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  • UPLAND ENCHANTER’S-NIGHTSHADE Circaea x intermedia (Onograceae) Height to 45cm. Hairless perennial of shady, upland woods and rocky places. FLOWERS are white and borne in loose spikes (Jun-Aug). FRUITS are club-shaped. LEAVES are 8cm long, oval, heart-shaped at the base and sharply toothed with slightly winged stalks. STATUS-Locally common in upland areas in W and N of region. Note: Often occurs in the absence of one of its parent plants C. alpina, a rare plant that is similar but smaller, with winged leaf stalks and flowers in a tight, terminal cluster.
    130378.jpg
  • MOUNTAIN SORREL Oxyria digyna (Polygonaceae) Height to 30cm. Upright, hairless perennial of damp ground in upland areas; often found beside streams. FLOWERS are greenish with red margins, and borne in loose, upright spikes (Jul-Aug). FRUITS are flat and broad-winged. LEAVES are entirely basal, and rounded to kidney-shaped. STATUS-Widespread and locally common in upland and northern areas.
    119195.jpg
  • Curlew - Numenius arquata. L 53-58cm. Large, distinctive wader with a long, downcurved bill. Call is evocative of lonely, windswept uplands during spring and summer, and coasts in winter. Sexes are similar although male has shorter bill than female. Adult has mainly grey-brown plumage, streaked and spotted on neck and underparts; belly is rather pale. Juvenile is similar but it looks overall more buffish brown, with fine streaks on neck and breast and appreciably shorter bill. Voice Utters a characteristic curlew call and bubbling song on breeding grounds. Status Locally common breeding species on N and upland habitats. Almost exclusively coastal outside breeding season.
    157087.jpg
  • Curlew - Numenius arquata. L 53-58cm. Large, distinctive wader with a long, downcurved bill. Call is evocative of lonely, windswept uplands during spring and summer, and coasts in winter. Sexes are similar although male has shorter bill than female. Adult has mainly grey-brown plumage, streaked and spotted on neck and underparts; belly is rather pale. Juvenile is similar but it looks overall more buffish brown, with fine streaks on neck and breast and appreciably shorter bill. Voice Utters a characteristic curlew call and bubbling song on breeding grounds. Status Locally common breeding species on N and upland habitats. Almost exclusively coastal outside breeding season.
    157086.jpg
  • Curlew Numenius arquata L 53-58cm. Large, distinctive wader with a long, downcurved bill. Call is evocative of lonely, windswept uplands during spring and summer, and coasts in winter. Sexes are similar although male has shorter bill than female. Adult has mainly grey-brown plumage, streaked and spotted on neck and underparts; belly is rather pale. Juvenile is similar but it looks overall more buffish brown, with fine streaks on neck and breast and appreciably shorter bill. Voice Utters a characteristic curlew call and bubbling song on breeding grounds. Status Locally common breeding species on N and upland habitats. Almost exclusively coastal outside breeding season.
    155380.jpg
  • Curlew Numenius arquata L 53-58cm. Large, distinctive wader with a long, downcurved bill. Call is evocative of lonely, windswept uplands during spring and summer, and coasts in winter. Sexes are similar although male has shorter bill than female. Adult has mainly grey-brown plumage, streaked and spotted on neck and underparts; belly is rather pale. Juvenile is similar but it looks overall more buffish brown, with fine streaks on neck and breast and appreciably shorter bill. Voice Utters a characteristic curlew call and bubbling song on breeding grounds. Status Locally common breeding species on N and upland habitats. Almost exclusively coastal outside breeding season.
    143896.jpg
  • Curlew Numenius arquata L 53-58cm. Large, distinctive wader with a long, downcurved bill. Call is evocative of lonely, windswept uplands during spring and summer, and coasts in winter. Sexes are similar although male has shorter bill than female. Adult has mainly grey-brown plumage, streaked and spotted on neck and underparts; belly is rather pale. Juvenile is similar but it looks overall more buffish brown, with fine streaks on neck and breast and appreciably shorter bill. Voice Utters a characteristic curlew call and bubbling song on breeding grounds. Status Locally common breeding species on N and upland habitats. Almost exclusively coastal outside breeding season.
    143898.jpg
  • Curlew Numenius arquata L 53-58cm. Large, distinctive wader with a long, downcurved bill. Call is evocative of lonely, windswept uplands during spring and summer, and coasts in winter. Sexes are similar although male has shorter bill than female. Adult has mainly grey-brown plumage, streaked and spotted on neck and underparts; belly is rather pale. Juvenile is similar but it looks overall more buffish brown, with fine streaks on neck and breast and appreciably shorter bill. Voice Utters a characteristic curlew call and bubbling song on breeding grounds. Status Locally common breeding species on N and upland habitats. Almost exclusively coastal outside breeding season.
    143900.jpg
  • Curlew Numenius arquata L 53-58cm. Large, distinctive wader with a long, downcurved bill. Call is evocative of lonely, windswept uplands during spring and summer, and coasts in winter. Sexes are similar although male has shorter bill than female. Adult has mainly grey-brown plumage, streaked and spotted on neck and underparts; belly is rather pale. Juvenile is similar but it looks overall more buffish brown, with fine streaks on neck and breast and appreciably shorter bill. Voice Utters a characteristic curlew call and bubbling song on breeding grounds. Status Locally common breeding species on N and upland habitats. Almost exclusively coastal outside breeding season.
    143901.jpg
  • Curlew Numenius arquata L 53-58cm. Large, distinctive wader with a long, downcurved bill. Call is evocative of lonely, windswept uplands during spring and summer, and coasts in winter. Sexes are similar although male has shorter bill than female. Adult has mainly grey-brown plumage, streaked and spotted on neck and underparts; belly is rather pale. Juvenile is similar but it looks overall more buffish brown, with fine streaks on neck and breast and appreciably shorter bill. Voice Utters a characteristic curlew call and bubbling song on breeding grounds. Status Locally common breeding species on N and upland habitats. Almost exclusively coastal outside breeding season.
    139215.jpg
  • Curlew Numenius arquata L 53-58cm. Large, distinctive wader with a long, downcurved bill. Call is evocative of lonely, windswept uplands during spring and summer, and coasts in winter. Sexes are similar although male has shorter bill than female. Adult has mainly grey-brown plumage, streaked and spotted on neck and underparts; belly is rather pale. Juvenile is similar but it looks overall more buffish brown, with fine streaks on neck and breast and appreciably shorter bill. Voice Utters a characteristic curlew call and bubbling song on breeding grounds. Status Locally common breeding species on N and upland habitats. Almost exclusively coastal outside breeding season.
    143894.jpg
  • Curlew Numenius arquata L 53-58cm. Large, distinctive wader with a long, downcurved bill. Call is evocative of lonely, windswept uplands during spring and summer, and coasts in winter. Sexes are similar although male has shorter bill than female. Adult has mainly grey-brown plumage, streaked and spotted on neck and underparts; belly is rather pale. Juvenile is similar but it looks overall more buffish brown, with fine streaks on neck and breast and appreciably shorter bill. Voice Utters a characteristic curlew call and bubbling song on breeding grounds. Status Locally common breeding species on N and upland habitats. Almost exclusively coastal outside breeding season.
    143895.jpg
  • Curlew Numenius arquata L 53-58cm. Large, distinctive wader with a long, downcurved bill. Call is evocative of lonely, windswept uplands during spring and summer, and coasts in winter. Sexes are similar although male has shorter bill than female. Adult has mainly grey-brown plumage, streaked and spotted on neck and underparts; belly is rather pale. Juvenile is similar but it looks overall more buffish brown, with fine streaks on neck and breast and appreciably shorter bill. Voice Utters a characteristic curlew call and bubbling song on breeding grounds. Status Locally common breeding species on N and upland habitats. Almost exclusively coastal outside breeding season.
    143897.jpg
  • Curlew Numenius arquata L 53-58cm. Large, distinctive wader with a long, downcurved bill. Call is evocative of lonely, windswept uplands during spring and summer, and coasts in winter. Sexes are similar although male has shorter bill than female. Adult has mainly grey-brown plumage, streaked and spotted on neck and underparts; belly is rather pale. Juvenile is similar but it looks overall more buffish brown, with fine streaks on neck and breast and appreciably shorter bill. Voice Utters a characteristic curlew call and bubbling song on breeding grounds. Status Locally common breeding species on N and upland habitats. Almost exclusively coastal outside breeding season.
    143899.jpg
  • Curlew Numenius arquata L 53-58cm. Large, distinctive wader with a long, downcurved bill. Call is evocative of lonely, windswept uplands during spring and summer, and coasts in winter. Sexes are similar although male has shorter bill than female. Adult has mainly grey-brown plumage, streaked and spotted on neck and underparts; belly is rather pale. Juvenile is similar but it looks overall more buffish brown, with fine streaks on neck and breast and appreciably shorter bill. Voice Utters a characteristic curlew call and bubbling song on breeding grounds. Status Locally common breeding species on N and upland habitats. Almost exclusively coastal outside breeding season.
    145806.jpg
  • Curlew Numenius arquata - Flock in flight. L 53-58cm. Large, distinctive wader with a long, downcurved bill. Call is evocative of lonely, windswept uplands during spring and summer, and coasts in winter. Sexes are similar although male has shorter bill than female. Adult has mainly grey-brown plumage, streaked and spotted on neck and underparts; belly is rather pale. Juvenile is similar but it looks overall more buffish brown, with fine streaks on neck and breast and appreciably shorter bill. Voice Utters a characteristic curlew call and bubbling song on breeding grounds. Status Locally common breeding species on N and upland habitats. Almost exclusively coastal outside breeding season.
    155153.jpg
  • Curlew Numenius arquata - at nest. L 53-58cm. Large, distinctive wader with a long, downcurved bill. Call is evocative of lonely, windswept uplands during spring and summer, and coasts in winter. Sexes are similar although male has shorter bill than female. Adult has mainly grey-brown plumage, streaked and spotted on neck and underparts; belly is rather pale. Juvenile is similar but it looks overall more buffish brown, with fine streaks on neck and breast and appreciably shorter bill. Voice Utters a characteristic curlew call and bubbling song on breeding grounds. Status Locally common breeding species on N and upland habitats. Almost exclusively coastal outside breeding season.
    103846.jpg
  • MOUNTAIN EVERLASTING Antennaria dioica (Asteraceae) Height to 20cm. Downy perennial with rooting runners and leaf rosettes from which flower stems arise. Grows on upland heaths and moors. FLOWERS in compact, woolly, separate-sex heads, borne in umbel-like clusters; male heads 6mm across with white-tipped bracts, female heads 12mm across with pink-tipped bracts (Jun-Aug). FRUITS are achenes. LEAVES are green and hairless above, downy below. STATUS-Locally common in upland and N regions.
    116601.jpg
  • Curlew Numenius arquata L 53-58cm. Large, distinctive wader with a long, downcurved bill. Call is evocative of lonely, windswept uplands during spring and summer, and coasts in winter. Sexes are similar although male has shorter bill than female. Adult has mainly grey-brown plumage, streaked and spotted on neck and underparts; belly is rather pale. Juvenile is similar but it looks overall more buffish brown, with fine streaks on neck and breast and appreciably shorter bill. Voice Utters a characteristic curlew call and bubbling song on breeding grounds. Status Locally common breeding species on N and upland habitats. Almost exclusively coastal outside breeding season.
    139513.jpg
  • Curlew Numenius arquata L 53-58cm. Large, distinctive wader with a long, downcurved bill. Call is evocative of lonely, windswept uplands during spring and summer, and coasts in winter. Sexes are similar although male has shorter bill than female. Adult has mainly grey-brown plumage, streaked and spotted on neck and underparts; belly is rather pale. Juvenile is similar but it looks overall more buffish brown, with fine streaks on neck and breast and appreciably shorter bill. Voice Utters a characteristic curlew call and bubbling song on breeding grounds. Status Locally common breeding species on N and upland habitats. Almost exclusively coastal outside breeding season.
    139519.jpg
  • Curlew Numenius arquata L 53-58cm. Large, distinctive wader with a long, downcurved bill. Call is evocative of lonely, windswept uplands during spring and summer, and coasts in winter. Sexes are similar although male has shorter bill than female. Adult has mainly grey-brown plumage, streaked and spotted on neck and underparts; belly is rather pale. Juvenile is similar but it looks overall more buffish brown, with fine streaks on neck and breast and appreciably shorter bill. Voice Utters a characteristic curlew call and bubbling song on breeding grounds. Status Locally common breeding species on N and upland habitats. Almost exclusively coastal outside breeding season.
    139520.jpg
  • Curlew Numenius arquata L 53-58cm. Large, distinctive wader with a long, downcurved bill. Call is evocative of lonely, windswept uplands during spring and summer, and coasts in winter. Sexes are similar although male has shorter bill than female. Adult has mainly grey-brown plumage, streaked and spotted on neck and underparts; belly is rather pale. Juvenile is similar but it looks overall more buffish brown, with fine streaks on neck and breast and appreciably shorter bill. Voice Utters a characteristic curlew call and bubbling song on breeding grounds. Status Locally common breeding species on N and upland habitats. Almost exclusively coastal outside breeding season.
    139521.jpg
  • Curlew Numenius arquata L 53-58cm. Large, distinctive wader with a long, downcurved bill. Call is evocative of lonely, windswept uplands during spring and summer, and coasts in winter. Sexes are similar although male has shorter bill than female. Adult has mainly grey-brown plumage, streaked and spotted on neck and underparts; belly is rather pale. Juvenile is similar but it looks overall more buffish brown, with fine streaks on neck and breast and appreciably shorter bill. Voice Utters a characteristic curlew call and bubbling song on breeding grounds. Status Locally common breeding species on N and upland habitats. Almost exclusively coastal outside breeding season.
    143512.jpg
  • Curlew Numenius arquata L 53-58cm. Large, distinctive wader with a long, downcurved bill. Call is evocative of lonely, windswept uplands during spring and summer, and coasts in winter. Sexes are similar although male has shorter bill than female. Adult has mainly grey-brown plumage, streaked and spotted on neck and underparts; belly is rather pale. Juvenile is similar but it looks overall more buffish brown, with fine streaks on neck and breast and appreciably shorter bill. Voice Utters a characteristic curlew call and bubbling song on breeding grounds. Status Locally common breeding species on N and upland habitats. Almost exclusively coastal outside breeding season.
    143729.jpg
  • Curlew Numenius arquata L 53-58cm. Large, distinctive wader with a long, downcurved bill. Call is evocative of lonely, windswept uplands during spring and summer, and coasts in winter. Sexes are similar although male has shorter bill than female. Adult has mainly grey-brown plumage, streaked and spotted on neck and underparts; belly is rather pale. Juvenile is similar but it looks overall more buffish brown, with fine streaks on neck and breast and appreciably shorter bill. Voice Utters a characteristic curlew call and bubbling song on breeding grounds. Status Locally common breeding species on N and upland habitats. Almost exclusively coastal outside breeding season.
    145807.jpg
  • Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos W 190-225cm. Majestic raptor. Distant flight view could be confused with soaring Buzzard but note proportionately longer wings (narrow appreciably towards base) and relatively long tail. Catches Mountain Hares and Red Grouse but also feeds on carrion in winter. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly dark brown plumage with paler margins to feathers on back and golden-brown feathers on head and neck. Tail is dark-tipped and barred but can look uniformly dark in flight silhouette. Juvenile is similar to adult but has white patches at base of outer flight feathers; tail is mainly white but with broad, dark tip. Subadult gradually loses white elements of juvenile plumage by successive moults over several years. Voice Mainly silent. Status Resident of remote, upland regions, mainly in Scotland. Favours open moorland and mountains.
    157611.jpg
  • Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos W 190-225cm. Majestic raptor. Distant flight view could be confused with soaring Buzzard but note proportionately longer wings (narrow appreciably towards base) and relatively long tail. Catches Mountain Hares and Red Grouse but also feeds on carrion in winter. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly dark brown plumage with paler margins to feathers on back and golden-brown feathers on head and neck. Tail is dark-tipped and barred but can look uniformly dark in flight silhouette. Juvenile is similar to adult but has white patches at base of outer flight feathers; tail is mainly white but with broad, dark tip. Subadult gradually loses white elements of juvenile plumage by successive moults over several years. Voice Mainly silent. Status Resident of remote, upland regions, mainly in Scotland. Favours open moorland and mountains.
    157602.jpg
  • HEN HARRIER - Circus cyaneus - Female. 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.
    155228.jpg
  • Upland Stream, Snowdonia
    103318.jpg
  • Dwarf Birch Betula nana (Betulaceae) HEIGHT to 1m<br />
A low-growing and often rather prostrate undershrub. BARK Reddish brown. BRANCHES Short and upright or spreading, with stiff, hairy twigs. LEAVES Rather rounded, 6-8mm across, coarsely toothed and hairy when young, smooth and hairless when mature. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Catkins, females covered with three-lobed scales. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION A northern, tundra species in global terms, confined in our region as a native plant to the Scottish Highlands. Here, it grows on upland heaths and in bogs and is tolerant of both waterlogged and relatively free-draining peaty soils.
    134924.jpg
  • Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos W 190-225cm. Majestic raptor. Distant flight view could be confused with soaring Buzzard but note proportionately longer wings (narrow appreciably towards base) and relatively long tail. Catches Mountain Hares and Red Grouse but also feeds on carrion in winter. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly dark brown plumage with paler margins to feathers on back and golden-brown feathers on head and neck. Tail is dark-tipped and barred but can look uniformly dark in flight silhouette. Juvenile is similar to adult but has white patches at base of outer flight feathers; tail is mainly white but with broad, dark tip. Subadult gradually loses white elements of juvenile plumage by successive moults over several years. Voice Mainly silent. Status Resident of remote, upland regions, mainly in Scotland. Favours open moorland and mountains.
    125525.jpg
  • Ring Ouzel Turdus torquatus L 25-26cm. Upland counterpart of Blackbird. Typically alert and wary. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has mainly black plumage with striking white crescent on breast and pale fringes to wing feathers. Legs are dark, bill is yellowish, and feathers on underparts have pale fringes. Adult female is similar but dark elements of plumage are browner and pale crescent on breast is grubby white. 1st winter birds look rather dark with pale feather fringes all over and hint of adult’s pale crescent on breast. Voice Utters a harsh tchuck alarm call. Song comprises short bursts of fluty phrases. Status Local summer visitor to rugged moorland and lower mountain slopes.
    127413.jpg
  • Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos W 190-225cm. Majestic raptor. Distant flight view could be confused with soaring Buzzard but note proportionately longer wings (narrow appreciably towards base) and relatively long tail. Catches Mountain Hares and Red Grouse but also feeds on carrion in winter. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly dark brown plumage with paler margins to feathers on back and golden-brown feathers on head and neck. Tail is dark-tipped and barred but can look uniformly dark in flight silhouette. Juvenile is similar to adult but has white patches at base of outer flight feathers; tail is mainly white but with broad, dark tip. Subadult gradually loses white elements of juvenile plumage by successive moults over several years. Voice Mainly silent. Status Resident of remote, upland regions, mainly in Scotland. Favours open moorland and mountains.
    143639.jpg
  • Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos W 190-225cm. Majestic raptor. Distant flight view could be confused with soaring Buzzard but note proportionately longer wings (narrow appreciably towards base) and relatively long tail. Catches Mountain Hares and Red Grouse but also feeds on carrion in winter. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly dark brown plumage with paler margins to feathers on back and golden-brown feathers on head and neck. Tail is dark-tipped and barred but can look uniformly dark in flight silhouette. Juvenile is similar to adult but has white patches at base of outer flight feathers; tail is mainly white but with broad, dark tip. Subadult gradually loses white elements of juvenile plumage by successive moults over several years. Voice Mainly silent. Status Resident of remote, upland regions, mainly in Scotland. Favours open moorland and mountains.
    143935.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.
    143969.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.
    143979.jpg
  • Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos W 190-225cm. Majestic raptor. Distant flight view could be confused with soaring Buzzard but note proportionately longer wings (narrow appreciably towards base) and relatively long tail. Catches Mountain Hares and Red Grouse but also feeds on carrion in winter. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly dark brown plumage with paler margins to feathers on back and golden-brown feathers on head and neck. Tail is dark-tipped and barred but can look uniformly dark in flight silhouette. Juvenile is similar to adult but has white patches at base of outer flight feathers; tail is mainly white but with broad, dark tip. Subadult gradually loses white elements of juvenile plumage by successive moults over several years. Voice Mainly silent. Status Resident of remote, upland regions, mainly in Scotland. Favours open moorland and mountains.
    157603.jpg
  • Twite - Carduelis flavirostris. L 13-14cm. Upland counterpart of Linnet. Bill is grey in spring and summer but yellow in autumn and winter (Linnet’s is grey at all times). Throat is unstreaked. Sexes are very similar.<br />
Adult male in summer has streaked brown upperparts, pinkish rump and white margins to flight and tail feathers. Pale underparts are heavily streaked. In winter, head and breast are warm buffish brown. Adult female and juvenile are similar to winter male but rump is brown, not pink. Voice Utters a sharp tveeht call. Song is a series of trilling notes. Status Local breeder on N heather moors and coasts. In winter, favours saltmarshes and coastal fields; migrants from N Europe boost numbers in winter
    157253.jpg
  • 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.
    157179.jpg
  • Mountain Ringlet - Erebia epiphron - top row (Lake District) - bottom row (Scotland). Wingspan 32mm. A small and surprisingly delicate butterfly given the hostile upland habitats it favours. Adult has brown upperwings with an orange band marked with small eyespots. Underwings are brown overall; on forewing note broad yellow-orange central area, with small dark eyespots. Flies June–July but only active in sunshine; drops into cover immediately a cloud obscures the sun. Larva feeds on grasses. Very local on moors and mountains in Lake District and central Scottish Highlands.
    157036.jpg
  • Twite Carduelis flavirostris L 13-14cm. Upland counterpart of Linnet. Bill is grey in spring and summer but yellow in autumn and winter (Linnet’s is grey at all times). Throat is unstreaked. Sexes are very similar.<br />
Adult male in summer has streaked brown upperparts, pinkish rump and white margins to flight and tail feathers. Pale underparts are heavily streaked. In winter, head and breast are warm buffish brown. Adult female and juvenile are similar to winter male but rump is brown, not pink. Voice Utters a sharp tveeht call. Song is a series of trilling notes. Status Local breeder on N heather moors and coasts. In winter, favours saltmarshes and coastal fields; migrants from N Europe boost numbers in winter
    157023.jpg
  • Raven Corvus corax L 55-65cm. Our largest passerine. Appreciably bigger than Carrion Crow, with massive bill and shaggy throat. Wary and mostly seen in aerobatic flight; note thick neck and wedge-shaped tail. Typically seen in pairs. Sexes are similar. Adult and juvenile have black plumage with an oily sheen. Voice Utters a loud and deep cronk call. Status Fairly common resident. Distribution has a westerly bias but signs indicate it may be returning to former haunts in central England. Favours rolling, wooded countryside, desolate upland areas, and rugged coasts.
    155795.jpg
  • Raven Corvus corax L 55-65cm. Our largest passerine. Appreciably bigger than Carrion Crow, with massive bill and shaggy throat. Wary and mostly seen in aerobatic flight; note thick neck and wedge-shaped tail. Typically seen in pairs. Sexes are similar. Adult and juvenile have black plumage with an oily sheen. Voice Utters a loud and deep cronk call. Status Fairly common resident. Distribution has a westerly bias but signs indicate it may be returning to former haunts in central England. Favours rolling, wooded countryside, desolate upland areas, and rugged coasts.
    155797.jpg
  • Goosander Mergus merganser - Adult Male. L 58-66cm. Large, elegant diving duck. Narrow mandibles have serrated edges. In flight, upper surface of male’s inner wing is white; in female white is restricted to trailing edge. Sexes are dissimilar in other regards. Adult male has bright red bill, green-glossed head (looks dark in poor light), mainly pink-flushed white body and black back. In eclipse, resembles adult female but retains white wing pattern. Adult female has reddish bill, orange-red head with shaggy crest, and greyish body palest on breast; chin is white. Juvenile resembles dull adult female. Voice Displaying male utters ringing calls. Status Fairly common freshwater species beside wooded upland rivers; nests in tree holes. Influx from mainland Europe boosts winter numbers; found on reservoirs, lochs and flooded gravel pits.
    155552.jpg
  • Raven Corvus corax L 55-65cm. Our largest passerine. Appreciably bigger than Carrion Crow, with massive bill and shaggy throat. Wary and mostly seen in aerobatic flight; note thick neck and wedge-shaped tail. Typically seen in pairs. Sexes are similar. Adult and juvenile have black plumage with an oily sheen. Voice Utters a loud and deep cronk call. Status Fairly common resident. Distribution has a westerly bias but signs indicate it may be returning to former haunts in central England. Favours rolling, wooded countryside, desolate upland areas, and rugged coasts.
    155215.jpg
  • HEN HARRIER - Circus cyaneus - Female. 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.
    155233.jpg
  • Merlin Falco columbarius - at nest. W 60-65cm. Our smallest raptor. Typically seen dashing flight, low over in pursuit of prey such as Meadow Pipit. Also perches on fence posts or rocky outcrops. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has blue-grey upperparts and buffish, streaked and spotted underparts. In flight from above, note contrast between blue-grey back, inner wings and tail, and dark wing tips and dark terminal band on tail. Adult female has brown upperparts and pale underparts with large, brown spots. In flight from above, upperparts look rather uniformly brown with numerous bars on wings and tail. Juvenile resembles adult female. Voice Mostly silent but shrill kee-kee-kee… is uttered in alarm near nest. Status Scarce breeding season, found on upland moorland in spring and summer. Outside breeding season, moves S and to lowland areas and numbers boosted by migrants from Iceland.
    121275.jpg
  • Goosander Mergus merganser L 58-66cm. Large, elegant diving duck. Narrow mandibles have serrated edges. In flight, upper surface of male’s inner wing is white; in female white is restricted to trailing edge. Sexes are dissimilar in other regards. Adult male has bright red bill, green-glossed head (looks dark in poor light), mainly pink-flushed white body and black back. In eclipse, resembles adult female but retains white wing pattern. Adult female has reddish bill, orange-red head with shaggy crest, and greyish body palest on breast; chin is white. Juvenile resembles dull adult female. Voice Displaying male utters ringing calls. Status Fairly common freshwater species beside wooded upland rivers; nests in tree holes. Influx from mainland Europe boosts winter numbers; found on reservoirs, lochs and flooded gravel pits.
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  • Mountain Ringlet Erebia epiphron Wingspan 32mm. A small and surprisingly delicate butterfly given the hostile upland habitats it favours. Adult has brown upperwings with an orange band marked with small eyespots. Underwings are brown overall; on forewing note broad yellow-orange central area, with small dark eyespots. Flies June–July but only active in sunshine; drops into cover immediately a cloud obscures the sun. Larva feeds on grasses. Very local on moors and mountains in Lake District and central Scottish Highlands.
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  • Large Heath Coenonympha tullia Wingspan 38mm. 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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  • Mountain Ringlet Erebia epiphron Wingspan 32mm. A small and surprisingly delicate butterfly given the hostile upland habitats it favours. Adult has brown upperwings with an orange band marked with small eyespots. Underwings are brown overall; on forewing note broad yellow-orange central area, with small dark eyespots. Flies June–July but only active in sunshine; drops into cover immediately a cloud obscures the sun. Larva feeds on grasses. Very local on moors and mountains in Lake District and central Scottish Highlands.
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  • Large Heath Coenonympha tullia Wingspan 38mm. 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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  • Ring Ouzel Turdus torquatus L 25-26cm. Upland counterpart of Blackbird. Typically alert and wary. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has mainly black plumage with striking white crescent on breast and pale fringes to wing feathers. Legs are dark, bill is yellowish, and feathers on underparts have pale fringes. Adult female is similar but dark elements of plumage are browner and pale crescent on breast is grubby white. 1st winter birds look rather dark with pale feather fringes all over and hint of adult’s pale crescent on breast. Voice Utters a harsh tchuck alarm call. Song comprises short bursts of fluty phrases. Status Local summer visitor to rugged moorland and lower mountain slopes.
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  • Dwarf Birch Betula nana (Betulaceae) HEIGHT to 1m<br />
A low-growing and often rather prostrate undershrub. BARK Reddish brown. BRANCHES Short and upright or spreading, with stiff, hairy twigs. LEAVES Rather rounded, 6-8mm across, coarsely toothed and hairy when young, smooth and hairless when mature. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Catkins, females covered with three-lobed scales. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION A northern, tundra species in global terms, confined in our region as a native plant to the Scottish Highlands. Here, it grows on upland heaths and in bogs and is tolerant of both waterlogged and relatively free-draining peaty soils.
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  • Dwarf Birch Betula nana (Betulaceae) HEIGHT to 1m<br />
A low-growing and often rather prostrate undershrub. BARK Reddish brown. BRANCHES Short and upright or spreading, with stiff, hairy twigs. LEAVES Rather rounded, 6-8mm across, coarsely toothed and hairy when young, smooth and hairless when mature. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Catkins, females covered with three-lobed scales. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION A northern, tundra species in global terms, confined in our region as a native plant to the Scottish Highlands. Here, it grows on upland heaths and in bogs and is tolerant of both waterlogged and relatively free-draining peaty soils.
    134925.jpg
  • Dark-leaved Willow Salix myrsinifolia (pka S. nigricans) (Salicaceae) HEIGHT to 4m. Branched, shrubby willow. SHOOTS Downy at first, becoming smoother and dull brown with age. LEAVES Ovate, to 7cm long, dark green above but glaucous below; note toothed margin and large stipules. Leaves turn black when dried. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Males catkins are ovoid and yellow, female catkins are greener. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native, favouring damp, stony and rocky ground. A northern and upland species.
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  • Dark-leaved Willow Salix myrsinifolia (pka S. nigricans) (Salicaceae) HEIGHT to 4m. Branched, shrubby willow. SHOOTS Downy at first, becoming smoother and dull brown with age. LEAVES Ovate, to 7cm long, dark green above but glaucous below; note toothed margin and large stipules. Leaves turn black when dried. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Males catkins are ovoid and yellow, female catkins are greener. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native, favouring damp, stony and rocky ground. A northern and upland species.
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  • SMALL-WHITE ORCHID Pseudorchis albida (Orchidaceae) Height to 30cm. Slender, upright perennial that grows in grassland and on rock ledges, in mountains and upland regions except in the far N. FLOWERS are 2-3mm across and greenish white; borne in cylindrical spikes (May-Jul). FRUITS are egg-shaped. LEAVES are lanceolate at the base of the plant, becoming narrower up the stem. STATUS-Very locally common in Scotland; increasingly scarce, or absent, further S.
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  • WOOD CRANE’S-BILL Geranium sylvaticum (Geraniaceae) Height to 60cm. Showy, tufted perennial found in damp, upland meadows and open woodlands, usually on base-rich soils. FLOWERS are 2-3cm across and 5 reddish purple (Jun-Aug). FRUITS end in a long ‘beak’. LEAVES are deeply divided into 5-7 lobes but appear rather rounded overall. STATUS-Absent from much of S England but locally common elsewhere.
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  • ALPINE WILLOWHERB Epilobium anagallidifolium (Onograceae) Height to 5cm. Creeping, hairless perennial and slender stems. Restricted to damp ground in upland areas. FLOWERS are 4-5mm across, pink and seldom open fully; borne on drooping stems (Jul-Aug). FRUITS are long, erect, red pods with cottony seeds. LEAVES are ovate, barely toothed and short-stalked. STATUS-Local; mountains, from N England northwards.
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  • ALPINE LADY’S-MANTLE Alchemilla alpina (Rosaceae) Height to 25cm. Tufted perennial of grassy upland sites. FLOWERS are tiny, yellowish green and borne in flat-topped clusters (Jun-Aug). FRUITS are dry and papery. LEAVES are palmately lobed, the lobes typically divided to the base or nearly so; undersurface of leaf is silky hairy. STATUS-Widespread but locally common in NW England and Scotland only.
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  • Great Wood-rush (Luzula sylvatica) HEIGHT to 80cm. Robust, tufted perennial of woodlands and rocky, upland terrain, mainly on acid soils. FLOWERS Brown, in heads of 3 in branched, open clusters (June-July). FRUITS Brown, egg-shaped. LEAVES 5-20mm across, hairy, glossy.
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  • Goosander Mergus merganser L 58-66cm. Large, elegant diving duck. Narrow mandibles have serrated edges. In flight, upper surface of male’s inner wing is white; in female white is restricted to trailing edge. Sexes are dissimilar in other regards. Adult male has bright red bill, green-glossed head (looks dark in poor light), mainly pink-flushed white body and black back. In eclipse, resembles adult female but retains white wing pattern. Adult female has reddish bill, orange-red head with shaggy crest, and greyish body palest on breast; chin is white. Juvenile resembles dull adult female. Voice Displaying male utters ringing calls. Status Fairly common freshwater species beside wooded upland rivers; nests in tree holes. Influx from mainland Europe boosts winter numbers; found on reservoirs, lochs and flooded gravel pits.
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  • Ring Ouzel Turdus torquatus L 25-26cm. Upland counterpart of Blackbird. Typically alert and wary. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has mainly black plumage with striking white crescent on breast and pale fringes to wing feathers. Legs are dark, bill is yellowish, and feathers on underparts have pale fringes. Adult female is similar but dark elements of plumage are browner and pale crescent on breast is grubby white. 1st winter birds look rather dark with pale feather fringes all over and hint of adult’s pale crescent on breast. Voice Utters a harsh tchuck alarm call. Song comprises short bursts of fluty phrases. Status Local summer visitor to rugged moorland and lower mountain slopes.
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  • Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos L 18-20cm. Active little wader with a bobbing gait and elongated tail end. Flies on bowed, fluttering wings low over water: note white wingbar and absence of white rump. Sexes are similar.<br />
Adult has warm brown upperparts with faint dark centres and barring feathers of back and wings. Head and neck are grey-brown; note clear demarcation between dark breast and white underparts, white extending up sides of breast. Juvenile is similar but wing covert feathers s are barred. Voice Utters a whistling tswee-wee-wee call. Status Fairly common summer visitor, nesting beside upland and northern rivers and lakes. Widespread and fairly common passage migrant, found at inland sites and on coasts. A handful overwinter.
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  • Twite Carduelis flavirostris L 13-14cm. Upland counterpart of Linnet. Bill is grey in spring and summer but yellow in autumn and winter (Linnet’s is grey at all times). Throat is unstreaked. Sexes are very similar.<br />
Adult male in summer has streaked brown upperparts, pinkish rump and white margins to flight and tail feathers. Pale underparts are heavily streaked. In winter, head and breast are warm buffish brown. Adult female and juvenile are similar to winter male but rump is brown, not pink. Voice Utters a sharp tveeht call. Song is a series of trilling notes. Status Local breeder on N heather moors and coasts. In winter, favours saltmarshes and coastal fields; migrants from N Europe boost numbers in winter.
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  • 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.
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  • Merlin Falco columbarius W 60-65cm. Our smallest raptor. Typically seen dashing flight, low over in pursuit of prey such as Meadow Pipit. Also perches on fence posts or rocky outcrops. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has blue-grey upperparts and buffish, streaked and spotted underparts. In flight from above, note contrast between blue-grey back, inner wings and tail, and dark wing tips and dark terminal band on tail. Adult female has brown upperparts and pale underparts with large, brown spots. In flight from above, upperparts look rather uniformly brown with numerous bars on wings and tail. Juvenile resembles adult female. Voice Mostly silent but shrill kee-kee-kee… is uttered in alarm near nest. Status Scarce breeding season, found on upland moorland in spring and summer. Outside breeding season, moves S and to lowland areas and numbers boosted by migrants from Iceland.
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  • Merlin Falco columbarius W 60-65cm. Our smallest raptor. Typically seen dashing flight, low over in pursuit of prey such as Meadow Pipit. Also perches on fence posts or rocky outcrops. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has blue-grey upperparts and buffish, streaked and spotted underparts. In flight from above, note contrast between blue-grey back, inner wings and tail, and dark wing tips and dark terminal band on tail. Adult female has brown upperparts and pale underparts with large, brown spots. In flight from above, upperparts look rather uniformly brown with numerous bars on wings and tail. Juvenile resembles adult female. Voice Mostly silent but shrill kee-kee-kee… is uttered in alarm near nest. Status Scarce breeding season, found on upland moorland in spring and summer. Outside breeding season, moves S and to lowland areas and numbers boosted by migrants from Iceland.
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  • Snowy Owl Nyctea scandiaca (L 55-65cm). As befits its snowy white plumage, this huge and unmistakable bird hails from the Arctic and typically favours tundra-like northern or upland habitats. In the past, the species has tried to nest on Shetland but these days its status is that of an occasional visitor. Snowy Owls are often active during the day but even when perched, the sheer size and mainly white plumage make it conspicuous. Males have essentially pure white plumage but females and immature birds are marked with grey barring.
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  • Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos L 18-20cm. Active little wader with a bobbing gait and elongated tail end. Flies on bowed, fluttering wings low over water: note white wingbar and absence of white rump. Sexes are similar.<br />
Adult has warm brown upperparts with faint dark centres and barring feathers of back and wings. Head and neck are grey-brown; note clear demarcation between dark breast and white underparts, white extending up sides of breast. Juvenile is similar but wing covert feathers s are barred. Voice Utters a whistling tswee-wee-wee call. Status Fairly common summer visitor, nesting beside upland and northern rivers and lakes. Widespread and fairly common passage migrant, found at inland sites and on coasts. A handful overwinter.
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  • Merlin Falco columbarius W 60-65cm. Our smallest raptor. Typically seen dashing flight, low over in pursuit of prey such as Meadow Pipit. Also perches on fence posts or rocky outcrops. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has blue-grey upperparts and buffish, streaked and spotted underparts. In flight from above, note contrast between blue-grey back, inner wings and tail, and dark wing tips and dark terminal band on tail. Adult female has brown upperparts and pale underparts with large, brown spots. In flight from above, upperparts look rather uniformly brown with numerous bars on wings and tail. Juvenile resembles adult female. Voice Mostly silent but shrill kee-kee-kee… is uttered in alarm near nest. Status Scarce breeding season, found on upland moorland in spring and summer. Outside breeding season, moves S and to lowland areas and numbers boosted by migrants from Iceland.
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  • Upland Sandpiper - Bartramia longicauda
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  • Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos W 190-225cm. Majestic raptor. Distant flight view could be confused with soaring Buzzard but note proportionately longer wings (narrow appreciably towards base) and relatively long tail. Catches Mountain Hares and Red Grouse but also feeds on carrion in winter. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly dark brown plumage with paler margins to feathers on back and golden-brown feathers on head and neck. Tail is dark-tipped and barred but can look uniformly dark in flight silhouette. Juvenile is similar to adult but has white patches at base of outer flight feathers; tail is mainly white but with broad, dark tip. Subadult gradually loses white elements of juvenile plumage by successive moults over several years. Voice Mainly silent. Status Resident of remote, upland regions, mainly in Scotland. Favours open moorland and mountains.
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  • Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos W 190-225cm. Majestic raptor. Distant flight view could be confused with soaring Buzzard but note proportionately longer wings (narrow appreciably towards base) and relatively long tail. Catches Mountain Hares and Red Grouse but also feeds on carrion in winter. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly dark brown plumage with paler margins to feathers on back and golden-brown feathers on head and neck. Tail is dark-tipped and barred but can look uniformly dark in flight silhouette. Juvenile is similar to adult but has white patches at base of outer flight feathers; tail is mainly white but with broad, dark tip. Subadult gradually loses white elements of juvenile plumage by successive moults over several years. Voice Mainly silent. Status Resident of remote, upland regions, mainly in Scotland. Favours open moorland and mountains.
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  • Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos W 190-225cm. Majestic raptor. Distant flight view could be confused with soaring Buzzard but note proportionately longer wings (narrow appreciably towards base) and relatively long tail. Catches Mountain Hares and Red Grouse but also feeds on carrion in winter. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly dark brown plumage with paler margins to feathers on back and golden-brown feathers on head and neck. Tail is dark-tipped and barred but can look uniformly dark in flight silhouette. Juvenile is similar to adult but has white patches at base of outer flight feathers; tail is mainly white but with broad, dark tip. Subadult gradually loses white elements of juvenile plumage by successive moults over several years. Voice Mainly silent. Status Resident of remote, upland regions, mainly in Scotland. Favours open moorland and mountains.
    143780.jpg
  • Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos W 190-225cm. Majestic raptor. Distant flight view could be confused with soaring Buzzard but note proportionately longer wings (narrow appreciably towards base) and relatively long tail. Catches Mountain Hares and Red Grouse but also feeds on carrion in winter. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly dark brown plumage with paler margins to feathers on back and golden-brown feathers on head and neck. Tail is dark-tipped and barred but can look uniformly dark in flight silhouette. Juvenile is similar to adult but has white patches at base of outer flight feathers; tail is mainly white but with broad, dark tip. Subadult gradually loses white elements of juvenile plumage by successive moults over several years. Voice Mainly silent. Status Resident of remote, upland regions, mainly in Scotland. Favours open moorland and mountains.
    143781.jpg
  • Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos L 18-20cm. Active little wader with a bobbing gait and elongated tail end. Flies on bowed, fluttering wings low over water: note white wingbar and absence of white rump. Sexes are similar.<br />
Adult has warm brown upperparts with faint dark centres and barring feathers of back and wings. Head and neck are grey-brown; note clear demarcation between dark breast and white underparts, white extending up sides of breast. Juvenile is similar but wing covert feathers s are barred. Voice Utters a whistling tswee-wee-wee call. Status Fairly common summer visitor, nesting beside upland and northern rivers and lakes. Widespread and fairly common passage migrant, found at inland sites and on coasts. A handful overwinter.
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  • Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos W 190-225cm. Majestic raptor. Distant flight view could be confused with soaring Buzzard but note proportionately longer wings (narrow appreciably towards base) and relatively long tail. Catches Mountain Hares and Red Grouse but also feeds on carrion in winter. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly dark brown plumage with paler margins to feathers on back and golden-brown feathers on head and neck. Tail is dark-tipped and barred but can look uniformly dark in flight silhouette. Juvenile is similar to adult but has white patches at base of outer flight feathers; tail is mainly white but with broad, dark tip. Subadult gradually loses white elements of juvenile plumage by successive moults over several years. Voice Mainly silent. Status Resident of remote, upland regions, mainly in Scotland. Favours open moorland and mountains.
    143925.jpg
  • Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos W 190-225cm. Majestic raptor. Distant flight view could be confused with soaring Buzzard but note proportionately longer wings (narrow appreciably towards base) and relatively long tail. Catches Mountain Hares and Red Grouse but also feeds on carrion in winter. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly dark brown plumage with paler margins to feathers on back and golden-brown feathers on head and neck. Tail is dark-tipped and barred but can look uniformly dark in flight silhouette. Juvenile is similar to adult but has white patches at base of outer flight feathers; tail is mainly white but with broad, dark tip. Subadult gradually loses white elements of juvenile plumage by successive moults over several years. Voice Mainly silent. Status Resident of remote, upland regions, mainly in Scotland. Favours open moorland and mountains.
    143926.jpg
  • Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos W 190-225cm. Majestic raptor. Distant flight view could be confused with soaring Buzzard but note proportionately longer wings (narrow appreciably towards base) and relatively long tail. Catches Mountain Hares and Red Grouse but also feeds on carrion in winter. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly dark brown plumage with paler margins to feathers on back and golden-brown feathers on head and neck. Tail is dark-tipped and barred but can look uniformly dark in flight silhouette. Juvenile is similar to adult but has white patches at base of outer flight feathers; tail is mainly white but with broad, dark tip. Subadult gradually loses white elements of juvenile plumage by successive moults over several years. Voice Mainly silent. Status Resident of remote, upland regions, mainly in Scotland. Favours open moorland and mountains.
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  • Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos W 190-225cm. Majestic raptor. Distant flight view could be confused with soaring Buzzard but note proportionately longer wings (narrow appreciably towards base) and relatively long tail. Catches Mountain Hares and Red Grouse but also feeds on carrion in winter. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly dark brown plumage with paler margins to feathers on back and golden-brown feathers on head and neck. Tail is dark-tipped and barred but can look uniformly dark in flight silhouette. Juvenile is similar to adult but has white patches at base of outer flight feathers; tail is mainly white but with broad, dark tip. Subadult gradually loses white elements of juvenile plumage by successive moults over several years. Voice Mainly silent. Status Resident of remote, upland regions, mainly in Scotland. Favours open moorland and mountains.
    143929.jpg
  • Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos W 190-225cm. Majestic raptor. Distant flight view could be confused with soaring Buzzard but note proportionately longer wings (narrow appreciably towards base) and relatively long tail. Catches Mountain Hares and Red Grouse but also feeds on carrion in winter. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly dark brown plumage with paler margins to feathers on back and golden-brown feathers on head and neck. Tail is dark-tipped and barred but can look uniformly dark in flight silhouette. Juvenile is similar to adult but has white patches at base of outer flight feathers; tail is mainly white but with broad, dark tip. Subadult gradually loses white elements of juvenile plumage by successive moults over several years. Voice Mainly silent. Status Resident of remote, upland regions, mainly in Scotland. Favours open moorland and mountains.
    143937.jpg
  • Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos W 190-225cm. Majestic raptor. Distant flight view could be confused with soaring Buzzard but note proportionately longer wings (narrow appreciably towards base) and relatively long tail. Catches Mountain Hares and Red Grouse but also feeds on carrion in winter. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly dark brown plumage with paler margins to feathers on back and golden-brown feathers on head and neck. Tail is dark-tipped and barred but can look uniformly dark in flight silhouette. Juvenile is similar to adult but has white patches at base of outer flight feathers; tail is mainly white but with broad, dark tip. Subadult gradually loses white elements of juvenile plumage by successive moults over several years. Voice Mainly silent. Status Resident of remote, upland regions, mainly in Scotland. Favours open moorland and mountains.
    143940.jpg
  • Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos W 190-225cm. Majestic raptor. Distant flight view could be confused with soaring Buzzard but note proportionately longer wings (narrow appreciably towards base) and relatively long tail. Catches Mountain Hares and Red Grouse but also feeds on carrion in winter. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly dark brown plumage with paler margins to feathers on back and golden-brown feathers on head and neck. Tail is dark-tipped and barred but can look uniformly dark in flight silhouette. Juvenile is similar to adult but has white patches at base of outer flight feathers; tail is mainly white but with broad, dark tip. Subadult gradually loses white elements of juvenile plumage by successive moults over several years. Voice Mainly silent. Status Resident of remote, upland regions, mainly in Scotland. Favours open moorland and mountains.
    143941.jpg
  • Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos W 190-225cm. Majestic raptor. Distant flight view could be confused with soaring Buzzard but note proportionately longer wings (narrow appreciably towards base) and relatively long tail. Catches Mountain Hares and Red Grouse but also feeds on carrion in winter. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly dark brown plumage with paler margins to feathers on back and golden-brown feathers on head and neck. Tail is dark-tipped and barred but can look uniformly dark in flight silhouette. Juvenile is similar to adult but has white patches at base of outer flight feathers; tail is mainly white but with broad, dark tip. Subadult gradually loses white elements of juvenile plumage by successive moults over several years. Voice Mainly silent. Status Resident of remote, upland regions, mainly in Scotland. Favours open moorland and mountains.
    143942.jpg
  • Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos W 190-225cm. Majestic raptor. Distant flight view could be confused with soaring Buzzard but note proportionately longer wings (narrow appreciably towards base) and relatively long tail. Catches Mountain Hares and Red Grouse but also feeds on carrion in winter. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly dark brown plumage with paler margins to feathers on back and golden-brown feathers on head and neck. Tail is dark-tipped and barred but can look uniformly dark in flight silhouette. Juvenile is similar to adult but has white patches at base of outer flight feathers; tail is mainly white but with broad, dark tip. Subadult gradually loses white elements of juvenile plumage by successive moults over several years. Voice Mainly silent. Status Resident of remote, upland regions, mainly in Scotland. Favours open moorland and mountains.
    143944.jpg
  • Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos W 190-225cm. Majestic raptor. Distant flight view could be confused with soaring Buzzard but note proportionately longer wings (narrow appreciably towards base) and relatively long tail. Catches Mountain Hares and Red Grouse but also feeds on carrion in winter. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly dark brown plumage with paler margins to feathers on back and golden-brown feathers on head and neck. Tail is dark-tipped and barred but can look uniformly dark in flight silhouette. Juvenile is similar to adult but has white patches at base of outer flight feathers; tail is mainly white but with broad, dark tip. Subadult gradually loses white elements of juvenile plumage by successive moults over several years. Voice Mainly silent. Status Resident of remote, upland regions, mainly in Scotland. Favours open moorland and mountains.
    143945.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.
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  • 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.
    143965.jpg
  • HEN HARRIER Circus cyaneus Female at nest with young. 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.
    143968.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.
    143972.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.
    143978.jpg
  • HEN HARRIER Circus cyaneus Female at nest with young. 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.
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  • Carex bigelowii - an upland/arctic sedge
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  • Ring Ouzel - Turdus torquatus. L 25-26cm. Upland counterpart of Blackbird. Typically alert and wary. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has mainly black plumage with striking white crescent on breast and pale fringes to wing feathers. Legs are dark, bill is yellowish, and feathers on underparts have pale fringes. Adult female is similar but dark elements of plumage are browner and pale crescent on breast is grubby white. 1st winter birds look rather dark with pale feather fringes all over and hint of adult’s pale crescent on breast. Voice Utters a harsh tchuck alarm call. Song comprises short bursts of fluty phrases. Status Local summer visitor to rugged moorland and lower mountain slopes.
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  • Goosander Mergus merganser - Adult Male. L 58-66cm. Large, elegant diving duck. Narrow mandibles have serrated edges. In flight, upper surface of male’s inner wing is white; in female white is restricted to trailing edge. Sexes are dissimilar in other regards. Adult male has bright red bill, green-glossed head (looks dark in poor light), mainly pink-flushed white body and black back. In eclipse, resembles adult female but retains white wing pattern. Adult female has reddish bill, orange-red head with shaggy crest, and greyish body palest on breast; chin is white. Juvenile resembles dull adult female. Voice Displaying male utters ringing calls. Status Fairly common freshwater species beside wooded upland rivers; nests in tree holes. Influx from mainland Europe boosts winter numbers; found on reservoirs, lochs and flooded gravel pits.
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  • Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos W 190-225cm. Majestic raptor. Distant flight view could be confused with soaring Buzzard but note proportionately longer wings (narrow appreciably towards base) and relatively long tail. Catches Mountain Hares and Red Grouse but also feeds on carrion in winter. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly dark brown plumage with paler margins to feathers on back and golden-brown feathers on head and neck. Tail is dark-tipped and barred but can look uniformly dark in flight silhouette. Juvenile is similar to adult but has white patches at base of outer flight feathers; tail is mainly white but with broad, dark tip. Subadult gradually loses white elements of juvenile plumage by successive moults over several years. Voice Mainly silent. Status Resident of remote, upland regions, mainly in Scotland. Favours open moorland and mountains.
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  • Merlin - Falco columbarius - juvenile. W 60-65cm. Our smallest raptor. Typically seen dashing flight, low over in pursuit of prey such as Meadow Pipit. Also perches on fence posts or rocky outcrops. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has blue-grey upperparts and buffish, streaked and spotted underparts. In flight from above, note contrast between blue-grey back, inner wings and tail, and dark wing tips and dark terminal band on tail. Adult female has brown upperparts and pale underparts with large, brown spots. In flight from above, upperparts look rather uniformly brown with numerous bars on wings and tail. Juvenile resembles adult female. Voice Mostly silent but shrill kee-kee-kee… is uttered in alarm near nest. Status Scarce breeding season, found on upland moorland in spring and summer. Outside breeding season, moves S and to lowland areas and numbers boosted by migrants from Iceland.
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  • Twite - Carduelis flavirostris. L 13-14cm. Upland counterpart of Linnet. Bill is grey in spring and summer but yellow in autumn and winter (Linnet’s is grey at all times). Throat is unstreaked. Sexes are very similar.<br />
Adult male in summer has streaked brown upperparts, pinkish rump and white margins to flight and tail feathers. Pale underparts are heavily streaked. In winter, head and breast are warm buffish brown. Adult female and juvenile are similar to winter male but rump is brown, not pink. Voice Utters a sharp tveeht call. Song is a series of trilling notes. Status Local breeder on N heather moors and coasts. In winter, favours saltmarshes and coastal fields; migrants from N Europe boost numbers in winter
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