local non-breeding visitor to rocky shores and headlands.
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  • Sanderling Calidris alba L 20cm. Small, robust wader. Seen in flocks running at speed along edges of breaking waves on sandy beaches. Has white wingbar and black legs and bill. Sexes are similar. Adult in winter has grey upperparts and white underparts. In summer (sometimes seen in late spring or early autumn) plumage is flushed with red on head and neck and has dark-centred feathers on back; underparts are white. Juvenile is similar to winter adult but many back feathers have dark centres. Voice Utters a sharp plit call. Status Locally common non-breeding visitor, mainly to sandy beaches; occasional on shingle or mudflats.
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  • Sanderling Calidris alba L 20cm. Small, robust wader. Seen in flocks running at speed along edges of breaking waves on sandy beaches. Has white wingbar and black legs and bill. Sexes are similar. Adult in winter has grey upperparts and white underparts. In summer (sometimes seen in late spring or early autumn) plumage is flushed with red on head and neck and has dark-centred feathers on back; underparts are white. Juvenile is similar to winter adult but many back feathers have dark centres. Voice Utters a sharp plit call. Status Locally common non-breeding visitor, mainly to sandy beaches; occasional on shingle or mudflats.
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  • Sanderling Calidris alba L 20cm. Small, robust wader. Seen in flocks running at speed along edges of breaking waves on sandy beaches. Has white wingbar and black legs and bill. Sexes are similar. Adult in winter has grey upperparts and white underparts. In summer (sometimes seen in late spring or early autumn) plumage is flushed with red on head and neck and has dark-centred feathers on back; underparts are white. Juvenile is similar to winter adult but many back feathers have dark centres. Voice Utters a sharp plit call. Status Locally common non-breeding visitor, mainly to sandy beaches; occasional on shingle or mudflats.
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  • Sunset over the rocks on Porthselau Beach looking towards St David's Head, Pembrokeshire, Wales
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  • Sunset over the rocks on Porthselau Beach looking towards St David's Head, Pembrokeshire, Wales
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  • Sunset over the rocks on Porthselau Beach looking towards St David's Head, Pembrokeshire, Wales
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  • Sunset over the rocks on Porthselau Beach looking towards St David's Head, Pembrokeshire, Wales
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  • Whitesands Bay and St David's Head from the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path, Pembrokeshire, Wales, Uk
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  • Sunset over the rocks on Porthselau Beach looking towards St David's Head, Pembrokeshire, Wales
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  • Grey Seal Halichoerus grypus Length 2.2-3.2m Bulky seal with proportionately large head. Inquisitive in water. Hauls out for long periods. Adult is greyish overall with dark blotchy spots; fewer, larger spots than on Common Seal. Males are larger and darker than females. In profile, looks ‘Roman nosed’: bridge of nose is convex, more pronounced in males than females. From the front, nostrils are distinctly separated and more or less parallel to one another, not V-shaped. Fore flippers have sharp claws and hind flippers propel the animal through water. Pup is born with white fur; moulted after a few weeks.Voice Utters low, moaning calls. Often found on rocky shores and tolerates rough seas heavy waves. Widespread on west coast of Britain and locally in North Sea.
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  • Grey Seal Halichoerus grypus Length 2.2-3.2m Bulky seal with proportionately large head. Inquisitive in water. Hauls out for long periods. Adult is greyish overall with dark blotchy spots; fewer, larger spots than on Common Seal. Males are larger and darker than females. In profile, looks ‘Roman nosed’: bridge of nose is convex, more pronounced in males than females. From the front, nostrils are distinctly separated and more or less parallel to one another, not V-shaped. Fore flippers have sharp claws and hind flippers propel the animal through water. Pup is born with white fur; moulted after a few weeks.Voice Utters low, moaning calls. Often found on rocky shores and tolerates rough seas heavy waves. Widespread on west coast of Britain and locally in North Sea.
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  • Grey Seal Halichoerus grypus Length 2.2-3.2m Bulky seal with proportionately large head. Inquisitive in water. Hauls out for long periods. Adult is greyish overall with dark blotchy spots; fewer, larger spots than on Common Seal. Males are larger and darker than females. In profile, looks ‘Roman nosed’: bridge of nose is convex, more pronounced in males than females. From the front, nostrils are distinctly separated and more or less parallel to one another, not V-shaped. Fore flippers have sharp claws and hind flippers propel the animal through water. Pup is born with white fur; moulted after a few weeks.Voice Utters low, moaning calls. Often found on rocky shores and tolerates rough seas heavy waves. Widespread on west coast of Britain and locally in North Sea.
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