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  • Over the tree tops at Stoke Wood, Bicester, Oxfordshire
    162463.jpg
  • Purple Hairstreak - Neozephyrus quercus = Favonius quercus. Male (top) - female  (centre and bottom (underside)). Wingspan 38mm. A rather enigmatic butterfly that can be hard to observe closely. As an adult it usually remains close to the top of the mature tree where its life-cycle began. Lives in colonies. Adults have brown upperwings; males have purple sheen on both wings, in females it is restricted to hindwings. Underwings are grey with hairstreak line. Larva is brown and rather slug-like; feeds on oak buds. Widespread but locally common only in southern England and Wales.
    156706.jpg
  • Purple Hairstreak - Neozephyrus quercus - pupa. Wingspan 38mm. A rather enigmatic butterfly that can be hard to observe closely. As an adult it usually remains close to the top of the mature tree where its life-cycle began. Lives in colonies. Adults have brown upperwings; males have purple sheen on both wings, in females it is restricted to hindwings. Underwings are grey with hairstreak line. Larva is brown and rather slug-like; feeds on oak buds. Widespread but locally common only in southern England and Wales.
    157506.jpg
  • White-letter Hairstreak - Strymondia w-album. Male (top) - female (bottom). Wingspan 35mm. Small, active butterfly that is hard to observe closely. Usually flies around treetops but also visits Bramble flowers to feed. Adult seldom reveals upperwings. Underwings are brown with jagged orange band and white ‘w’ on hindwing. Flies July-Aug. Larva is rather slug-like and feeds on elms. Widespread loss of larval foodplants from Dutch elm disease has caused decline. Today it is very local, in central and southern England and Wales.
    156713.jpg
  • Purple Hairstreak Neozephyrus quercus Wingspan 38mm. A rather enigmatic butterfly that can be hard to observe closely. As an adult it usually remains close to the top of the mature tree where its life-cycle began. Lives in colonies. Adults have brown upperwings; males have purple sheen on both wings, in females it is restricted to hindwings. Underwings are grey with hairstreak line. Larva is brown and rather slug-like; feeds on oak buds. Widespread but locally common only in southern England and Wales.
    144988.jpg
  • Purple Hairstreak Neozephyrus quercus Wingspan 38mm. A rather enigmatic butterfly that can be hard to observe closely. As an adult it usually remains close to the top of the mature tree where its life-cycle began. Lives in colonies. Adults have brown upperwings; males have purple sheen on both wings, in females it is restricted to hindwings. Underwings are grey with hairstreak line. Larva is brown and rather slug-like; feeds on oak buds. Widespread but locally common only in southern England and Wales.
    144987.jpg
  • Purple Hairstreak Neozephyrus quercus Wingspan 38mm. A rather enigmatic butterfly that can be hard to observe closely. As an adult it usually remains close to the top of the mature tree where its life-cycle began. Lives in colonies. Adults have brown upperwings; males have purple sheen on both wings, in females it is restricted to hindwings. Underwings are grey with hairstreak line. Larva is brown and rather slug-like; feeds on oak buds. Widespread but locally common only in southern England and Wales.
    144758.jpg
  • Purple Hairstreak Neozephyrus quercus Wingspan 38mm. A rather enigmatic butterfly that can be hard to observe closely. As an adult it usually remains close to the top of the mature tree where its life-cycle began. Lives in colonies. Adults have brown upperwings; males have purple sheen on both wings, in females it is restricted to hindwings. Underwings are grey with hairstreak line. Larva is brown and rather slug-like; feeds on oak buds. Widespread but locally common only in southern England and Wales.
    115828.jpg
  • Purple Hairstreak Neozephyrus quercus Wingspan 38mm. A rather enigmatic butterfly that can be hard to observe closely. As an adult it usually remains close to the top of the mature tree where its life-cycle began. Lives in colonies. Adults have brown upperwings; males have purple sheen on both wings, in females it is restricted to hindwings. Underwings are grey with hairstreak line. Larva is brown and rather slug-like; feeds on oak buds. Widespread but locally common only in southern England and Wales.
    115494.jpg
  • Purple Hairstreak Neozephyrus quercus Wingspan 38mm. A rather enigmatic butterfly that can be hard to observe closely. As an adult it usually remains close to the top of the mature tree where its life-cycle began. Lives in colonies. Adults have brown upperwings; males have purple sheen on both wings, in females it is restricted to hindwings. Underwings are grey with hairstreak line. Larva is brown and rather slug-like; feeds on oak buds. Widespread but locally common only in southern England and Wales.
    144989.jpg
  • Kynance Cove, Cornwall
    156834.jpg
  • South Stack Lighthouse, Anglesey, Wales
    156835.jpg
  • South Stack Lighthouse, Anglesey, Wales
    156836.jpg
  • Sea Carrot - Daucus carota ssp. gummifer on the clifftop at Portland Bill, Dorset
    153779.jpg
  • White-letter Hairstreak Satyriuim w-album Wingspan 35mm. Small, active butterfly that is hard to observe closely. Usually flies around treetops but also visits Bramble flowers to feed. Adult seldom reveals upperwings. Underwings are brown with jagged orange band and white ‘w’ on hindwing. Flies July-Aug. Larva is rather slug-like and feeds on elms. Widespread loss of larval foodplants from Dutch elm disease has caused decline. Today it is very local, in central and southern England and Wales.
    123714.jpg
  • White-letter Hairstreak Satyriuim w-album Wingspan 35mm. Small, active butterfly that is hard to observe closely. Usually flies around treetops but also visits Bramble flowers to feed. Adult seldom reveals upperwings. Underwings are brown with jagged orange band and white ‘w’ on hindwing. Flies July-Aug. Larva is rather slug-like and feeds on elms. Widespread loss of larval foodplants from Dutch elm disease has caused decline. Today it is very local, in central and southern England and Wales.
    105164.jpg
  • Black Mustard - Brassica nigra blowing in the wind on the cliffs below Lizard Lighthouse, Cornwall
    153745.jpg
  • Black Mustard - Brassica nigra blowing in the wind on the cliffs below Lizard Lighthouse, Cornwall
    153746.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
  • COMMON SPIKE-RUSH Eleocharis palustris (Cyperaceae) Height to 50cm. Creeping, hairless perennial with green, leafless stems. Grows in marshes and pond margins. FLOWERS are brown and borne in terminal, egg-shaped spikelets of 20-70 flowers (May-Jul). FRUITS are yellowish brown. LEAVES are reduced to brownish, basal sheaths on the stems. STATUS-Widespread and locally common throughout.
    143619.jpg
  • Rook Corvus frugilegus L 43-48cm. Familiar farmland bird. Feeds in large flocks (mainly on soil invertebrates) and occupies noisy colonial tree nest sites. Sexes are similar. Adult has black plumage with reddish-purple sheen. Bill is long, narrow and rather pointed; note bare patch of whitish skin at base. Juvenile is similar but skin at base of bill is feathered. Voice Utters a grating craah-craah-craah… call. Status Locally common resident, found mainly on farmland and grassland. Builds large twig nests in clumps of tall trees.
    144032.jpg
  • Dawn over Stoke Wood, Bicester, Oxfordshire
    162464.jpg
  • Kynance Cove, Cornwall
    156833.jpg
  • East side of Lundy showing cleared Rhododendron thickets, Devon.
    155540.jpg
  • Sea Carrot - Daucus carota ssp. gummifer on the clifftop at Portland Bill, Dorset
    153778.jpg
  • White-letter Hairstreak Satyriuim w-album Wingspan 35mm. Small, active butterfly that is hard to observe closely. Usually flies around treetops but also visits Bramble flowers to feed. Adult seldom reveals upperwings. Underwings are brown with jagged orange band and white ‘w’ on hindwing. Flies July-Aug. Larva is rather slug-like and feeds on elms. Widespread loss of larval foodplants from Dutch elm disease has caused decline. Today it is very local, in central and southern England and Wales.
    145039.jpg
  • White-letter Hairstreak Satyriuim w-album Wingspan 35mm. Small, active butterfly that is hard to observe closely. Usually flies around treetops but also visits Bramble flowers to feed. Adult seldom reveals upperwings. Underwings are brown with jagged orange band and white ‘w’ on hindwing. Flies July-Aug. Larva is rather slug-like and feeds on elms. Widespread loss of larval foodplants from Dutch elm disease has caused decline. Today it is very local, in central and southern England and Wales.
    145038.jpg
  • White-letter Hairstreak Satyriuim w-album Wingspan 35mm. Small, active butterfly that is hard to observe closely. Usually flies around treetops but also visits Bramble flowers to feed. Adult seldom reveals upperwings. Underwings are brown with jagged orange band and white ‘w’ on hindwing. Flies July-Aug. Larva is rather slug-like and feeds on elms. Widespread loss of larval foodplants from Dutch elm disease has caused decline. Today it is very local, in central and southern England and Wales.
    145037.jpg
  • Black Mustard - Brassica nigra blowing in the wind on the cliffs below Lizard Lighthouse, Cornwall
    153747.jpg
  • Black Mustard - Brassica nigra blowing in the wind on the cliffs below Lizard Lighthouse, Cornwall
    153748.jpg
  • Whitesands Bay and St David's Head from the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path, Pembrokeshire, Wales, Uk
    145690.jpg
  • BULRUSH Typha latifolia (Typhaceae) Height to 2m. <br />
Sedge-like plant (aka Great Reedmace). Grows in freshwater margins. FLOWERS are borne in spikes and comprise a brown, sausage-like array of female flowers and a narrow, terminal spire of male flowers, the two contiguous (Jun-Aug). FRUITS have cottony down. LEAVES are grey-green, long and 1-2cm wide. STATUS-Widespread and common.
    143655.jpg
  • Rook Corvus frugilegus L 43-48cm. Familiar farmland bird. Feeds in large flocks (mainly on soil invertebrates) and occupies noisy colonial tree nest sites. Sexes are similar. Adult has black plumage with reddish-purple sheen. Bill is long, narrow and rather pointed; note bare patch of whitish skin at base. Juvenile is similar but skin at base of bill is feathered. Voice Utters a grating craah-craah-craah… call. Status Locally common resident, found mainly on farmland and grassland. Builds large twig nests in clumps of tall trees.
    144031.jpg
  • Violet helleborine - Epipactis purpurata - leaf<br />
top - upperside<br />
bottom - underside
    161201.jpg
  • Eroded cliffs and damaged chalets following tidal surges of December 2013, Hemsby, Norfolk UK
    155693.jpg
  • Pearlsides - Maurolicus pennanti Length to 5cm. Deep sea, laterally flattened fish. Sides are silvery and note pearl-like spots along flanks and on belly. These contain photophores (light-emitting organs) and are thought to be used to deter/confuse would-be predators.
    145703.jpg
  • Spotted Ray Raja montagui Length to 75cm<br />
Similar to Thornback Ray but separable using pattern and structure. Fairly common in shallow inshore waters over sand. Adult has roughly diamond-shaped body and short, pointed snout. Upper surface is grey-brown with dark spots that do not extend to wing margins. Tail is long and does not look banded. Has spines along dorsal surface of tail and along centre of body; these lack swollen bases. Lays eggs, protected in a tough case. Widespread and locally common in S and W only.
    142226.jpg
  • Smooth Snake Coronella austriaca Length 50-70cm Rare snake with vaguely viperine markings. Pupil is rounded (vertical slit in Adder). Sunbathes but typically partially hidden. Hibernates October-April. Diet includes other reptiles. Sexes are similar. Adult has slender body but relatively large head; scales are satiny smooth. Overall ground colour ranges from bluish grey to reddish brown. Has darkish spots along length, sometimes combining to form Adder-like zigzag. Head has dark patch; posterior margin is sometimes rather V-shaped. From side, note dark eye stripe. Juvenile is similar but has spots along flanks. In Britain, restricted to mature heathland with bushy Heather (Calluna vulgaris). Rare because of habitat loss, inappropriate heathland management and fires.
    136125.jpg
  • Turkeytail - Trametes versicolor
    135575.jpg
  • Lodgepole Pine Pinus contorta (ssp. latifolia). Similar to Beach Pine (ssp. Pinaceae) Columnar with a less dense crown; usually grows on a much straighter, but sometimes divided trunk. Needles are broader than those of Beach Pine, and more spread apart. Grows in the mountains well inland away from sea. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS All trees have male flowers in dense clusters near the tips of shoots. Female flowers grow in groups of up to 4 close to the tip of the shoot. Cones are rounded to ovoid, up to 6cm long and 3cm in diameter, and usually a shiny yellow-brown. Each cone scale has a slender, sharp tip, which easily breaks off.<br />
STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native to coastal western North America, widely planted here for timber on poor soils and exposed, often upland, sites.
    134330.jpg
  • Eroded cliffs and damaged chalets following tidal surges of December 2013, Hemsby, Norfolk UK
    155690.jpg
  • Eroded cliffs and damaged chalets following tidal surges of December 2013, Hemsby, Norfolk UK
    155691.jpg
  • Eroded cliffs and damaged chalets following tidal surges of December 2013, Hemsby, Norfolk UK
    155692.jpg
  • Eroded cliffs and damaged chalets following tidal surges of December 2013, Hemsby, Norfolk UK
    155694.jpg
  • Panoramic of Merton College and the Oxford skyline across Merton College playing field, Oxford, Oxfordshire, Uk
    154499.jpg
  • Panoramic of Merton College and the Oxford skyline across Merton College playing field, Oxford, Oxfordshire, Uk
    154500.jpg
  • Panoramic view from the ridge leading to the summit of Snowdon looking down the Afon Glaslyn valley along Crib Goch, Snowdonia, North Wales
    154503.jpg
  • Pogge Agonus cataphractus Length to 15cm<br />
Distinctive, elongated fish with an ‘armoured’ look about it. The broad, flattened head is armed with spines and barbels. It occurs in inshore waters, and is commonest in the W.
    145477.jpg
  • Bull Rout Myoxocephalus scorpius Length to 25cm<br />
Adult has an angular, almost lizard-like head armoured with shortish spines. There are no white barbels at corners of mouth (c.f. Sea Scorpion). Widespread and locally common, least so in SE. Seldom intertidal except in far N.
    142962.jpg
  • Thornback Ray Raja clavata Length to 90cm<br />
The most familiar inshore ray. Adult has a flat, roughly diamond-shaped body with a short snout. Dorsal surface of the long tail has thorny spines with swollen bases; these continue in a line along the dorsal surface of the body. Upper body surface is grey-brown with dark stripes or pale and dark spots; lower surface is pale. Tail looks banded. Lays eggs, protected in a tough case.
    142953.jpg
  • Small-eyed Ray Raja microocellata Length to 75cm<br />
Well-marked ray. Found in mouths of estuaries and sandy bays. Adult has typical ray shape with rather short snout. Upper surface is grey-brown with pale lines and spots. Lays eggs, protected in a tough case. Widespread and locally common in S and W only.
    142677.jpg
  • Tub Gurnard - Trigla lucerna (formerly Chelidonichthys lucerna)Length to 55cm<br />
Attractive fish. Favours sandy and mixed substrates; found in inshore waters in summer. Adult has large head and eyes; forehead slopes abruptly. Pectoral fins extend beyond vent; lowest 3 rays lack webbing and are tactile. Lateral line is not spiny. Overall orange-brown; pectoral fins are often yellow with a blue margin. Locally common in S and W; scarce or absent from E coasts.
    142536.jpg
  • Thornback Ray Raja clavata Length to 90cm<br />
The most familiar inshore ray. Adult has flat, roughly diamond-shaped body with a short snout. Dorsal surface of long tail has thorny spines with swollen bases; these continue in a line along dorsal surface of body. Upper body surface is grey-brown with dark stripes or pale and dark spots; lower surface is pale. Tail looks banded. Lays eggs, protected in a tough case. Widespread and locally common in S and W only.
    142225.jpg
  • Small-eyed Ray Raja microocellata Length to 75cm<br />
Well-marked ray. Found in mouths of estuaries and sandy bays. Adult has typical ray shape with rather short snout. Upper surface is grey-brown with pale lines and spots. Lays eggs, protected in a tough case. Widespread and locally common in S and W only.
    142224.jpg
  • Lodgepole Pine Pinus contorta (ssp. latifolia). Similar to Beach Pine (ssp. Pinaceae) Columnar with a less dense crown; usually grows on a much straighter, but sometimes divided trunk. Needles are broader than those of Beach Pine, and more spread apart. Grows in the mountains well inland away from sea. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS All trees have male flowers in dense clusters near the tips of shoots. Female flowers grow in groups of up to 4 close to the tip of the shoot. Cones are rounded to ovoid, up to 6cm long and 3cm in diameter, and usually a shiny yellow-brown. Each cone scale has a slender, sharp tip, which easily breaks off.<br />
STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native to coastal western North America, widely planted here for timber on poor soils and exposed, often upland, sites.
    132800.jpg
  • Adder Vipera berus Length 45-60cm Venomous snake. Hibernates October-March and sunbathes regularly in spring. Males perform wrestling ‘dances’ to determine access to females for mating. Sexes are similar but females are larger than males. Adult ground colour ranges from reddish brown, greenish yellow or grey to creamy buff.  Almost all have a blackish zigzag line along back, anterior end of which looks arrowheaded and framed by inverted ‘V’ marking on head. Melanic ‘Black Adders’ also occur; commonest in N. Juvenile is similar but slender and usually reddish brown. Widespread but local, found on heaths, moors, open woodlands, rough grassland and coastal dunes. Easiest to see in early spring when basking.
    136064.jpg
  • Slow-worm Anguis fragilis Length 30-40cm Legless lizard. Hibernates Oct-Mar. Length comprises 50-60% tail but this can be shed in dire distress. Female gives birth to live young. Sexes are similar. Adult male has slender, shiny body and no discernible ‘neck’. Male is usually coppery brown or greyish brown, sometimes with darker markings on head. Adult female is similar but with a thin, dark vertebral stripe along back (may end in faint ‘v’ at anterior end) and broken black line on flanks. Belly is marbled bluish and some animals have blue spots on sides. Juvenile has golden or silvery back with thin, dark vertebral stripe and dark flanks. Favours sunny, open habitats with areas of grass and bramble.
    136129.jpg
  • Smooth Snake Coronella austriaca Length 50-70cm Rare snake with vaguely viperine markings. Pupil is rounded (vertical slit in Adder). Sunbathes but typically partially hidden. Hibernates October-April. Diet includes other reptiles. Sexes are similar. Adult has slender body but relatively large head; scales are satiny smooth. Overall ground colour ranges from bluish grey to reddish brown. Has darkish spots along length, sometimes combining to form Adder-like zigzag. Head has dark patch; posterior margin is sometimes rather V-shaped. From side, note dark eye stripe. Juvenile is similar but has spots along flanks. In Britain, restricted to mature heathland with bushy Heather (Calluna vulgaris). Rare because of habitat loss, inappropriate heathland management and fires.
    136130.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.
    136218.jpg
  • HEN HARRIER Circus cyaneus Wingspan 100-120cm. Britain’s most familiar harrier, usually seen gliding at slow speed, low over the ground. Adult male has pale blue-grey plumage except for white belly, white rump and black wingtips. Adult female is brown with darker barring on wings and tail, streaking on body underparts, and a narrow white rump. Juvenile is similar to adult female but breast and wing coverts are brighter. Voice – mainly silent. Status and habitat – Breeds on upland moorland, winters on lowland heaths and near coasts.
    121150.jpg
  • Parsley Water-dropwort - Oenanthe lachenalii
    164214.jpg
  • Corky-fruited Water-dropwort - Oenanthe pimpinelloides
    164213.jpg
  • Adder - Vipera berus
    159805.jpg
  • Grass Snake - Natrix natrix
    159124.jpg
  • Thrift - Armeria maritima - Lundy, north end.  Height to 20cm<br />
Attractive, cushion-forming perennial that often carpets suitable coastal cliffs. Sometimes also grows in saltmarshes and, to a lesser extent, it is also found on a few mountain tops. FLOWERS are pink and borne in dense, globular heads, 15-25mm across, that are borne on slender stalks (Apr-Jul). FRUITS are capsules. LEAVES are dark green, long and narrow. STATUS-Widespread and locally abundant; mainly coastal.
    155474.jpg
  • THRIFT Armeria maritima (Plumbaginaceae) Height to 20cm<br />
Attractive, cushion-forming perennial that often carpets suitable coastal cliffs. Sometimes also grows in saltmarshes and, to a lesser extent, it is also found on a few mountain tops. FLOWERS are pink and borne in dense, globular heads, 15-25mm across, that are borne on slender stalks (Apr-Jul). FRUITS are capsules. LEAVES are dark green, long and narrow. STATUS-Widespread and locally abundant; mainly coastal.
    119056.jpg
  • CYPHEL Minuartia sedoides (Caryophyllaceae)<br />
Distinctive, cushion-forming perennial of damp, stony ground on mountain tops. FLOWERS are yellow, 4mm across and lack petals (Jun-Aug). FRUITS are capsules. LEAVES are narrow, fleshy and densely packed. STATUS-Restricted to mountains in the Scottish Highlands and a few Scottish islands.
    105895.jpg
  • Attractive, cushion-forming perennial that often carpets suitable coastal cliffs. Sometimes also grows in saltmarshes and, to a lesser extent, it is also found on a few mountain tops. FLOWERS are pink and borne in dense, globular heads, 15-25mm across, that are borne on slender stalks (Apr-Jul). FRUITS are capsules. LEAVES are dark green, long and narrow.
    101122.jpg
  • SOFT RUSH Juncus effusus (Juncaceae) Height to 1.5m.<br />
Characteristic perennial of overgrazed grassland, mostly on acid soils. Stems are yellowish green, glossy and smooth. FLOWERS are pale brown and borne in loose or open clusters near the stem tops (Jun-Aug). FRUITS are yellow-brown, egg-shaped, indented at the tip and shorter than sepals. LEAVES are absent. STATUS-Widespread and common.
    143608.jpg
  • Thrift - Armeria maritima (Plumbaginaceae) - West side of Lundy, Devon. Height to 20cm. Attractive, cushion-forming perennial that often carpets suitable coastal cliffs. Sometimes also grows in saltmarshes and, to a lesser extent, it is also found on a few mountain tops. FLOWERS are pink and borne in dense, globular heads, 15-25mm across, that are borne on slender stalks (Apr-Jul). FRUITS are capsules. LEAVES are dark green, long and narrow. STATUS-Widespread and locally abundant; mainly coastal.
    155473.jpg
  • THRIFT Armeria maritima (Plumbaginaceae) Height to 20cm<br />
Attractive, cushion-forming perennial that often carpets suitable coastal cliffs. Sometimes also grows in saltmarshes and, to a lesser extent, it is also found on a few mountain tops. FLOWERS are pink and borne in dense, globular heads, 15-25mm across, that are borne on slender stalks (Apr-Jul). FRUITS are capsules. LEAVES are dark green, long and narrow. STATUS-Widespread and locally abundant; mainly coastal.
    155475.jpg
  • Sea Thrift (Armeria maritima),Handa Island, Sutherland, Scotland. THRIFT Armeria maritima (Plumbaginaceae) Height to 20cm.  Attractive, cushion-forming perennial that often carpets suitable coastal cliffs. Sometimes also grows in saltmarshes and, to a lesser extent, it is also found on a few mountain tops. FLOWERS are pink and borne in dense, globular heads, 15-25mm across, that are borne on slender stalks (Apr-Jul). FRUITS are capsules. LEAVES are dark green, long and narrow. STATUS-Widespread and locally abundant; mainly coastal.
    144587.jpg
  • SOFT RUSH Juncus effusus (Juncaceae) Height to 1.5m<br />
Characteristic perennial of overgrazed grassland, mostly on acid soils. Stems are yellowish green, glossy and smooth. FLOWERS are pale brown and borne in loose or open clusters near the stem tops (Jun-Aug). FRUITS are yellow-brown, egg-shaped, indented at the tip and shorter than sepals. LEAVES are absent. STATUS-Widespread and common.
    131298.jpg
  • MOSS CAMPION Silene acaulis (Caryophyllaceae) Prostrate<br />
Charming, cushion-forming perennial. Found on mountain tops and rocky ledges, but also near the sea in the far N. FLOWERS are pink, 9-12mm across and 5-petalled (Jun-Aug). FRUITS are capsules. LEAVES are narrow and densely packed, creating a moss-like appearance to cushion. STATUS-Local on suitable mountains, from Wales northwards.
    130335.jpg
  • Soft Rush (Juncus effusus) HEIGHT to 1.5m. Characteristic perennial of overgrazed grassland, mostly on acid soils. Stems are yellowish green, glossy and smooth. FLOWERS Pale brown, in loose or open clusters near the stem tops (June-Aug). FRUITS Yellow-brown, egg-shaped, indented at the tip and shorter than sepals. LEAVES Absent.
    104244.jpg
  • SOFT RUSH Juncus effusus (Juncaceae) Height to 1.5m.<br />
Characteristic perennial of overgrazed grassland, mostly on acid soils. Stems are yellowish green, glossy and smooth. FLOWERS are pale brown and borne in loose or open clusters near the stem tops (Jun-Aug). FRUITS are yellow-brown, egg-shaped, indented at the tip and shorter than sepals. LEAVES are absent. STATUS-Widespread and common.
    143612.jpg
  • SOFT RUSH Juncus effusus (Juncaceae) Height to 1.5m.<br />
Characteristic perennial of overgrazed grassland, mostly on acid soils. Stems are yellowish green, glossy and smooth. FLOWERS are pale brown and borne in loose or open clusters near the stem tops (Jun-Aug). FRUITS are yellow-brown, egg-shaped, indented at the tip and shorter than sepals. LEAVES are absent. STATUS-Widespread and common.
    143616.jpg
  • Cabbage Palm Cordyline australis (Agavaceae) HEIGHT to 13m <br />
A superficially palm-like evergreen. Trees that have flowered have a forked trunk with a crown of foliage on top of each fork. BARK Pale brownish-grey, ridged and furrowed. LEAVES Tall, bare trunks are crowned with dense masses of long, spear-like, parallel-veined leaves, to 90cm long and 8cm wide. Upper leaves are mostly erect, but lower leaves hang down to cover top of trunk. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Flowers are produced in midsummer in large spikes, to 1.2m long comprising numerous small, fragrant, creamy-white flowers, each about 1cm across, with 6 lobes and 6 stamens. Fruit is a small rounded bluish-white berry about 6mm across containing several black seeds. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of New Zealand, planted here for ornament. It survives quite far north, as long as there is some protection from severe cold, and tolerates a range of soil types. Often used to create the illusion of sub-tropical conditions in coastal resorts.
    135428.jpg
  • Cabbage Palm Cordyline australis (Agavaceae) HEIGHT to 13m <br />
A superficially palm-like evergreen. Trees that have flowered have a forked trunk with a crown of foliage on top of each fork. BARK Pale brownish-grey, ridged and furrowed. LEAVES Tall, bare trunks are crowned with dense masses of long, spear-like, parallel-veined leaves, to 90cm long and 8cm wide. Upper leaves are mostly erect, but lower leaves hang down to cover top of trunk. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Flowers are produced in midsummer in large spikes, to 1.2m long comprising numerous small, fragrant, creamy-white flowers, each about 1cm across, with 6 lobes and 6 stamens. Fruit is a small rounded bluish-white berry about 6mm across containing several black seeds. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of New Zealand, planted here for ornament. It survives quite far north, as long as there is some protection from severe cold, and tolerates a range of soil types. Often used to create the illusion of sub-tropical conditions in coastal resorts.
    133675.jpg
  • Cabbage Palm Cordyline australis (Agavaceae) HEIGHT to 13m <br />
A superficially palm-like evergreen. Trees that have flowered have a forked trunk with a crown of foliage on top of each fork. BARK Pale brownish-grey, ridged and furrowed. LEAVES Tall, bare trunks are crowned with dense masses of long, spear-like, parallel-veined leaves, to 90cm long and 8cm wide. Upper leaves are mostly erect, but lower leaves hang down to cover top of trunk. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Flowers are produced in midsummer in large spikes, to 1.2m long comprising numerous small, fragrant, creamy-white flowers, each about 1cm across, with 6 lobes and 6 stamens. Fruit is a small rounded bluish-white berry about 6mm across containing several black seeds. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of New Zealand, planted here for ornament. It survives quite far north, as long as there is some protection from severe cold, and tolerates a range of soil types. Often used to create the illusion of sub-tropical conditions in coastal resorts.
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  • Cabbage Palm Cordyline australis (Agavaceae) HEIGHT to 13m <br />
A superficially palm-like evergreen. Trees that have flowered have a forked trunk with a crown of foliage on top of each fork. BARK Pale brownish-grey, ridged and furrowed. LEAVES Tall, bare trunks are crowned with dense masses of long, spear-like, parallel-veined leaves, to 90cm long and 8cm wide. Upper leaves are mostly erect, but lower leaves hang down to cover top of trunk. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Flowers are produced in midsummer in large spikes, to 1.2m long comprising numerous small, fragrant, creamy-white flowers, each about 1cm across, with 6 lobes and 6 stamens. Fruit is a small rounded bluish-white berry about 6mm across containing several black seeds. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of New Zealand, planted here for ornament. It survives quite far north, as long as there is some protection from severe cold, and tolerates a range of soil types. Often used to create the illusion of sub-tropical conditions in coastal resorts.
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  • Small Copper - Lycaena phlaeas - male (top row) - form caeruleopunctata (top right) - female (bottom row). Wingspan 25mm. A colourful butterfly associated with open, grassy habitats. Adult has striking orange upperwings, variably marked with dark brown; underwings have similar pattern to upperwings but grey-buff replaces the dark brown. Has two or three broods: seen on the wing May-September. Larva feeds on Sheep’s Sorrel. Locally common in undisturbed meadows, grassy heaths and sea cliffs.
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  • Turban Top Shell - Gibbula magus
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  • Turban Top Shell - Gibbula magus
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  • Turban Top Shell - Gibbula magus Height to 30mm<br />
Stout and robust shell. Found on lower shore on rocky and mixed substrates. SHELL is rounded overall with 8, ridged whorls; shells are pinkish-brown, patchily suffused with orange, and typically worn and damaged. STATUS Locally common in S and NW; absent from most of E coast.
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  • Painted Top Shell - Calliostoma zizyphimum
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  • Turban Top Shell - Gibbula magus
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  • Turban Top Shell - Gibbula magus
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  • Painted Top Shell - Calliostoma zizyphinum
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  • Panoramic view from the top of Ben Macdui looking north towards Cairn Lochan and Lairig Ghru, Cairngorm Mountains, Scottish Highlands, Uk
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  • Thick Top Shell - Osilinus lineatus
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  • 70.144 (1860)<br />
Green Pug - Pasiphila rectangulata<br />
top = typical form<br />
bottom = melanic form
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  • Silver-washed Fritillary - Argynnis paphia - male (top) - typical female (bottom left) - valezina female (bottom right). Wingspan 60mm. An iconic woodland butterfly associated with sunny rides and clearing; adults are often seen feeding on flowers of Bramble and thistles. Adult has orange-brown upperwings with black markings; underside of hindwing has silvery sheen. Flies June–August. Larva feed on violets.  Status Locally common woodland species in S and SW England and Ireland.
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  • Speckled Wood - Pararge aegeria - male (top row) - female (middle row) - ssp. insula from Scilly (bottom row). Wingspan 45mm. A familiar woodland and hedgerow butterfly that favours sunny glades; fond of basking. Adult has dark brown upperwings with pale markings; underwings are rufous brown with similar pattern to that seen on upperwings. Double-brooded: adults fly April–June and July–September. Larva feeds on grasses and is strictly nocturnal. Widespread but common only in southern England; local or absent further north and in Ireland.
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  • Small Blue - Cupido minimus - male (top row) - female (bottom row). Wingspan 25mm. Britain’s smallest butterfly; extremely active in sunshine, lethargic on overcast days. Adults have smoky-brown upperwings, those of males having a purplish iridescence; underwings of both sexes are grey with small black dots. Flies June–July. Larva is grub-like and feeds on Kidney Vetch. Very locally common in England, Wales and southern Ireland; usually associated with chalk grassland because of  larval foodplant’s requirements.
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  • Silver-studded Blue - Plebejus argus - male (top row) - female (middle row) - N Wales ssp. caernensis (bottom row). Wingspan 25-30mm. An iconic heathland butterfly whose fate is inextricably linked to appropriate habitat management. Flight is buzzing and hard to follow but adults are also fond of sunbathing on Heather. Adult male has blue upperwings with a white margin and dark submarginal band; female upperwings are brown with orange submarginal spots. Underwings are grey adorned with orange and black spots, with shiny spots at the centre of orange and black spots adorning the underwings. Flies June-July. Their larvae feed on Heather and gorse species.
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  • Purple Emperor - Apatura iris - male (top row) - female (bottom row). Wingspan 65mm. An impressive and iconic butterfly of broadleaved woodlands with tall oaks and mature Goat Willows (the larval foodplant). Adult has brown upperwings marked with a white band; the male has the purple sheen, only seen at certain angles. Underwings of both sexes are chestnut with a white band. Flies July-August. Larva is green with diagnostic ‘horns’ at head end. Rare and local, restricted to a few good woodlands in southern England.
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  • Ringlet - Aphantopus hyperantus - male (top row) - female (bottom row). Wingspan 48mm. A distinctively dark grassland butterfly. Adult has sooty-brown wings that are darker in males than females; both upper and lower wings are marked with eyespots but the size and number are variable. Flies June–July. Larva feeds on grasses and is strictly nocturnal. Widespread and fairly common in Britain and Ireland as far north as southern Scotland. Associated with a wide range of grassland habitats.
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  • Large Heath - Coenonympha tullia - male, ssp. davus - Lake District (top row); <br />
female, ssp. davus - Lake District (2nd row); male, ssp. polydama - Scottish borders (3rd row); male, ssp. scotica - N Scotland (4th row). Hardy, upland butterfly. Adult seldom reveals upperwings; underside of hindwing is grey-brown while orange-brown forewing has a small eyespot. Flies June-July. Only flies in sunny weather and drops into vegetation the instant a cloud obscures the sun. Larva feeds on White Beak-sedge. Status Local on waterlogged acid moors from central Wales northwards; most widespread in Scotland, very local in Ireland.
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