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  • Sunset and incoming tise at Lepe Country Park on the south coast in Hampshire
    155578.jpg
  • Merlin - Falco columbarius - juvenile. W 60-65cm. Our smallest raptor. Typically seen dashing flight, low over in pursuit of prey such as Meadow Pipit. Also perches on fence posts or rocky outcrops. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has blue-grey upperparts and buffish, streaked and spotted underparts. In flight from above, note contrast between blue-grey back, inner wings and tail, and dark wing tips and dark terminal band on tail. Adult female has brown upperparts and pale underparts with large, brown spots. In flight from above, upperparts look rather uniformly brown with numerous bars on wings and tail. Juvenile resembles adult female. Voice Mostly silent but shrill kee-kee-kee… is uttered in alarm near nest. Status Scarce breeding season, found on upland moorland in spring and summer. Outside breeding season, moves S and to lowland areas and numbers boosted by migrants from Iceland.
    157574.jpg
  • Merlin Falco columbarius W 60-65cm. Our smallest raptor. Typically seen dashing flight, low over in pursuit of prey such as Meadow Pipit. Also perches on fence posts or rocky outcrops. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has blue-grey upperparts and buffish, streaked and spotted underparts. In flight from above, note contrast between blue-grey back, inner wings and tail, and dark wing tips and dark terminal band on tail. Adult female has brown upperparts and pale underparts with large, brown spots. In flight from above, upperparts look rather uniformly brown with numerous bars on wings and tail. Juvenile resembles adult female. Voice Mostly silent but shrill kee-kee-kee… is uttered in alarm near nest. Status Scarce breeding season, found on upland moorland in spring and summer. Outside breeding season, moves S and to lowland areas and numbers boosted by migrants from Iceland.
    136094.jpg
  • Merlin Falco columbarius W 60-65cm. Our smallest raptor. Typically seen dashing flight, low over in pursuit of prey such as Meadow Pipit. Also perches on fence posts or rocky outcrops. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has blue-grey upperparts and buffish, streaked and spotted underparts. In flight from above, note contrast between blue-grey back, inner wings and tail, and dark wing tips and dark terminal band on tail. Adult female has brown upperparts and pale underparts with large, brown spots. In flight from above, upperparts look rather uniformly brown with numerous bars on wings and tail. Juvenile resembles adult female. Voice Mostly silent but shrill kee-kee-kee… is uttered in alarm near nest. Status Scarce breeding season, found on upland moorland in spring and summer. Outside breeding season, moves S and to lowland areas and numbers boosted by migrants from Iceland.
    136095.jpg
  • Merlin Falco columbarius W 60-65cm. Our smallest raptor. Typically seen dashing flight, low over in pursuit of prey such as Meadow Pipit. Also perches on fence posts or rocky outcrops. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has blue-grey upperparts and buffish, streaked and spotted underparts. In flight from above, note contrast between blue-grey back, inner wings and tail, and dark wing tips and dark terminal band on tail. Adult female has brown upperparts and pale underparts with large, brown spots. In flight from above, upperparts look rather uniformly brown with numerous bars on wings and tail. Juvenile resembles adult female. Voice Mostly silent but shrill kee-kee-kee… is uttered in alarm near nest. Status Scarce breeding season, found on upland moorland in spring and summer. Outside breeding season, moves S and to lowland areas and numbers boosted by migrants from Iceland.
    136097.jpg
  • Merlin Falco columbarius W 60-65cm. Our smallest raptor. Typically seen dashing flight, low over in pursuit of prey such as Meadow Pipit. Also perches on fence posts or rocky outcrops. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has blue-grey upperparts and buffish, streaked and spotted underparts. In flight from above, note contrast between blue-grey back, inner wings and tail, and dark wing tips and dark terminal band on tail. Adult female has brown upperparts and pale underparts with large, brown spots. In flight from above, upperparts look rather uniformly brown with numerous bars on wings and tail. Juvenile resembles adult female. Voice Mostly silent but shrill kee-kee-kee… is uttered in alarm near nest. Status Scarce breeding season, found on upland moorland in spring and summer. Outside breeding season, moves S and to lowland areas and numbers boosted by migrants from Iceland.
    136304.jpg
  • Merlin Falco columbarius W 60-65cm. Our smallest raptor. Typically seen dashing flight, low over in pursuit of prey such as Meadow Pipit. Also perches on fence posts or rocky outcrops. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has blue-grey upperparts and buffish, streaked and spotted underparts. In flight from above, note contrast between blue-grey back, inner wings and tail, and dark wing tips and dark terminal band on tail. Adult female has brown upperparts and pale underparts with large, brown spots. In flight from above, upperparts look rather uniformly brown with numerous bars on wings and tail. Juvenile resembles adult female. Voice Mostly silent but shrill kee-kee-kee… is uttered in alarm near nest. Status Scarce breeding season, found on upland moorland in spring and summer. Outside breeding season, moves S and to lowland areas and numbers boosted by migrants from Iceland.
    136096.jpg
  • Merlin - Falco columbarius - adult male. W 60-65cm. Our smallest raptor. Typically seen dashing flight, low over in pursuit of prey such as Meadow Pipit. Also perches on fence posts or rocky outcrops. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has blue-grey upperparts and buffish, streaked and spotted underparts. In flight from above, note contrast between blue-grey back, inner wings and tail, and dark wing tips and dark terminal band on tail. Adult female has brown upperparts and pale underparts with large, brown spots. In flight from above, upperparts look rather uniformly brown with numerous bars on wings and tail. Juvenile resembles adult female. Voice Mostly silent but shrill kee-kee-kee… is uttered in alarm near nest. Status Scarce breeding season, found on upland moorland in spring and summer. Outside breeding season, moves S and to lowland areas and numbers boosted by migrants from Iceland.
    158022.jpg
  • Merlin Falco columbarius - at nest. W 60-65cm. Our smallest raptor. Typically seen dashing flight, low over in pursuit of prey such as Meadow Pipit. Also perches on fence posts or rocky outcrops. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has blue-grey upperparts and buffish, streaked and spotted underparts. In flight from above, note contrast between blue-grey back, inner wings and tail, and dark wing tips and dark terminal band on tail. Adult female has brown upperparts and pale underparts with large, brown spots. In flight from above, upperparts look rather uniformly brown with numerous bars on wings and tail. Juvenile resembles adult female. Voice Mostly silent but shrill kee-kee-kee… is uttered in alarm near nest. Status Scarce breeding season, found on upland moorland in spring and summer. Outside breeding season, moves S and to lowland areas and numbers boosted by migrants from Iceland.
    121275.jpg
  • Winter afternoon sun on the River Thames near the source, Ewen, Gloucestershire, Uk
    154572.jpg
  • Sunset over Langstone Harbour, Hampshire, Uk
    154968.jpg
  • Sunset over Langstone Harbour, Hampshire, Uk
    154967.jpg
  • Winter afternoon sun on the River Thames near the source, Ewen, Gloucestershire, Uk
    154571.jpg
  • Sunset over the beach at Titchwell nature reserve, Norfolk, Uk
    154426.jpg
  • Sunset over the beach at Titchwell nature reserve, Norfolk, Uk
    154427.jpg
  • Sunset over the beach at Titchwell nature reserve, Norfolk, Uk
    154425.jpg
  • Sunset over the beach at Titchwell nature reserve, Norfolk, Uk
    154428.jpg
  • Sunset over the beach at Titchwell nature reserve, Norfolk, Uk
    154429.jpg
  • Winter dawn along the River Thames at Goring Weir, Oxfordshire, Uk
    154464.jpg
  • Sunset over Langstone Harbour, Hampshire, Uk
    154966.jpg
  • Wren - Troglodytes troglodytes
    159846.jpg
  • Common Gull - Larus canus L 40-42cm. Medium-sized gull. Slimmer bodied and smaller billed, than larger Herring Gull. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has grey back and upperwings with white trailing margin; black wingtips have white spots. Plumage is otherwise white. Bill is yellowish and legs are yellowish green. In winter, similar but with dark streaks on head and neck; bill is duller with dark sub-terminal band. Juvenile has pale-margined brown back feathers and upperwings. Head and underparts are pale with dark streaks while neck and breast look grubby. Adult plumage acquired over 2 years. 1st winter is similar to juvenile but has grey back; bill is pink with dark tip. 2nd winter is similar to adult but with more black on outerwing and broader band on bill. Voice Utters a mewing keeow. Status Locally common. Nests close to water, often inland. Outside breeding season, migrants from Europe boost numbers and then widespread on farmland and grassy fields.
    157933.jpg
  • Mediterranean Gull - Larus melanocephalus. L 36-38cm. Similar to Black-headed but has stouter bill; adult has uniformly pale wings. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has pale grey back and wing coverts, and white flight feathers. Note black hood and white ‘eyelids’; bill is mainly red, with yellow tip and black sub-terminal band. Legs are deep red. In winter, loses dark hood; whitish head has menacing look created by dark smudges. Juvenile has grey-brown upperparts with pale margins to back feathers. Note darkish flush on breast. Bill and legs are dark; tail has dark terminal band. 1st winter bird is similar to juvenile but with plain grey back and dark smudges on head. Adult plumage is acquired by 3rd winter. 2nd year bird resembles adult (at respective times of year) but with variable black in wingtips. Voice Utters cow-cow-cow call. Status Very locally common, usually with Black-headeds. Small numbers nest in S England. More widespread outside breeding season.
    157932.jpg
  • Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus W 60-75cm - Plucking Post. Widespread but secretive raptor that catches small birds in flight in surprise, low-level attacks. Has relatively short, rounded wings, long, barred tail, long legs and staring yellow eyes. Male is much smaller than female and also separable on plumage details. Adult male has blue-grey upperparts; pale underparts are strongly barred and reddish brown on body and wing coverts. Adult female has grey-brown upperparts and pale underparts with fine, dark barring. Juvenile has brownish upperparts, and pale underparts with broad, brown barring. Voice Utters a shrill kew-kew-kew in alarm. Status Common, associated mainly with wooded habitats, both rural and suburban.
    133760.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.
    146200.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
  • Redwing Turdus iliacus Length 20-22cm. Small, well-marked thrush. Forms flocks in winter and mixes with Fieldfare. Sexes are similar. Adult has grey-brown upperparts; pale underparts are dark-spotted and flushed with orange-red on flanks and underwings. Has white stripes above eye and below cheeks. Juvenile is similar but has pale spots on upperparts and subdued colours on flanks. Voice Utters a thin, high-pitched tseerp in flight; often heard on autumn nights from migrating flocks. Song (seldom heard here) comprises short bursts of whistling and fluty phrases. Status Common winter visitor to farmland and open, lightly wooded countryside. A few pairs breed here each year, mainly in NW.
    155657.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.
    127527.jpg
  • The Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybridus (L 24-27cm) is more like a miniature Common Tern in breeding plumage but at other times it is mainly white with pale grey upperwings and blackish speckling on hindcrown.
    129069.jpg
  • Roller Coracias garrulus. Length 30-32cm. A colourful and unmistakeable bird of crow-like proportions and size, with a powerful, hook-tipped bill. Adult has a blue head, neck and underparts, palest on the forehead and with a narrow dark patch through the eye. The back is chestnut and the rump, tail and parts of the wing are bluish-purple. In flight, the wings look striking, the dark flight feathers contrasting with the paler blue coverts; note also the dark tips to the otherwise pale blue outer tail feathers. Juvenile has similar markings but the colours are much duller. The Roller breeds in southern Europe and winters in Africa, and most records in our region (four or five in a good year) occur around migration times. Vagrants are usually found in dry, open habitats such as heaths, and typically perch out in the open.
    129082.jpg
  • Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus W 60-75cm. Widespread but secretive raptor that catches small birds in flight in surprise, low-level attacks. Has relatively short, rounded wings, long, barred tail, long legs and staring yellow eyes. Male is much smaller than female and also separable on plumage details. Adult male has blue-grey upperparts; pale underparts are strongly barred and reddish brown on body and wing coverts. Adult female has grey-brown upperparts and pale underparts with fine, dark barring. Juvenile has brownish upperparts, and pale underparts with broad, brown barring. Voice Utters a shrill kew-kew-kew in alarm. Status Common, associated mainly with wooded habitats, both rural and suburban.
    132910.jpg
  • Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus W 60-75cm. Widespread but secretive raptor that catches small birds in flight in surprise, low-level attacks. Has relatively short, rounded wings, long, barred tail, long legs and staring yellow eyes. Male is much smaller than female and also separable on plumage details. Adult male has blue-grey upperparts; pale underparts are strongly barred and reddish brown on body and wing coverts. Adult female has grey-brown upperparts and pale underparts with fine, dark barring. Juvenile has brownish upperparts, and pale underparts with broad, brown barring. Voice Utters a shrill kew-kew-kew in alarm. Status Common, associated mainly with wooded habitats, both rural and suburban.
    132911.jpg
  • Kestrel Falco tinnunculus W 65-80cm. Familiar small falcon that habitually hovers where look-out perches are not available. Feeds on small mammals, ground-dwelling birds and insects. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has spotted, orange-brown back, blue-grey head, and blue-grey tail with black terminal band. Underparts are creamy buff with bold black spots. In flight from above, dark outer wing contrasts with orange-brown inner wing and back. Adult female has barred brown upperparts and pale creamy buff underparts with dark spots. In flight from above, contrast between brown inner wing and dark outer wing is less distinct than with male and tail is barred. Juvenile resembles adult female but upperparts are more reddish brown. Voice Utters a shrill kee-kee-kee… Status Common and widespread in open, grassy places. Breeding success dependent upon prey populations, notably Short-tailed Voles and Wood Mice.
    133172.jpg
  • Robin Erithacus rubecula L 13-14cm. Distinctive bird. Garden-dwellers are bold and inquisitive. Sexes are similar. Adult has orange-red face, throat and breast, bordered by blue-grey on sides but with sharp demarcation from white belly. Upperparts are buffish brown with faint buff wingbar. Juvenile has brown upperparts, marked with buff spots and teardrop-shaped streaks; pale buff underparts have darker spots and crescent-shaped markings. Voice Song is plaintive and melancholy. Alarm call is a sharp tic. Status Widespread resident, commonest in S. Observation tips Easiest to find in gardens and parks.
    133183.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.
    133318.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.
    133314.jpg
  • Kestrel Falco tinnunculus W 65-80cm. Familiar small falcon that habitually hovers where look-out perches are not available. Feeds on small mammals, ground-dwelling birds and insects. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has spotted, orange-brown back, blue-grey head, and blue-grey tail with black terminal band. Underparts are creamy buff with bold black spots. In flight from above, dark outer wing contrasts with orange-brown inner wing and back. Adult female has barred brown upperparts and pale creamy buff underparts with dark spots. In flight from above, contrast between brown inner wing and dark outer wing is less distinct than with male and tail is barred. Juvenile resembles adult female but upperparts are more reddish brown. Voice Utters a shrill kee-kee-kee… Status Common and widespread in open, grassy places. Breeding success dependent upon prey populations, notably Short-tailed Voles and Wood Mice.
    133320.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.
    133323.jpg
  • The Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus (L 24-27cm) may share nocturnal habits with owls but the similarities between these unrelated birds ends there. The Nightjar has a huge gape that it uses to catch flying moths. The species is hard to find in the daytime, thanks to its cryptic plumage and often observers have to satisfy themselves with the silhouette of a bird in flight: it looks long-winged and narrow-tailed. All birds have intricate brown, grey and black markings that, in combination, resemble tree bark; males have striking white patches near the wingtips and corners of the tail. Territorial males utter a distinctive churring song for hours on end, after dark. The Nightjar is a migrant visitor to the region, found mainly on lowland heathland (where it is easiest to find) and heather moors.
    134064.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.
    135704.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.
    135705.jpg
  • Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus L 35-38cm. Our most numerous medium-sized gull. Plumage variable but white leading edge to outerwings is consistent feature. Forms single-species flocks. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has grey back and upperwings, white underparts and chocolate-brown hood. Legs and bill are red. In flight, trailing edge of outerwing is black. In winter, loses dark hood; white head has dark smudges above behind eye. Juvenile has orange-brown flush to upperparts, dark feathers on back, dark smudges on head, and dark tip to tail. Acquires adult plumage by 2nd winter through successive moults. 1st winter bird retains many juvenile plumage details but loses rufous elements and gains grey back. 1st summer bird still has juvenile-type wing pattern but gains dark hood. Voice Raucous calls include a nasal kaurrr. Status Widespread and numerous. Commonest on coasts and inland freshwater sites, but also in towns and on farmland; often follows the plough. Nests colonially beside water. Migrants from Europe boost winter numbers.
    136006.jpg
  • Herring Gull Larus argentatus L 56-62cm. Noisy, familiar bird and our most numerous large gull species. Often follows boats. Bold when fed regularly. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has blue-grey black and upperwings, with white-spotted, black wingtips; plumage is otherwise white. Legs are pink, bill is yellow with orange spot, and eye is yellow with orange-yellow ring. In winter, similar but with dark streaks on head and nape. Juvenile and 1st winter are mottled grey-brown with streaked underparts. Legs are dull pink, bill is dark and spotted pale tail has dark tip. Adult plumage acquired over 3 years. 2nd winter bird is similar but has grey back and grey areas on upperwing. Tail is white with dark tip. 3rd winter resembles winter adult but has more black on wingtips and hint of dark tail band. Voice Utters distinctive kyaoo and anxious ga-ka-ka. Status Common, mainly coastal in summer, nesting on seacliffs and in seaside towns. Widespread and more numerous in winter due to migrant influx.
    136057.jpg
  • Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus L 35-38cm. Our most numerous medium-sized gull. Plumage variable but white leading edge to outerwings is consistent feature. Forms single-species flocks. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has grey back and upperwings, white underparts and chocolate-brown hood. Legs and bill are red. In flight, trailing edge of outerwing is black. In winter, loses dark hood; white head has dark smudges above behind eye. Juvenile has orange-brown flush to upperparts, dark feathers on back, dark smudges on head, and dark tip to tail. Acquires adult plumage by 2nd winter through successive moults. 1st winter bird retains many juvenile plumage details but loses rufous elements and gains grey back. 1st summer bird still has juvenile-type wing pattern but gains dark hood. Voice Raucous calls include a nasal kaurrr. Status Widespread and numerous. Commonest on coasts and inland freshwater sites, but also in towns and on farmland; often follows the plough. Nests colonially beside water. Migrants from Europe boost winter numbers.
    136080.jpg
  • Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus showing various plumages. L 35-38cm. Our most numerous medium-sized gull. Plumage variable but white leading edge to outerwings is consistent feature. Forms single-species flocks. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has grey back and upperwings, white underparts and chocolate-brown hood. Legs and bill are red. In flight, trailing edge of outerwing is black. In winter, loses dark hood; white head has dark smudges above behind eye. Juvenile has orange-brown flush to upperparts, dark feathers on back, dark smudges on head, and dark tip to tail. Acquires adult plumage by 2nd winter through successive moults. 1st winter bird retains many juvenile plumage details but loses rufous elements and gains grey back. 1st summer bird still has juvenile-type wing pattern but gains dark hood. Voice Raucous calls include a nasal kaurrr. Status Widespread and numerous. Commonest on coasts and inland freshwater sites, but also in towns and on farmland; often follows the plough. Nests colonially beside water. Migrants from Europe boost winter numbers.
    136081.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.
    136131.jpg
  • 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.
    137657.jpg
  • Common 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.
    157661.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.
    155634.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.
    127541.jpg
  • Redwing Turdus iliacus Length 20-22cm. Small, well-marked thrush. Forms flocks in winter and mixes with Fieldfare. Sexes are similar. Adult has grey-brown upperparts; pale underparts are dark-spotted and flushed with orange-red on flanks and underwings. Has white stripes above eye and below cheeks. Juvenile is similar but has pale spots on upperparts and subdued colours on flanks. Voice Utters a thin, high-pitched tseerp in flight; often heard on autumn nights from migrating flocks. Song (seldom heard here) comprises short bursts of whistling and fluty phrases. Status Common winter visitor to farmland and open, lightly wooded countryside. A few pairs breed here each year, mainly in NW.
    127954.jpg
  • Kestrel Falco tinnunculus W 65-80cm. Familiar small falcon that habitually hovers where look-out perches are not available. Feeds on small mammals, ground-dwelling birds and insects. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has spotted, orange-brown back, blue-grey head, and blue-grey tail with black terminal band. Underparts are creamy buff with bold black spots. In flight from above, dark outer wing contrasts with orange-brown inner wing and back. Adult female has barred brown upperparts and pale creamy buff underparts with dark spots. In flight from above, contrast between brown inner wing and dark outer wing is less distinct than with male and tail is barred. Juvenile resembles adult female but upperparts are more reddish brown. Voice Utters a shrill kee-kee-kee… Status Common and widespread in open, grassy places. Breeding success dependent upon prey populations, notably Short-tailed Voles and Wood Mice.
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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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  • 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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  • 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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  • The Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus (L 24-27cm) may share nocturnal habits with owls but the similarities between these unrelated birds ends there. The Nightjar has a huge gape that it uses to catch flying moths. The species is hard to find in the daytime, thanks to its cryptic plumage and often observers have to satisfy themselves with the silhouette of a bird in flight: it looks long-winged and narrow-tailed. All birds have intricate brown, grey and black markings that, in combination, resemble tree bark; males have striking white patches near the wingtips and corners of the tail. Territorial males utter a distinctive churring song for hours on end, after dark. The Nightjar is a migrant visitor to the region, found mainly on lowland heathland (where it is easiest to find) and heather moors.
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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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  • Northern Mockingbird - Mimus polyglottos
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  • Robin Erithacus rubecula L 13-14cm. Distinctive bird. Garden-dwellers are bold and inquisitive. Sexes are similar. Adult has orange-red face, throat and breast, bordered by blue-grey on sides but with sharp demarcation from white belly. Upperparts are buffish brown with faint buff wingbar. Juvenile has brown upperparts, marked with buff spots and teardrop-shaped streaks; pale buff underparts have darker spots and crescent-shaped markings. Voice Song is plaintive and melancholy. Alarm call is a sharp tic. Status Widespread resident, commonest in S. Observation tips Easiest to find in gardens and parks.
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  • Black-headed Gull - Larus ridibundus - moulting juvenile
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  • Meadow Pipit - Anthus pratensis
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  • Common Buzzard - Buteo buteo
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  • Barn Owl - Tyto alba
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  • Kestrel Falco tinnunculus W 65-80cm. Familiar small falcon that habitually hovers where look-out perches are not available. Feeds on small mammals, ground-dwelling birds and insects. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has spotted, orange-brown back, blue-grey head, and blue-grey tail with black terminal band. Underparts are creamy buff with bold black spots. In flight from above, dark outer wing contrasts with orange-brown inner wing and back. Adult female has barred brown upperparts and pale creamy buff underparts with dark spots. In flight from above, contrast between brown inner wing and dark outer wing is less distinct than with male and tail is barred. Juvenile resembles adult female but upperparts are more reddish brown. Voice Utters a shrill kee-kee-kee… Status Common and widespread in open, grassy places. Breeding success dependent upon prey populations, notably Short-tailed Voles and Wood Mice.
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  • Common 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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  • 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.
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  • 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.
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  • The Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus (L 24-27cm) may share nocturnal habits with owls but the similarities between these unrelated birds ends there. The Nightjar has a huge gape that it uses to catch flying moths. The species is hard to find in the daytime, thanks to its cryptic plumage and often observers have to satisfy themselves with the silhouette of a bird in flight: it looks long-winged and narrow-tailed. All birds have intricate brown, grey and black markings that, in combination, resemble tree bark; males have striking white patches near the wingtips and corners of the tail. Territorial males utter a distinctive churring song for hours on end, after dark. The Nightjar is a migrant visitor to the region, found mainly on lowland heathland (where it is easiest to find) and heather moors.
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  • Sparrowhawk - Accipiter nisus - male. W 60-75cm. Widespread but secretive raptor that catches small birds in flight in surprise, low-level attacks. Has relatively short, rounded wings, long, barred tail, long legs and staring yellow eyes. Male is much smaller than female and also separable on plumage details. Adult male has blue-grey upperparts; pale underparts are strongly barred and reddish brown on body and wing coverts. Adult female has grey-brown upperparts and pale underparts with fine, dark barring. Juvenile has brownish upperparts, and pale underparts with broad, brown barring. Voice Utters a shrill kew-kew-kew in alarm. Status Common, associated mainly with wooded habitats, both rural and suburban.
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  • New Zealand Falcon - Falco novaeseelandiae
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  • Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus L 35-38cm. Our most numerous medium-sized gull. Plumage variable but white leading edge to outerwings is consistent feature. Forms single-species flocks. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has grey back and upperwings, white underparts and chocolate-brown hood. Legs and bill are red. In flight, trailing edge of outerwing is black. In winter, loses dark hood; white head has dark smudges above behind eye. Juvenile has orange-brown flush to upperparts, dark feathers on back, dark smudges on head, and dark tip to tail. Acquires adult plumage by 2nd winter through successive moults. 1st winter bird retains many juvenile plumage details but loses rufous elements and gains grey back. 1st summer bird still has juvenile-type wing pattern but gains dark hood. Voice Raucous calls include a nasal kaurrr. Status Widespread and numerous. Commonest on coasts and inland freshwater sites, but also in towns and on farmland; often follows the plough. Nests colonially beside water. Migrants from Europe boost winter numbers
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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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