Nature Photographers Ltd

  • Portfolio
  • About
  • Contact
  • Archive
    • All Galleries
    • Search
    • Cart
    • Lightbox
    • Client Area
  • NPL Blog
Show Navigation

Search Results

Refine Search
Match all words
Match any word
Prints
Personal Use
Royalty-Free
Rights-Managed
(leave unchecked to
search all images)
Next
{ 986 images found }
twitterlinkedinfacebook

Loading ()...

  • SHEEP’S SORREL Rumex acetosella (Polygonaceae) Height to 25cm. Short, upright perennial of bare, well-drained acid soils. FLOWERS are greenish and borne in loose, slender spikes (May-Aug). FRUITS are nut-like. LEAVES are arrow-shaped but the basal lobes point forwards; upper leaves clasp the stem. STATUS-Widespread and common in suitable habitats.
    130851.jpg
  • COMMON FUMITORY Fumaria officinalis (Fumariaceae) Height to 10cm. Spreading or scrambling annual of well-drained arable soils. FLOWERS are 6-7mm long, pink with crimson tips, spurred and 2-lipped, the lower petal being paddle-shaped; borne in elongating spikes (Apr-Oct). FRUITS are globular and 1-seeded. LEAVES are grey-green and much divided; lobes all in one plane. STATUS-Widespread and common.
    140022.jpg
  • Woad Isatis tinctoria Height to 1m. Upright biennial or perennial of well-drained soils, usually in shady spots. Introduced and formerly used as a source or dye. Leaves are elongate-triangular with basal lobes. Flowers are yellow and 3-5mm across; borne in large, frothy heads, June-August. Widespread but very local.
    134112.jpg
  • Woad Isatis tinctoria Height to 1m. Upright biennial or perennial of well-drained soils, usually in shady spots. Introduced and formerly used as a source or dye. Leaves are elongate-triangular with basal lobes. Flowers are yellow and 3-5mm across; borne in large, frothy heads, June-August. Widespread but very local.
    134111.jpg
  • Woad Isatis tinctoria Height to 1m. Upright biennial or perennial of well-drained soils, usually in shady spots. Introduced and formerly used as a source or dye. Leaves are elongate-triangular with basal lobes. Flowers are yellow and 3-5mm across; borne in large, frothy heads, June-August. Widespread but very local.
    134023.jpg
  • BITING STONECROP Sedum acre (Crassulaceae) Height to 10cm. Distinctive mat-forming perennial. Found on well-drained ground such as sand dunes and old walls. FLOWERS are star-shaped and 10-12mm across, with 5 bright yellow petals (May-Jul). FRUITS are dry and splitting. LEAVES are fleshy, crowded and pressed close to stem; taste hot. STATUS-Widespread and locally common.
    132152.jpg
  • FIDDLE DOCK Rumex pulcher (Polygonaceae) Height to 30cm. Upright to spreading perennial with branches spreading at right angles. Favours well-drained soil, often near the coast. FLOWERS are borne on spikes in widely separated whorls (Jun-Aug). FRUITS are toothed and have 3 tubercles. LEAVES are up to 10cm, and waisted and violin-shaped. STATUS-Local, and restricted to S England and S Wales.
    131360.jpg
  • FIDDLE DOCK Rumex pulcher (Polygonaceae) Height to 30cm. Upright to spreading perennial with branches spreading at right angles. Favours well-drained soil, often near the coast. FLOWERS are borne on spikes in widely separated whorls (Jun-Aug). FRUITS are toothed and have 3 tubercles. LEAVES are up to 10cm, and waisted and violin-shaped. STATUS-Local, and restricted to S England and S Wales.
    131333.jpg
  • SHEEP’S SORREL Rumex acetosella (Polygonaceae) Height to 25cm. Short, upright perennial of bare, well-drained acid soils. FLOWERS are greenish and borne in loose, slender spikes (May-Aug). FRUITS are nut-like. LEAVES are arrow-shaped but the basal lobes point forwards; upper leaves clasp the stem. STATUS-Widespread and common in suitable habitats.
    130935.jpg
  • FIDDLE DOCK Rumex pulcher (Polygonaceae) Height to 30cm. Upright to spreading perennial with branches spreading at right angles. Favours well-drained soil, often near the coast. FLOWERS are borne on spikes in widely separated whorls (Jun-Aug). FRUITS are toothed and have 3 tubercles. LEAVES are up to 10cm, and waisted and violin-shaped. STATUS-Local, and restricted to S England and S Wales.
    132081.jpg
  • FIDDLE DOCK Rumex pulcher (Polygonaceae) Height to 30cm. Upright to spreading perennial with branches spreading at right angles. Favours well-drained soil, often near the coast. FLOWERS are borne on spikes in widely separated whorls (Jun-Aug). FRUITS are toothed and have 3 tubercles. LEAVES are up to 10cm, and waisted and violin-shaped. STATUS-Local, and restricted to S England and S Wales.
    131353.jpg
  • Asparagus - Asparagus officinalis
    159148.jpg
  • ASPARAGUS Asparagus officinalis (Liliaceae) Height to 1.5m<br />
Branched, hairless perennial that is either upright or prostrate. Young shoots are the familiar vegetable. Grows in free-draining grassy places. FLOWERS are 4-6mm long, greenish and bell-shaped; borne in leaf axils, with separate sex plants (Jun-Sep). FRUITS are red berries. LEAVES are reduced to tiny bracts; what appear to be leaves are in fact slender, branched stems. STATUS- Garden Asparagus (ssp. officinalis) is locally naturalised; prostrate Wild Asparagus (ssp. prostratus) grows on sea cliffs in SW.
    135362.jpg
  • ASPARAGUS Asparagus officinalis (Liliaceae) Height to 1.5m<br />
Branched, hairless perennial that is either upright or prostrate. Young shoots are the familiar vegetable. Grows in free-draining grassy places. FLOWERS are 4-6mm long, greenish and bell-shaped; borne in leaf axils, with separate sex plants (Jun-Sep). FRUITS are red berries. LEAVES are reduced to tiny bracts; what appear to be leaves are in fact slender, branched stems. STATUS- Garden Asparagus (ssp. officinalis) is locally naturalised; prostrate Wild Asparagus (ssp. prostratus) grows on sea cliffs in SW.
    132017.jpg
  • ROCK STONECROP Sedum forsterianum (Crassulaceae) Height to 20cm. Greyish-green, mat-forming perennial of free-draining rocky ground and old walls. FLOWERS are star-shaped and yellow; in terminal clusters that nod in bud (Jun-Aug). FRUITS are dry and splitting. LEAVES are fleshy and pressed close to stem; terminal clusters on non-flowering shoots. STATUS-Local in SW England; naturalised elsewhere.
    131478.jpg
  • Biting Stonecrop - Sedum acre
    160027.jpg
  • Biting Stonecrop - Sedum acre
    159154.jpg
  • Asparagus - Asparagus officinalis
    159148.jpg
  • Asparagus - Asparagus officinalis
    159147.jpg
  • COMMON FUMITORY Fumaria officinalis (Fumariaceae) Height to 10cm. Spreading or scrambling annual of well-drained arable soils. FLOWERS are 6-7mm long, pink with crimson tips, spurred and 2-lipped, the lower petal being paddle-shaped; borne in elongating spikes (Apr-Oct). FRUITS are globular and 1-seeded. LEAVES are grey-green and much divided; lobes all in one plane. STATUS-Widespread and common.
    131058.jpg
  • Lobster and crab pots stacked up on the quay at Wells on the north Norfolk coast, Uk
    154435.jpg
  • Lobster and crab pots stacked up on the quay at Wells on the north Norfolk coast, Uk
    154436.jpg
  • Lobster and crab pots stacked up on the quay at Wells on the north Norfolk coast, Uk
    154434.jpg
  • Common Fumitory - Fumaria officinalis
    159282.jpg
  • Barnacle Goose Branta leucopsis L 58-69cm. Small, well-marked goose seen in large, noisy flocks. All birds have black legs and bill. Looks strikingly black-and-white in flight. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly white face with black line from bill to eye; black crown and nape merge with black neck and breast. Belly is whitish grey with faint dark barring on flanks; back is grey with well-defined black and white barring. Stern is white while tail is black. Juvenile is similar to adult but white elements of plumage are often tinged yellow and barring on back is less well defined. Voice Utters loud, barking calls. Status Winter visitor to coastal farmland and saltmarshes.
    137895.jpg
  • Barnacle Goose Branta leucopsis L 58-69cm. Small, well-marked goose seen in large, noisy flocks. All birds have black legs and bill. Looks strikingly black-and-white in flight. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly white face with black line from bill to eye; black crown and nape merge with black neck and breast. Belly is whitish grey with faint dark barring on flanks; back is grey with well-defined black and white barring. Stern is white while tail is black. Juvenile is similar to adult but white elements of plumage are often tinged yellow and barring on back is less well defined. Voice Utters loud, barking calls. Status Winter visitor to coastal farmland and saltmarshes.
    142934.jpg
  • Barnacle Goose Branta leucopsis L 58-69cm. Small, well-marked goose seen in large, noisy flocks. All birds have black legs and bill. Looks strikingly black-and-white in flight. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly white face with black line from bill to eye; black crown and nape merge with black neck and breast. Belly is whitish grey with faint dark barring on flanks; back is grey with well-defined black and white barring. Stern is white while tail is black. Juvenile is similar to adult but white elements of plumage are often tinged yellow and barring on back is less well defined. Voice Utters loud, barking calls. Status Winter visitor to coastal farmland and saltmarshes.
    145721.jpg
  • Barnacle Goose Branta leucopsis L 58-69cm. Small, well-marked goose seen in large, noisy flocks. All birds have black legs and bill. Looks strikingly black-and-white in flight. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly white face with black line from bill to eye; black crown and nape merge with black neck and breast. Belly is whitish grey with faint dark barring on flanks; back is grey with well-defined black and white barring. Stern is white while tail is black. Juvenile is similar to adult but white elements of plumage are often tinged yellow and barring on back is less well defined. Voice Utters loud, barking calls. Status Winter visitor to coastal farmland and saltmarshes.
    145722.jpg
  • Barnacle Goose Branta leucopsis L 58-69cm. Small, well-marked goose seen in large, noisy flocks. All birds have black legs and bill. Looks strikingly black-and-white in flight. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly white face with black line from bill to eye; black crown and nape merge with black neck and breast. Belly is whitish grey with faint dark barring on flanks; back is grey with well-defined black and white barring. Stern is white while tail is black. Juvenile is similar to adult but white elements of plumage are often tinged yellow and barring on back is less well defined. Voice Utters loud, barking calls. Status Winter visitor to coastal farmland and saltmarshes.
    145733.jpg
  • Barnacle Goose Branta leucopsis L 58-69cm. Small, well-marked goose seen in large, noisy flocks. All birds have black legs and bill. Looks strikingly black-and-white in flight. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly white face with black line from bill to eye; black crown and nape merge with black neck and breast. Belly is whitish grey with faint dark barring on flanks; back is grey with well-defined black and white barring. Stern is white while tail is black. Juvenile is similar to adult but white elements of plumage are often tinged yellow and barring on back is less well defined. Voice Utters loud, barking calls. Status Winter visitor to coastal farmland and saltmarshes.
    145801.jpg
  • Barnacle Goose Branta leucopsis L 58-69cm. Small, well-marked goose seen in large, noisy flocks. All birds have black legs and bill. Looks strikingly black-and-white in flight. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly white face with black line from bill to eye; black crown and nape merge with black neck and breast. Belly is whitish grey with faint dark barring on flanks; back is grey with well-defined black and white barring. Stern is white while tail is black. Juvenile is similar to adult but white elements of plumage are often tinged yellow and barring on back is less well defined. Voice Utters loud, barking calls. Status Winter visitor to coastal farmland and saltmarshes.
    145802.jpg
  • Barnacle Goose Branta leucopsis L 58-69cm. Small, well-marked goose seen in large, noisy flocks. All birds have black legs and bill. Looks strikingly black-and-white in flight. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly white face with black line from bill to eye; black crown and nape merge with black neck and breast. Belly is whitish grey with faint dark barring on flanks; back is grey with well-defined black and white barring. Stern is white while tail is black. Juvenile is similar to adult but white elements of plumage are often tinged yellow and barring on back is less well defined. Voice Utters loud, barking calls. Status Winter visitor to coastal farmland and saltmarshes.
    156206.jpg
  • Barnacle Goose Branta leucopsis L 58-69cm. Small, well-marked goose seen in large, noisy flocks. All birds have black legs and bill. Looks strikingly black-and-white in flight. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly white face with black line from bill to eye; black crown and nape merge with black neck and breast. Belly is whitish grey with faint dark barring on flanks; back is grey with well-defined black and white barring. Stern is white while tail is black. Juvenile is similar to adult but white elements of plumage are often tinged yellow and barring on back is less well defined. Voice Utters loud, barking calls. Status Winter visitor to coastal farmland and saltmarshes.
    138057.jpg
  • WOOD DUCK Aix sponsa Length 43-50cm<br />
A distinctive duck, males of which have gaudy and striking plumage. Females, although sombre by comparison, are well marked although the potential for confusion with a female Mandarin Duck must be considered. The sexes are strikingly dissimilar.<br />
Adult male has a shiny greenish blue crown and mane, adorned with white lines. The chin and throat are white, extending onto the face as white lines. The breast is maroon, the flanks are buff and the back is greenish; these three areas are separated by white lines. Adult female has mainly brown plumage, darkest on the back and head. The breast and flanks are marked with fine buffish streak-like spots. There is a white ‘spectacle’ around the eye and the white is more extensive than in a female Mandarin Duck. There is a small and well-defined amount of white on the throat and the bill is uniformly dark. Juvenile resembles an adult female but the colours are duller and the patterns less striking. STATUS A North American native that has established itself, to a limited degree, as a result of escaping from wildfowl collections or being deliberately released. It favours well-vegetated lakes with wooded margins.
    145647.jpg
  • River Ystwyth, Ceredigion, with well developed shingle banks. Habitat of Arctosa cinerea. Some of the Rivers in Mid and North Wales have well developed shingle banks that support  populations of rare, specially adapted, invertebrates including the large River Bear-Spider Arctosa cinera
    155333.jpg
  • Red Grouse Lagopus lagopus scoticus L 37-42cm. Familiar moorland gamebird. If alarmed, takes to the air explosively; flight comprises bouts of rapid wingbeats and long glides on bowed wings. Both sexes have uniformly dark wings. Sexes are separable with care. Adult male has chestnut-brown plumage overall; fine feather markings visible at close range. Note red wattle above eye. Adult female has paler, more buffish grey and marbled plumage than male: well camouflaged when sitting on nest. Juvenile resembles adult female but with less well-marked plumage markings. Voice Utters a distinctive, go-back, go-back, go-back. Status Confined to heather moorland and feeds primarily on shoots of Heather and related plants. Moors are sometimes managed by selective burning for grouse (encourages young plant growth).
    158046.jpg
  • Red-legged Partridge - Alectoris rufa L 32-34cm. Dumpy, well-marked gamebird. Forms small parties (covies), outside breeding season. Hunted and often wary. Prefers to run from danger but flies low on stiffly-held wings. Sexes are similar. Adult has red bill and legs, and white throat bordered with gorget of black spots. Plumage is otherwise mainly blue-grey and warm buff except for black and white barring on flanks. Juvenile has grey-buff plumage with hint of adult’s dark markings. Voice Utters a loud ke che-che, ke che-che… call. Status Introduced but well established, mainly on arable farmland with mature hedgerows and scattered woods.
    156863.jpg
  • Red-legged Partridge Alectoris rufa - in flight. L 32-34cm. Dumpy, well-marked gamebird. Forms small parties (covies), outside breeding season. Hunted and often wary. Prefers to run from danger but flies low on stiffly-held wings. Sexes are similar. Adult has red bill and legs, and white throat bordered with gorget of black spots. Plumage is otherwise mainly blue-grey and warm buff except for black and white barring on flanks. Juvenile has grey-buff plumage with hint of adult’s dark markings. Voice Utters a loud ke che-che, ke che-che… call. Status Introduced but well established, mainly on arable farmland with mature hedgerows and scattered woods.
    156873.jpg
  • Woodchat Shrike - Lanius senator - Juvenile. L 17-19cm. A bulky and well-marked bird. The Woodchat Shrike often perches on barbed-wire fences as well as low bushes, using these as lookouts. The sexes are separable with care. Adult Male has a chestnut cap and nape, a broad black mask running from the forecrown through the eye, and white underparts that are flushed faintly with peachy-buff on the flanks and breast. Note also the striking white patch on the scapulars, the white patch at the base of the primaries and the buffish white patch at the base of the bill. In flight, the pale rump and white-margined black tail are obvious. Adult Female is similar, but the black and chestnut elements of the plumage are less intense, the white patch at the base of the bill is more extensive and there is faint barring on the underparts. Juvenile has scaly grey-brown upperparts and paler underparts with faint vermiculations; note also the pale patch on the scapulars. Voice - utters a harsh, trilling call when agitated. Habitat and Status - the Woodchat Shrike is a scarce visitor to the region, with most records at migration times; 15 or 20 are recorded in a good year. In spring, adult birds appear here, while in late summer and autumn, dispersing juvenile birds sometimes turn up in coastal areas. Visiting Woodchat Shrikes favour areas of coastal scrub.
    125944.jpg
  • Red-legged Partridge Alectoris rufa - Adult at nest with chicks. L 32-34cm. Dumpy, well-marked gamebird. Forms small parties (covies), outside breeding season. Hunted and often wary. Prefers to run from danger but flies low on stiffly-held wings. Sexes are similar. Adult has red bill and legs, and white throat bordered with gorget of black spots. Plumage is otherwise mainly blue-grey and warm buff except for black and white barring on flanks. Juvenile has grey-buff plumage with hint of adult’s dark markings. Voice Utters a loud ke che-che, ke che-che… call. Status Introduced but well established, mainly on arable farmland with mature hedgerows and scattered woods.
    154637.jpg
  • Red-legged Partridge Alectoris rufa - in flight. L 32-34cm. Dumpy, well-marked gamebird. Forms small parties (covies), outside breeding season. Hunted and often wary. Prefers to run from danger but flies low on stiffly-held wings. Sexes are similar. Adult has red bill and legs, and white throat bordered with gorget of black spots. Plumage is otherwise mainly blue-grey and warm buff except for black and white barring on flanks. Juvenile has grey-buff plumage with hint of adult’s dark markings. Voice Utters a loud ke che-che, ke che-che… call. Status Introduced but well established, mainly on arable farmland with mature hedgerows and scattered woods.
    154647.jpg
  • Perch Perca fluviatilis Length 25-40cm <br />
This is a distinctive and well-marked predatory fish. It forms shoals when young but is usually solitary when large. Adult has a greenish body with broad, vertical dark stripes; it is well camouflaged when lurking among water plants. Note the two separate dorsal fins, the first very spiny; other fins are usually tinged red. The Perch is widespread and common in rivers and lakes in most areas except N Scotland.
    136695.jpg
  • Perch Perca fluviatilis Length 25-40cm <br />
This is a distinctive and well-marked predatory fish. It forms shoals when young but is usually solitary when large. Adult has a greenish body with broad, vertical dark stripes; it is well camouflaged when lurking among water plants. Note the two separate dorsal fins, the first very spiny; other fins are usually tinged red. The Perch is widespread and common in rivers and lakes in most areas except N Scotland.
    136568.jpg
  • Monkey-puzzle (Chile Pine) Araucaria araucana (Araucariaceae) HEIGHT to 30m. Evergreen, domed to conical tree with a tall cylindrical trunk. BARK Greyish, tough, heavily ridged and wrinkled, with numerous rings of old stem scars. BRANCHES Horizontal or slightly drooping, evenly distributed around trunk. LEAVES 3–5cm long, oval, bright glossy green and scale-like. Tip is triangular with a sharp brownish spine. Leaf base overlaps shoot and next leaf and leaves are arranged in a dense spiral on shoot. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male cones, up to 10cm long, in clusters at shoot-tips. Female cones rounded, up to 17cm long and green for first 2 years, growing on upper surface of shoots; large scales taper to a slender outwardly curved point, and conceal 4cm-long, edible brown seeds. Trees are either male or female. HABITAT AND DISTRIBUTION Native of the mountains of Chile and Argentina, first brought to Europe in 1795. Now common as an ornamental tree in parks and gardens. Grows well in towns, but prefers well-drained soils.
    134778.jpg
  • Monkey-puzzle (Chile Pine) Araucaria araucana (Araucariaceae) HEIGHT to 30m. Evergreen, domed to conical tree with a tall cylindrical trunk. BARK Greyish, tough, heavily ridged and wrinkled, with numerous rings of old stem scars. BRANCHES Horizontal or slightly drooping, evenly distributed around trunk. LEAVES 3–5cm long, oval, bright glossy green and scale-like. Tip is triangular with a sharp brownish spine. Leaf base overlaps shoot and next leaf and leaves are arranged in a dense spiral on shoot. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male cones, up to 10cm long, in clusters at shoot-tips. Female cones rounded, up to 17cm long and green for first 2 years, growing on upper surface of shoots; large scales taper to a slender outwardly curved point, and conceal 4cm-long, edible brown seeds. Trees are either male or female. HABITAT AND DISTRIBUTION Native of the mountains of Chile and Argentina, first brought to Europe in 1795. Now common as an ornamental tree in parks and gardens. Grows well in towns, but prefers well-drained soils.
    133240.jpg
  • Monkey-puzzle (Chile Pine) Araucaria araucana (Araucariaceae) HEIGHT to 30m. Evergreen, domed to conical tree with a tall cylindrical trunk. BARK Greyish, tough, heavily ridged and wrinkled, with numerous rings of old stem scars. BRANCHES Horizontal or slightly drooping, evenly distributed around trunk. LEAVES 3–5cm long, oval, bright glossy green and scale-like. Tip is triangular with a sharp brownish spine. Leaf base overlaps shoot and next leaf and leaves are arranged in a dense spiral on shoot. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male cones, up to 10cm long, in clusters at shoot-tips. Female cones rounded, up to 17cm long and green for first 2 years, growing on upper surface of shoots; large scales taper to a slender outwardly curved point, and conceal 4cm-long, edible brown seeds. Trees are either male or female. HABITAT AND DISTRIBUTION Native of the mountains of Chile and Argentina, first brought to Europe in 1795. Now common as an ornamental tree in parks and gardens. Grows well in towns, but prefers well-drained soils.
    132941.jpg
  • Monkey-puzzle (Chile Pine) Araucaria araucana (Araucariaceae) HEIGHT to 30m. Evergreen, domed to conical tree with a tall cylindrical trunk. BARK Greyish, tough, heavily ridged and wrinkled, with numerous rings of old stem scars. BRANCHES Horizontal or slightly drooping, evenly distributed around trunk. LEAVES 3–5cm long, oval, bright glossy green and scale-like. Tip is triangular with a sharp brownish spine. Leaf base overlaps shoot and next leaf and leaves are arranged in a dense spiral on shoot. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male cones, up to 10cm long, in clusters at shoot-tips. Female cones rounded, up to 17cm long and green for first 2 years, growing on upper surface of shoots; large scales taper to a slender outwardly curved point, and conceal 4cm-long, edible brown seeds. Trees are either male or female. HABITAT AND DISTRIBUTION Native of the mountains of Chile and Argentina, first brought to Europe in 1795. Now common as an ornamental tree in parks and gardens. Grows well in towns, but prefers well-drained soils.
    132940.jpg
  • Monkey-puzzle (Chile Pine) Araucaria araucana (Araucariaceae) HEIGHT to 30m. Evergreen, domed to conical tree with a tall cylindrical trunk. BARK Greyish, tough, heavily ridged and wrinkled, with numerous rings of old stem scars. BRANCHES Horizontal or slightly drooping, evenly distributed around trunk. LEAVES 3–5cm long, oval, bright glossy green and scale-like. Tip is triangular with a sharp brownish spine. Leaf base overlaps shoot and next leaf and leaves are arranged in a dense spiral on shoot. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male cones, up to 10cm long, in clusters at shoot-tips. Female cones rounded, up to 17cm long and green for first 2 years, growing on upper surface of shoots; large scales taper to a slender outwardly curved point, and conceal 4cm-long, edible brown seeds. Trees are either male or female. HABITAT AND DISTRIBUTION Native of the mountains of Chile and Argentina, first brought to Europe in 1795. Now common as an ornamental tree in parks and gardens. Grows well in towns, but prefers well-drained soils.
    132939.jpg
  • Water Shrew Neomys fodiens Length 12-17cm Distinctive bi-coloured shrew, usually seen near freshwater. Swims well. Adult has dense fur: blackish upperparts and flanks contrast with whitish underparts. In water, fur traps a layer of air that makes submerged animal look silvery. Fringes of hairs on tail, and on relatively large hind feet, assist swimming. Utters high-pitched squeaks. Widespread except in N Scotland and on islands. Favours slow-flowing and well-vegetated streams and watercress beds. Pollution and disturbance are agents of its decline.
    102050.jpg
  • Song Thrush Turdus philomelos L 23cm. Dainty, well-marked thrush with a beautiful, distinctive song. Sexes are similar. Adult has warm brown upperparts with hint of orange-buff wingbar. Underparts are pale but well marked with dark spots; note yellowish buff wash to breast. In flight, reveals orange-buff underwing coverts. Juvenile is similar but markings and colours are less intense. Voice Utters a thin tik call in flight. Song is loud and musical; phrases are repeated two or three times. Status Fairly common but declining resident of woodland, parks and mature gardens. Numbers boosted in winter by migrants from mainland Europe.
    108342.jpg
  • Song Thrush Turdus philomelos L 23cm. Dainty, well-marked thrush with a beautiful, distinctive song. Sexes are similar. Adult has warm brown upperparts with hint of orange-buff wingbar. Underparts are pale but well marked with dark spots; note yellowish buff wash to breast. In flight, reveals orange-buff underwing coverts. Juvenile is similar but markings and colours are less intense. Voice Utters a thin tik call in flight. Song is loud and musical; phrases are repeated two or three times. Status Fairly common but declining resident of woodland, parks and mature gardens. Numbers boosted in winter by migrants from mainland Europe.
    111667.jpg
  • Red Grouse Lagopus lagopus scoticus L 37-42cm. Familiar moorland gamebird. If alarmed, takes to the air explosively; flight comprises bouts of rapid wingbeats and long glides on bowed wings. Both sexes have uniformly dark wings. Sexes are separable with care. Adult male has chestnut-brown plumage overall; fine feather markings visible at close range. Note red wattle above eye. Adult female has paler, more buffish grey and marbled plumage than male: well camouflaged when sitting on nest. Juvenile resembles adult female but with less well-marked plumage markings. Voice Utters a distinctive, go-back, go-back, go-back. Status Confined to heather moorland and feeds primarily on shoots of Heather and related plants. Moors are sometimes managed by selective burning for grouse (encourages young plant growth).
    113659.jpg
  • Woodchat Shrike Lanius senator. L 17-19cm. A bulky and well-marked bird. The Woodchat Shrike often perches on barbed-wire fences as well as low bushes, using these as lookouts. The sexes are separable with care. Adult Male has a chestnut cap and nape, a broad black mask running from the forecrown through the eye, and white underparts that are flushed faintly with peachy-buff on the flanks and breast. Note also the striking white patch on the scapulars, the white patch at the base of the primaries and the buffish white patch at the base of the bill. In flight, the pale rump and white-margined black tail are obvious. Adult Female is similar, but the black and chestnut elements of the plumage are less intense, the white patch at the base of the bill is more extensive and there is faint barring on the underparts. Juvenile has scaly grey-brown upperparts and paler underparts with faint vermiculations; note also the pale patch on the scapulars. Voice - utters a harsh, trilling call when agitated. Habitat and Status - the Woodchat Shrike is a scarce visitor to the region, with most records at migration times; 15 or 20 are recorded in a good year. In spring, adult birds appear here, while in late summer and autumn, dispersing juvenile birds sometimes turn up in coastal areas. Visiting Woodchat Shrikes favour areas of coastal scrub.
    119638.jpg
  • Woodchat Shrike Lanius senator. L 17-19cm. A bulky and well-marked bird. The Woodchat Shrike often perches on barbed-wire fences as well as low bushes, using these as lookouts. The sexes are separable with care. Adult Male has a chestnut cap and nape, a broad black mask running from the forecrown through the eye, and white underparts that are flushed faintly with peachy-buff on the flanks and breast. Note also the striking white patch on the scapulars, the white patch at the base of the primaries and the buffish white patch at the base of the bill. In flight, the pale rump and white-margined black tail are obvious. Adult Female is similar, but the black and chestnut elements of the plumage are less intense, the white patch at the base of the bill is more extensive and there is faint barring on the underparts. Juvenile has scaly grey-brown upperparts and paler underparts with faint vermiculations; note also the pale patch on the scapulars. Voice - utters a harsh, trilling call when agitated. Habitat and Status - the Woodchat Shrike is a scarce visitor to the region, with most records at migration times; 15 or 20 are recorded in a good year. In spring, adult birds appear here, while in late summer and autumn, dispersing juvenile birds sometimes turn up in coastal areas. Visiting Woodchat Shrikes favour areas of coastal scrub.
    119737.jpg
  • Woodchat Shrike Lanius senator. L 17-19cm. A bulky and well-marked bird. The Woodchat Shrike often perches on barbed-wire fences as well as low bushes, using these as lookouts. The sexes are separable with care. Adult Male has a chestnut cap and nape, a broad black mask running from the forecrown through the eye, and white underparts that are flushed faintly with peachy-buff on the flanks and breast. Note also the striking white patch on the scapulars, the white patch at the base of the primaries and the buffish white patch at the base of the bill. In flight, the pale rump and white-margined black tail are obvious. Adult Female is similar, but the black and chestnut elements of the plumage are less intense, the white patch at the base of the bill is more extensive and there is faint barring on the underparts. Juvenile has scaly grey-brown upperparts and paler underparts with faint vermiculations; note also the pale patch on the scapulars. Voice - utters a harsh, trilling call when agitated. Habitat and Status - the Woodchat Shrike is a scarce visitor to the region, with most records at migration times; 15 or 20 are recorded in a good year. In spring, adult birds appear here, while in late summer and autumn, dispersing juvenile birds sometimes turn up in coastal areas. Visiting Woodchat Shrikes favour areas of coastal scrub.
    120714.jpg
  • Woodchat Shrike Lanius senator. L 17-19cm. A bulky and well-marked bird. The Woodchat Shrike often perches on barbed-wire fences as well as low bushes, using these as lookouts. The sexes are separable with care. Adult Male has a chestnut cap and nape, a broad black mask running from the forecrown through the eye, and white underparts that are flushed faintly with peachy-buff on the flanks and breast. Note also the striking white patch on the scapulars, the white patch at the base of the primaries and the buffish white patch at the base of the bill. In flight, the pale rump and white-margined black tail are obvious. Adult Female is similar, but the black and chestnut elements of the plumage are less intense, the white patch at the base of the bill is more extensive and there is faint barring on the underparts. Juvenile has scaly grey-brown upperparts and paler underparts with faint vermiculations; note also the pale patch on the scapulars. Voice - utters a harsh, trilling call when agitated. Habitat and Status - the Woodchat Shrike is a scarce visitor to the region, with most records at migration times; 15 or 20 are recorded in a good year. In spring, adult birds appear here, while in late summer and autumn, dispersing juvenile birds sometimes turn up in coastal areas. Visiting Woodchat Shrikes favour areas of coastal scrub.
    122238.jpg
  • Red-legged Partridge Alectoris rufa L 32-34cm. Dumpy, well-marked gamebird. Forms small parties (covies), outside breeding season. Hunted and often wary. Prefers to run from danger but flies low on stiffly-held wings. Sexes are similar. Adult has red bill and legs, and white throat bordered with gorget of black spots. Plumage is otherwise mainly blue-grey and warm buff except for black and white barring on flanks. Juvenile has grey-buff plumage with hint of adult’s dark markings. Voice Utters a loud ke che-che, ke che-che… call. Status Introduced but well established, mainly on arable farmland with mature hedgerows and scattered woods.
    125904.jpg
  • Song Thrush Turdus philomelos L 23cm. Dainty, well-marked thrush with a beautiful, distinctive song. Sexes are similar. Adult has warm brown upperparts with hint of orange-buff wingbar. Underparts are pale but well marked with dark spots; note yellowish buff wash to breast. In flight, reveals orange-buff underwing coverts. Juvenile is similar but markings and colours are less intense. Voice Utters a thin tik call in flight. Song is loud and musical; phrases are repeated two or three times. Status Fairly common but declining resident of woodland, parks and mature gardens. Numbers boosted in winter by migrants from mainland Europe.
    129228.jpg
  • Woodchat Shrike Lanius senator. L 17-19cm. A bulky and well-marked bird. The Woodchat Shrike often perches on barbed-wire fences as well as low bushes, using these as lookouts. The sexes are separable with care. Adult Male has a chestnut cap and nape, a broad black mask running from the forecrown through the eye, and white underparts that are flushed faintly with peachy-buff on the flanks and breast. Note also the striking white patch on the scapulars, the white patch at the base of the primaries and the buffish white patch at the base of the bill. In flight, the pale rump and white-margined black tail are obvious. Adult Female is similar, but the black and chestnut elements of the plumage are less intense, the white patch at the base of the bill is more extensive and there is faint barring on the underparts. Juvenile has scaly grey-brown upperparts and paler underparts with faint vermiculations; note also the pale patch on the scapulars. Voice - utters a harsh, trilling call when agitated. Habitat and Status - the Woodchat Shrike is a scarce visitor to the region, with most records at migration times; 15 or 20 are recorded in a good year. In spring, adult birds appear here, while in late summer and autumn, dispersing juvenile birds sometimes turn up in coastal areas. Visiting Woodchat Shrikes favour areas of coastal scrub.
    129358.jpg
  • Woodchat Shrike Lanius senator. L 17-19cm. A bulky and well-marked bird. The Woodchat Shrike often perches on barbed-wire fences as well as low bushes, using these as lookouts. The sexes are separable with care. Adult Male has a chestnut cap and nape, a broad black mask running from the forecrown through the eye, and white underparts that are flushed faintly with peachy-buff on the flanks and breast. Note also the striking white patch on the scapulars, the white patch at the base of the primaries and the buffish white patch at the base of the bill. In flight, the pale rump and white-margined black tail are obvious. Adult Female is similar, but the black and chestnut elements of the plumage are less intense, the white patch at the base of the bill is more extensive and there is faint barring on the underparts. Juvenile has scaly grey-brown upperparts and paler underparts with faint vermiculations; note also the pale patch on the scapulars. Voice - utters a harsh, trilling call when agitated. Habitat and Status - the Woodchat Shrike is a scarce visitor to the region, with most records at migration times; 15 or 20 are recorded in a good year. In spring, adult birds appear here, while in late summer and autumn, dispersing juvenile birds sometimes turn up in coastal areas. Visiting Woodchat Shrikes favour areas of coastal scrub.
    129359.jpg
  • Song Thrush Turdus philomelos L 23cm. Dainty, well-marked thrush with a beautiful, distinctive song. Sexes are similar. Adult has warm brown upperparts with hint of orange-buff wingbar. Underparts are pale but well marked with dark spots; note yellowish buff wash to breast. In flight, reveals orange-buff underwing coverts. Juvenile is similar but markings and colours are less intense. Voice Utters a thin tik call in flight. Song is loud and musical; phrases are repeated two or three times. Status Fairly common but declining resident of woodland, parks and mature gardens. Numbers boosted in winter by migrants from mainland Europe.
    130282.jpg
  • Song Thrush Turdus philomelos L 23cm. Dainty, well-marked thrush with a beautiful, distinctive song. Sexes are similar. Adult has warm brown upperparts with hint of orange-buff wingbar. Underparts are pale but well marked with dark spots; note yellowish buff wash to breast. In flight, reveals orange-buff underwing coverts. Juvenile is similar but markings and colours are less intense. Voice Utters a thin tik call in flight. Song is loud and musical; phrases are repeated two or three times. Status Fairly common but declining resident of woodland, parks and mature gardens. Numbers boosted in winter by migrants from mainland Europe.
    133661.jpg
  • Song Thrush Turdus philomelos L 23cm. Dainty, well-marked thrush with a beautiful, distinctive song. Sexes are similar. Adult has warm brown upperparts with hint of orange-buff wingbar. Underparts are pale but well marked with dark spots; note yellowish buff wash to breast. In flight, reveals orange-buff underwing coverts. Juvenile is similar but markings and colours are less intense. Voice Utters a thin tik call in flight. Song is loud and musical; phrases are repeated two or three times. Status Fairly common but declining resident of woodland, parks and mature gardens. Numbers boosted in winter by migrants from mainland Europe.
    133665.jpg
  • Song Thrush Turdus philomelos L 23cm. Dainty, well-marked thrush with a beautiful, distinctive song. Sexes are similar. Adult has warm brown upperparts with hint of orange-buff wingbar. Underparts are pale but well marked with dark spots; note yellowish buff wash to breast. In flight, reveals orange-buff underwing coverts. Juvenile is similar but markings and colours are less intense. Voice Utters a thin tik call in flight. Song is loud and musical; phrases are repeated two or three times. Status Fairly common but declining resident of woodland, parks and mature gardens. Numbers boosted in winter by migrants from mainland Europe.
    133666.jpg
  • Song Thrush Turdus philomelos L 23cm. Dainty, well-marked thrush with a beautiful, distinctive song. Sexes are similar. Adult has warm brown upperparts with hint of orange-buff wingbar. Underparts are pale but well marked with dark spots; note yellowish buff wash to breast. In flight, reveals orange-buff underwing coverts. Juvenile is similar but markings and colours are less intense. Voice Utters a thin tik call in flight. Song is loud and musical; phrases are repeated two or three times. Status Fairly common but declining resident of woodland, parks and mature gardens. Numbers boosted in winter by migrants from mainland Europe.
    140937.jpg
  • Song Thrush Turdus philomelos L 23cm. Dainty, well-marked thrush with a beautiful, distinctive song. Sexes are similar. Adult has warm brown upperparts with hint of orange-buff wingbar. Underparts are pale but well marked with dark spots; note yellowish buff wash to breast. In flight, reveals orange-buff underwing coverts. Juvenile is similar but markings and colours are less intense. Voice Utters a thin tik call in flight. Song is loud and musical; phrases are repeated two or three times. Status Fairly common but declining resident of woodland, parks and mature gardens. Numbers boosted in winter by migrants from mainland Europe.
    143225.jpg
  • Red-legged Partridge Alectoris rufa L 32-34cm. Dumpy, well-marked gamebird. Forms small parties (covies), outside breeding season. Hunted and often wary. Prefers to run from danger but flies low on stiffly-held wings. Sexes are similar. Adult has red bill and legs, and white throat bordered with gorget of black spots. Plumage is otherwise mainly blue-grey and warm buff except for black and white barring on flanks. Juvenile has grey-buff plumage with hint of adult’s dark markings. Voice Utters a loud ke che-che, ke che-che… call. Status Introduced but well established, mainly on arable farmland with mature hedgerows and scattered woods.
    143482.jpg
  • Song Thrush Turdus philomelos L 23cm. Dainty, well-marked thrush with a beautiful, distinctive song. Sexes are similar. Adult has warm brown upperparts with hint of orange-buff wingbar. Underparts are pale but well marked with dark spots; note yellowish buff wash to breast. In flight, reveals orange-buff underwing coverts. Juvenile is similar but markings and colours are less intense. Voice Utters a thin tik call in flight. Song is loud and musical; phrases are repeated two or three times. Status Fairly common but declining resident of woodland, parks and mature gardens. Numbers boosted in winter by migrants from mainland Europe.
    143521.jpg
  • Woodchat Shrike Lanius senator. L 17-19cm. A bulky and well-marked bird. The Woodchat Shrike often perches on barbed-wire fences as well as low bushes, using these as lookouts. The sexes are separable with care. Adult Male has a chestnut cap and nape, a broad black mask running from the forecrown through the eye, and white underparts that are flushed faintly with peachy-buff on the flanks and breast. Note also the striking white patch on the scapulars, the white patch at the base of the primaries and the buffish white patch at the base of the bill. In flight, the pale rump and white-margined black tail are obvious. Adult Female is similar, but the black and chestnut elements of the plumage are less intense, the white patch at the base of the bill is more extensive and there is faint barring on the underparts. Juvenile has scaly grey-brown upperparts and paler underparts with faint vermiculations; note also the pale patch on the scapulars. Voice - utters a harsh, trilling call when agitated. Habitat and Status - the Woodchat Shrike is a scarce visitor to the region, with most records at migration times; 15 or 20 are recorded in a good year. In spring, adult birds appear here, while in late summer and autumn, dispersing juvenile birds sometimes turn up in coastal areas. Visiting Woodchat Shrikes favour areas of coastal scrub.
    143716.jpg
  • Song Thrush Turdus philomelos L 23cm. Dainty, well-marked thrush with a beautiful, distinctive song. Sexes are similar. Adult has warm brown upperparts with hint of orange-buff wingbar. Underparts are pale but well marked with dark spots; note yellowish buff wash to breast. In flight, reveals orange-buff underwing coverts. Juvenile is similar but markings and colours are less intense. Voice Utters a thin tik call in flight. Song is loud and musical; phrases are repeated two or three times. Status Fairly common but declining resident of woodland, parks and mature gardens. Numbers boosted in winter by migrants from mainland Europe.
    143844.jpg
  • Woodchat Shrike Lanius senator. L 17-19cm. A bulky and well-marked bird. The Woodchat Shrike often perches on barbed-wire fences as well as low bushes, using these as lookouts. The sexes are separable with care. Adult Male has a chestnut cap and nape, a broad black mask running from the forecrown through the eye, and white underparts that are flushed faintly with peachy-buff on the flanks and breast. Note also the striking white patch on the scapulars, the white patch at the base of the primaries and the buffish white patch at the base of the bill. In flight, the pale rump and white-margined black tail are obvious. Adult Female is similar, but the black and chestnut elements of the plumage are less intense, the white patch at the base of the bill is more extensive and there is faint barring on the underparts. Juvenile has scaly grey-brown upperparts and paler underparts with faint vermiculations; note also the pale patch on the scapulars. Voice - utters a harsh, trilling call when agitated. Habitat and Status - the Woodchat Shrike is a scarce visitor to the region, with most records at migration times; 15 or 20 are recorded in a good year. In spring, adult birds appear here, while in late summer and autumn, dispersing juvenile birds sometimes turn up in coastal areas. Visiting Woodchat Shrikes favour areas of coastal scrub.
    145390.jpg
  • Woodchat Shrike Lanius senator. L 17-19cm. A bulky and well-marked bird. The Woodchat Shrike often perches on barbed-wire fences as well as low bushes, using these as lookouts. The sexes are separable with care. Adult Male has a chestnut cap and nape, a broad black mask running from the forecrown through the eye, and white underparts that are flushed faintly with peachy-buff on the flanks and breast. Note also the striking white patch on the scapulars, the white patch at the base of the primaries and the buffish white patch at the base of the bill. In flight, the pale rump and white-margined black tail are obvious. Adult Female is similar, but the black and chestnut elements of the plumage are less intense, the white patch at the base of the bill is more extensive and there is faint barring on the underparts. Juvenile has scaly grey-brown upperparts and paler underparts with faint vermiculations; note also the pale patch on the scapulars. Voice - utters a harsh, trilling call when agitated. Habitat and Status - the Woodchat Shrike is a scarce visitor to the region, with most records at migration times; 15 or 20 are recorded in a good year. In spring, adult birds appear here, while in late summer and autumn, dispersing juvenile birds sometimes turn up in coastal areas. Visiting Woodchat Shrikes favour areas of coastal scrub.
    145391.jpg
  • Red-legged Partridge Alectoris rufa L 32-34cm. Dumpy, well-marked gamebird. Forms small parties (covies), outside breeding season. Hunted and often wary. Prefers to run from danger but flies low on stiffly-held wings. Sexes are similar. Adult has red bill and legs, and white throat bordered with gorget of black spots. Plumage is otherwise mainly blue-grey and warm buff except for black and white barring on flanks. Juvenile has grey-buff plumage with hint of adult’s dark markings. Voice Utters a loud ke che-che, ke che-che… call. Status Introduced but well established, mainly on arable farmland with mature hedgerows and scattered woods.
    145437.jpg
  • Red-legged Partridge Alectoris rufa L 32-34cm. Dumpy, well-marked gamebird. Forms small parties (covies), outside breeding season. Hunted and often wary. Prefers to run from danger but flies low on stiffly-held wings. Sexes are similar. Adult has red bill and legs, and white throat bordered with gorget of black spots. Plumage is otherwise mainly blue-grey and warm buff except for black and white barring on flanks. Juvenile has grey-buff plumage with hint of adult’s dark markings. Voice Utters a loud ke che-che, ke che-che… call. Status Introduced but well established, mainly on arable farmland with mature hedgerows and scattered woods.
    145436.jpg
  • Red-legged Partridge Alectoris rufa L 32-34cm. Dumpy, well-marked gamebird. Forms small parties (covies), outside breeding season. Hunted and often wary. Prefers to run from danger but flies low on stiffly-held wings. Sexes are similar. Adult has red bill and legs, and white throat bordered with gorget of black spots. Plumage is otherwise mainly blue-grey and warm buff except for black and white barring on flanks. Juvenile has grey-buff plumage with hint of adult’s dark markings. Voice Utters a loud ke che-che, ke che-che… call. Status Introduced but well established, mainly on arable farmland with mature hedgerows and scattered woods.
    145822.jpg
  • Monkey-puzzle (Chile Pine) Araucaria araucana (Araucariaceae) HEIGHT to 30m. Evergreen, domed to conical tree with a tall cylindrical trunk. BARK Greyish, tough, heavily ridged and wrinkled, with numerous rings of old stem scars. BRANCHES Horizontal or slightly drooping, evenly distributed around trunk. LEAVES 3–5cm long, oval, bright glossy green and scale-like. Tip is triangular with a sharp brownish spine. Leaf base overlaps shoot and next leaf and leaves are arranged in a dense spiral on shoot. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male cones, up to 10cm long, in clusters at shoot-tips. Female cones rounded, up to 17cm long and green for first 2 years, growing on upper surface of shoots; large scales taper to a slender outwardly curved point, and conceal 4cm-long, edible brown seeds. Trees are either male or female. HABITAT AND DISTRIBUTION Native of the mountains of Chile and Argentina, first brought to Europe in 1795. Now common as an ornamental tree in parks and gardens. Grows well in towns, but prefers well-drained soils.
    135300.jpg
  • Monkey-puzzle (Chile Pine) Araucaria araucana (Araucariaceae) HEIGHT to 30m. Evergreen, domed to conical tree with a tall cylindrical trunk. BARK Greyish, tough, heavily ridged and wrinkled, with numerous rings of old stem scars. BRANCHES Horizontal or slightly drooping, evenly distributed around trunk. LEAVES 3–5cm long, oval, bright glossy green and scale-like. Tip is triangular with a sharp brownish spine. Leaf base overlaps shoot and next leaf and leaves are arranged in a dense spiral on shoot. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male cones, up to 10cm long, in clusters at shoot-tips. Female cones rounded, up to 17cm long and green for first 2 years, growing on upper surface of shoots; large scales taper to a slender outwardly curved point, and conceal 4cm-long, edible brown seeds. Trees are either male or female. HABITAT AND DISTRIBUTION Native of the mountains of Chile and Argentina, first brought to Europe in 1795. Now common as an ornamental tree in parks and gardens. Grows well in towns, but prefers well-drained soils.
    133239.jpg
  • Red Grouse Lagopus lagopus scoticus L 37-42cm. Familiar moorland gamebird. If alarmed, takes to the air explosively; flight comprises bouts of rapid wingbeats and long glides on bowed wings. Both sexes have uniformly dark wings. Sexes are separable with care. Adult male has chestnut-brown plumage overall; fine feather markings visible at close range. Note red wattle above eye. Adult female has paler, more buffish grey and marbled plumage than male: well camouflaged when sitting on nest. Juvenile resembles adult female but with less well-marked plumage markings. Voice Utters a distinctive, go-back, go-back, go-back. Status Confined to heather moorland and feeds primarily on shoots of Heather and related plants. Moors are sometimes managed by selective burning for grouse (encourages young plant growth).
    110841.jpg
  • Red-legged Partridge Alectoris rufa L 32-34cm. Dumpy, well-marked gamebird. Forms small parties (covies), outside breeding season. Hunted and often wary. Prefers to run from danger but flies low on stiffly-held wings. Sexes are similar. Adult has red bill and legs, and white throat bordered with gorget of black spots. Plumage is otherwise mainly blue-grey and warm buff except for black and white barring on flanks. Juvenile has grey-buff plumage with hint of adult’s dark markings. Voice Utters a loud ke che-che, ke che-che… call. Status Introduced but well established, mainly on arable farmland with mature hedgerows and scattered woods.
    126848.jpg
  • Song Thrush Turdus philomelos L 23cm. Dainty, well-marked thrush with a beautiful, distinctive song. Sexes are similar. Adult has warm brown upperparts with hint of orange-buff wingbar. Underparts are pale but well marked with dark spots; note yellowish buff wash to breast. In flight, reveals orange-buff underwing coverts. Juvenile is similar but markings and colours are less intense. Voice Utters a thin tik call in flight. Song is loud and musical; phrases are repeated two or three times. Status Fairly common but declining resident of woodland, parks and mature gardens. Numbers boosted in winter by migrants from mainland Europe.
    129227.jpg
  • Red Grouse Lagopus lagopus scoticus L 37-42cm. Familiar moorland gamebird. If alarmed, takes to the air explosively; flight comprises bouts of rapid wingbeats and long glides on bowed wings. Both sexes have uniformly dark wings. Sexes are separable with care. Adult male has chestnut-brown plumage overall; fine feather markings visible at close range. Note red wattle above eye. Adult female has paler, more buffish grey and marbled plumage than male: well camouflaged when sitting on nest. Juvenile resembles adult female but with less well-marked plumage markings. Voice Utters a distinctive, go-back, go-back, go-back. Status Confined to heather moorland and feeds primarily on shoots of Heather and related plants. Moors are sometimes managed by selective burning for grouse (encourages young plant growth).
    143044.jpg
  • Red Kite Milvus milvus W 145-165cm. Graceful raptor, identified in flight by deeply forked tail (twisted to aid flight control) and long, bowed wings. Seldom spends much time on ground but sometimes perches in trees. Sexes are similar. Adult has pale grey head but otherwise mainly reddish brown plumage. Eye, base of bill and legs are yellow. In flight from below, note reddish brown body and underwing coverts, silvery grey tail and patch on primaries, and otherwise dark wings. From above, tail appears red while reddish brown back and wing coverts contrast with dark flight feathers. Juvenile resembles dull adult with pale margins to wing covert feathers. Voice Utters shrill calls in flight, like somebody whistling for their dog. Status As recently as late 1980’s, confined to central Wales. Re-introduction programmes mean it is now very locally common in England and Scotland as well.
    158033.jpg
  • Guillemot Uria aalge L 42cm. Familiar seabird that nests in densely packed breeding colonies. Swims well and flies on whirring wingbeats. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has chocolate-brown head and upperparts (darkest in N birds) and white underparts. Bill is dark and dagger-like; so-called ‘Bridled Guillemot’ has white ‘spectacle’ around eye. In winter, has white on cheeks and throat but black line running back from eye. Voice Utters growling calls at breeding colonies. Status Locally numerous at seabird colonies with precipitous cliff ledges. Moves offshore outside breeding season. Suffers badly in oil spills.
    157963.jpg
  • Egyptian Goose - Alopochen aegyptiacus. L 65-72cm. Striking Shelduck-sized bird. In flight, bold white patch on inner wing useful for identification. Bill and legs are pink. Sexes are similar. Adult has grubby white head and neck; pale eye is surrounded by dark patch. Orange-buff breast is clearly separated from paler neck and darker, grey-buff belly; note small, dark patch on centre of breast. Back is dark grey-brown; note white and chestnut on wing, seen in resting birds. Juvenile is similar but colours are duller; dark breast spot and patch around eye are absent. Voice Mostly silent. Status Introduced from Africa but now well established and increasing. Usually seen near water, often on nearby grassland.
    157641.jpg
  • EARLY PURPLE ORCHID Orchis mascula (Orchidaceae) Height to 40cm. Attractive perennial that grows in woodland, scrub and grassland, doing especially well on neutral or calcareous grassland. FLOWERS are pinkish purple, with a 3-lobed lower lip, 8-12mm long, and a long spur; borne in tall spikes (Apr-Jun). FRUITS are egg-shaped. LEAVES are glossy and dark green with dark spots; these appear first as a rosette, from January onwards, from which the flower stalk arises later in spring. STATUS-Widespread and locally common throughout much of the region.
    156193.jpg
  • Bluethroat - Luscinia svecica - Male. L 13-14cm. Robin-sized bird that feeds on ground. Unobtrusive but obvious when seen well. Red sides to base of tail are diagnostic. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has mainly grey-brown upperparts and whitish underparts, with white supercilium and iridescent blue throat and breast, bordered below by bands of black, white and red; typically, blue ‘throat’ has white or red central spot depending on race. Blue colour masked by pale feather fringes in autumn. In other plumages Blue on throat is obscured by pale feather margins, or replaced by cream or white, depending on individual’s sex and age. Voice Utters a sharp tchick call. Status Scarce passage migrant.
    147071.jpg
  • Bluethroat - Luscinia svecica - Male. L 13-14cm. Robin-sized bird that feeds on ground. Unobtrusive but obvious when seen well. Red sides to base of tail are diagnostic. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has mainly grey-brown upperparts and whitish underparts, with white supercilium and iridescent blue throat and breast, bordered below by bands of black, white and red; typically, blue ‘throat’ has white or red central spot depending on race. Blue colour masked by pale feather fringes in autumn. In other plumages Blue on throat is obscured by pale feather margins, or replaced by cream or white, depending on individual’s sex and age. Voice Utters a sharp tchick call. Status Scarce passage migrant.
    147072.jpg
  • Bluethroat - Luscinia svecica - Male. L 13-14cm. Robin-sized bird that feeds on ground. Unobtrusive but obvious when seen well. Red sides to base of tail are diagnostic. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has mainly grey-brown upperparts and whitish underparts, with white supercilium and iridescent blue throat and breast, bordered below by bands of black, white and red; typically, blue ‘throat’ has white or red central spot depending on race. Blue colour masked by pale feather fringes in autumn. In other plumages Blue on throat is obscured by pale feather margins, or replaced by cream or white, depending on individual’s sex and age. Voice Utters a sharp tchick call. Status Scarce passage migrant.
    147075.jpg
  • Red-necked Grebe - Podiceps grisegena - Summer adult. L 40-45cm. Smaller and more stocky than Great Crested, with striking summer plumage. Note diagnostic yellow-based bill. White wing panels seen in flight. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has red neck and upper breast; head has white-bordered pale grey cheeks and black cap. Upperparts otherwise grey-brown and underparts whitish with grey streaks on flanks. In winter, loses neck colours but often retains hint of reddish collar. Cheek pattern is less well defined and ear coverts are grubby. Juvenile is similar to winter adult with more extensive red on neck. Voice Mostly silent. Status Scarce winter visitor to sheltered inshore seas and estuaries; occasional on inland lakes and reservoirs.
    155982.jpg
  • Red-necked Grebe - Podiceps grisegena - Summer adult. L 40-45cm. Smaller and more stocky than Great Crested, with striking summer plumage. Note diagnostic yellow-based bill. White wing panels seen in flight. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has red neck and upper breast; head has white-bordered pale grey cheeks and black cap. Upperparts otherwise grey-brown and underparts whitish with grey streaks on flanks. In winter, loses neck colours but often retains hint of reddish collar. Cheek pattern is less well defined and ear coverts are grubby. Juvenile is similar to winter adult with more extensive red on neck. Voice Mostly silent. Status Scarce winter visitor to sheltered inshore seas and estuaries; occasional on inland lakes and reservoirs.
    155983.jpg
  • Red Kite Milvus milvus W 145-165cm. Graceful raptor, identified in flight by deeply forked tail (twisted to aid flight control) and long, bowed wings. Seldom spends much time on ground but sometimes perches in trees. Sexes are similar. Adult has pale grey head but otherwise mainly reddish brown plumage. Eye, base of bill and legs are yellow. In flight from below, note reddish brown body and underwing coverts, silvery grey tail and patch on primaries, and otherwise dark wings. From above, tail appears red while reddish brown back and wing coverts contrast with dark flight feathers. Juvenile resembles dull adult with pale margins to wing covert feathers. Voice Utters shrill calls in flight, like somebody whistling for their dog. Status As recently as late 1980’s, confined to central Wales. Re-introduction programmes mean it is now very locally common in England and Scotland as well.
    155873.jpg
  • Red Kite Milvus milvus W 145-165cm. Graceful raptor, identified in flight by deeply forked tail (twisted to aid flight control) and long, bowed wings. Seldom spends much time on ground but sometimes perches in trees. Sexes are similar. Adult has pale grey head but otherwise mainly reddish brown plumage. Eye, base of bill and legs are yellow. In flight from below, note reddish brown body and underwing coverts, silvery grey tail and patch on primaries, and otherwise dark wings. From above, tail appears red while reddish brown back and wing coverts contrast with dark flight feathers. Juvenile resembles dull adult with pale margins to wing covert feathers. Voice Utters shrill calls in flight, like somebody whistling for their dog. Status As recently as late 1980’s, confined to central Wales. Re-introduction programmes mean it is now very locally common in England and Scotland as well.
    155874.jpg
  • Red Kite Milvus milvus W 145-165cm. Graceful raptor, identified in flight by deeply forked tail (twisted to aid flight control) and long, bowed wings. Seldom spends much time on ground but sometimes perches in trees. Sexes are similar. Adult has pale grey head but otherwise mainly reddish brown plumage. Eye, base of bill and legs are yellow. In flight from below, note reddish brown body and underwing coverts, silvery grey tail and patch on primaries, and otherwise dark wings. From above, tail appears red while reddish brown back and wing coverts contrast with dark flight feathers. Juvenile resembles dull adult with pale margins to wing covert feathers. Voice Utters shrill calls in flight, like somebody whistling for their dog. Status As recently as late 1980’s, confined to central Wales. Re-introduction programmes mean it is now very locally common in England and Scotland as well.
    155881.jpg
  • Barn Owl Tyto alba L 34-38cm. Mainly nocturnal but sometimes hunts from late afternoon onwards. Feeds mainly on grassland small mammals. Flight is leisurely and slow on rounded wings. Responds well to nestbox schemes. Sexes are similar. Adult and juvenile have orange-buff upperparts speckled with tiny black and white dots. Facial disc is heart-shaped and white. In flight, underwings pure white. Voice Utters blood-curdling at night. Status Vulnerable and generally scarce resident species.
    155635.jpg
  • Little Auk Alle alle - Summer Adult. L 20cm. Our smallest auk with a dumpy body, short neck and tiny, stubby bill. Flies on whirring wingbeats and can look almost Starling-like in flight. Swims well and dive frequently. Sexes are similar. Adult in winter has black cap, nape and back, and white underparts; at close range, note white lines on wings and tiny white crescent above eye. Not seen in breeding plumage in our region. Voice Silent at sea. Status Winter visitor from Arctic breeding grounds where it is locally abundant. Probably numerous in N North Sea in winter but seldom comes close to land by choice.
    155555.jpg
  • Guillemot Uria aalge - breeding colony on Lundy. L 42cm. Familiar seabird that nests in densely packed breeding colonies. Swims well and flies on whirring wingbeats. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has chocolate-brown head and upperparts (darkest in N birds) and white underparts. Bill is dark and dagger-like; so-called ‘Bridled Guillemot’ has white ‘spectacle’ around eye. In winter, has white on cheeks and throat but black line running back from eye. Voice Utters growling calls at breeding colonies. Status Locally numerous at seabird colonies with precipitous cliff ledges. Moves offshore outside breeding season. Suffers badly in oil spills.
    155432.jpg
  • Little Auk Alle alle L 20cm. Our smallest auk with a dumpy body, short neck and tiny, stubby bill. Flies on whirring wingbeats and can look almost Starling-like in flight. Swims well and dive frequently. Sexes are similar. Adult in winter has black cap, nape and back, and white underparts; at close range, note white lines on wings and tiny white crescent above eye. Not seen in breeding plumage in our region. Voice Silent at sea. Status Winter visitor from Arctic breeding grounds where it is locally abundant. Probably numerous in N North Sea in winter but seldom comes close to land by choice.
    155368.jpg
  • Little Auk Alle alle L 20cm. Our smallest auk with a dumpy body, short neck and tiny, stubby bill. Flies on whirring wingbeats and can look almost Starling-like in flight. Swims well and dive frequently. Sexes are similar. Adult in winter has black cap, nape and back, and white underparts; at close range, note white lines on wings and tiny white crescent above eye. Not seen in breeding plumage in our region. Voice Silent at sea. Status Winter visitor from Arctic breeding grounds where it is locally abundant. Probably numerous in N North Sea in winter but seldom comes close to land by choice
    155369.jpg
  • Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiacus L 65-72cm. Striking Shelduck-sized bird. In flight, bold white patch on inner wing useful for identification. Bill and legs are pink. Sexes are similar. Adult has grubby white head and neck; pale eye is surrounded by dark patch. Orange-buff breast is clearly separated from paler neck and darker, grey-buff belly; note small, dark patch on centre of breast. Back is dark grey-brown; note white and chestnut on wing, seen in resting birds. Juvenile is similar but colours are duller; dark breast spot and patch around eye are absent. Voice Mostly silent. Status Introduced from Africa but now well established and increasing. Usually seen near water, often on nearby grassland.
    154931.jpg
  • Red Kite Milvus milvus W 145-165cm. Graceful raptor, identified in flight by deeply forked tail (twisted to aid flight control) and long, bowed wings. Seldom spends much time on ground but sometimes perches in trees. Sexes are similar. Adult has pale grey head but otherwise mainly reddish brown plumage. Eye, base of bill and legs are yellow. In flight from below, note reddish brown body and underwing coverts, silvery grey tail and patch on primaries, and otherwise dark wings. From above, tail appears red while reddish brown back and wing coverts contrast with dark flight feathers. Juvenile resembles dull adult with pale margins to wing covert feathers. Voice Utters shrill calls in flight, like somebody whistling for their dog. Status As recently as late 1980’s, confined to central Wales. Re-introduction programmes mean it is now very locally common in England and Scotland as well.
    154129.jpg
Next