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  • Weathered Earthstar - Geastrum corollinum
    135393.jpg
  • Weathered Earthstar - Geastrum corollinum
    135392.jpg
  • Weathered Earthstar - Geastrum corollinum
    135373.jpg
  • Weathered Earthstar - Geastrum corollinum
    135355.jpg
  • Weathered Earthstar - Geastrum corollinum
    135354.jpg
  • Teal - Anas crecca - male
    160436.jpg
  • Teal - Anas crecca - female
    160437.jpg
  • Southern Crested Caracara - Caracara plancus
    160541.jpg
  • Great Egret - Ardea alba
    160558.jpg
  • American Oystercatcher - Haematopus palliatus
    160450.jpg
  • Great Egret - Ardea alba
    160565.jpg
  • Cirrus and cumulus clouds against a blue sky
    160393.jpg
  • Thunder storm - Cumulonimbus clouds with lightning
    162571.jpg
  • Approaching rain showers
    156533.jpg
  • Eroded cliffs and damaged chalets following tidal surges of December 2013, Hemsby, Norfolk UK
    155693.jpg
  • Tegenaria silvestris - Female. Found with it's sheet web on forest floor and under stones. It is a small delicate version of the large "House Spider"
    155682.jpg
  • Turtle Rock and the Western Rocks, Isles of Scilly
    155581.jpg
  • Glaucous Gull - Larus hyperboreus - 1st winter. L 62-68cm. Bulky, pale-looking gull. Similar size to Great Black-backed but closer to Herring in plumage terms. Note adult’s white wing tips; bill is massive and legs are pinkish at all times. Sexes are similar. Adult in winter has pale grey back and upperwings with white wingtips and trailing margin. Plumage is otherwise mainly white with variable dark streaking on head and neck. Eye has pale iris and orbital ring is yellow. In breeding plumage (sometimes seen in late winter) similar but without dark streaks. Juvenile and 1st winter are mainly pale buffish grey but very pale primaries. Pink bill is dark-tipped. Adult plumage acquired over 3 years. 2nd winter is very pale with faint streaks marbling. 3rd winter is overall paler still. Voice Utters a kyaoo and an anxious ga-ka-ka. Status Scarce non-breeding visitor, commonest on N coasts in late winter.
    155066.jpg
  • Little Gull Hydrocoloeus minutus - Adult. 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.
    154239.jpg
  • Forming water spout, Lundy, Devon
    156534.jpg
  • Ballus chalybeius - female. A squat little woodland jumping spider that hunts on the foliage of trees especially Oak.
    156348.jpg
  • Eroded cliffs and damaged chalets following tidal surges of December 2013, Hemsby, Norfolk UK
    155690.jpg
  • Eroded cliffs and damaged chalets following tidal surges of December 2013, Hemsby, Norfolk UK
    155691.jpg
  • Eroded cliffs and damaged chalets following tidal surges of December 2013, Hemsby, Norfolk UK
    155692.jpg
  • Eroded cliffs and damaged chalets following tidal surges of December 2013, Hemsby, Norfolk UK
    155694.jpg
  • 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 showing submerged hides and flooded reserve,  Cley next the sea,  Norfolk UK
    155695.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 showing flooded coast road, A 149,  Cley next the sea,  Norfolk UK
    155698.jpg
  • Tidal surge damage, Cley Reserve, Norfolk 2013
    155700.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 coast road, A 149,  Cley next the sea,  Norfolk UK
    155702.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
  • 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 showing submerged hides on flooded reserve,  Cley next the sea,  Norfolk UK
    155707.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
  • The breakwater at the Arun estuary at Littlehampton, West Sussex takes a battering during the gales of early 2014
    155663.jpg
  • Storm clouds rage over the south coast at Climping Beach near Littlehampton in West Sussex as yet another low pressure system races in.
    155664.jpg
  • Flooding in the Hampshire Village of Hurstbourne Tarrant, winter 2014
    155674.jpg
  • Micrommata virescens. Mating pair showing male palpal bulb expanding as sperm on pumped from the palp to the female's epigyne
    155685.jpg
  • Neriene clathrata - Female. A common Linyphiid hammock-web spider found in low undergrowth in a range of habitats.
    155684.jpg
  • Micrommata virescens - Female. Our only Sparassid and is found amongst grass or sedge tussocks on wet heaths or woodland edge.
    155686.jpg
  • Queen Hornet - Vespa crabro.
    155687.jpg
  • Coelotes terrestris - Female. A large, silk tube dwelling, forest floor  Amaurobiid spider found under logs and in the litter layer of woodlands in the south- centre and south-east of England. Notable b.
    155688.jpg
  • Amaurobius ferox - Female. Our largest lace web spider found near the ground in darker damp habitats under stones and logs in gardens and woodland
    155689.jpg
  • Angry clouds and surf around Shipman Head, Bryher, Isles of Scilly, UK
    155067.jpg
  • Cory’s Shearwater Calonectris diomedea visit to feed from the Mediterranean and Atlantic islands which is quite a journey.
    154624.jpg
  • Long-tailed Skua - Stercorarius longicaudus - Juvenile. (L 36-42cm) recalls an Arctic Skua but is slimmer with much longer tail streamers in adult; long, pointed wings lack Arctic’s white patch. Adult has mainly grey-brown upperparts, dark cap and whitish neck and underparts; note faint yellow flush on cheeks. Juvenile is variably barred grey-brown, palest on nape and chest. Look for it during storms on Outer Hebrides in spring, Cornish coasts in autumn.
    154380.jpg
  • Slavonian Grebe - Podiceps auritus - winter plumage. L 31-38cm. Buoyant little waterbird with beady red eye. Flattish crown and white-tipped, even-shaped bill (both mandibles are curved) allow separation from Black-necked. White patches on both leading and trailing edges of wings are seen in flight. Sexes are similar. Adult has reddish orange neck and flanks. Back is black and black head has golden-yellow plumes. In winter, has black upperparts and white underparts with clear demarcation between black cap and white cheeks. Juvenile is similar to winter adult. Voice Utters trills and squeals at nest. Status Scarce winter visitor to sheltered coastal waters. Rare breeding bird in Scotland, on shallow lochs with abundant sedges.
    154225.jpg
  • Long-tailed Duck Clangula hyemalis L 40-47cm.<br />
 Elegant diving duck, at home in roughest of seas. Dives for bottom-dwelling invertebrates. In flight, has dark wings and mainly white underparts. Sexes are dissimilar in other respects. Adult male, in winter and spring looks mainly black, grey and white with buffish patch around eye and pink band on bill. In summer and eclipse (both seldom seen here) has mainly brown and black plumage, with white on belly and flanks and pale buff eye patch; bill is dark. Adult female, in winter is mainly brown and white; face is white except for dark cheek patch and crown. In summer, similar but face is mainly brown, with pale eye patch. Juvenile is similar to adult female in summer. Voice Male utters nasal ow–owlee. Status Mainly a winter visitor, commonest in N. Favours shallow coastal seas
    154226.jpg
  • Arctic Skua Stercorarius parasiticus L 46cm. Aerobatic, graceful seabird with deep wingbeats and narrow, pointed wings. Food parasite of Arctic Tern and Kittiwake. Adult has wedge-shaped tail and pointed streamers. Sexes are similar but adults occur in two morphs. Adult pale phase has white neck, breast and belly, dark cap and otherwise grey-brown plumage. Note faint yellowish flush on cheeks. Adult dark phase is uniformly dark grey-brown. Juvenile is dark rufous brown. Voice Utters nasal calls near nest. Status Local summer visitor to Scottish coasts; coastal passage migrant elsewhere.
    154228.jpg
  • Arctic Skua Stercorarius parasiticus L 46cm. Aerobatic, graceful seabird with deep wingbeats and narrow, pointed wings. Food parasite of Arctic Tern and Kittiwake. Adult has wedge-shaped tail and pointed streamers. Sexes are similar but adults occur in two morphs. Adult pale phase has white neck, breast and belly, dark cap and otherwise grey-brown plumage. Note faint yellowish flush on cheeks. Adult dark phase is uniformly dark grey-brown. Juvenile is dark rufous brown. Voice Utters nasal calls near nest. Status Local summer visitor to Scottish coasts; coastal passage migrant elsewhere.
    154230.jpg
  • Arctic Skua Stercorarius parasiticus L 46cm. Aerobatic, graceful seabird with deep wingbeats and narrow, pointed wings. Food parasite of Arctic Tern and Kittiwake. Adult has wedge-shaped tail and pointed streamers. Sexes are similar but adults occur in two morphs. Adult pale phase has white neck, breast and belly, dark cap and otherwise grey-brown plumage. Note faint yellowish flush on cheeks. Adult dark phase is uniformly dark grey-brown. Juvenile is dark rufous brown. Voice Utters nasal calls near nest. Status Local summer visitor to Scottish coasts; coastal passage migrant elsewhere.
    154229.jpg
  • Long-tailed Skua Stercorarius longicaudus - second summer plumage. (L 36-42cm) recalls an Arctic Skua but is slimmer with much longer tail streamers in adult; long, pointed wings lack Arctic’s white patch. Adult has mainly grey-brown upperparts, dark cap and whitish neck and underparts; note faint yellow flush on cheeks. Juvenile is variably barred grey-brown, palest on nape and chest. Look for it during storms on Outer Hebrides in spring, Cornish coasts in autumn.
    154231.jpg
  • Great Skua Stercorarius skua L 48-52cm. Bulky seabird. Gull-like but note large head, dark legs and dark bill. In flight, shows striking white wing patch. Part scavenger, part predator and food parasite of Gannet. Sexes are similar. Adult is brown with buff and golden-brown streaks. Juvenile is uniformly dark brown and rufous. Voice Mostly silent. Status Locally common summer visitor and passage migrant. Nests near seabird colonies in Scotland; Orkney and Shetland are strongholds. Passage birds invariably seen at sea.
    154233.jpg
  • Long-tailed Skua Stercorarius longicaudus. (L 36-42cm) recalls an Arctic Skua but is slimmer with much longer tail streamers in adult; long, pointed wings lack Arctic’s white patch. Adult has mainly grey-brown upperparts, dark cap and whitish neck and underparts; note faint yellow flush on cheeks. Juvenile is variably barred grey-brown, palest on nape and chest. Look for it during storms on Outer Hebrides in spring, Cornish coasts in autumn.
    154232.jpg
  • Little Gull Hydrocoloeus minutus - Adult. 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.
    154237.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.
    154238.jpg
  • Hairy Greenweed - Genista Pilosa. Height to 1m but often prostrate. Low growing shrub. It recalls Petty Whin but is spineless, and Dyer's Greenweed but its leaves are silvery-downy below. The flowers are yellow, in terminal heads (May-June). It grows on maritime heaths and sea cliffs. It is also found, locally, on the North Cornish coast and in West Wales.
    153661.jpg
  • Hairy Greenweed - Genista Pilosa. Height to 1m but often prostrate. Low growing shrub. It recalls Petty Whin but is spineless, and Dyer's Greenweed but its leaves are silvery-downy below. The flowers are yellow, in terminal heads (May-June). It grows on maritime heaths and sea cliffs. It is also found, locally, on the North Cornish coast and in West Wales.
    153662.jpg
  • View above Old Grimsby on Tresco, Isles of Scilly
    161481.jpg
  • View above Old Grimsby on Tresco, Isles of Scilly
    161482.jpg
  • Stormy Sea - Hurricane Ophelia, Isles of Scilly
    161510.jpg
  • Stormy sea - Hurricane Ophelia, Isles of Scilly
    161509.jpg
  • Stormy sea - Hurricane Ophelia, Isles of Scilly
    161507.jpg
  • Stormy sea with Gannet - Hurricane Ophelia, Isles of Scilly
    161506.jpg
  • Stormy sea - Hurricane Ophelia, Isles of Scilly
    161508.jpg
  • Dawn waves break over a large rock in Old Town Bay, St Mary's. Isles of Scilly
    159692.jpg
  • Hairy Greenweed - Genista pilosa
    159299.jpg
  • Hairy Greenweed - Genista pilosa
    159298.jpg
  • Hairy Greenweed - Genista pilosa
    159300.jpg
  • Mistle Thrush Turdus viscivorus L 27cm. Appreciably larger than Song Thrush. Unobtrusive but has distinctive call and song. Sexes are similar. Adult has grey-brown upperparts with hint of white wingbar. Underparts are pale with large dark spots and flanks are washed orange-buff. In flight, note white underwings and white tips to outer tail feathers. Juvenile is similar but back has white, teardrop-shaped spots. Voice Utters a loud, rattling alarm call. Song contains brief phrases and long pauses; often sung in dull weather. Status Fairly common resident of open woodland, parks and mature gardens. Observation tips Listen for distinctive song in breeding season; often sings on rainy days. Individuals defend berry-laden Holly bushes in winter.
    156763.jpg
  • Mistle Thrush Turdus viscivorus - at nest. L 27cm. Appreciably larger than Song Thrush. Unobtrusive but has distinctive call and song. Sexes are similar. Adult has grey-brown upperparts with hint of white wingbar. Underparts are pale with large dark spots and flanks are washed orange-buff. In flight, note white underwings and white tips to outer tail feathers. Juvenile is similar but back has white, teardrop-shaped spots. Voice Utters a loud, rattling alarm call. Song contains brief phrases and long pauses; often sung in dull weather. Status Fairly common resident of open woodland, parks and mature gardens.
    110125.jpg
  • 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.
    115147.jpg
  • Almond Prunus dulcis (Rosaceae) HEIGHT to 8m <br />
Small, open-crowned tree whose blossom appears early in spring. BARK Blackish, breaking into small oblong plates. BRANCHES Ascending, usually rather spiny with numerous thin twigs but many cultivars are regularly branched and lack spines. LEAVES Alternate, to 13cm long, finely toothed and folded lengthways. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Pink or white flowers are paired and almost sessile; open before leaves. 5 petals each to 2.5cm long, form cup-shaped flowers. Fruit is about 6cm long, flattened ovoid, covered with velvety green down with a tough fleshy layer below, inside which is ridged and pitted ‘stone’ that when cracked reveals edible almond seed. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Probably native to central and SW Asia and N Africa, but long cultivated for seeds and flowers. In our region, it needs protection from harsh winter weather.
    119887.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
  • 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). 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.<br />
bottom row - male, ssp. scotica - NW Scotland
    157057.jpg
  • Mistle Thrush Turdus viscivorus L 27cm. Appreciably larger than Song Thrush. Unobtrusive but has distinctive call and song. Sexes are similar. Adult has grey-brown upperparts with hint of white wingbar. Underparts are pale with large dark spots and flanks are washed orange-buff. In flight, note white underwings and white tips to outer tail feathers. Juvenile is similar but back has white, teardrop-shaped spots. Voice Utters a loud, rattling alarm call. Song contains brief phrases and long pauses; often sung in dull weather. Status Fairly common resident of open woodland, parks and mature gardens. Observation tips Listen for distinctive song in breeding season; often sings on rainy days. Individuals defend berry-laden Holly bushes in winter.
    156765.jpg
  • Mistle Thrush Turdus viscivorus L 27cm. Appreciably larger than Song Thrush. Unobtrusive but has distinctive call and song. Sexes are similar. Adult has grey-brown upperparts with hint of white wingbar. Underparts are pale with large dark spots and flanks are washed orange-buff. In flight, note white underwings and white tips to outer tail feathers. Juvenile is similar but back has white, teardrop-shaped spots. Voice Utters a loud, rattling alarm call. Song contains brief phrases and long pauses; often sung in dull weather. Status Fairly common resident of open woodland, parks and mature gardens. Observation tips Listen for distinctive song in breeding season; often sings on rainy days. Individuals defend berry-laden Holly bushes in winter.
    156764.jpg
  • Mistle Thrush Turdus viscivorus L 27cm. Appreciably larger than Song Thrush. Unobtrusive but has distinctive call and song. Sexes are similar. Adult has grey-brown upperparts with hint of white wingbar. Underparts are pale with large dark spots and flanks are washed orange-buff. In flight, note white underwings and white tips to outer tail feathers. Juvenile is similar but back has white, teardrop-shaped spots. Voice Utters a loud, rattling alarm call. Song contains brief phrases and long pauses; often sung in dull weather. Status Fairly common resident of open woodland, parks and mature gardens. Observation tips Listen for distinctive song in breeding season; often sings on rainy days. Individuals defend berry-laden Holly bushes in winter.
    155653.jpg
  • Almond Nut Prunus dulcis (Rosaceae) HEIGHT to 8m <br />
Small, open-crowned tree whose blossom appears early in spring. BARK Blackish, breaking into small oblong plates. BRANCHES Ascending, usually rather spiny with numerous thin twigs but many cultivars are regularly branched and lack spines. LEAVES Alternate, to 13cm long, finely toothed and folded lengthways. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Pink or white flowers are paired and almost sessile; open before leaves. 5 petals each to 2.5cm long, form cup-shaped flowers. Fruit is about 6cm long, flattened ovoid, covered with velvety green down with a tough fleshy layer below, inside which is ridged and pitted ‘stone’ that when cracked reveals edible almond seed. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Probably native to central and SW Asia and N Africa, but long cultivated for seeds and flowers. In our region, it needs protection from harsh winter weather.
    133117.jpg
  • 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.
    144940.jpg
  • 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.
    144755.jpg
  • 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.
    105160.jpg
  • Almond Prunus dulcis (Rosaceae) HEIGHT to 8m <br />
Small, open-crowned tree whose blossom appears early in spring. BARK Blackish, breaking into small oblong plates. BRANCHES Ascending, usually rather spiny with numerous thin twigs but many cultivars are regularly branched and lack spines. LEAVES Alternate, to 13cm long, finely toothed and folded lengthways. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Pink or white flowers are paired and almost sessile; open before leaves. 5 petals each to 2.5cm long, form cup-shaped flowers. Fruit is about 6cm long, flattened ovoid, covered with velvety green down with a tough fleshy layer below, inside which is ridged and pitted ‘stone’ that when cracked reveals edible almond seed. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Probably native to central and SW Asia and N Africa, but long cultivated for seeds and flowers. In our region, it needs protection from harsh winter weather.
    132488.jpg
  • Almond Prunus dulcis (Rosaceae) HEIGHT to 8m <br />
Small, open-crowned tree whose blossom appears early in spring. BARK Blackish, breaking into small oblong plates. BRANCHES Ascending, usually rather spiny with numerous thin twigs but many cultivars are regularly branched and lack spines. LEAVES Alternate, to 13cm long, finely toothed and folded lengthways. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Pink or white flowers are paired and almost sessile; open before leaves. 5 petals each to 2.5cm long, form cup-shaped flowers. Fruit is about 6cm long, flattened ovoid, covered with velvety green down with a tough fleshy layer below, inside which is ridged and pitted ‘stone’ that when cracked reveals edible almond seed. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Probably native to central and SW Asia and N Africa, but long cultivated for seeds and flowers. In our region, it needs protection from harsh winter weather.
    112570.jpg
  • CHICORY Cichorium intybus (Asteraceae)  Height to 1m<br />
Branched perennial with stiff, grooved stems. Grows in bare, grassy places and typically on calcareous soils; often seen on roadside verges. FLOWERS are borne in heads, 3-4cm across, with sky blue florets; open only in the morning and in sunny weather (Jun-Sep). FRUITS are achenes. LEAVES are stalked and lobed at base of plant; upper ones narrow and clasping. STATUS-Locally common only in S England.
    113926.jpg
  • Mistle Thrush Turdus viscivorus L 27cm. Appreciably larger than Song Thrush. Unobtrusive but has distinctive call and song. Sexes are similar. Adult has grey-brown upperparts with hint of white wingbar. Underparts are pale with large dark spots and flanks are washed orange-buff. In flight, note white underwings and white tips to outer tail feathers. Juvenile is similar but back has white, teardrop-shaped spots. Voice Utters a loud, rattling alarm call. Song contains brief phrases and long pauses; often sung in dull weather. Status Fairly common resident of open woodland, parks and mature gardens.
    104832.jpg
  • Mistle Thrush Turdus viscivorus L 27cm. Appreciably larger than Song Thrush. Unobtrusive but has distinctive call and song. Sexes are similar. Adult has grey-brown upperparts with hint of white wingbar. Underparts are pale with large dark spots and flanks are washed orange-buff. In flight, note white underwings and white tips to outer tail feathers. Juvenile is similar but back has white, teardrop-shaped spots. Voice Utters a loud, rattling alarm call. Song contains brief phrases and long pauses; often sung in dull weather. Status Fairly common resident of open woodland, parks and mature gardens.
    112766.jpg
  • Mistle Thrush Turdus viscivorus L 27cm. Appreciably larger than Song Thrush. Unobtrusive but has distinctive call and song. Sexes are similar. Adult has grey-brown upperparts with hint of white wingbar. Underparts are pale with large dark spots and flanks are washed orange-buff. In flight, note white underwings and white tips to outer tail feathers. Juvenile is similar but back has white, teardrop-shaped spots. Voice Utters a loud, rattling alarm call. Song contains brief phrases and long pauses; often sung in dull weather. Status Fairly common resident of open woodland, parks and mature gardens.
    127406.jpg
  • Mistle Thrush Turdus viscivorus L 27cm. Appreciably larger than Song Thrush. Unobtrusive but has distinctive call and song. Sexes are similar. Adult has grey-brown upperparts with hint of white wingbar. Underparts are pale with large dark spots and flanks are washed orange-buff. In flight, note white underwings and white tips to outer tail feathers. Juvenile is similar but back has white, teardrop-shaped spots. Voice Utters a loud, rattling alarm call. Song contains brief phrases and long pauses; often sung in dull weather. Status Fairly common resident of open woodland, parks and mature gardens.
    129224.jpg
  • Mistle Thrush Turdus viscivorus L 27cm. Appreciably larger than Song Thrush. Unobtrusive but has distinctive call and song. Sexes are similar. Adult has grey-brown upperparts with hint of white wingbar. Underparts are pale with large dark spots and flanks are washed orange-buff. In flight, note white underwings and white tips to outer tail feathers. Juvenile is similar but back has white, teardrop-shaped spots. Voice Utters a loud, rattling alarm call. Song contains brief phrases and long pauses; often sung in dull weather. Status Fairly common resident of open woodland, parks and mature gardens.
    129223.jpg
  • White-billed Diver Gavia adamsii. White-billed Divers usually remain in Arctic seas throughout the winter but a handful of birds turn up around our coasts, usually when the weather to the north of Britain turns really cold.
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  • White-billed Diver Gavia adamsii. White-billed Divers usually remain in Arctic seas throughout the winter but a handful of birds turn up around our coasts, usually when the weather to the north of Britain turns really cold.
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  • Mistle Thrush Turdus viscivorus L 27cm. Appreciably larger than Song Thrush. Unobtrusive but has distinctive call and song. Sexes are similar. Adult has grey-brown upperparts with hint of white wingbar. Underparts are pale with large dark spots and flanks are washed orange-buff. In flight, note white underwings and white tips to outer tail feathers. Juvenile is similar but back has white, teardrop-shaped spots. Voice Utters a loud, rattling alarm call. Song contains brief phrases and long pauses; often sung in dull weather. Status Fairly common resident of open woodland, parks and mature gardens.
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  • Mistle Thrush Turdus viscivorus L 27cm. Appreciably larger than Song Thrush. Unobtrusive but has distinctive call and song. Sexes are similar. Adult has grey-brown upperparts with hint of white wingbar. Underparts are pale with large dark spots and flanks are washed orange-buff. In flight, note white underwings and white tips to outer tail feathers. Juvenile is similar but back has white, teardrop-shaped spots. Voice Utters a loud, rattling alarm call. Song contains brief phrases and long pauses; often sung in dull weather. Status Fairly common resident of open woodland, parks and mature gardens. Observation tips Listen for distinctive song in breeding season; often sings on rainy days. Individuals defend berry-laden Holly bushes in winter.
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  • THORN-APPLE Datura stramonium (Solanaceae) Height to 1m. Distinctive and almost unmistakable, branched annual. Grows on cultivated and disturbed ground. The whole plant is poisonous. FLOWERS are 7-10cm across, white and trumpet-shaped with 5 lobes (Jun-Oct). FRUITS are distinctive, green capsules, up to 5cm long, armed with strong spines. LEAVES are long-stalked, up to 20cm long and ovate to triangular with toothed lobes. STATUS-Widely naturalised but its occurrence is unpredictable and annual success is weather-dependent, doing best in warm summers.
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  • THORN-APPLE Datura stramonium (Solanaceae) Height to 1m. Distinctive and almost unmistakable, branched annual. Grows on cultivated and disturbed ground. The whole plant is poisonous. FLOWERS are 7-10cm across, white and trumpet-shaped with 5 lobes (Jun-Oct). FRUITS are distinctive, green capsules, up to 5cm long, armed with strong spines. LEAVES are long-stalked, up to 20cm long and ovate to triangular with toothed lobes. STATUS-Widely naturalised but its occurrence is unpredictable and annual success is weather-dependent, doing best in warm summers.
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