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  • Black-browed Albatross - Thalassarche melanophris - adult feeding chick
    160481.jpg
  • Southern Elephant Seal - Mirounga leonina - fighting
    159603.jpg
  • Grass Snake Natrix natrix Length 60-90cm Large non-venomous snake. Hibernates October-April. Hunts on land but also active in water, feeding on frogs and fish. Female lays eggs, often in composting piles of vegetation. Adult has slender body, thickest towards middle evenly tapering towards tail. Ground colour on upperparts is olive-green; has occasional dark vertical stripes on flanks and double row of indistinct dark spots down back. Neck has black and yellow crescent-shaped markings on sides, forming incomplete collar. Scales on under surface are whitish with dark chequering. Has backward-curved teeth that retain struggling prey. Eye has round pupil. Juvenile resembles tiny adult with relatively larger head. Hisses if distressed. Locally common in grassland and heathland, usually in vicinity of water.
    137018.jpg
  • Royal Tern - Sterna maxima
    143449.jpg
  • Great Egret - Ardea alba
    160569.jpg
  • American White Pelican - Pelecanus erythrorhynchos
    160456.jpg
  • Southern Elephant Seal - Mirounga leonina - Juvenile males rearing and fighting. Falkland Islands
    159583.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.
    143429.jpg
  • Hoopoe Upupa epops and Bee-eater Merops apiaster
    143721.jpg
  • Great Egret - Ardea alba - adult feeding chicks
    160562.jpg
  • Southern Elephant Seal - Mirounga leonina
    159602.jpg
  • Southern Elephant Seal - Mirounga leonina
    159601.jpg
  • Great Egret - Ardea alba - adult feeding chicks
    160563.jpg
  • Southern Elephant Seal - Mirounga leonina - fighting
    159600.jpg
  • Southern Elephant Seal - Mirounga leonina - fighting
    159597.jpg
  • Northern Wheatear - Oenanthe oenanthe. L 14-16cm. Open-country bird. Reveals white rump and black-and-white tail in flight. In other respects, sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has blue-grey crown and back, black mask and wings, and pale underparts flushed orange-buff on breast. Adult female has mainly grey-brown upperparts, darkest on wings. Face, throat and breast are pale orange-buff and underparts are otherwise whitish. 1st winter birds have grey- to buffish brown upperparts and buffish underparts. Voice Utters a sharp chak alarm call, like two pebbles knocked together. Song is fast and warbling. Status Locally common summer visitor to moors and open grassland.
    156529.jpg
  • Northern Wheatear - Oenanthe oenanthe. L 14-16cm. Open-country bird. Reveals white rump and black-and-white tail in flight. In other respects, sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has blue-grey crown and back, black mask and wings, and pale underparts flushed orange-buff on breast. Adult female has mainly grey-brown upperparts, darkest on wings. Face, throat and breast are pale orange-buff and underparts are otherwise whitish. 1st winter birds have grey- to buffish brown upperparts and buffish underparts. Voice Utters a sharp chak alarm call, like two pebbles knocked together. Song is fast and warbling. Status Locally common summer visitor to moors and open grassland.
    156530.jpg
  • Northern Wheatear - Oenanthe oenanthe. L 14-16cm. Open-country bird. Reveals white rump and black-and-white tail in flight. In other respects, sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has blue-grey crown and back, black mask and wings, and pale underparts flushed orange-buff on breast. Adult female has mainly grey-brown upperparts, darkest on wings. Face, throat and breast are pale orange-buff and underparts are otherwise whitish. 1st winter birds have grey- to buffish brown upperparts and buffish underparts. Voice Utters a sharp chak alarm call, like two pebbles knocked together. Song is fast and warbling. Status Locally common summer visitor to moors and open grassland.
    156485.jpg
  • Northern Wheatear - Oenanthe oenanthe. L 14-16cm. Open-country bird. Reveals white rump and black-and-white tail in flight. In other respects, sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has blue-grey crown and back, black mask and wings, and pale underparts flushed orange-buff on breast. Adult female has mainly grey-brown upperparts, darkest on wings. Face, throat and breast are pale orange-buff and underparts are otherwise whitish. 1st winter birds have grey- to buffish brown upperparts and buffish underparts. Voice Utters a sharp chak alarm call, like two pebbles knocked together. Song is fast and warbling. Status Locally common summer visitor to moors and open grassland.
    156483.jpg
  • Stonechat Saxicola torquata - Juvenile/First winter. L 12-13cm. Small, compact bird. When perched, flicks short, dark tail and utters harsh alarm call. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has blackish head, white on side of neck, and dark back. Breast is orange-red, grading into pale underparts. In autumn, pale feather fringes make head appear paler. Adult female is similar but colours are muted and plumage is more streaked. 1st winter bird has streaked sandy brown upperparts and head, and buffish orange underparts. Voice Utters harsh tchak call, like two pebbles knocked together. Song is rapid and warbling. Status Locally common heaths, commons and gorse-covered slopes near coast. Some dispersal, mainly to coasts, occurs in winter.<br />
nature photographers #
    155951.jpg
  • Stonechat Saxicola torquata L 12-13cm. Small, compact bird. When perched, flicks short, dark tail and utters harsh alarm call. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has blackish head, white on side of neck, and dark back. Breast is orange-red, grading into pale underparts. In autumn, pale feather fringes make head appear paler. Adult female is similar but colours are muted and plumage is more streaked. 1st winter bird has streaked sandy brown upperparts and head, and buffish orange underparts. Voice Utters harsh tchak call, like two pebbles knocked together. Song is rapid and warbling. Status Locally common heaths, commons and gorse-covered slopes near coast. Some dispersal, mainly to coasts, occurs in winter.
    155652.jpg
  • Siberian Stonechat Saxicola maurus - Male. L 12-13cm. Small, compact bird. When perched, flicks short, dark tail and utters harsh alarm call. Sexes are dissimilar. All birds have a pale, unmarked rump. Adult male has blackish head, white on side of neck, and dark back. Breast is orange-red, grading into pale underparts. In autumn, pale feather fringes make head appear paler. Adult female is similar but colours are muted and plumage is more streaked. 1st winter bird has streaked sandy brown upperparts and head, and buffish orange underparts. Voice Utters harsh tchak call, like two pebbles knocked together. Song is rapid and warbling. Status Breeds in Siberia and central Asia and winters in southern Asia. Vagrant in Europe.
    154191.jpg
  • Stonechat Saxicola torquata - Female. L 12-13cm. Small, compact bird. When perched, flicks short, dark tail and utters harsh alarm call. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has blackish head, white on side of neck, and dark back. Breast is orange-red, grading into pale underparts. In autumn, pale feather fringes make head appear paler. Adult female is similar but colours are muted and plumage is more streaked. 1st winter bird has streaked sandy brown upperparts and head, and buffish orange underparts. Voice Utters harsh tchak call, like two pebbles knocked together. Song is rapid and warbling. Status Locally common heaths, commons and gorse-covered slopes near coast. Some dispersal, mainly to coasts, occurs in winter.
    154192.jpg
  • Stonechat Saxicola torquata - Female. L 12-13cm. Small, compact bird. When perched, flicks short, dark tail and utters harsh alarm call. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has blackish head, white on side of neck, and dark back. Breast is orange-red, grading into pale underparts. In autumn, pale feather fringes make head appear paler. Adult female is similar but colours are muted and plumage is more streaked. 1st winter bird has streaked sandy brown upperparts and head, and buffish orange underparts. Voice Utters harsh tchak call, like two pebbles knocked together. Song is rapid and warbling. Status Locally common heaths, commons and gorse-covered slopes near coast. Some dispersal, mainly to coasts, occurs in winter.
    154193.jpg
  • Strawberry Dogwood Cornus kousa (Cornaceae) HEIGHT to 15m. A columnar to pyramidal deciduous tree. BARK Reddish-brown, peeling off in patches in older trees. BRANCHES Tangled. LEAVES Ovate, to 7.5cm long and 5cm across, with a tapering point and wavy margin; dark green above, smooth below with patches of brown hairs in vein axils. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Yellowish-white or greenish flowers are small and clustered together in compact rounded heads, surrounded by 4 large yellowish-white or pink-tinged bracts; open in early summer, followed by bunches of tiny, edible fruits that collectively look like strawberries. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Japan, and a garden tree in Britain and Europe.
    134809.jpg
  • Strawberry Dogwood Cornus kousa (Cornaceae) HEIGHT to 15m. A columnar to pyramidal deciduous tree. BARK Reddish-brown, peeling off in patches in older trees. BRANCHES Tangled. LEAVES Ovate, to 7.5cm long and 5cm across, with a tapering point and wavy margin; dark green above, smooth below with patches of brown hairs in vein axils. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Yellowish-white or greenish flowers are small and clustered together in compact rounded heads, surrounded by 4 large yellowish-white or pink-tinged bracts; open in early summer, followed by bunches of tiny, edible fruits that collectively look like strawberries. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Japan, and a garden tree in Britain and Europe.
    134808.jpg
  • Strawberry Dogwood Cornus kousa (Cornaceae) HEIGHT to 15m. A columnar to pyramidal deciduous tree. BARK Reddish-brown, peeling off in patches in older trees. BRANCHES Tangled. LEAVES Ovate, to 7.5cm long and 5cm across, with a tapering point and wavy margin; dark green above, smooth below with patches of brown hairs in vein axils. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Yellowish-white or greenish flowers are small and clustered together in compact rounded heads, surrounded by 4 large yellowish-white or pink-tinged bracts; open in early summer, followed by bunches of tiny, edible fruits that collectively look like strawberries. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Japan, and a garden tree in Britain and Europe.
    132985.jpg
  • Strawberry Dogwood Cornus kousa (Cornaceae) HEIGHT to 15m. A columnar to pyramidal deciduous tree. BARK Reddish-brown, peeling off in patches in older trees. BRANCHES Tangled. LEAVES Ovate, to 7.5cm long and 5cm across, with a tapering point and wavy margin; dark green above, smooth below with patches of brown hairs in vein axils. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Yellowish-white or greenish flowers are small and clustered together in compact rounded heads, surrounded by 4 large yellowish-white or pink-tinged bracts; open in early summer, followed by bunches of tiny, edible fruits that collectively look like strawberries. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Japan, and a garden tree in Britain and Europe.
    132984.jpg
  • COMMON DANDELION Taraxacum officinale agg. (Asteraceae) Height to 35cm. Extremely variable perennial. Experts recognise several sub-groups (sections), containing numerous so-called micro-species; however, for simplicity’s sake, here they are lumped together as a single species. Grows in a wide variety of grassy places. FLOWERS are borne in heads, 3-6cm across, with yellow florets; heads are solitary and borne on hollow stems that yield a milky sap if broken (Mar-Oct). FRUITS have a hairy pappus, arranged as a white ‘clock’. LEAVES are spoon-shaped and sharply lobed; arranged in a basal rosette. STATUS-Widespread and common throughout.
    143169.jpg
  • COMMON DANDELION Taraxacum officinale agg. (Asteraceae) Height to 35cm. Extremely variable perennial. Experts recognise several sub-groups (sections), containing numerous so-called micro-species; however, for simplicity’s sake, here they are lumped together as a single species. Grows in a wide variety of grassy places. FLOWERS are borne in heads, 3-6cm across, with yellow florets; heads are solitary and borne on hollow stems that yield a milky sap if broken (Mar-Oct). FRUITS have a hairy pappus, arranged as a white ‘clock’. LEAVES are spoon-shaped and sharply lobed; arranged in a basal rosette. STATUS-Widespread and common throughout.
    141299.jpg
  • SEA BEET Beta vulgaris ssp maritima (Chenopodiaceae) Height to 1m. Sprawling, clump-forming perennial of cliffs, shingle beaches and other coastal habitats. FLOWERS are green and borne in dense, leafy spikes (Jul-Sep). FRUITS are spiky; often stick together in a clump. LEAVES are dark green, glossy and leathery with reddish stems; shape varies from oval to triangular. STATUS-Locally common.
    134798.jpg
  • SEA BEET Beta vulgaris ssp maritima (Chenopodiaceae) Height to 1m. Sprawling, clump-forming perennial of cliffs, shingle beaches and other coastal habitats. FLOWERS are green and borne in dense, leafy spikes (Jul-Sep). FRUITS are spiky; often stick together in a clump. LEAVES are dark green, glossy and leathery with reddish stems; shape varies from oval to triangular. STATUS-Locally common.
    134785.jpg
  • SEA BEET Beta vulgaris ssp maritima (Chenopodiaceae) Height to 1m. Sprawling, clump-forming perennial of cliffs, shingle beaches and other coastal habitats. FLOWERS are green and borne in dense, leafy spikes (Jul-Sep). FRUITS are spiky; often stick together in a clump. LEAVES are dark green, glossy and leathery with reddish stems; shape varies from oval to triangular. STATUS-Locally common.
    134783.jpg
  • SEA BEET Beta vulgaris ssp maritima (Chenopodiaceae) Height to 1m. Sprawling, clump-forming perennial of cliffs, shingle beaches and other coastal habitats. FLOWERS are green and borne in dense, leafy spikes (Jul-Sep). FRUITS are spiky; often stick together in a clump. LEAVES are dark green, glossy and leathery with reddish stems; shape varies from oval to triangular. STATUS-Locally common.
    130905.jpg
  • COMMON DANDELION Taraxacum officinale agg. (Asteraceae) Height to 35cm. Extremely variable perennial. Experts recognise several sub-groups (sections), containing numerous so-called micro-species; however, for simplicity’s sake, here they are lumped together as a single species. Grows in a wide variety of grassy places. FLOWERS are borne in heads, 3-6cm across, with yellow florets; heads are solitary and borne on hollow stems that yield a milky sap if broken (Mar-Oct). FRUITS have a hairy pappus, arranged as a white ‘clock’. LEAVES are spoon-shaped and sharply lobed; arranged in a basal rosette. STATUS-Widespread and common throughout.
    144480.jpg
  • Hazel Dormouse Muscardinus avellanarius Length 13-17cm Nocturnal small mammal and an iconic conservation symbol. Mainly arboreal and hibernates in winter. Nests are made mainly from shredded Honeysuckle bark. Adult has mainly golden brown coat with paler throat and belly. Note the large, beady eyes and rounded ears. Feet have flexible toes, used when climbing; tail has coating of golden fur. Mainly silent. A woodland species. Thrives best where mature oaks, coppiced Hazel and Honeysuckle grow together. Local and threatened by habitat destruction and degradation.
    107247.jpg
  • Hazel Dormouse Muscardinus avellanarius Length 13-17cm Nocturnal small mammal and an iconic conservation symbol. Mainly arboreal and hibernates in winter. Nests are made mainly from shredded Honeysuckle bark. Adult has mainly golden brown coat with paler throat and belly. Note the large, beady eyes and rounded ears. Feet have flexible toes, used when climbing; tail has coating of golden fur. Mainly silent. A woodland species. Thrives best where mature oaks, coppiced Hazel and Honeysuckle grow together. Local and threatened by habitat destruction and degradation.
    114375.jpg
  • Common Seal Phoca vitulina Length 1.2-1.9m Has a ‘friendly’-looking face. Hauled-out seals are easy to observe. Adult is greyish brown but variably mottled with darker spots. Underside is paler than upperside. Dry coat looks shiny if coated in sand. Bridge of nose has concave outline (convex in Grey Seal) and muzzle is blunt, creating a dog-like appearance. Seen from front, nostrils are close together at base and splayed in V-shaped fashion (separated from, and more parallel to, one another in Grey Seal). Front flippers have claws and powerful hind flippers effect propulsion when swimming. Males are larger and heavier than females. Pup is born with marbled grey-brown coat. Widespread on E coast of England and around Scotland and Ireland generally.
    116012.jpg
  • Common Seal Phoca vitulina Length 1.2-1.9m Has a ‘friendly’-looking face. Hauled-out seals are easy to observe. Adult is greyish brown but variably mottled with darker spots. Underside is paler than upperside. Dry coat looks shiny if coated in sand. Bridge of nose has concave outline (convex in Grey Seal) and muzzle is blunt, creating a dog-like appearance. Seen from front, nostrils are close together at base and splayed in V-shaped fashion (separated from, and more parallel to, one another in Grey Seal). Front flippers have claws and powerful hind flippers effect propulsion when swimming. Males are larger and heavier than females. Pup is born with marbled grey-brown coat. Widespread on E coast of England and around Scotland and Ireland generally.
    116387.jpg
  • Common Seal Phoca vitulina Length 1.2-1.9m Has a ‘friendly’-looking face. Hauled-out seals are easy to observe. Adult is greyish brown but variably mottled with darker spots. Underside is paler than upperside. Dry coat looks shiny if coated in sand. Bridge of nose has concave outline (convex in Grey Seal) and muzzle is blunt, creating a dog-like appearance. Seen from front, nostrils are close together at base and splayed in V-shaped fashion (separated from, and more parallel to, one another in Grey Seal). Front flippers have claws and powerful hind flippers effect propulsion when swimming. Males are larger and heavier than females. Pup is born with marbled grey-brown coat. Widespread on E coast of England and around Scotland and Ireland generally.
    120490.jpg
  • Hazel Dormouse Muscardinus avellanarius Length 13-17cm Nocturnal small mammal and an iconic conservation symbol. Mainly arboreal and hibernates in winter. Nests are made mainly from shredded Honeysuckle bark. Adult has mainly golden brown coat with paler throat and belly. Note the large, beady eyes and rounded ears. Feet have flexible toes, used when climbing; tail has coating of golden fur. Mainly silent. A woodland species. Thrives best where mature oaks, coppiced Hazel and Honeysuckle grow together. Local and threatened by habitat destruction and degradation.
    124336.jpg
  • Hazel Dormouse Muscardinus avellanarius Length 13-17cm Nocturnal small mammal and an iconic conservation symbol. Mainly arboreal and hibernates in winter. Nests are made mainly from shredded Honeysuckle bark. Adult has mainly golden brown coat with paler throat and belly. Note the large, beady eyes and rounded ears. Feet have flexible toes, used when climbing; tail has coating of golden fur. Mainly silent. A woodland species. Thrives best where mature oaks, coppiced Hazel and Honeysuckle grow together. Local and threatened by habitat destruction and degradation.
    125744.jpg
  • Common Seal Phoca vitulina Length 1.2-1.9m Has a ‘friendly’-looking face. Hauled-out seals are easy to observe. Adult is greyish brown but variably mottled with darker spots. Underside is paler than upperside. Dry coat looks shiny if coated in sand. Bridge of nose has concave outline (convex in Grey Seal) and muzzle is blunt, creating a dog-like appearance. Seen from front, nostrils are close together at base and splayed in V-shaped fashion (separated from, and more parallel to, one another in Grey Seal). Front flippers have claws and powerful hind flippers effect propulsion when swimming. Males are larger and heavier than females. Pup is born with marbled grey-brown coat. Widespread on E coast of England and around Scotland and Ireland generally.
    126352.jpg
  • Hazel Dormouse Muscardinus avellanarius Length 13-17cm Nocturnal small mammal and an iconic conservation symbol. Mainly arboreal and hibernates in winter. Nests are made mainly from shredded Honeysuckle bark. Adult has mainly golden brown coat with paler throat and belly. Note the large, beady eyes and rounded ears. Feet have flexible toes, used when climbing; tail has coating of golden fur. Mainly silent. A woodland species. Thrives best where mature oaks, coppiced Hazel and Honeysuckle grow together. Local and threatened by habitat destruction and degradation.
    127605.jpg
  • Sei Whale Balaenoptera borealis Length 12-15m (Pronounced Say). Similar to Fin Whale but smaller and with a characteristic blow and dive sequence. Rises almost horizontally to surface so blow, head, back and dorsal fin can be seen together (Fin and Minke Whales rise in a gliding arch). Fast swimmer that feeds on krill. Adult has streamlined body; blue-grey, palest on underside. Head is broader and less pointed than Fin Whale and colour is symmetrical. Has single median ridge on rostrum, flippers are uniformly coloured and dorsal fin tall and strongly recurved
    128088.jpg
  • Common Seal Phoca vitulina Length 1.2-1.9m Has a ‘friendly’-looking face. Hauled-out seals are easy to observe. Adult is greyish brown but variably mottled with darker spots. Underside is paler than upperside. Dry coat looks shiny if coated in sand. Bridge of nose has concave outline (convex in Grey Seal) and muzzle is blunt, creating a dog-like appearance. Seen from front, nostrils are close together at base and splayed in V-shaped fashion (separated from, and more parallel to, one another in Grey Seal). Front flippers have claws and powerful hind flippers effect propulsion when swimming. Males are larger and heavier than females. Pup is born with marbled grey-brown coat. Widespread on E coast of England and around Scotland and Ireland generally.
    128124.jpg
  • Hazel Dormouse Muscardinus avellanarius Length 13-17cm Nocturnal small mammal and an iconic conservation symbol. Mainly arboreal and hibernates in winter. Nests are made mainly from shredded Honeysuckle bark. Adult has mainly golden brown coat with paler throat and belly. Note the large, beady eyes and rounded ears. Feet have flexible toes, used when climbing; tail has coating of golden fur. Mainly silent. A woodland species. Thrives best where mature oaks, coppiced Hazel and Honeysuckle grow together. Local and threatened by habitat destruction and degradation.
    128231.jpg
  • Common Seal Phoca vitulina Length 1.2-1.9m Has a ‘friendly’-looking face. Hauled-out seals are easy to observe. Adult is greyish brown but variably mottled with darker spots. Underside is paler than upperside. Dry coat looks shiny if coated in sand. Bridge of nose has concave outline (convex in Grey Seal) and muzzle is blunt, creating a dog-like appearance. Seen from front, nostrils are close together at base and splayed in V-shaped fashion (separated from, and more parallel to, one another in Grey Seal). Front flippers have claws and powerful hind flippers effect propulsion when swimming. Males are larger and heavier than females. Pup is born with marbled grey-brown coat. Widespread on E coast of England and around Scotland and Ireland generally.
    128240.jpg
  • Common Seal Phoca vitulina Length 1.2-1.9m Has a ‘friendly’-looking face. Hauled-out seals are easy to observe. Adult is greyish brown but variably mottled with darker spots. Underside is paler than upperside. Dry coat looks shiny if coated in sand. Bridge of nose has concave outline (convex in Grey Seal) and muzzle is blunt, creating a dog-like appearance. Seen from front, nostrils are close together at base and splayed in V-shaped fashion (separated from, and more parallel to, one another in Grey Seal). Front flippers have claws and powerful hind flippers effect propulsion when swimming. Males are larger and heavier than females. Pup is born with marbled grey-brown coat. Widespread on E coast of England and around Scotland and Ireland generally.
    141316.jpg
  • Common Seal Phoca vitulina Length 1.2-1.9m Has a ‘friendly’-looking face. Hauled-out seals are easy to observe. Adult is greyish brown but variably mottled with darker spots. Underside is paler than upperside. Dry coat looks shiny if coated in sand. Bridge of nose has concave outline (convex in Grey Seal) and muzzle is blunt, creating a dog-like appearance. Seen from front, nostrils are close together at base and splayed in V-shaped fashion (separated from, and more parallel to, one another in Grey Seal). Front flippers have claws and powerful hind flippers effect propulsion when swimming. Males are larger and heavier than females. Pup is born with marbled grey-brown coat. Widespread on E coast of England and around Scotland and Ireland generally.
    144272.jpg
  • Common Seal Phoca vitulina Length 1.2-1.9m Has a ‘friendly’-looking face. Hauled-out seals are easy to observe. Adult is greyish brown but variably mottled with darker spots. Underside is paler than upperside. Dry coat looks shiny if coated in sand. Bridge of nose has concave outline (convex in Grey Seal) and muzzle is blunt, creating a dog-like appearance. Seen from front, nostrils are close together at base and splayed in V-shaped fashion (separated from, and more parallel to, one another in Grey Seal). Front flippers have claws and powerful hind flippers effect propulsion when swimming. Males are larger and heavier than females. Pup is born with marbled grey-brown coat. Widespread on E coast of England and around Scotland and Ireland generally.
    144273.jpg
  • Hazel Dormouse Muscardinus avellanarius Length 13-17cm Nocturnal small mammal and an iconic conservation symbol. Mainly arboreal and hibernates in winter. Nests are made mainly from shredded Honeysuckle bark. Adult has mainly golden brown coat with paler throat and belly. Note the large, beady eyes and rounded ears. Feet have flexible toes, used when climbing; tail has coating of golden fur. Mainly silent. A woodland species. Thrives best where mature oaks, coppiced Hazel and Honeysuckle grow together. Local and threatened by habitat destruction and degradation.
    144296.jpg
  • Hazel Dormouse Muscardinus avellanarius Length 13-17cm Nocturnal small mammal and an iconic conservation symbol. Mainly arboreal and hibernates in winter. Nests are made mainly from shredded Honeysuckle bark. Adult has mainly golden brown coat with paler throat and belly. Note the large, beady eyes and rounded ears. Feet have flexible toes, used when climbing; tail has coating of golden fur. Mainly silent. A woodland species. Thrives best where mature oaks, coppiced Hazel and Honeysuckle grow together. Local and threatened by habitat destruction and degradation.
    144297.jpg
  • Hazel Dormouse Muscardinus avellanarius Length 13-17cm Nocturnal small mammal and an iconic conservation symbol. Mainly arboreal and hibernates in winter. Nests are made mainly from shredded Honeysuckle bark. Adult has mainly golden brown coat with paler throat and belly. Note the large, beady eyes and rounded ears. Feet have flexible toes, used when climbing; tail has coating of golden fur. Mainly silent. A woodland species. Thrives best where mature oaks, coppiced Hazel and Honeysuckle grow together. Local and threatened by habitat destruction and degradation.
    145460.jpg
  • Stonechat Saxicola torquata L 12-13cm. Small, compact bird. When perched, flicks short, dark tail and utters harsh alarm call. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has blackish head, white on side of neck, and dark back. Breast is orange-red, grading into pale underparts. In autumn, pale feather fringes make head appear paler. Adult female is similar but colours are muted and plumage is more streaked. 1st winter bird has streaked sandy brown upperparts and head, and buffish orange underparts. Voice Utters harsh tchak call, like two pebbles knocked together. Song is rapid and warbling. Status Locally common heaths, commons and gorse-covered slopes near coast. Some dispersal, mainly to coasts, occurs in winter.
    120946.jpg
  • Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe L 14-16cm. Open-country bird. Reveals white rump and black-and-white tail in flight. In other respects, sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has blue-grey crown and back, black mask and wings, and pale underparts flushed orange-buff on breast. Adult female has mainly grey-brown upperparts, darkest on wings. Face, throat and breast are pale orange-buff and underparts are otherwise whitish. 1st winter birds have grey- to buffish brown upperparts and buffish underparts. Voice Utters a sharp chak alarm call, like two pebbles knocked together. Song is fast and warbling. Status Locally common summer visitor to moors and open grassland.
    127410.jpg
  • Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe L 14-16cm. Open-country bird. Reveals white rump and black-and-white tail in flight. In other respects, sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has blue-grey crown and back, black mask and wings, and pale underparts flushed orange-buff on breast. Adult female has mainly grey-brown upperparts, darkest on wings. Face, throat and breast are pale orange-buff and underparts are otherwise whitish. 1st winter birds have grey- to buffish brown upperparts and buffish underparts. Voice Utters a sharp chak alarm call, like two pebbles knocked together. Song is fast and warbling. Status Locally common summer visitor to moors and open grassland.
    129293.jpg
  • Stonechat Saxicola torquata L 12-13cm. Small, compact bird. When perched, flicks short, dark tail and utters harsh alarm call. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has blackish head, white on side of neck, and dark back. Breast is orange-red, grading into pale underparts. In autumn, pale feather fringes make head appear paler. Adult female is similar but colours are muted and plumage is more streaked. 1st winter bird has streaked sandy brown upperparts and head, and buffish orange underparts. Voice Utters harsh tchak call, like two pebbles knocked together. Song is rapid and warbling. Status Locally common heaths, commons and gorse-covered slopes near coast. Some dispersal, mainly to coasts, occurs in winter.
    136148.jpg
  • Stonechat Saxicola torquata L 12-13cm. Small, compact bird. When perched, flicks short, dark tail and utters harsh alarm call. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has blackish head, white on side of neck, and dark back. Breast is orange-red, grading into pale underparts. In autumn, pale feather fringes make head appear paler. Adult female is similar but colours are muted and plumage is more streaked. 1st winter bird has streaked sandy brown upperparts and head, and buffish orange underparts. Voice Utters harsh tchak call, like two pebbles knocked together. Song is rapid and warbling. Status Locally common heaths, commons and gorse-covered slopes near coast. Some dispersal, mainly to coasts, occurs in winter.
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  • Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe L 14-16cm. Open-country bird. Reveals white rump and black-and-white tail in flight. In other respects, sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has blue-grey crown and back, black mask and wings, and pale underparts flushed orange-buff on breast. Adult female has mainly grey-brown upperparts, darkest on wings. Face, throat and breast are pale orange-buff and underparts are otherwise whitish. 1st winter birds have grey- to buffish brown upperparts and buffish underparts. Voice Utters a sharp chak alarm call, like two pebbles knocked together. Song is fast and warbling. Status Locally common summer visitor to moors and open grassland.
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  • Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe L 14-16cm. Open-country bird. Reveals white rump and black-and-white tail in flight. In other respects, sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has blue-grey crown and back, black mask and wings, and pale underparts flushed orange-buff on breast. Adult female has mainly grey-brown upperparts, darkest on wings. Face, throat and breast are pale orange-buff and underparts are otherwise whitish. 1st winter birds have grey- to buffish brown upperparts and buffish underparts. Voice Utters a sharp chak alarm call, like two pebbles knocked together. Song is fast and warbling. Status Locally common summer visitor to moors and open grassland.
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  • Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe L 14-16cm. Open-country bird. Reveals white rump and black-and-white tail in flight. In other respects, sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has blue-grey crown and back, black mask and wings, and pale underparts flushed orange-buff on breast. Adult female has mainly grey-brown upperparts, darkest on wings. Face, throat and breast are pale orange-buff and underparts are otherwise whitish. 1st winter birds have grey- to buffish brown upperparts and buffish underparts. Voice Utters a sharp chak alarm call, like two pebbles knocked together. Song is fast and warbling. Status Locally common summer visitor to moors and open grassland.
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  • Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe L 14-16cm. Open-country bird. Reveals white rump and black-and-white tail in flight. In other respects, sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has blue-grey crown and back, black mask and wings, and pale underparts flushed orange-buff on breast. Adult female has mainly grey-brown upperparts, darkest on wings. Face, throat and breast are pale orange-buff and underparts are otherwise whitish. 1st winter birds have grey- to buffish brown upperparts and buffish underparts. Voice Utters a sharp chak alarm call, like two pebbles knocked together. Song is fast and warbling. Status Locally common summer visitor to moors and open grassland.
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  • Stonechat Saxicola torquata L 12-13cm. Small, compact bird. When perched, flicks short, dark tail and utters harsh alarm call. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has blackish head, white on side of neck, and dark back. Breast is orange-red, grading into pale underparts. In autumn, pale feather fringes make head appear paler. Adult female is similar but colours are muted and plumage is more streaked. 1st winter bird has streaked sandy brown upperparts and head, and buffish orange underparts. Voice Utters harsh tchak call, like two pebbles knocked together. Song is rapid and warbling. Status Locally common heaths, commons and gorse-covered slopes near coast. Some dispersal, mainly to coasts, occurs in winter.
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  • Stonechat Saxicola torquata L 12-13cm. Small, compact bird. When perched, flicks short, dark tail and utters harsh alarm call. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has blackish head, white on side of neck, and dark back. Breast is orange-red, grading into pale underparts. In autumn, pale feather fringes make head appear paler. Adult female is similar but colours are muted and plumage is more streaked. 1st winter bird has streaked sandy brown upperparts and head, and buffish orange underparts. Voice Utters harsh tchak call, like two pebbles knocked together. Song is rapid and warbling. Status Locally common heaths, commons and gorse-covered slopes near coast. Some dispersal, mainly to coasts, occurs in winter.
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  • Siberian Stonechat - Saxicola maurus Length 12-13cm Small, compact bird. Similar to European Stonechat Saxicola rubicola; formerly treated as a subspecies of that bird, but now elevated to species status. Diagnostic difference is white, unstreaked rump. When perched, flicks short, dark tail and utters harsh alarm call. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has blackish head, white on side of neck, and dark back, feathers fringed brown in winter. Compared to European Stonechat, underparts are paler and less colourful. Adult female is similar but colours are muted. 1st winter bird has streaked sandy brown upperparts and head, and buffish orange underparts. Utters harsh tchak call, like two pebbles knocked together. Song is rapid and warbling. Breeds across much of central Asia and winters further south. Vagrants turn up in western Europe, mainly in autumn.
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  • Northern Wheatear - Oenanthe oenanthe - female. L 14-16cm. Open-country bird. Reveals white rump and black-and-white tail in flight. In other respects, sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has blue-grey crown and back, black mask and wings, and pale underparts flushed orange-buff on breast. Adult female has mainly grey-brown upperparts, darkest on wings. Face, throat and breast are pale orange-buff and underparts are otherwise whitish. 1st winter birds have grey- to buffish brown upperparts and buffish underparts. Voice Utters a sharp chak alarm call, like two pebbles knocked together. Song is fast and warbling. Status Locally common summer visitor to moors and open grassland.
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  • Northern Wheatear - Oenanthe oenanthe - Juvenile. L 14-16cm. Open-country bird. Reveals white rump and black-and-white tail in flight. In other respects, sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has blue-grey crown and back, black mask and wings, and pale underparts flushed orange-buff on breast. Adult female has mainly grey-brown upperparts, darkest on wings. Face, throat and breast are pale orange-buff and underparts are otherwise whitish. 1st winter birds have grey- to buffish brown upperparts and buffish underparts. Voice Utters a sharp chak alarm call, like two pebbles knocked together. Song is fast and warbling. Status Locally common summer visitor to moors and open grassland.
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  • Northern Wheatear - Oenanthe oenanthe - Juvenile. L 14-16cm. Open-country bird. Reveals white rump and black-and-white tail in flight. In other respects, sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has blue-grey crown and back, black mask and wings, and pale underparts flushed orange-buff on breast. Adult female has mainly grey-brown upperparts, darkest on wings. Face, throat and breast are pale orange-buff and underparts are otherwise whitish. 1st winter birds have grey- to buffish brown upperparts and buffish underparts. Voice Utters a sharp chak alarm call, like two pebbles knocked together. Song is fast and warbling. Status Locally common summer visitor to moors and open grassland.
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  • Northern Wheatear - Oenanthe oenanthe - moulting adult female. L 14-16cm. Open-country bird. Reveals white rump and black-and-white tail in flight. In other respects, sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has blue-grey crown and back, black mask and wings, and pale underparts flushed orange-buff on breast. Adult female has mainly grey-brown upperparts, darkest on wings. Face, throat and breast are pale orange-buff and underparts are otherwise whitish. 1st winter birds have grey- to buffish brown upperparts and buffish underparts. Voice Utters a sharp chak alarm call, like two pebbles knocked together. Song is fast and warbling. Status Locally common summer visitor to moors and open grassland.
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  • Stonechat Saxicola torquata - Male at nest. L 12-13cm. Small, compact bird. When perched, flicks short, dark tail and utters harsh alarm call. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has blackish head, white on side of neck, and dark back. Breast is orange-red, grading into pale underparts. In autumn, pale feather fringes make head appear paler. Adult female is similar but colours are muted and plumage is more streaked. 1st winter bird has streaked sandy brown upperparts and head, and buffish orange underparts. Voice Utters harsh tchak call, like two pebbles knocked together. Song is rapid and warbling. Status Locally common heaths, commons and gorse-covered slopes near coast. Some dispersal, mainly to coasts, occurs in winter.
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  • The Rustics Mesapamea sp. Length 15-20mm. Common Rustic M. secalis and Lesser Common Rustic M. didyma are two closely-related species that are hard to distinguish and are treated together here. Both rest with their wings flat or in a shallow tent-like manner. Both have forewings that can range from buff to dark brown; all have a kidney-shaped marked outlined with white. Individuals with buffish forewings and darker margins are likely to be Common Rustics. Both species fly July-August. Larvae feed on grasses. Widespread and common.
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  • Strawberry Dogwood Cornus kousa (Cornaceae) HEIGHT to 15m. A columnar to pyramidal deciduous tree. BARK Reddish-brown, peeling off in patches in older trees. BRANCHES Tangled. LEAVES Ovate, to 7.5cm long and 5cm across, with a tapering point and wavy margin; dark green above, smooth below with patches of brown hairs in vein axils. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Yellowish-white or greenish flowers are small and clustered together in compact rounded heads, surrounded by 4 large yellowish-white or pink-tinged bracts; open in early summer, followed by bunches of tiny, edible fruits that collectively look like strawberries. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Japan, and a garden tree in Britain and Europe.
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  • COMMON DANDELION Taraxacum officinale agg. (Asteraceae) Height to 35cm. Extremely variable perennial. Experts recognise several sub-groups (sections), containing numerous so-called micro-species; however, for simplicity’s sake, here they are lumped together as a single species. Grows in a wide variety of grassy places. FLOWERS are borne in heads, 3-6cm across, with yellow florets; heads are solitary and borne on hollow stems that yield a milky sap if broken (Mar-Oct). FRUITS have a hairy pappus, arranged as a white ‘clock’. LEAVES are spoon-shaped and sharply lobed; arranged in a basal rosette. STATUS-Widespread and common throughout.
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  • COMMON DANDELION Taraxacum officinale agg. (Asteraceae) Height to 35cm. Extremely variable perennial. Experts recognise several sub-groups (sections), containing numerous so-called micro-species; however, for simplicity’s sake, here they are lumped together as a single species. Grows in a wide variety of grassy places. FLOWERS are borne in heads, 3-6cm across, with yellow florets; heads are solitary and borne on hollow stems that yield a milky sap if broken (Mar-Oct). FRUITS have a hairy pappus, arranged as a white ‘clock’. LEAVES are spoon-shaped and sharply lobed; arranged in a basal rosette. STATUS-Widespread and common throughout.
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  • COMMON DANDELION Taraxacum officinale agg. (Asteraceae) Height to 35cm. Extremely variable perennial. Experts recognise several sub-groups (sections), containing numerous so-called micro-species; however, for simplicity’s sake, here they are lumped together as a single species. Grows in a wide variety of grassy places. FLOWERS are borne in heads, 3-6cm across, with yellow florets; heads are solitary and borne on hollow stems that yield a milky sap if broken (Mar-Oct). FRUITS have a hairy pappus, arranged as a white ‘clock’. LEAVES are spoon-shaped and sharply lobed; arranged in a basal rosette. STATUS-Widespread and common throughout.
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  • COMMON DANDELION Taraxacum officinale agg. (Asteraceae) Height to 35cm. Extremely variable perennial. Experts recognise several sub-groups (sections), containing numerous so-called micro-species; however, for simplicity’s sake, here they are lumped together as a single species. Grows in a wide variety of grassy places. FLOWERS are borne in heads, 3-6cm across, with yellow florets; heads are solitary and borne on hollow stems that yield a milky sap if broken (Mar-Oct). FRUITS have a hairy pappus, arranged as a white ‘clock’. LEAVES are spoon-shaped and sharply lobed; arranged in a basal rosette. STATUS-Widespread and common throughout.
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  • COMMON DANDELION Taraxacum officinale agg. (Asteraceae) Height to 35cm. Extremely variable perennial. Experts recognise several sub-groups (sections), containing numerous so-called micro-species; however, for simplicity’s sake, here they are lumped together as a single species. Grows in a wide variety of grassy places. FLOWERS are borne in heads, 3-6cm across, with yellow florets; heads are solitary and borne on hollow stems that yield a milky sap if broken (Mar-Oct). FRUITS have a hairy pappus, arranged as a white ‘clock’. LEAVES are spoon-shaped and sharply lobed; arranged in a basal rosette. STATUS-Widespread and common throughout.
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  • Hazel Dormouse Muscardinus avellanarius Length 13-17cm Nocturnal small mammal and an iconic conservation symbol. Mainly arboreal and hibernates in winter. Nests are made mainly from shredded Honeysuckle bark. Adult has mainly golden brown coat with paler throat and belly. Note the large, beady eyes and rounded ears. Feet have flexible toes, used when climbing; tail has coating of golden fur. Mainly silent. A woodland species. Thrives best where mature oaks, coppiced Hazel and Honeysuckle grow together. Local and threatened by habitat destruction and degradation.
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  • Hazel Dormouse Muscardinus avellanarius Length 13-17cm Nocturnal small mammal and an iconic conservation symbol. Mainly arboreal and hibernates in winter. Nests are made mainly from shredded Honeysuckle bark. Adult has mainly golden brown coat with paler throat and belly. Note the large, beady eyes and rounded ears. Feet have flexible toes, used when climbing; tail has coating of golden fur. Mainly silent. A woodland species. Thrives best where mature oaks, coppiced Hazel and Honeysuckle grow together. Local and threatened by habitat destruction and degradation.
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  • Hazel Dormouse Muscardinus avellanarius Length 13-17cm Nocturnal small mammal and an iconic conservation symbol. Mainly arboreal and hibernates in winter. Nests are made mainly from shredded Honeysuckle bark. Adult has mainly golden brown coat with paler throat and belly. Note the large, beady eyes and rounded ears. Feet have flexible toes, used when climbing; tail has coating of golden fur. Mainly silent. A woodland species. Thrives best where mature oaks, coppiced Hazel and Honeysuckle grow together. Local and threatened by habitat destruction and degradation.
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  • Hazel Dormouse Muscardinus avellanarius Length 13-17cm Nocturnal small mammal and an iconic conservation symbol. Mainly arboreal and hibernates in winter. Nests are made mainly from shredded Honeysuckle bark. Adult has mainly golden brown coat with paler throat and belly. Note the large, beady eyes and rounded ears. Feet have flexible toes, used when climbing; tail has coating of golden fur. Mainly silent. A woodland species. Thrives best where mature oaks, coppiced Hazel and Honeysuckle grow together. Local and threatened by habitat destruction and degradation.
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  • Hazel Dormouse Muscardinus avellanarius Length 13-17cm Nocturnal small mammal and an iconic conservation symbol. Mainly arboreal and hibernates in winter. Nests are made mainly from shredded Honeysuckle bark. Adult has mainly golden brown coat with paler throat and belly. Note the large, beady eyes and rounded ears. Feet have flexible toes, used when climbing; tail has coating of golden fur. Mainly silent. A woodland species. Thrives best where mature oaks, coppiced Hazel and Honeysuckle grow together. Local and threatened by habitat destruction and degradation.
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  • Hazel Dormouse Muscardinus avellanarius Length 13-17cm Nocturnal small mammal and an iconic conservation symbol. Mainly arboreal and hibernates in winter. Nests are made mainly from shredded Honeysuckle bark. Adult has mainly golden brown coat with paler throat and belly. Note the large, beady eyes and rounded ears. Feet have flexible toes, used when climbing; tail has coating of golden fur. Mainly silent. A woodland species. Thrives best where mature oaks, coppiced Hazel and Honeysuckle grow together. Local and threatened by habitat destruction and degradation.
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  • Common Seal Phoca vitulina Length 1.2-1.9m Has a ‘friendly’-looking face. Hauled-out seals are easy to observe. Adult is greyish brown but variably mottled with darker spots. Underside is paler than upperside. Dry coat looks shiny if coated in sand. Bridge of nose has concave outline (convex in Grey Seal) and muzzle is blunt, creating a dog-like appearance. Seen from front, nostrils are close together at base and splayed in V-shaped fashion (separated from, and more parallel to, one another in Grey Seal). Front flippers have claws and powerful hind flippers effect propulsion when swimming. Males are larger and heavier than females. Pup is born with marbled grey-brown coat. Widespread on E coast of England and around Scotland and Ireland generally.
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  • Common Seal Phoca vitulina Length 1.2-1.9m Has a ‘friendly’-looking face. Hauled-out seals are easy to observe. Adult is greyish brown but variably mottled with darker spots. Underside is paler than upperside. Dry coat looks shiny if coated in sand. Bridge of nose has concave outline (convex in Grey Seal) and muzzle is blunt, creating a dog-like appearance. Seen from front, nostrils are close together at base and splayed in V-shaped fashion (separated from, and more parallel to, one another in Grey Seal). Front flippers have claws and powerful hind flippers effect propulsion when swimming. Males are larger and heavier than females. Pup is born with marbled grey-brown coat. Widespread on E coast of England and around Scotland and Ireland generally.
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  • Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe L 14-16cm. Open-country bird. Reveals white rump and black-and-white tail in flight. In other respects, sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has blue-grey crown and back, black mask and wings, and pale underparts flushed orange-buff on breast. Adult female has mainly grey-brown upperparts, darkest on wings. Face, throat and breast are pale orange-buff and underparts are otherwise whitish. 1st winter birds have grey- to buffish brown upperparts and buffish underparts. Voice Utters a sharp chak alarm call, like two pebbles knocked together. Song is fast and warbling. Status Locally common summer visitor to moors and open grassland.
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  • Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe L 14-16cm. Open-country bird. Reveals white rump and black-and-white tail in flight. In other respects, sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has blue-grey crown and back, black mask and wings, and pale underparts flushed orange-buff on breast. Adult female has mainly grey-brown upperparts, darkest on wings. Face, throat and breast are pale orange-buff and underparts are otherwise whitish. 1st winter birds have grey- to buffish brown upperparts and buffish underparts. Voice Utters a sharp chak alarm call, like two pebbles knocked together. Song is fast and warbling. Status Locally common summer visitor to moors and open grassland.
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  • Red Admiral Vanessa atalanta Wingspan 60mm. An active, fast-flying butterfly that is also fond of basking in the sun. Adult has marbled dark-grey underwings and black upperwings with red bands and white spots. Commonest in July–August, but also seen in many other months. Larva is spiny and brown with yellow markings; feeds on Common Nettle, hidden inside ‘tent’ of woven-together leaves. Mainly a summer migrant from southern Europe, but adults hibernate in small numbers and emerge on sunny days in early spring.
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  • Painted Lady Vanessa cardui Wingspan 60mm. A beautifully patterned butterfly. Adult upperwings are pinkish-buff, with white and black markings. Underwings are buffish, marked with a similar pattern to the upperwings. Larva is spiny and hairy, brown with yellow and red markings; feeds on thistles, usually concealed within ‘tent’ of woven-together leaves. A migrant from southern Europe, from late spring to autumn, mostly near coasts; numbers vary from year to year. Sometimes breeds but does not survive the winter.
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  • Red Admiral Vanessa atalanta Wingspan 60mm. An active, fast-flying butterfly that is also fond of basking in the sun. Adult has marbled dark-grey underwings and black upperwings with red bands and white spots. Commonest in July–August, but also seen in many other months. Larva is spiny and brown with yellow markings; feeds on Common Nettle, hidden inside ‘tent’ of woven-together leaves. Mainly a summer migrant from southern Europe, but adults hibernate in small numbers and emerge on sunny days in early spring. Comma Polygonia c-album Wingspan 45mm. Unmistakable butterfly with ragged-edged wing margins. Adult has orange-brown upperwings marked with dark spots; grey-brown underwings show a white ‘comma’ mark. Double-brooded and hibernates: seen on the wing March–April, and again August-October. Larva has tufts of spiny hairs and is orange-brown with a white dorsal band; feeds on Common Nettle, elms and Hop. Locally fairly common in England and Wales.
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  • Red Admiral - Vanessa atalanta - larva. Wingspan 60mm. An active, fast-flying butterfly that is also fond of basking in the sun. Adult has marbled dark-grey underwings and black upperwings with red bands and white spots. Commonest in July–August, but also seen in many other months. Larva is spiny and brown with yellow markings; feeds on Common Nettle, hidden inside ‘tent’ of woven-together leaves. Mainly a summer migrant from southern Europe, but adults hibernate in small numbers and emerge on sunny days in early spring.
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  • Red Admiral - Vanessa atalanta. Upperwing - top, underwing - bottom. Wingspan 60mm. An active, fast-flying butterfly that is also fond of basking in the sun. Adult has marbled dark-grey underwings and black upperwings with red bands and white spots. Commonest in July–August, but also seen in many other months. Larva is spiny and brown with yellow markings; feeds on Common Nettle, hidden inside ‘tent’ of woven-together leaves. Mainly a summer migrant from southern Europe, but adults hibernate in small numbers and emerge on sunny days in early spring.
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  • Painted Lady Vanessa cardui Wingspan 60mm. A beautifully patterned butterfly. Adult upperwings are pinkish-buff, with white and black markings. Underwings are buffish, marked with a similar pattern to the upperwings. Larva is spiny and hairy, brown with yellow and red markings; feeds on thistles, usually concealed within ‘tent’ of woven-together leaves. A migrant from southern Europe, from late spring to autumn, mostly near coasts; numbers vary from year to year. Sometimes breeds but does not survive the winter.
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  • Painted Lady Vanessa cardui Wingspan 60mm. A beautifully patterned butterfly. Adult upperwings are pinkish-buff, with white and black markings. Underwings are buffish, marked with a similar pattern to the upperwings. Larva is spiny and hairy, brown with yellow and red markings; feeds on thistles, usually concealed within ‘tent’ of woven-together leaves. A migrant from southern Europe, from late spring to autumn, mostly near coasts; numbers vary from year to year. Sometimes breeds but does not survive the winter.
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  • Red Admiral Vanessa atalanta Wingspan 60mm. An active, fast-flying butterfly that is also fond of basking in the sun. Adult has marbled dark-grey underwings and black upperwings with red bands and white spots. Commonest in July–August, but also seen in many other months. Larva is spiny and brown with yellow markings; feeds on Common Nettle, hidden inside ‘tent’ of woven-together leaves. Mainly a summer migrant from southern Europe, but adults hibernate in small numbers and emerge on sunny days in early spring.
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  • Painted Lady Vanessa cardui Wingspan 60mm. A beautifully patterned butterfly. Adult upperwings are pinkish-buff, with white and black markings. Underwings are buffish, marked with a similar pattern to the upperwings. Larva is spiny and hairy, brown with yellow and red markings; feeds on thistles, usually concealed within ‘tent’ of woven-together leaves. A migrant from southern Europe, from late spring to autumn, mostly near coasts; numbers vary from year to year. Sometimes breeds but does not survive the winter.
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  • Painted Lady Vanessa cardui Wingspan 60mm. A beautifully patterned butterfly. Adult upperwings are pinkish-buff, with white and black markings. Underwings are buffish, marked with a similar pattern to the upperwings. Larva is spiny and hairy, brown with yellow and red markings; feeds on thistles, usually concealed within ‘tent’ of woven-together leaves. A migrant from southern Europe, from late spring to autumn, mostly near coasts; numbers vary from year to year. Sometimes breeds but does not survive the winter.
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  • Painted Lady Vanessa cardui Wingspan 60mm. A beautifully patterned butterfly. Adult upperwings are pinkish-buff, with white and black markings. Underwings are buffish, marked with a similar pattern to the upperwings. Larva is spiny and hairy, brown with yellow and red markings; feeds on thistles, usually concealed within ‘tent’ of woven-together leaves. A migrant from southern Europe, from late spring to autumn, mostly near coasts; numbers vary from year to year. Sometimes breeds but does not survive the winter.
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  • Red Admiral Vanessa atalanta Wingspan 60mm. An active, fast-flying butterfly that is also fond of basking in the sun. Adult has marbled dark-grey underwings and black upperwings with red bands and white spots. Commonest in July–August, but also seen in many other months. Larva is spiny and brown with yellow markings; feeds on Common Nettle, hidden inside ‘tent’ of woven-together leaves. Mainly a summer migrant from southern Europe, but adults hibernate in small numbers and emerge on sunny days in early spring.
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