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  • Grey Seal - Halichoerus grypus - male and female.  Length 2.2-3.2m Bulky seal with proportionately large head. Inquisitive in water. Hauls out for long periods. Adult is greyish overall with dark blotchy spots; fewer, larger spots than on Common Seal. Males are larger and darker than females. In profile, looks ‘Roman nosed’: bridge of nose is convex, more pronounced in males than females. From the front, nostrils are distinctly separated and more or less parallel to one another, not V-shaped. Fore flippers have sharp claws and hind flippers propel the animal through water. Pup is born with white fur; moulted after a few weeks.Voice Utters low, moaning calls. Often found on rocky shores and tolerates rough seas heavy waves. Widespread on west coast of Britain and locally in North Sea.
    157630.jpg
  • Grey Seal - Halichoerus grypus - female.  Length 2.2-3.2m Bulky seal with proportionately large head. Inquisitive in water. Hauls out for long periods. Adult is greyish overall with dark blotchy spots; fewer, larger spots than on Common Seal. Males are larger and darker than females. In profile, looks ‘Roman nosed’: bridge of nose is convex, more pronounced in males than females. From the front, nostrils are distinctly separated and more or less parallel to one another, not V-shaped. Fore flippers have sharp claws and hind flippers propel the animal through water. Pup is born with white fur; moulted after a few weeks.Voice Utters low, moaning calls. Often found on rocky shores and tolerates rough seas heavy waves. Widespread on west coast of Britain and locally in North Sea.
    157629.jpg
  • Grey Seal - Halichoerus grypus - Bull. Length 2.2-3.2m Bulky seal with proportionately large head. Inquisitive in water. Hauls out for long periods. Adult is greyish overall with dark blotchy spots; fewer, larger spots than on Common Seal. Males are larger and darker than females. In profile, looks ‘Roman nosed’: bridge of nose is convex, more pronounced in males than females. From the front, nostrils are distinctly separated and more or less parallel to one another, not V-shaped. Fore flippers have sharp claws and hind flippers propel the animal through water. Pup is born with white fur; moulted after a few weeks.Voice Utters low, moaning calls. Often found on rocky shores and tolerates rough seas heavy waves. Widespread on west coast of Britain and locally in North Sea.
    157628.jpg
  • Waves hitting the beach on Hurst Spit, Milford-on-Sea, Hampshire at sunset
    154940.jpg
  • Waves hitting the beach on Hurst Spit, Milford-on-Sea, Hampshire at sunset
    154664.jpg
  • Waves hitting the beach on Hurst Spit, Milford-on-Sea, Hampshire at sunset
    154666.jpg
  • Grey Seal Halichoerus grypus Length 2.2-3.2m Bulky seal with proportionately large head. Inquisitive in water. Hauls out for long periods. Adult is greyish overall with dark blotchy spots; fewer, larger spots than on Common Seal. Males are larger and darker than females. In profile, looks ‘Roman nosed’: bridge of nose is convex, more pronounced in males than females. From the front, nostrils are distinctly separated and more or less parallel to one another, not V-shaped. Fore flippers have sharp claws and hind flippers propel the animal through water. Pup is born with white fur; moulted after a few weeks.Voice Utters low, moaning calls. Often found on rocky shores and tolerates rough seas heavy waves. Widespread on west coast of Britain and locally in North Sea.
    133608.jpg
  • Grey Seal Halichoerus grypus Length 2.2-3.2m Bulky seal with proportionately large head. Inquisitive in water. Hauls out for long periods. Adult is greyish overall with dark blotchy spots; fewer, larger spots than on Common Seal. Males are larger and darker than females. In profile, looks ‘Roman nosed’: bridge of nose is convex, more pronounced in males than females. From the front, nostrils are distinctly separated and more or less parallel to one another, not V-shaped. Fore flippers have sharp claws and hind flippers propel the animal through water. Pup is born with white fur; moulted after a few weeks.Voice Utters low, moaning calls. Often found on rocky shores and tolerates rough seas heavy waves. Widespread on west coast of Britain and locally in North Sea.
    133611.jpg
  • Grey Seal - Halichoerus grypus - juveniles. Length 2.2-3.2m Bulky seal with proportionately large head. Inquisitive in water. Hauls out for long periods. Adult is greyish overall with dark blotchy spots; fewer, larger spots than on Common Seal. Males are larger and darker than females. In profile, looks ‘Roman nosed’: bridge of nose is convex, more pronounced in males than females. From the front, nostrils are distinctly separated and more or less parallel to one another, not V-shaped. Fore flippers have sharp claws and hind flippers propel the animal through water. Pup is born with white fur; moulted after a few weeks.Voice Utters low, moaning calls. Often found on rocky shores and tolerates rough seas heavy waves. Widespread on west coast of Britain and locally in North Sea.
    157631.jpg
  • Floods of  6 12 2013 due to tidal surge, waves crashing against remains of  shingle sea defences with partially submerged hide, Cley next the sea,  Norfolk UK
    155696.jpg
  • Floods of  6 12 2013 due to tidal surge, waves crashing against remains of  shingle sea defences with partially submerged hide, Cley next the sea,  Norfolk UK
    155697.jpg
  • Floods of  6 12 2013 due to tidal surge, waves crashing against remains of  shingle sea defences, Cley next the sea,  Norfolk UK
    155704.jpg
  • Floods of  6 12 2013 due to tidal surge, waves crashing against remains of  shingle sea defences with partially submerged hide, Cley next the sea,  Norfolk UK
    155705.jpg
  • Floods of  6 12 2013 due to tidal surge, waves crashing against remains of  shingle sea defences with partially submerged hide, Cley next the sea,  Norfolk UK
    155708.jpg
  • Waves hitting the beach on Hurst Spit, Milford-on-Sea, Hampshire at sunset
    154939.jpg
  • Waves hitting the beach on Hurst Spit, Milford-on-Sea, Hampshire at sunset
    154665.jpg
  • Waves hitting the beach on Hurst Spit, Milford-on-Sea, Hampshire at sunset
    154667.jpg
  • Grey Seal Halichoerus grypus Length 2.2-3.2m Bulky seal with proportionately large head. Inquisitive in water. Hauls out for long periods. Adult is greyish overall with dark blotchy spots; fewer, larger spots than on Common Seal. Males are larger and darker than females. In profile, looks ‘Roman nosed’: bridge of nose is convex, more pronounced in males than females. From the front, nostrils are distinctly separated and more or less parallel to one another, not V-shaped. Fore flippers have sharp claws and hind flippers propel the animal through water. Pup is born with white fur; moulted after a few weeks.Voice Utters low, moaning calls. Often found on rocky shores and tolerates rough seas heavy waves. Widespread on west coast of Britain and locally in North Sea.
    124823.jpg
  • Grey Seal Halichoerus grypus Length 2.2-3.2m Bulky seal with proportionately large head. Inquisitive in water. Hauls out for long periods. Adult is greyish overall with dark blotchy spots; fewer, larger spots than on Common Seal. Males are larger and darker than females. In profile, looks ‘Roman nosed’: bridge of nose is convex, more pronounced in males than females. From the front, nostrils are distinctly separated and more or less parallel to one another, not V-shaped. Fore flippers have sharp claws and hind flippers propel the animal through water. Pup is born with white fur; moulted after a few weeks.Voice Utters low, moaning calls. Often found on rocky shores and tolerates rough seas heavy waves. Widespread on west coast of Britain and locally in North Sea.
    128326.jpg
  • Grey Seal Halichoerus grypus Length 2.2-3.2m Bulky seal with proportionately large head. Inquisitive in water. Hauls out for long periods. Adult is greyish overall with dark blotchy spots; fewer, larger spots than on Common Seal. Males are larger and darker than females. In profile, looks ‘Roman nosed’: bridge of nose is convex, more pronounced in males than females. From the front, nostrils are distinctly separated and more or less parallel to one another, not V-shaped. Fore flippers have sharp claws and hind flippers propel the animal through water. Pup is born with white fur; moulted after a few weeks.Voice Utters low, moaning calls. Often found on rocky shores and tolerates rough seas heavy waves. Widespread on west coast of Britain and locally in North Sea.
    128327.jpg
  • Grey Seal Halichoerus grypus Length 2.2-3.2m Bulky seal with proportionately large head. Inquisitive in water. Hauls out for long periods. Adult is greyish overall with dark blotchy spots; fewer, larger spots than on Common Seal. Males are larger and darker than females. In profile, looks ‘Roman nosed’: bridge of nose is convex, more pronounced in males than females. From the front, nostrils are distinctly separated and more or less parallel to one another, not V-shaped. Fore flippers have sharp claws and hind flippers propel the animal through water. Pup is born with white fur; moulted after a few weeks.Voice Utters low, moaning calls. Often found on rocky shores and tolerates rough seas heavy waves. Widespread on west coast of Britain and locally in North Sea.
    128328.jpg
  • Grey Seal Halichoerus grypus Length 2.2-3.2m Bulky seal with proportionately large head. Inquisitive in water. Hauls out for long periods. Adult is greyish overall with dark blotchy spots; fewer, larger spots than on Common Seal. Males are larger and darker than females. In profile, looks ‘Roman nosed’: bridge of nose is convex, more pronounced in males than females. From the front, nostrils are distinctly separated and more or less parallel to one another, not V-shaped. Fore flippers have sharp claws and hind flippers propel the animal through water. Pup is born with white fur; moulted after a few weeks.Voice Utters low, moaning calls. Often found on rocky shores and tolerates rough seas heavy waves. Widespread on west coast of Britain and locally in North Sea.
    128329.jpg
  • Grey Seal Halichoerus grypus Length 2.2-3.2m Bulky seal with proportionately large head. Inquisitive in water. Hauls out for long periods. Adult is greyish overall with dark blotchy spots; fewer, larger spots than on Common Seal. Males are larger and darker than females. In profile, looks ‘Roman nosed’: bridge of nose is convex, more pronounced in males than females. From the front, nostrils are distinctly separated and more or less parallel to one another, not V-shaped. Fore flippers have sharp claws and hind flippers propel the animal through water. Pup is born with white fur; moulted after a few weeks.Voice Utters low, moaning calls. Often found on rocky shores and tolerates rough seas heavy waves. Widespread on west coast of Britain and locally in North Sea.
    128330.jpg
  • Grey Seal Halichoerus grypus Length 2.2-3.2m Bulky seal with proportionately large head. Inquisitive in water. Hauls out for long periods. Adult is greyish overall with dark blotchy spots; fewer, larger spots than on Common Seal. Males are larger and darker than females. In profile, looks ‘Roman nosed’: bridge of nose is convex, more pronounced in males than females. From the front, nostrils are distinctly separated and more or less parallel to one another, not V-shaped. Fore flippers have sharp claws and hind flippers propel the animal through water. Pup is born with white fur; moulted after a few weeks.Voice Utters low, moaning calls. Often found on rocky shores and tolerates rough seas heavy waves. Widespread on west coast of Britain and locally in North Sea.
    133612.jpg
  • Grey Seal Halichoerus grypus Length 2.2-3.2m Bulky seal with proportionately large head. Inquisitive in water. Hauls out for long periods. Adult is greyish overall with dark blotchy spots; fewer, larger spots than on Common Seal. Males are larger and darker than females. In profile, looks ‘Roman nosed’: bridge of nose is convex, more pronounced in males than females. From the front, nostrils are distinctly separated and more or less parallel to one another, not V-shaped. Fore flippers have sharp claws and hind flippers propel the animal through water. Pup is born with white fur; moulted after a few weeks.Voice Utters low, moaning calls. Often found on rocky shores and tolerates rough seas heavy waves. Widespread on west coast of Britain and locally in North Sea.
    135708.jpg
  • Sanderling Calidris alba L 20cm. Small, robust wader. Seen in flocks running at speed along edges of breaking waves on sandy beaches. Has white wingbar and black legs and bill. Sexes are similar. Adult in winter has grey upperparts and white underparts. In summer (sometimes seen in late spring or early autumn) plumage is flushed with red on head and neck and has dark-centred feathers on back; underparts are white. Juvenile is similar to winter adult but many back feathers have dark centres. Voice Utters a sharp plit call. Status Locally common non-breeding visitor, mainly to sandy beaches; occasional on shingle or mudflats.
    144033.jpg
  • Gentle breaking waves on a sandy beach in the UK
    109109.jpg
  • Dawn waves break over a large rock in Old Town Bay, St Mary's. Isles of Scilly
    159692.jpg
  • Grey Seal Halichoerus grypus Length 2.2-3.2m Bulky seal with proportionately large head. Inquisitive in water. Hauls out for long periods. Adult is greyish overall with dark blotchy spots; fewer, larger spots than on Common Seal. Males are larger and darker than females. In profile, looks ‘Roman nosed’: bridge of nose is convex, more pronounced in males than females. From the front, nostrils are distinctly separated and more or less parallel to one another, not V-shaped. Fore flippers have sharp claws and hind flippers propel the animal through water. Pup is born with white fur; moulted after a few weeks.Voice Utters low, moaning calls. Often found on rocky shores and tolerates rough seas heavy waves. Widespread on west coast of Britain and locally in North Sea.
    144312.jpg
  • Sunrise over the rocks on Porthselau Beach looking towards St David's Head, Pembrokeshire, Wales
    156614.jpg
  • Marsh Harrier, Circus aeruginosus, flying over flooded Reserve after December 2013 floods at Cley-next-the-Sea, Norfolk UK
    155699.jpg
  • Floods of  6 12 2013 due to tidal surge, showing flooded hides and Mute Swans, Cygnus olor, Cley next the sea,  Norfolk UK
    155701.jpg
  • Floods of  6 12 2013 due to tidal surge showing flooded coast road, A 149,  Cley next the sea,  Norfolk UK
    155703.jpg
  • The breakwater at the Arun estuary at Littlehampton, West Sussex takes a battering during the gales of early 2014
    155663.jpg
  • Turtle Rock and the Western Rocks, Isles of Scilly
    155581.jpg
  • Angry clouds and surf around Shipman Head, Bryher, Isles of Scilly, UK
    155067.jpg
  • Bermuda Petrel - Pterodroma cahow
    154950.jpg
  • Bermuda Petrel - Pterodroma cahow
    154949.jpg
  • Bermuda Petrel - Pterodroma cahow
    154948.jpg
  • Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus L 40-45cm. Smaller cousin to Curlew with shorter bill, diagnostic head markings and distinctive call. Sexes are similar. Adult has grey-brown to buffish brown plumage with fine, dark streaking on neck and breast. Head pattern comprises two broad, dark lateral stripes on otherwise pale crown, and pale supercilium. Juvenile is similar but plumage is overall warmer buff. Voice Distinctive bubbling call comprises seven notes that descend slightly in pitch from start to finish. Song is confusingly similar to that of Curlew. Status Rare breeding species, favouring boggy moorland; Shetland is a hotspot. Fairly common passage migrant in spring and autumn on coasts; overwinters in S in very small numbers.
    154625.jpg
  • Land's End, Cornwall, Uk
    142995.jpg
  • Blakeney Point, Norfolk, UK
    143177.jpg
  • Blakeney Point, Norfolk, UK
    143178.jpg
  • Blakeney Point, Norfolk, UK
    143179.jpg
  • Sunset over the beach at Titchwell nature reserve, Norfolk, Uk
    154426.jpg
  • Sunset over the beach at Titchwell nature reserve, Norfolk, Uk
    154427.jpg
  • Rough sea on the British coast
    144672.jpg
  • Water Patterns, Holkham Beach, Norfolk, UK
    145276.jpg
  • Rocky shoreline at Kimmeridge Bay, Dorset
    154266.jpg
  • Surf around Shipman Head, Bryher, Isles of Scilly, UK
    154405.jpg
  • Dunlin Calidris alpina (L 17-21cm) is the yardstick by which all other small waders should be judged. Get to know it in all its different plumages and you will have overcome the biggest hurdle in identification of other similar species. Several different races, with differing bill lengths, occur here outside the breeding season. Forms large flocks in winter. Summer adult has reddish brown back and cap, and whitish underparts with bold black belly and streaking on neck. Male is usually more boldly marked than female. Winter adult has uniform grey upperparts and white underparts. Juvenile has reddish brown and black feathers on the back; pale feather margins align to form ‘V’ patterns. Underparts are whitish but with black streak-like spots on the flanks and breast; head and neck are brown and streaked. Voice Utters a preeit call; breeding ‘song’ comprises a series of whistling calls. Status Local breeding species on damp moorland and mountain habitats. Locally abundant outside breeding season due to migrants from Arctic.
    153915.jpg
  • Little Gull Hydrocoloeus minutus L 25-28cm. Our smallest gull. Has buoyant, tern-like flight. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has pale grey upperwings with white wingtips, dark hood, dark bill and short, reddish legs. In flight, upperwings have white trailing edge and rounded white wingtip; underwings are dark with white trailing edge. In winter, similar but loses dark hood; otherwise white head has dark smudges on crown and ear coverts. Juvenile has striking black bar (forming letter ‘W’) on upperwings and back. Note dark markings on mantle, nape and ear coverts, and dark tail band; plumage is otherwise white. 1st winter is similar to juvenile but back is pale grey, hence dark bar is seen only on wings. Adult plumage acquired over next 2 years. Voice Utters a sharp kyeck call. Status Regular but scarce passage migrant and winter visitor; mainly coastal.
    154053.jpg
  • Purple Sandpiper Calidris maritima L 21cm. Plump-bodied wader. Unobtrusive but typically confiding. Legs are yellowish in all birds and bill has yellowish base. White wingbar seen in flight. Sexes are similar. Adult in winter is uniform blue-grey on head, breast and upperparts, darkest on back; belly is white and flanks are streaked. In summer plumage (sometimes seen in late spring) has reddish brown and black feathers on back and dark ear coverts on otherwise streaked grey-brown face. Juvenile recalls winter adult but feathers on back have pale margins creating scaly look; neck, breast and flanks are streaked. Voice Utters a sharp kwit call in flight. Status Handful of pairs breed in Scotland. Best known as a local non-breeding visitor to rocky shores and headlands.
    154126.jpg
  • Purple Sandpiper Calidris maritima L 21cm. Plump-bodied wader. Unobtrusive but typically confiding. Legs are yellowish in all birds and bill has yellowish base. White wingbar seen in flight. Sexes are similar. Adult in winter is uniform blue-grey on head, breast and upperparts, darkest on back; belly is white and flanks are streaked. In summer plumage (sometimes seen in late spring) has reddish brown and black feathers on back and dark ear coverts on otherwise streaked grey-brown face. Juvenile recalls winter adult but feathers on back have pale margins creating scaly look; neck, breast and flanks are streaked. Voice Utters a sharp kwit call in flight. Status Handful of pairs breed in Scotland. Best known as a local non-breeding visitor to rocky shores and headlands.
    154127.jpg
  • Durdle Door on the Jurassic coast, Dorset, Uk
    144744.jpg
  • Sunset over the rocks on Porthselau Beach looking towards St David's Head, Pembrokeshire, Wales
    145682.jpg
  • Sunset over the rocks on Porthselau Beach looking towards St David's Head, Pembrokeshire, Wales
    145685.jpg
  • Sunset from Porthselau Beach, Pembrokeshire, Wales, Uk
    145687.jpg
  • Whitesands Bay and St David's Head from the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path, Pembrokeshire, Wales, Uk
    145690.jpg
  • Whitesands Bay and St David's Head from the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path, Pembrokeshire, Wales, Uk
    145691.jpg
  • Humpback Whale Megaptera novaeangliae Length 12-15m Large cetacean that is often active at surface; breaches and engages in flipper- and tail-slapping on water surface. Feeds on shoaling fish and krill. Adult has streamlined, bulky body; broad head covered in lumpy tubercles. Pectoral fins are long and mainly white; dorsal fin is short and stubby. Tail is typically dark above and white with black markings below. Before deep dive, arches back strongly and tail stock and fluke come clear of water before deep dive.
    103536.jpg
  • Blue Whale Balaenoptera musculus Length 25-30m World’s largest living animal. Feeds on tiny, swarming planktonic crustaceans (krill). Adult has huge, streamlined body; bluish grey overall but mottled with greyish white. Seen just below water surface, body looks very blue. Flippers are relatively small. Single ridge extends from nostrils to tip of rostrum. Throat has 70-90 pleats that allow a huge expansion when feeding. Tail stock is thick and dorsal fin is small and set far back. Decimated by 20th Century whaling and possibly recovering.
    123026.jpg
  • Gentoo Penguin - Pygoscelis papua
    133365.jpg
  • Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus L 43cm. Distinctive wader with striking black and white plumage and loud alarm call. Powerful bill used to hammer molluscs off rocks. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has black upperparts and white underparts with clear demarcation between the two on breast. Note red bill, pinkish legs and beady red eye. In winter, similar but note white half-collar. Juvenile is similar to summer adult but black elements of plumage are brownish and bill and leg colours are subdued. Voice Utters a loud, piping peep call. Status Breeds commonly on coast and beside inland lakes and rivers in N. Mainly coastal in winter, favouring estuaries and mudflats.
    139523.jpg
  • Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus L 35-38cm. Our most numerous medium-sized gull. Plumage variable but white leading edge to outerwings is consistent feature. Forms single-species flocks. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has grey back and upperwings, white underparts and chocolate-brown hood. Legs and bill are red. In flight, trailing edge of outerwing is black. In winter, loses dark hood; white head has dark smudges above behind eye. Juvenile has orange-brown flush to upperparts, dark feathers on back, dark smudges on head, and dark tip to tail. Acquires adult plumage by 2nd winter through successive moults. 1st winter bird retains many juvenile plumage details but loses rufous elements and gains grey back. 1st summer bird still has juvenile-type wing pattern but gains dark hood. Voice Raucous calls include a nasal kaurrr. Status Widespread and numerous. Commonest on coasts and inland freshwater sites, but also in towns and on farmland; often follows the plough. Nests colonially beside water. Migrants from Europe boost winter numbers.
    143963.jpg
  • Mixed waders in flight,North Northumberland, England
    144056.jpg
  • Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus L 43cm. Distinctive wader with striking black and white plumage and loud alarm call. Powerful bill used to hammer molluscs off rocks. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has black upperparts and white underparts with clear demarcation between the two on breast. Note red bill, pinkish legs and beady red eye. In winter, similar but note white half-collar. Juvenile is similar to summer adult but black elements of plumage are brownish and bill and leg colours are subdued. Voice Utters a loud, piping peep call. Status Breeds commonly on coast and beside inland lakes and rivers in N. Mainly coastal in winter, favouring estuaries and mudflats.
    144673.jpg
  • Sunrise over the rocks on Porthselau Beach looking towards St David's Head, Pembrokeshire, Wales
    156613.jpg
  • Floods of  6 12 2013 due to tidal surge showing submerged hides and flooded reserve,  Cley next the sea,  Norfolk UK
    155695.jpg
  • Floods of  6 12 2013 due to tidal surge showing flooded coast road, A 149,  Cley next the sea,  Norfolk UK
    155698.jpg
  • Tidal surge damage, Cley Reserve, Norfolk 2013
    155700.jpg
  • Floods of  6 12 2013 due to tidal surge showing flooded coast road, A 149,  Cley next the sea,  Norfolk UK
    155702.jpg
  • Floods of  6 12 2013 due to tidal surge showing submerged hides on flooded reserve,  Cley next the sea,  Norfolk UK
    155707.jpg
  • Horseshoe Bay, South Shore, Bermuda
    155024.jpg
  • Horseshoe Bay, South Shore, Bermuda
    155025.jpg
  • Bermuda Petrel - Pterodroma cahow
    154947.jpg
  • ROUGH SEAS
    113635.jpg
  • Blakeney Point, Norfolk, UK
    143180.jpg
  • Winterton Beach on the Norfolk coast
    143269.jpg
  • Winterton Beach on the Norfolk coast
    143270.jpg
  • Sunset over the beach at Titchwell nature reserve, Norfolk, Uk
    154425.jpg
  • Sunset over the beach at Titchwell nature reserve, Norfolk, Uk
    154428.jpg
  • Sunset over the beach at Titchwell nature reserve, Norfolk, Uk
    154429.jpg
  • Rough sea on the British coast
    144679.jpg
  • The last glimmers of light over Kimmeridge Bay, Dorset
    154265.jpg
  • The last glimmers of light over Kimmeridge Bay, Dorset
    154267.jpg
  • Dunlin Calidris alpina (L 17-21cm) is the yardstick by which all other small waders should be judged. Get to know it in all its different plumages and you will have overcome the biggest hurdle in identification of other similar species. Several different races, with differing bill lengths, occur here outside the breeding season. Forms large flocks in winter. Summer adult has reddish brown back and cap, and whitish underparts with bold black belly and streaking on neck. Male is usually more boldly marked than female. Winter adult has uniform grey upperparts and white underparts. Juvenile has reddish brown and black feathers on the back; pale feather margins align to form ‘V’ patterns. Underparts are whitish but with black streak-like spots on the flanks and breast; head and neck are brown and streaked. Voice Utters a preeit call; breeding ‘song’ comprises a series of whistling calls. Status Local breeding species on damp moorland and mountain habitats. Locally abundant outside breeding season due to migrants from Arctic.
    153904.jpg
  • Dunlin Calidris alpina (L 17-21cm) is the yardstick by which all other small waders should be judged. Get to know it in all its different plumages and you will have overcome the biggest hurdle in identification of other similar species. Several different races, with differing bill lengths, occur here outside the breeding season. Forms large flocks in winter. Summer adult has reddish brown back and cap, and whitish underparts with bold black belly and streaking on neck. Male is usually more boldly marked than female. Winter adult has uniform grey upperparts and white underparts. Juvenile has reddish brown and black feathers on the back; pale feather margins align to form ‘V’ patterns. Underparts are whitish but with black streak-like spots on the flanks and breast; head and neck are brown and streaked. Voice Utters a preeit call; breeding ‘song’ comprises a series of whistling calls. Status Local breeding species on damp moorland and mountain habitats. Locally abundant outside breeding season due to migrants from Arctic.
    153918.jpg
  • Little Gull Hydrocoloeus minutus L 25-28cm. Our smallest gull. Has buoyant, tern-like flight. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has pale grey upperwings with white wingtips, dark hood, dark bill and short, reddish legs. In flight, upperwings have white trailing edge and rounded white wingtip; underwings are dark with white trailing edge. In winter, similar but loses dark hood; otherwise white head has dark smudges on crown and ear coverts. Juvenile has striking black bar (forming letter ‘W’) on upperwings and back. Note dark markings on mantle, nape and ear coverts, and dark tail band; plumage is otherwise white. 1st winter is similar to juvenile but back is pale grey, hence dark bar is seen only on wings. Adult plumage acquired over next 2 years. Voice Utters a sharp kyeck call. Status Regular but scarce passage migrant and winter visitor; mainly coastal.
    154054.jpg
  • Little Gull Hydrocoloeus minutus L 25-28cm. Our smallest gull. Has buoyant, tern-like flight. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has pale grey upperwings with white wingtips, dark hood, dark bill and short, reddish legs. In flight, upperwings have white trailing edge and rounded white wingtip; underwings are dark with white trailing edge. In winter, similar but loses dark hood; otherwise white head has dark smudges on crown and ear coverts. Juvenile has striking black bar (forming letter ‘W’) on upperwings and back. Note dark markings on mantle, nape and ear coverts, and dark tail band; plumage is otherwise white. 1st winter is similar to juvenile but back is pale grey, hence dark bar is seen only on wings. Adult plumage acquired over next 2 years. Voice Utters a sharp kyeck call. Status Regular but scarce passage migrant and winter visitor; mainly coastal.
    154055.jpg
  • Purple Sandpiper Calidris maritima L 21cm. Plump-bodied wader. Unobtrusive but typically confiding. Legs are yellowish in all birds and bill has yellowish base. White wingbar seen in flight. Sexes are similar. Adult in winter is uniform blue-grey on head, breast and upperparts, darkest on back; belly is white and flanks are streaked. In summer plumage (sometimes seen in late spring) has reddish brown and black feathers on back and dark ear coverts on otherwise streaked grey-brown face. Juvenile recalls winter adult but feathers on back have pale margins creating scaly look; neck, breast and flanks are streaked. Voice Utters a sharp kwit call in flight. Status Handful of pairs breed in Scotland. Best known as a local non-breeding visitor to rocky shores and headlands.
    154125.jpg
  • Durdle Door on the Jurassic coast, Dorset, Uk
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  • Sunset over the rocks on Porthselau Beach looking towards St David's Head, Pembrokeshire, Wales
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  • Sunset over the rocks on Porthselau Beach looking towards St David's Head, Pembrokeshire, Wales
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  • Sunset over the rocks on Porthselau Beach looking towards St David's Head, Pembrokeshire, Wales
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  • Whitesands Bay and St David's Head from the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path, Pembrokeshire, Wales, Uk
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  • Sunset over the rocks on Porthselau Beach looking towards St David's Head, Pembrokeshire, Wales
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  • Southern Elephant Seal Mirounga leonina Length 2-3m, weight 400-850kg Massive seal. Male is up to four times larger than female, with distinctive proboscis. Breeds on Sub-Antarctic islands, notably South Georgia.
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  • Sabine’s Gull Xema sabini L 30-35cm. Distinctive seabird. Can only be confused with juvenile Kittiwake but upperwing patterns are separable with care. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has blue-grey back and upperwings, dark hood, dark wingtips with white spots and dark bill with yellow tip. In flight, upperwing pattern is diagnostic: triangular patches of black, white and grey. Tail is forked. In winter, similar but dark smudges on nape replace dark hood. Juvenile has a upperwing pattern to adult but triangle of grey replaced by scaly grey-brown. Forked tail is dark-tipped. Voice Silent. Status Nests in high Arctic and winters at sea in southern oceans. Seen here mainly as offshore passage migrant in autumn. Does not willingly come close to land.
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  • Turnstone Arenaria interpres L 23cm. Pugnacious wader with stout, triangular bill, used to turn stones in search of invertebrates. Feeds unobtrusively. All birds have reddish orange legs and black and white wing pattern in flight. Sexes are similar. Adult has orange-red on back, white underparts and bold black and white markings on head. Males have brighter back colours than females and more distinct black head markings. Winter adult has grey-brown upperparts, the head and neck. Breast is marked with blackish band that shows a clear demarcation from white underparts. Juvenile is similar to winter adult but upperparts are paler and back feathers have pale fringes. Voice Utters a rolling tuk-ut-ut in flight. Status Non-breeding visitor to coasts. Widespread and common.
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