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  • Early Thorn - Selenia dentaria Wingspan 30-40mm. A well-marked and subtly attractive moth that rests with its wings folded above body. Adult has angular, jagged margins to wings. The undersides of the wings (that seen at rest) are orange-brown with purplish-grey marbling and dark cross lines. Flies August-September. Larva feeds on deciduous trees and shrubs. Widespread and common.
    157494.jpg
  • Red-tipped Clearwing - Synanthedon formicaeformis. Length 11-14mm. A fly-like, day-flying moth. Adult has mainly black body with red band on abdomen. Wings are mainly clear but note the red tips and red leading edge to forewing. Larva feeds in stems of sallows and willows. Widespread but commonest in southern England.
    157410.jpg
  • Buzzard - Buteo buteo. Wingspan 115-130cm. Britain’s commonest medium-sized bird of prey. Soars with broad, rounded wings held in shallow ‘V’, with tail fanned. Plumage is very variable and some birds are very pale. Sexes cannot be distinguished by appearance. Adult is typically brown overall; breast is finely barred and usually paler than throat or belly. In flight and from below, flight feathers and tail are grey and barred; note dark trailing edge to wings and dark terminal band on tail. Body and underwing coverts are contrastingly dark (carpal patch is darkest) and pale breast band can usually be seen. Juvenile is similar to adult but lacks terminal dark band on tail and obvious dark trailing edge to wings. Voice – utters a mewing pee-ay. Status and habitat – Present throughout the year and widespread, least numerous in east. Usually associated with lightly wooded farmland.
    157237.jpg
  • The Mullein Shargacucullia verbasci Length 25-27mm. A striking, narrow-winged moth whose shape and markings make it resemble a snapped twig. At rest, the wings are held in a tight tent-like manner, and tufts of hairs project from the head end. Adult has buff wings with dark brown leading and trailing edges, and a lengthways pale stripe. Flies April-May. Larva is white with yellow bands and black spots; feeds on mulleins, figworts and Buddleia. Widespread but common only in southern and central Britain.
    144747.jpg
  • Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing Noctua janthe Length 20-23mm. An attractively marked moth that rests with wings held flat, one forewing partly overlapping the other. Adult has reddish-brown forewings with subtle purplish-grey banding and a reddish margin to the outer leading edge. There is a neatly defined pale front end. Flies July-September. Larva feeds on a range of herbaceous plants. Widespread throughout but commonest in southern Britain.
    140995.jpg
  • Ghost moth Hepialus humili Length 25-30mm. A strikingly pale moth. Adult male has white wings with faintly darker veins; the body and legs are yellowish. Adult female has yellow wings with orange markings. Flies June-July. Larva is subterranean and feeds on roots of grasses and other plants. Widespread and common.
    140963.jpg
  • Mother of Pearl Pleuroptya ruralis Wingspan 25-38mm. A distinctive moth that sometimes is found resting on wayside vegetation in daytime. Adult has buffish wings with dark lines and veins, and mother-of-pearl lustre. Flies June-Aug. Larva feeds in rolled-up leaf of Common Nettle. Widespread and common throughout much of Britain.
    140962.jpg
  • December Moth Poecilocampa populi Length 17-19mm. A sombre-looking moth with a hairy body. Adult has dusky-brown wings, with buff and reddish outer margins and pale cross lines. The body is hairy; front of head is whitish. Male is smaller than female. Flies mainly November-December. Larva feeds on a range of deciduous trees. Widespread and common across much of Britain.
    140904.jpg
  • September Thorn Ennomos erosaria Wingspan 30-34mm. A well-marked moth that rests with its wings held at acute angle, creating a leaf-like appearance. Adult has angular, jagged margins to its wings. The forewings are yellowish-brown and marked with two dark cross lines: outer third of wing is dusky brown while inner two thirds are yellowish brown. Flies July-October. Larva feeds mainly on birches and oaks. Widespread but commonest in south.
    140807.jpg
  • Red-green Carpet Chloroclysta siterata Wingspan 30-35mm. An attractive moth whose wings are held flat at rest creating a narrowly- triangular outline. Adult is rather variable in appearance with variable amounts of red and green. The typical form is green overall with dark cross bands and red patches or lines. In some forms, the red is entirely absent. Flies September-October, and again in spring after hibernation. Larva feeds on oaks and Rowan. Widespread and locally common.
    140779.jpg
  • The Chestnut Conistra vaccinii Length 17-19mm. An appropriately-named moth that rests with one forewing partly overlapping the other. Adult has forewings with a right-angle tip; they are chestnut-brown with dark grey, jagged cross lines. Overwinters (hibernating in cold spells) and flies September-May. Larva feeds on oaks, birches and other deciduous trees. Widespread and common in southern and central Britain; more local further north.
    140770.jpg
  • Common Marbled Carpet Chloroclysta truncata Wingspan 25-30mm. A well-marked moth whose wing colours and patterns are extremely variable. Adult has variably marbled wings. Some forms have overall brown and white wings with a broad dark band; others have a broad chestnut band or patch on otherwise dark wings. Dark Marbled Carpet C. citrata is similarly patterned and variable; outer edge of central band is more angular. Larva feeds on a wide range of low-growing plants. Widespread and common.
    140639.jpg
  • Nut-tree Tussock Colocasia coryli Length 17-19mm. A distinctive moth that has furry legs and head end. It usually rests with it wings held in a tent-like manner. Adult has forewings that range from bluish-grey to buffish-brown; all colour forms show a broad, darker cross band with a small eyespot outlined in black. Flies May–July. Larva feeds on deciduous shrubs and trees, notably birches and Hazel. Widespread and locally common in southern and central England and Wales, and central Scotland.
    140450.jpg
  • The Snout Hypena proboscidalis Length 17-19mm. A distinctive moth that rests with its angular wings spread flat, forming a triangle, its long palps projecting as a ‘snout’. Adult has forewings that range from buff to reddish-brown forewings; these are marked dark cross lines. Double-brooded: flies June-August, and again in late September. Larva feeds on Common Nettle. Widespread and common throughout.
    140444.jpg
  • Square-spot Rustic Xestia xanthographa Length 17-19mm. A variable moth that rests with its wings held flat, one forewing partly overlapping the other. Adult has forewings that can range from reddish brown to grey-brown; all forms show a squarish pale spot and a pale kidney-shaped spot on the forewings. Flies August-September. Larva feeds on low-growing herbaceous plants. Widespread and common.
    140432.jpg
  • Old Lady Mormo maura Length 33-35mm. A broad-winged, subtly attractive moth that rests with its wings held flat; it is well camouflaged when resting on weathered fence panels. Sometimes comes indoors through open windows. Adult has grey-brown forewings with bands of dark brown and lilac-grey. Flies July-August. Larva feeds on deciduous shrubs and trees, notably Blackthorn. Widespread and fairly common in southern and central Britain; much more local further north.
    140391.jpg
  • Common Blue Polyommatus icarus Wingspan 32mm. Britain’s commonest and most widespread blue butterfly. Adult male has blue upperwings; female’s are usually brown (sometimes tinged blue in the middle) with submarginal orange spots. Underwings of both sexes are grey-brown with white-ringed dark spots and orange submarginal spots on hindwing. Flies April–September in two or three successive broods. Larva feeds on Bird’s-foot Trefoil and related plants. Common in grassy places where larval foodplant grows.
    140368.jpg
  • Double-striped Pug Gymnoscelis rufifasciata Wingspan 16-19mm. A beautifully patterned moth whose narrow wings are spread flat at rest. Adult is usually brownish overall, the wings marked with concentric dark bands and lines, two of which are bold and give species its name. Double brooded: flies April-May and again in August. Larva feeds on various shrubs including Holly, Ivy, gorses and buddleias. Widespread and fairly common.
    140349.jpg
  • Poplar Hawk-moth  Laothoe populi Wingspan 70mm. An interesting moth whose wing shape and colouration is a good match for dry, crumpled leaves. Adult has grey-brown forewings with darker central band containing white crescent mark. At rest, hindwings project slightly in front of forewings; a reddish patch on the hindwing is exposed if the moth is startled. Double-brooded: flies May–August. Larva is bright green with a pale diagonal stripe on each segment and a ‘horn’ at the tail end. Feeds on poplar and willows. Common and widespread.
    136509.jpg
  • Poplar Hawk-moth  Laothoe populi Wingspan 70mm. An interesting moth whose wing shape and colouration is a good match for dry, crumpled leaves. Adult has grey-brown forewings with darker central band containing white crescent mark. At rest, hindwings project slightly in front of forewings; a reddish patch on the hindwing is exposed if the moth is startled. Double-brooded: flies May–August. Larva is bright green with a pale diagonal stripe on each segment and a ‘horn’ at the tail end. Feeds on poplar and willows. Common and widespread.
    136204.jpg
  • Peppered Moth Biston betularia Wingspan 35-50mm. A rather long-winged moth that occurs as two main colour forms. Both are well-camouflaged when resting on appropriate tree bark backgrounds. Adult of typical forms have either sooty-black wings or whitish wings peppered with dark spots; intermediate form also occurs. Flies May-August. Larva feeds on a range of deciduous trees and shrubs. Widespread and common.
    127818.jpg
  • Roach Rutilus rutilus Length 10-25cm<br />
The Roach is a familiar deep-bodied fish. Adult has a mainly silvery body, that is palest below, red pelvic and anal fins, and reddish brown dorsal, pectoral and tail fins. The dorsal fin is sited above the pelvic fins (cf Rudd). The Roach is common and widespread in England but less so in Wales and Scotland; it is rare in Ireland where, confusingly, the more common Rudd is sometimes called ‘Roach’.
    136521.jpg
  • Ancient Oak in Savernake Forest, Marlborough, Wiltshire. Pedunculate or English Oak Quercus robur Fagaceae Height to 36m. Spreading, deciduous tree with dense crown. Bark Grey, thick and fissured with age. Branches Dead branches emerge from canopy of ancient trees. Buds hairless. Leaves Deeply lobed with 2 auricles at base; on very short stalks (5mm or less). Reproductive parts Flowers are catkins. Acorns, in groups of 1–3, with long stalks and scaly cups. Status Widespread; prefers heavier clay soils to Sessile Oak.
    144729.jpg
  • Pedunculate or English Oak Quercus robur Fagaceae Height to 36m. Spreading, deciduous tree with dense crown. Bark Grey, thick and fissured with age. Branches Dead branches emerge from canopy of ancient trees. Buds hairless. Leaves Deeply lobed with 2 auricles at base; on very short stalks (5mm or less). Reproductive parts Flowers are catkins. Acorns, in groups of 1–3, with long stalks and scaly cups. Status Widespread; prefers heavier clay soils to Sessile Oak.
    129629.jpg
  • BUZZARD Buteo buteo Wingspan 115-130cm. Britain’s commonest medium-sized bird of prey. Soars with broad, rounded wings held in shallow ‘V’, with tail fanned. Plumage is very variable and some birds are very pale. Sexes cannot be distinguished by appearance. Adult is typically brown overall; breast is finely barred and usually paler than throat or belly. In flight and from below, flight feathers and tail are grey and barred; note dark trailing edge to wings and dark terminal band on tail. Body and underwing coverts are contrastingly dark (carpal patch is darkest) and pale breast band can usually be seen. Juvenile is similar to adult but lacks terminal dark band on tail and obvious dark trailing edge to wings. Voice – utters a mewing pee-ay. Status and habitat – Present throughout the year and widespread, least numerous in east. Usually associated with lightly wooded farmland.
    145875.jpg
  • The Snout - Hypena proboscidalis Length 17-19mm. A distinctive moth that rests with its angular wings spread flat, forming a triangle, its long palps projecting as a ‘snout’. Adult has forewings that range from buff to reddish-brown forewings; these are marked dark cross lines. Double-brooded: flies June-August, and again in late September. Larva feeds on Common Nettle. Widespread and common throughout.
    157501.jpg
  • Purple Thorn Selenia tetralunaria Wingspan 32-38mm. A beautifully marked moth that rests with its wings held at an acute angle or folded above body at rest. Adult has angular, jagged margins to its wings. The undersides of the wings (that seen at rest) are purplish-brown, flushed orange-brown towards the base. Each wing has a white, angular crescent-moon mark. Flies April-May, and sometimes in August as a second brood. Larva feeds on deciduous trees and shrubs. Widespread and fairly common.
    157416.jpg
  • December Moth - Poecilocampa populi Length 17-19mm. A sombre-looking moth with a hairy body. Adult has dusky-brown wings, with buff and reddish outer margins and pale cross lines. The body is hairy; front of head is whitish. Male is smaller than female. Flies mainly November-December. Larva feeds on a range of deciduous trees. Widespread and common across much of Britain.
    157412.jpg
  • Peppered Moth Biston betularia Wingspan 35-50mm. A rather long-winged moth that occurs as two main colour forms. Both are well-camouflaged when resting on appropriate tree bark backgrounds. Adult of typical forms have either sooty-black wings or whitish wings peppered with dark spots; intermediate form also occurs. Flies May-August. Larva feeds on a range of deciduous trees and shrubs. Widespread and common.
    156600.jpg
  • Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis L 14-15cm. Rather nondescript, streaked brown bird. Forms loose flocks outside breeding season. Sexes are similar. Adult has streaked brown upperparts and pale underparts with dark streaks; has buffish yellow flush to flanks and breast, most noticeable in autumn. Has pale, unmarked throat, pale eyering and hint of short, pale supercilium. Legs are pinkish and outer tail feathers are white. Juvenile is similar but with less extensive streaking. Voice Utters a pseet-pseet-pseet call. Descending song is delivered in flight but starts and ends on ground. Status Common and widespread resident. Favours rough, grassy habitats; upland birds move to lowlands outside breeding season and European migrants boost winter numbers.
    156549.jpg
  • Pedunculate or English Oak Quercus robur Fagaceae - seedling. Height to 36m. Spreading, deciduous tree with dense crown. Bark Grey, thick and fissured with age. Branches Dead branches emerge from canopy of ancient trees. Buds hairless. Leaves Deeply lobed with 2 auricles at base; on very short stalks (5mm or less). Reproductive parts Flowers are catkins. Acorns, in groups of 1–3, with long stalks and scaly cups. Status Widespread; prefers heavier clay soils to Sessile Oak.
    134055.jpg
  • Large White - Pieris brassicae - Eggs. Wingspan 60mm. As its name suggests, this the largest British ‘white’ butterfly. Adult upperwings are creamy-white with black tip to forewing; female has additional two spots on forewing. Underwings are yellowish. Adult flies May–September. Larva is black and yellow and feeds on cabbages and related plants; usually found in groups. Common and widespread, and often seen in the garden.
    155189.jpg
  • Dot Moth Melanchra persicarieae Length 18-20mm. A striking and aptly-named moth. At rest the wings are usually held in a shallow tent-like manner. Adult has blackish forewings with deep bluish marbling, brown flecks and a white kidney spot. Flies July-August. Larva feeds on a wide range of herbaceous plants. Widespread and very common in southern and central Britain.
    145212.jpg
  • Small Skipper Thymelicus sylvestris Wingspan 25mm. An active butterfly with a buzzing flight. Fond of sunbathing with its wings held at an angle; often visits thistles and knapweed flowers. Adult has orange-brown upperwings and orange-buff underwings. Brown underside to antennal tip distinguishes it from similar Essex skipper. Flies July–August. Larva is nocturnal and feeds on various grasses. A common and widespread meadow species.
    145023.jpg
  • Large White Pieris brassicae Wingspan 60mm. As its name suggests, this the largest British ‘white’ butterfly. Adult upperwings are creamy-white with black tip to forewing; female has additional two spots on forewing. Underwings are yellowish. Adult flies May–September. Larva is black and yellow and feeds on cabbages and related plants; usually found in groups. Common and widespread, and often seen in the garden.
    144947.jpg
  • Copper Underwing  Amphipyra pyramidea Length 24-26mm. A well-marked moth that rests with its wings held flat, or with one forewing partly overlapping the other. Often ventures indoors through open windows and congregates in groups in dark place in the daytime. Adult has brown forewings with wavy white and dark lines and a pale central eyespot. The hindwing underside has an orange tinge confined to the outer margin. Seen head-on, the palps are uniformly pale brown. Flies August-October. Larva feeds on deciduous trees and shrubs. Widespread and commonest in southern Britain.
    144901.jpg
  • Orange-tip Anthocharis cardamines Wingspan 40mm. A familiar spring butterfly, males of which are unmistakable. Adult has rounded wings. Forewing is dark-tipped but male has an adjacent orange patch. Underside of hindwing of both sexes is marbled green and white. Adult flies April–June. Larva is green with whitish counter shading; feeds mainly on Cuckoo-flower. Widespread in southern Britain and Ireland; associated with open woodland, verges, and rural gardens.
    144626.jpg
  • Buff-tip Phalera bucephala Length 25mm. An interesting moth whose markings and rolled-wing resting posture give it the appearance of a snapped twig. Adult has a buff head and silvery-grey wings with a buff patch at the tip. Flies May–July. Larva is yellow and black, with bristly hairs. Feeds on deciduous trees including oaks and limes. Widespread and common in lowland Britain.
    143540.jpg
  • Red-green Carpet Chloroclysta siterata Wingspan 30-35mm. An attractive moth whose wings are held flat at rest creating a narrowly- triangular outline. Adult is rather variable in appearance with variable amounts of red and green. The typical form is green overall with dark cross bands and red patches or lines. In some forms, the red is entirely absent. Flies September-October, and again in spring after hibernation. Larva feeds on oaks and Rowan. Widespread and locally common.
    143212.jpg
  • The Herald Scoliopteryx libratrix Length 19-21mm. A colourful and unmistakable moth that rests with its wings spread flat. It hibernates in sheds and barns. Adult has forewings with ragged outer margins; they are brown with orange patches and white cross lines. Flies August–November, then March–April after hibernation. Larva feeds on willows and poplars. Widespread and locally common in southern and central Britain; range is much more patchy further north.
    141342.jpg
  • Nut-tree Tussock Colocasia coryli Length 17-19mm. A distinctive moth that has furry legs and head end. It usually rests with it wings held in a tent-like manner. Adult has forewings that range from bluish-grey to buffish-brown; all colour forms show a broad, darker cross band with a small eyespot outlined in black. Flies May–July. Larva feeds on deciduous shrubs and trees, notably birches and Hazel. Widespread and locally common in southern and central England and Wales, and central Scotland.
    141328.jpg
  • Early Tooth-striped Trichopteryx carpinata Wingspan 30-33mm. A subtly-marked spring-flying moth. Adult has rather rounded forewings that are variably pale yellowish-grey, with dark cross bands. Flies April-May. Larva feeds on birches, sallows and Honeysuckle. Widespread and fairly common.
    141247.jpg
  • Oak Beauty Biston strataria Wingspan 23mm. A well-marked moth that rests with its wings spread flat; markings provide good camouflage against lichen-covered tree bark. Adult has marbled reddish-brown and greyish-white wings with black flecks and stippling. Flies March–April. Larva feeds on various deciduous trees including oaks. Widespread and common only in England and Wales.
    141234.jpg
  • Oak Beauty Biston strataria Wingspan 23mm. A well-marked moth that rests with its wings spread flat; markings provide good camouflage against lichen-covered tree bark. Adult has marbled reddish-brown and greyish-white wings with black flecks and stippling. Flies March–April. Larva feeds on various deciduous trees including oaks. Widespread and common only in England and Wales.
    141223.jpg
  • Hebrew Character Orthosia gothica Length 20mm. A well-marked spring-flying moth that rests with it wings spread flat or held in a shallow tent-like manner. Adult has brown forewings, marbled with purplish-grey and rich brown, and with a dark rectangular mark from which a semi-circular section has been removed. Flies March–April. Larva feeds on a range of herbaceous plants. Common and widespread.
    141212.jpg
  • Hebrew Character Orthosia gothica Length 20mm. A well-marked spring-flying moth that rests with it wings spread flat or held in a shallow tent-like manner. Adult has brown forewings, marbled with purplish-grey and rich brown, and with a dark rectangular mark from which a semi-circular section has been removed. Flies March–April. Larva feeds on a range of herbaceous plants. Common and widespread.
    141211.jpg
  • Oak Beauty Biston strataria Wingspan 23mm. A well-marked moth that rests with its wings spread flat; markings provide good camouflage against lichen-covered tree bark. Adult has marbled reddish-brown and greyish-white wings with black flecks and stippling. Flies March–April. Larva feeds on various deciduous trees including oaks. Widespread and common only in England and Wales.
    141208.jpg
  • The Minors Oligia sp. Length 12-15mm. There are three closely-related species that are hard to distinguish from one another. All rest with wings held in a shallow tent-like manner. Tawny Marbled Minor O. latruncula often has a brown hue to the forewings. Marbled Minor O. strigilis is usually greyish-black with a pale submarginal band near the outer smargins. Rufous Minor O. versicolor is usually beautifully patterned with chestnut and grey. All three species fly June-July. Larvae feed on grasses. All three species are widespread and locally common in southern and central Britain, but much more local further north.
    141063.jpg
  • The Uncertain Hoplodrina alsines Length 16-18mm. A uniformly-marked moth that is hard to distinguish from The Rustic. It usually rests with one forewing partly overlapping the other. Adult typically has rather matt yellowish-brown forewings with dark cross lines and a central dark spot and kidney-shaped mark. Flies June-August. Larva feeds on various low-growing herbaceous plants. Widespread but commonest in central and southern Britain.
    141059.jpg
  • The Flame Axylia putris Length 16-18mm. An attractive moth whose wings are often held wrapped around the body so that it resembles a broken twig. Adult has pale buff forewings, marked with dark streaks and a dark spot; leading edge and thorax are rich brown, with pale front to head. Flies June-July. Larva feeds on low-growing herbaceous plants. Widespread but common only in central and southern Britain.
    140998.jpg
  • Ghost moth Hepialus humili Length 25-30mm. A strikingly pale moth. Adult male has white wings with faintly darker veins; the body and legs are yellowish. Adult female has yellow wings with orange markings. Flies June-July. Larva is subterranean and feeds on roots of grasses and other plants. Widespread and common.
    140963.jpg
  • Green Oak Tortrix Tortrix viridana Wingspan 18-22mm. A distinctive and unmistakable moth. Adult has bright green forewings; at rest these are held flat creating a shield-like outline. Flies May-June. Larva feeds inside a rolled-up oak leaf. Widespread and common throughout much of the region.
    140737.jpg
  • Green Oak Tortrix Tortrix viridana Wingspan 18-22mm. A distinctive and unmistakable moth. Adult has bright green forewings; at rest these are held flat creating a shield-like outline. Flies May-June. Larva feeds inside a rolled-up oak leaf. Widespread and common throughout much of the region.
    140736.jpg
  • Double Square-spot Xestia triangulum Length 17-25mm. Similar to Setaceous Hebrew Character, wing markings are appreciably different and wings themselves are broader and overlap less when at rest. Adult has brown forewings with two blackish square spots (or this could be described as a dark rectangle partly dissected by a pale circle) and small dark wedge near the tip of the leading edge. Flies June-July. Larva feeds on deciduous trees and shrubs. Widespread and fairly common.
    140727.jpg
  • Northern Spinach Eulithis populata Wingspan 26-31mm. A beautifully patterned moth. Adult has yellowish-orange wings overall, with a broad, darker central band and dark outer margin to the forewings. Flies July-August. Larva feeds on Bilberry. Widespread but commonest in the north; larval foodplant distribution determines its precise occurrence.
    140693.jpg
  • Red Underwing Catocala nupta Wingspan 65-75mm. A large moth that rests with its wings spread flat. The forewing colours and markings are a good match for weathered timber; at rest they conceal the colourful hindwings, but these are revealed as a shock tactic if the moth is alarmed. Adult has grey and brown forewings and black-barred red underwings. Flies August–September. Larva feeds on willows and poplars. Widespread and fairly common only in southern and central England.
    140689.jpg
  • Knot Grass Acronicta rumicis Length 18-20mm. A subtly attractive moth that rests with its wings held in shallow tent-like manner. Adult has greyish forewwings with a powdery look to them; they are marked with pale and dark cross bands, a central eyespot and a white mark on the trailing margin. Flies May-July, with a second brood in the south flying August-September. Colourful larva is brown with white marks and red tufts of hair; feeds on a range of herbaceous plants. Widespread and common in southern and central Britain; more local further north.
    140675.jpg
  • Treble-bar Aplocera plagiata Wingspan 38-42mm. An aptly-named moth with distinctive markings. Adult rests with forewings covering hindwings, the outline very triangular. Forewings are grey-brown with three darker brown cross lines. Double-brooded in the south: flies May-June and August-September. Larva feeds on various St John’s-worts. Widespread and fairly common.
    140666.jpg
  • Lunar Underwing Omphaloscelis lunosa Length 18-20mm. A variable but aptly-named moth that rests with one forewing partly overlapping the other. Adult has forewings whose overall colour can range from grey-buff to dark brown. All individuals have dark cross bands and a network of pale lines. The pale hindwings have a dark half-moon patch. Flies August-October. Larva feeds on grasses. Widespread and common in southern and central Britain, but much more local further north.
    140626.jpg
  • Pink-barred Sallow Xanthia togata Length 19-21mm. A beautiful moth (the colours of autumn leaves) that rests with its wings spread flat. Adult has yellowish forewings overall, with a chestnut-brown central band and head end, and speckling of a similar colour. Larva feeds inside sallow catkins. Widespread throughout but commonest in southern and central Britain.
    140624.jpg
  • Copper Underwing  Amphipyra pyramidea Length 24-26mm. A well-marked moth that rests with its wings held flat, or with one forewing partly overlapping the other. Often ventures indoors through open windows and congregates in groups in dark place in the daytime. Adult has brown forewings with wavy white and dark lines and a pale central eyespot. The hindwing underside has an orange tinge confined to the outer margin. Seen head-on, the palps are uniformly pale brown. Flies August-October. Larva feeds on deciduous trees and shrubs. Widespread and commonest in southern Britain.
    140529.jpg
  • Grey Pine Carpet Thera obeliscata Wingspan 30-34mm. A variable moth that holds its wings flat at rest. Adult has forewings whose background colour varies from orange-buff to dull grey-brown. All have a dark central band that broadens at leading edge of wing. Pine Carpet T. firmata is similar but dark band on forewing is more indented. Larva feeds on pines and spruces. Widespread and common wherever larval foodplant trees are grown.
    140515.jpg
  • Small Wainscot Chortodes pygmina Length 12-15mm. A small autumn-flying moth that rests with its wings held in a shallow tent-like manner. Adult has forewings that range from buff to reddish-brown; the veins are darker than the wing ground colour. Flies August-September. Larva feeds inside stems of sedges. Widespread and locally common throughout Britain.
    140416.jpg
  • Large White Pieris brassicae Wingspan 60mm. As its name suggests, this the largest British ‘white’ butterfly. Adult upperwings are creamy-white with black tip to forewing; female has additional two spots on forewing. Underwings are yellowish. Adult flies May–September. Larva is black and yellow and feeds on cabbages and related plants; usually found in groups. Common and widespread, and often seen in the garden.
    140405.jpg
  • Orange Swift Hepialus sylvina Length 20-24mm. An attractive moth. Adult male has orange-brown wings with a diagonal white lines and black markings. Adult female has orange-buff or brown wings with whitish bands. Flies July-September Larva feeds on roots of herbaceous plants. Widespread and common.
    140353.jpg
  • Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing Noctua fimbriata Length 25mm. An active moth that is easily disturbed in the daytime. At rest, the wings are held flat, one forewing overlapping the other. Adult has forewings that are rich brown in the male, paler buff in the female; all individuals have a dark cross band and dark mark near the tip of the leading edge. The hindwings are orange-yellow with a broad black, subterminal band. Has an extended flying season, from July–September. Larva eats a wide range of herbaceous plants. Widespread and common in lowland Britain.
    140241.jpg
  • Silver Y Autographa gamma Length 20-22mm. A familiar migrant moth that flies in the daytime as well as at night. It rests with its wings in a tent-like manner. Adult has grey-brown forewings with a bold white ‘Y’ marking that is diagnostic. Flies May–October. Larva feeds on a range of low-growing plants. Widespread and common in most years; it migrates from southern Europe and also breeds in Britain.
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  • Large White Pieris brassicae Wingspan 60mm. As its name suggests, this the largest British ‘white’ butterfly. Adult upperwings are creamy-white with black tip to forewing; female has additional two spots on forewing. Underwings are yellowish. Adult flies May–September. Larva is black and yellow and feeds on cabbages and related plants; usually found in groups. Common and widespread, and often seen in the garden.
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  • Garden Tiger Arctia caja Wingspan 50-65mm. A stunning and distinctive moth. Usually rests with its wings spread flat, the forewings covering the hindwings. Adult has a variable pattern of brown and white on forewings; if startled, these are spread to reveal the dark-spotted orange hindwings. Flies July–August. Larva is hairy and feeds on a wide range of herbaecous plants. Widespread but these days it is scarce as a garden species; seems to be commonest in coastal areas.
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  • Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing Noctua fimbriata Length 25mm. An active moth that is easily disturbed in the daytime. At rest, the wings are held flat, one forewing overlapping the other. Adult has forewings that are rich brown in the male, paler buff in the female; all individuals have a dark cross band and dark mark near the tip of the leading edge. The hindwings are orange-yellow with a broad black, subterminal band. Has an extended flying season, from July–September. Larva eats a wide range of herbaceous plants. Widespread and common in lowland Britain.
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  • Double Square-spot Xestia triangulum Length 17-25mm. Similar to Setaceous Hebrew Character, wing markings are appreciably different and wings themselves are broader and overlap less when at rest. Adult has brown forewings with two blackish square spots (or this could be described as a dark rectangle partly dissected by a pale circle) and small dark wedge near the tip of the leading edge. Flies June-July. Larva feeds on deciduous trees and shrubs. Widespread and fairly common.
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  • Poplar Hawk-moth  Laothoe populi Wingspan 70mm. An interesting moth whose wing shape and colouration is a good match for dry, crumpled leaves. Adult has grey-brown forewings with darker central band containing white crescent mark. At rest, hindwings project slightly in front of forewings; a reddish patch on the hindwing is exposed if the moth is startled. Double-brooded: flies May–August. Larva is bright green with a pale diagonal stripe on each segment and a ‘horn’ at the tail end. Feeds on poplar and willows. Common and widespread.
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  • Puss Moth Cerura vinula Length 35mm. A charming, furry-legged moth that rests with wings held in tent-like. Adult has pale greyish-white wings with darker veins, and dark zigzag lines. Flies May–July. Larva is fat and green with a swollen head and two whip-like tail appendages. Larva feeds on willows and poplars. Widespread and common in lowland Britain.
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  • Hebrew Character Orthosia gothica Length 20mm. A well-marked spring-flying moth that rests with it wings spread flat or held in a shallow tent-like manner. Adult has brown forewings, marbled with purplish-grey and rich brown, and with a dark rectangular mark from which a semi-circular section has been removed. Flies March–April. Larva feeds on a range of herbaceous plants. Common and widespread.
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  • Puss Moth Cerura vinula Length 35mm. A charming, furry-legged moth that rests with wings held in tent-like. Adult has pale greyish-white wings with darker veins, and dark zigzag lines. Flies May–July. Larva is fat and green with a swollen head and two whip-like tail appendages. Larva feeds on willows and poplars. Widespread and common in lowland Britain.
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  • Poplar Hawk-moth  Laothoe populi Wingspan 70mm. An interesting moth whose wing shape and colouration is a good match for dry, crumpled leaves. Adult has grey-brown forewings with darker central band containing white crescent mark. At rest, hindwings project slightly in front of forewings; a reddish patch on the hindwing is exposed if the moth is startled. Double-brooded: flies May–August. Larva is bright green with a pale diagonal stripe on each segment and a ‘horn’ at the tail end. Feeds on poplar and willows. Common and widespread.
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  • Common Blue Polyommatus icarus Wingspan 32mm. Britain’s commonest and most widespread blue butterfly. Adult male has blue upperwings; female’s are usually brown (sometimes tinged blue in the middle) with submarginal orange spots. Underwings of both sexes are grey-brown with white-ringed dark spots and orange submarginal spots on hindwing. Flies April–September in two or three successive broods. Larva feeds on Bird’s-foot Trefoil and related plants. Common in grassy places where larval foodplant grows.
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  • Puss Moth Cerura vinula Length 35mm. A charming, furry-legged moth that rests with wings held in tent-like. Adult has pale greyish-white wings with darker veins, and dark zigzag lines. Flies May–July. Larva is fat and green with a swollen head and two whip-like tail appendages. Larva feeds on willows and poplars. Widespread and common in lowland Britain.
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  • Privet Hawk-moth Sphinx ligustri Wingspan 100mm. A large and stunning moth. Usually rests with its wing held in a tent-like manner over the body but spreads wings when agitated. Adult has forewings that are brown and marked with darker lines and patches, the pattern recalling tree bark. If alarmed it exposes the pink-striped abdomen and pale pink stripes on the hindwing. Flies June–July. Larva is bright green with purple and white diagonal stripes and a dark-tipped ‘horn’ at the tail end. The head is pale, ringed with black. Larva feeds on Privet and Lilac. Widespread and common in central and southern Britain.
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  • Puss Moth Cerura vinula Length 35mm. A charming, furry-legged moth that rests with wings held in tent-like. Adult has pale greyish-white wings with darker veins, and dark zigzag lines. Flies May–July. Larva is fat and green with a swollen head and two whip-like tail appendages. Larva feeds on willows and poplars. Widespread and common in lowland Britain.
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  • Six-spot burnet Zygaena filipendulae Length 16-18mm. Well-marked and distinctive day-flying moth. Adult has dark forewings (with a greenish-blue iridescence at certain angles) and six red spots; hindwings are red with a dark border. Larva is yellow with black spots; feeds on Bird’s-foot Trefoil. Pupates in a yellow cocoon attached to plant stem. Widespread and locally common in grassland habitats.
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  • Large White Pieris brassicae Wingspan 60mm. As its name suggests, this the largest British ‘white’ butterfly. Adult upperwings are creamy-white with black tip to forewing; female has additional two spots on forewing. Underwings are yellowish. Adult flies May–September. Larva is black and yellow and feeds on cabbages and related plants; usually found in groups. Common and widespread, and often seen in the garden.
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  • Ancient Oak in Savernake Forest, Marlborough, Wiltshire. Pedunculate or English Oak Quercus robur Fagaceae Height to 36m. Spreading, deciduous tree with dense crown. Bark Grey, thick and fissured with age. Branches Dead branches emerge from canopy of ancient trees. Buds hairless. Leaves Deeply lobed with 2 auricles at base; on very short stalks (5mm or less). Reproductive parts Flowers are catkins. Acorns, in groups of 1–3, with long stalks and scaly cups. Status Widespread; prefers heavier clay soils to Sessile Oak.
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  • Wild Cherry Prunus avium Rosaceae Height to 30m <br />
Deciduous tree with domed crown. Bark Reddish-brown, shiny, with circular lines; peels horizontally into papery strips. Branches Spreading with reddish twigs. Leaves To 15cm long, ovate, toothed. Reproductive parts Flowers white, 5-petalled, in clusters of 2–6. Fruits to 2cm long, rounded, ripening dark-purple, sometimes yellowish. Status Widespread native.
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  • Pedunculate or English Oak Quercus robur Fagaceae Height to 36m. Spreading, deciduous tree with dense crown. Bark Grey, thick and fissured with age. Branches Dead branches emerge from canopy of ancient trees. Buds hairless. Leaves Deeply lobed with 2 auricles at base; on very short stalks (5mm or less). Reproductive parts Flowers are catkins. Acorns, in groups of 1–3, with long stalks and scaly cups. Status Widespread; prefers heavier clay soils to Sessile Oak.
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  • Wild Cherry Prunus avium Rosaceae Height to 30m <br />
Deciduous tree with domed crown. Bark Reddish-brown, shiny, with circular lines; peels horizontally into papery strips. Branches Spreading with reddish twigs. Leaves To 15cm long, ovate, toothed. Reproductive parts Flowers white, 5-petalled, in clusters of 2–6. Fruits to 2cm long, rounded, ripening dark-purple, sometimes yellowish. Status Widespread native.
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  • Common Toad Bufo bufo Length 5-9cm A widespread toad; the only common species in Britain. Skin is covered in toxin-containing warts. Spawn is laid in double-rowed spawn strings. Gait consists of short hops. Adult is olive-brown to greenish buff (hue is influenced by ambient light). Has red iris and webbed hind feet. Female is larger than male. Juvenile recalls a tiny, large-headed adult. Courting male utters croaking calls in spring. More terrestrial than most other amphibians and adults spend much of their lives on land:  woodland, scrub, grassland and moors are favoured. Must return to water to breed and most are found within 2km or so of suitable ponds. Not deterred by fish: tadpole’ toxic skin acts as deterrent to predation. Observation tips Courting is easy to watch in suitable ponds in spring (February-March are typical months). Sometimes found hibernating under logs in winter.
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  • Pheasant Phasianus colchicus L 55-90cm. Male is colourful and unmistakable; female is also hard to confuse. Takes to the wing noisily and explosively when flushed. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male typically has orange-brown body plumage, blue-green sheen on head, large and striking red wattle and long, orange barred tail; some birds have a white collar. Violet-blue birds are sometimes released. Adult female is mottled buffish brown with shorter tail than male. Juvenile resembles a small, short-tailed female. Voice Territorial male utters a loud, shrieking call, followed by bout of vigorous wing beating. In alarm, a loud ke-tuk, ke-tuk, ke-tuk is uttered as bird flies away. Status Introduced and established here since 11th Century. Widespread and commonest in wooded farmland.
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  • Magpie Pica pica L 45-50cm. Unmistakable black and white, long-tailed bird. Seen in small groups outside breeding season. Varied diet includes fruit, insects, animal road kills and eggs and young of birds. Sexes are similar. Adult and juvenile are mainly black with white belly and white patch on closed wing. Bluish green sheen on wings and tail seen in good light. In flight, outer half of rounded wings is white. Voice Utters a loud, rattling alarm call. Status Widespread resident of lightly wooded habitats and urban areas.
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  • BUZZARD Buteo buteo Wingspan 115-130cm. Britain’s commonest medium-sized bird of prey. Soars with broad, rounded wings held in shallow ‘V’, with tail fanned. Plumage is very variable and some birds are very pale. Sexes cannot be distinguished by appearance. Adult is typically brown overall; breast is finely barred and usually paler than throat or belly. In flight and from below, flight feathers and tail are grey and barred; note dark trailing edge to wings and dark terminal band on tail. Body and underwing coverts are contrastingly dark (carpal patch is darkest) and pale breast band can usually be seen. Juvenile is similar to adult but lacks terminal dark band on tail and obvious dark trailing edge to wings. Voice – utters a mewing pee-ay. Status and habitat – Present throughout the year and widespread, least numerous in east. Usually associated with lightly wooded farmland.
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  • Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis L 14-15cm. Rather nondescript, streaked brown bird. Forms loose flocks outside breeding season. Sexes are similar. Adult has streaked brown upperparts and pale underparts with dark streaks; has buffish yellow flush to flanks and breast, most noticeable in autumn. Has pale, unmarked throat, pale eyering and hint of short, pale supercilium. Legs are pinkish and outer tail feathers are white. Juvenile is similar but with less extensive streaking. Voice Utters a pseet-pseet-pseet call. Descending song is delivered in flight but starts and ends on ground. Status Common and widespread resident. Favours rough, grassy habitats; upland birds move to lowlands outside breeding season and European migrants boost winter numbers.
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  • Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis L 14-15cm. Rather nondescript, streaked brown bird. Forms loose flocks outside breeding season. Sexes are similar. Adult has streaked brown upperparts and pale underparts with dark streaks; has buffish yellow flush to flanks and breast, most noticeable in autumn. Has pale, unmarked throat, pale eyering and hint of short, pale supercilium. Legs are pinkish and outer tail feathers are white. Juvenile is similar but with less extensive streaking. Voice Utters a pseet-pseet-pseet call. Descending song is delivered in flight but starts and ends on ground. Status Common and widespread resident. Favours rough, grassy habitats; upland birds move to lowlands outside breeding season and European migrants boost winter numbers.
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  • Jackdaw Corvus monedula L 31-34cm. Our most familiar small corvid. Has a swaggering walk and is aerobatic in flight. Forms large flocks outside breeding season. Sexes are similar. Adult has smoky-grey plumage, darkest on wings and crown, pale blue-grey eye and grey nape. Juvenile is similar but plumage is tinged brownish and eye is duller. Voice Utters a characteristic chack call. Status Widespread and common resident of farmland, sea cliffs, towns and villages.
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  • The Cinnabar Tyria jacobaeae Length 20-25mm. A striking and colourful moth whose colours warn potential predators of its distasteful nature. Flies mainly at night but also when disturbed in the daytime. Rests with wings folded or flat. Adult has sooty-black forewings with red stripes and spots. Larva is ringed with orange and black; feeds on ragworts. Widespread and common in lowland England and Wales; local and mainly coastal in Scotland.
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  • Svensson's Copper Underwing Amphipyra berbera Length 24-26mm. A well-marked moth that is very similar to Copper Underwing. Rests with its wings held flat, or with one forewing partly overlapping the other. Often congregates communally in dark places in the daytime. ADULT has brown forewings overall, marked with jagged white and dark lines, and showing a pale central eyespot. The hindwing underside has an orange flush that extends towards the base of wing on the trailing edge (more extensive than in Copper Underwing). Seen head-on, the palps are dark with whitish tips. Flies July-September. Larva feeds on deciduous trees and shrubs. Widespread and generally common in southern and central Britain.
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  • Merveille du Jour Dichonia aprilina Length 24-26mm. A stunningly beautiful moth whose patterning is a good match for tree lichen. Rests with wings spread flat or in tent-like manner. Adult has pale lime-green forewings marked with pale sky-blue patches and black and white lines. Larva feeds on oaks. Widespread and fairly common in southern and central Britain; more local further north.
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  • Common Quaker Orthosia cerasi Length 18-20mm. A spring-flying woodland moth that rests with its wings held flat. Adult has forewings whose colour ranges from rich brown to grey-buff. Forewings usually show a pale cross line towards the outer margin and pale-ringed kidney and circular spots. Flies March-April. Larva feeds on deciduous trees, particularly oaks and willows. Widespread and common in lowland Britain, especially in the south.
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  • Small Quaker Orthosia cruda<br />
73.245 (2182)<br />
Length 15-19mm. A rather drab spring-flying moth of deciduous woodland that feeds on sallow blossom; rests with its wings in a tent-like manner. Adult has grey-buff to reddish-buff wings marked with small dots and a large, dark kidney-shaped spot. Flies March-April. Larva feeds on deciduous trees including willows and oaks. Widespread and fairly common in southern and central Britain; much more local in Scotland.
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  • Pedunculate or English Oak Quercus robur Fagaceae Height to 36m. Spreading, deciduous tree with dense crown. Bark Grey, thick and fissured with age. Branches Dead branches emerge from canopy of ancient trees. Buds hairless. Leaves Deeply lobed with 2 auricles at base; on very short stalks (5mm or less). Reproductive parts Flowers are catkins. Acorns, in groups of 1–3, with long stalks and scaly cups. Status Widespread; prefers heavier clay soils to Sessile Oak.
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  • Magpie Pica pica L 45-50cm. Unmistakable black and white, long-tailed bird. Seen in small groups outside breeding season. Varied diet includes fruit, insects, animal road kills and eggs and young of birds. Sexes are similar. Adult and juvenile are mainly black with white belly and white patch on closed wing. Bluish green sheen on wings and tail seen in good light. In flight, outer half of rounded wings is white. Voice Utters a loud, rattling alarm call. Status Widespread resident of lightly wooded habitats and urban areas.
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