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  • Bonelli's Eagle - Aquila fasciata - 2 year old male
    156803.jpg
  • Spanish Imperial Eagle - Aquila adalberti - 3rd calendar year
    155180.jpg
  • Spanish Imperial Eagle, Aquila adalberti, born spring 2011 so 3rd calendar year, feeding on Montpellier Snake, Malponon monspessulanus, May, Castille and Leon, Spain
    155181.jpg
  • Bonelli's Eagle - Aquila fasciata - 2 year old male
    156804.jpg
  • Spanish Imperial Eagle - Aquila adalberti - 3rd calendar year
    155179.jpg
  • Cerulean Warbler - Dendrica cerulea - 1st year male
    147855.jpg
  • Yellow-headed Blackbird - Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus - 1st year male
    153540.jpg
  • Gannet - Morus bassana - 2nd calendar year.
    155564.jpg
  • Spanish Imperial Eagle - Aquila adalberti -  3th calendar year
    155168.jpg
  • Spanish Imperial Eagle - Aquila adalberti - 4th calendar year
    155182.jpg
  • Spanish Imperial Eagle - Aquila adalberti -  4th calendar year
    155167.jpg
  • Gannet - Morus bassana - 2nd calendar year
    161474.jpg
  • Gannet - Morus bassana - 2nd calendar year
    161473.jpg
  • Gannet - Morus bassana - 2nd calendar year
    159731.jpg
  • Gannet - Morus bassana - 2nd calendar year
    159730.jpg
  • Gannet - Morus bassana - 2nd calendar year
    159732.jpg
  • Gannet - Morus bassana - 2nd calendar year
    159733.jpg
  • Spanish Imperial Eagle - Aquila adalberti - immature
    160218.jpg
  • Walker on the Thames Path in Oxfordshire, Uk
    156254.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
  • Quail Coturnix coturnix L 16-18cm. Tiny, secretive gamebird. Sexes are separable with care. Adult male has mainly brown, streaked plumage, palest and unmarked on belly. Head has dark stripes; pale throat has black centre and is defined by dark lines. Adult female is similar but has pale throat. Juvenile is similar to adult female. Voice Song is diagnostic, trisyllabic phrase, often rendered ‘wet-my-lips’. Status Scarce migrant visitor whose numbers vary from year to year (100-1,000 calling birds). Arable farmland (especially barley) is favoured.
    157692.jpg
  • Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus - Summer Adult. 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.
    157421.jpg
  • Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus - Summer Adult. 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.
    157420.jpg
  • Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus - Summer Adult. 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.
    157418.jpg
  • Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus - Summer Adult. 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.
    157417.jpg
  • Weld - Reseda luteola. Height to 1.2m. Upright, hollow-stemmed biennial of disturbed calcareous ground. FLOWERS are yellow-green with 4 petals; in tall spikes in the plant’s second year (Jun-Aug). FRUITS are globular pods. LEAVES are narrow; form a basal rosette in the plant’s 1st year but appear as stem leaves in 2nd. STATUS-Widespread and fairly common, except in N and W.
    157350.jpg
  • Painted Lady Vanessa cardui Wingspan 60mm. A beautifully patterned butterfly. Adult upperwings are pinkish-buff, with white and black markings. Underwings are buffish, marked with a similar pattern to the upperwings. Larva is spiny and hairy, brown with yellow and red markings; feeds on thistles, usually concealed within ‘tent’ of woven-together leaves. A migrant from southern Europe, from late spring to autumn, mostly near coasts; numbers vary from year to year. Sometimes breeds but does not survive the winter.
    156732.jpg
  • Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus - Breeding Adult. 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.
    156334.jpg
  • Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus - Breeding Adult. 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.
    155853.jpg
  • Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus - Breeding Adult. 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.
    155855.jpg
  • Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus - Breeding Adult. 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.
    155856.jpg
  • Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus - Breeding Adult. 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.
    155858.jpg
  • Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus - Breeding Adult. 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.
    155860.jpg
  • Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus - Breeding Adult. 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.
    155861.jpg
  • Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus - Breeding Adult.  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.
    155784.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.
    155785.jpg
  • Weld - Reseda luteola (Resedaceae) Height to 1.2m<br />
Upright, hollow-stemmed biennial of disturbed calcareous ground. FLOWERS are yellow-green with 4 petals; in tall spikes in the plant’s second year (Jun-Aug). FRUITS are globular pods. LEAVES are narrow; form a basal rosette in the plant’s 1st year but appear as stem leaves in 2nd. STATUS-Widespread and fairly common, except in N and W.
    155444.jpg
  • Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus - in flight winter. 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.
    154640.jpg
  • Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus - in flight winter. 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.
    154645.jpg
  • Painted Lady Vanessa cardui Wingspan 60mm. A beautifully patterned butterfly. Adult upperwings are pinkish-buff, with white and black markings. Underwings are buffish, marked with a similar pattern to the upperwings. Larva is spiny and hairy, brown with yellow and red markings; feeds on thistles, usually concealed within ‘tent’ of woven-together leaves. A migrant from southern Europe, from late spring to autumn, mostly near coasts; numbers vary from year to year. Sometimes breeds but does not survive the winter.
    144974.jpg
  • Painted Lady Vanessa cardui Wingspan 60mm. A beautifully patterned butterfly. Adult upperwings are pinkish-buff, with white and black markings. Underwings are buffish, marked with a similar pattern to the upperwings. Larva is spiny and hairy, brown with yellow and red markings; feeds on thistles, usually concealed within ‘tent’ of woven-together leaves. A migrant from southern Europe, from late spring to autumn, mostly near coasts; numbers vary from year to year. Sometimes breeds but does not survive the winter.
    144973.jpg
  • Painted Lady Vanessa cardui Wingspan 60mm. A beautifully patterned butterfly. Adult upperwings are pinkish-buff, with white and black markings. Underwings are buffish, marked with a similar pattern to the upperwings. Larva is spiny and hairy, brown with yellow and red markings; feeds on thistles, usually concealed within ‘tent’ of woven-together leaves. A migrant from southern Europe, from late spring to autumn, mostly near coasts; numbers vary from year to year. Sometimes breeds but does not survive the winter.
    144972.jpg
  • Hummingbird Hawk-moth Macroglossum stellatarum Wingspan 45mm. A fascinating, migrant day-flying moth that hovers and sips nectar from flowers using its long tongue; the wingbeats create an audible hum. Resting moths sometimes sit on banks but are well camouflaged and hard to spot. Adult has brown forewings and an orange patch on the hindwings. Flies May-October. Larva is pale green with a lengthways white line, white spots and a small bluish ‘horn’ at tail end. Larva feeds on bedstraws. An occasional migrant visitor to Britain from mainland Europe; numbers vary from year to year but always commonest on the south coast.
    144928.jpg
  • Hummingbird Hawk-moth Macroglossum stellatarum Wingspan 45mm. A fascinating, migrant day-flying moth that hovers and sips nectar from flowers using its long tongue; the wingbeats create an audible hum. Resting moths sometimes sit on banks but are well camouflaged and hard to spot. Adult has brown forewings and an orange patch on the hindwings. Flies May-October. Larva is pale green with a lengthways white line, white spots and a small bluish ‘horn’ at tail end. Larva feeds on bedstraws. An occasional migrant visitor to Britain from mainland Europe; numbers vary from year to year but always commonest on the south coast.
    144927.jpg
  • Hummingbird Hawk-moth Macroglossum stellatarum Wingspan 45mm. A fascinating, migrant day-flying moth that hovers and sips nectar from flowers using its long tongue; the wingbeats create an audible hum. Resting moths sometimes sit on banks but are well camouflaged and hard to spot. Adult has brown forewings and an orange patch on the hindwings. Flies May-October. Larva is pale green with a lengthways white line, white spots and a small bluish ‘horn’ at tail end. Larva feeds on bedstraws. An occasional migrant visitor to Britain from mainland Europe; numbers vary from year to year but always commonest on the south coast.
    144926.jpg
  • Hummingbird Hawk-moth Macroglossum stellatarum Wingspan 45mm. A fascinating, migrant day-flying moth that hovers and sips nectar from flowers using its long tongue; the wingbeats create an audible hum. Resting moths sometimes sit on banks but are well camouflaged and hard to spot. Adult has brown forewings and an orange patch on the hindwings. Flies May-October. Larva is pale green with a lengthways white line, white spots and a small bluish ‘horn’ at tail end. Larva feeds on bedstraws. An occasional migrant visitor to Britain from mainland Europe; numbers vary from year to year but always commonest on the south coast.
    144925.jpg
  • Hummingbird Hawk-moth Macroglossum stellatarum Wingspan 45mm. A fascinating, migrant day-flying moth that hovers and sips nectar from flowers using its long tongue; the wingbeats create an audible hum. Resting moths sometimes sit on banks but are well camouflaged and hard to spot. Adult has brown forewings and an orange patch on the hindwings. Flies May-October. Larva is pale green with a lengthways white line, white spots and a small bluish ‘horn’ at tail end. Larva feeds on bedstraws. An occasional migrant visitor to Britain from mainland Europe; numbers vary from year to year but always commonest on the south coast.
    142038.jpg
  • Hummingbird Hawk-moth Macroglossum stellatarum Wingspan 45mm. A fascinating, migrant day-flying moth that hovers and sips nectar from flowers using its long tongue; the wingbeats create an audible hum. Resting moths sometimes sit on banks but are well camouflaged and hard to spot. Adult has brown forewings and an orange patch on the hindwings. Flies May-October. Larva is pale green with a lengthways white line, white spots and a small bluish ‘horn’ at tail end. Larva feeds on bedstraws. An occasional migrant visitor to Britain from mainland Europe; numbers vary from year to year but always commonest on the south coast.
    141726.jpg
  • Painted Lady Vanessa cardui Wingspan 60mm. A beautifully patterned butterfly. Adult upperwings are pinkish-buff, with white and black markings. Underwings are buffish, marked with a similar pattern to the upperwings. Larva is spiny and hairy, brown with yellow and red markings; feeds on thistles, usually concealed within ‘tent’ of woven-together leaves. A migrant from southern Europe, from late spring to autumn, mostly near coasts; numbers vary from year to year. Sometimes breeds but does not survive the winter.
    140508.jpg
  • Painted Lady Vanessa cardui Wingspan 60mm. A beautifully patterned butterfly. Adult upperwings are pinkish-buff, with white and black markings. Underwings are buffish, marked with a similar pattern to the upperwings. Larva is spiny and hairy, brown with yellow and red markings; feeds on thistles, usually concealed within ‘tent’ of woven-together leaves. A migrant from southern Europe, from late spring to autumn, mostly near coasts; numbers vary from year to year. Sometimes breeds but does not survive the winter.
    138090.jpg
  • Strawberry Tree Arbutus unedo (Ericaceae) Height to 9m <br />
Small, spreading evergreen tree with a short bole and a dense, domed crown. BARK Reddish, peeling away in shreds that turn brown. BRANCHES Often ascending and twisted; twigs slightly hairy and reddish. LEAVES To 11cm long, with either sharply toothed or entire margins, and a prominent midrib. Dark glossy-green above, paler below; 1cm-long petiole is usually red and hairy. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Flowers borne in pendulous clusters late in year at same time as fruits from previous year; flowers white, to 9mm long, and sometimes tinged pink or green. Fruit is a round berry, to 2cm across; warty skin ripens from yellow through orange to deep red; flesh is acidic. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Main native range is SW Europe and Mediterranean; also occurs naturally in SW Ireland in open woods and thickets. Planted widely elsewhere.
    135451.jpg
  • Strawberry Tree Arbutus unedo (Ericaceae) Height to 9m <br />
Small, spreading evergreen tree with a short bole and a dense, domed crown. BARK Reddish, peeling away in shreds that turn brown. BRANCHES Often ascending and twisted; twigs slightly hairy and reddish. LEAVES To 11cm long, with either sharply toothed or entire margins, and a prominent midrib. Dark glossy-green above, paler below; 1cm-long petiole is usually red and hairy. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Flowers borne in pendulous clusters late in year at same time as fruits from previous year; flowers white, to 9mm long, and sometimes tinged pink or green. Fruit is a round berry, to 2cm across; warty skin ripens from yellow through orange to deep red; flesh is acidic. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Main native range is SW Europe and Mediterranean; also occurs naturally in SW Ireland in open woods and thickets. Planted widely elsewhere.
    135450.jpg
  • Strawberry Tree Arbutus unedo (Ericaceae) Height to 9m <br />
Small, spreading evergreen tree with a short bole and a dense, domed crown. BARK Reddish, peeling away in shreds that turn brown. BRANCHES Often ascending and twisted; twigs slightly hairy and reddish. LEAVES To 11cm long, with either sharply toothed or entire margins, and a prominent midrib. Dark glossy-green above, paler below; 1cm-long petiole is usually red and hairy. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Flowers borne in pendulous clusters late in year at same time as fruits from previous year; flowers white, to 9mm long, and sometimes tinged pink or green. Fruit is a round berry, to 2cm across; warty skin ripens from yellow through orange to deep red; flesh is acidic. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Main native range is SW Europe and Mediterranean; also occurs naturally in SW Ireland in open woods and thickets. Planted widely elsewhere.
    134772.jpg
  • Strawberry Tree Arbutus unedo (Ericaceae) Height to 9m <br />
Small, spreading evergreen tree with a short bole and a dense, domed crown. BARK Reddish, peeling away in shreds that turn brown. BRANCHES Often ascending and twisted; twigs slightly hairy and reddish. LEAVES To 11cm long, with either sharply toothed or entire margins, and a prominent midrib. Dark glossy-green above, paler below; 1cm-long petiole is usually red and hairy. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Flowers borne in pendulous clusters late in year at same time as fruits from previous year; flowers white, to 9mm long, and sometimes tinged pink or green. Fruit is a round berry, to 2cm across; warty skin ripens from yellow through orange to deep red; flesh is acidic. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Main native range is SW Europe and Mediterranean; also occurs naturally in SW Ireland in open woods and thickets. Planted widely elsewhere.
    132270.jpg
  • JUNIPER Juniperus communis (Cupressaceae) Height to 5m (sometimes prostrate). Dense shrub of well-drained soils, from chalk downland to mountains. FLOWERS appear on separate sex plants; those on female plants are green and oval (much of year). FRUITS ripen in 2nd year to form blue-black berry-like cones. LEAVES are stiff, bluish green, needle-like and arranged in whorls of 3. STATUS-Widespread and locally common.
    134429.jpg
  • WILD TEASEL Dipsacus fullonum (Dipsacaceae) Height to 2m<br />
Biennial of damp and disturbed grassland on heavy soils. Stems are angled, with sharp prickles on the angles. FLOWERS are pinkish purple and carried in egg-shaped heads, 6-8cm long, adorned with numerous spiny bracts; borne on tall stems (Jul-Aug). FRUITS are dry, papery and borne in the dry flower heads; popular with Goldfinches. LEAVES are spine-coated and appear as rosettes in the 1st year; in 2nd year, these die back and stem leaves are opposite and joined at the base, the resulting cup collecting water. STATUS-Widespread and common in the S; scarce or absent elsewhere.
    131574.jpg
  • WELD Reseda luteola (Resedaceae) Height to 1.2m<br />
Upright, hollow-stemmed biennial of disturbed calcareous ground. FLOWERS are yellow-green with 4 petals; in tall spikes in the plant’s second year (Jun-Aug). FRUITS are globular pods. LEAVES are narrow; form a basal rosette in the plant’s 1st year but appear as stem leaves in 2nd. STATUS-Widespread and fairly common, except in N and W.
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  • AUTUMN GENTIAN Gentianella amarella (Gentianaceae) Height to 25cm. Variable and hairless biennial that is often tinged purple. Found in grassy areas, mostly on calcareous soil and sand dunes. FLOWERS are 1cm across and purple, with 4 or 5 corolla lobes and equal calyx lobes; borne in upright spikes (Jul-Oct). FRUITS are capsules. LEAVES form a basal rosette in the first year but wither before the flower stem appears in the second year.
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  • Quail Coturnix coturnix L 16-18cm. Tiny, secretive gamebird. Sexes are separable with care. Adult male has mainly brown, streaked plumage, palest and unmarked on belly. Head has dark stripes; pale throat has black centre and is defined by dark lines. Adult female is similar but has pale throat. Juvenile is similar to adult female. Voice Song is diagnostic, trisyllabic phrase, often rendered ‘wet-my-lips’. Status Scarce migrant visitor whose numbers vary from year to year (100-1,000 calling birds). Arable farmland (especially barley) is favoured.
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  • Quail Coturnix coturnix L 16-18cm. Tiny, secretive gamebird. Sexes are separable with care. Adult male has mainly brown, streaked plumage, palest and unmarked on belly. Head has dark stripes; pale throat has black centre and is defined by dark lines. Adult female is similar but has pale throat. Juvenile is similar to adult female. Voice Song is diagnostic, trisyllabic phrase, often rendered ‘wet-my-lips’. Status Scarce migrant visitor whose numbers vary from year to year (100-1,000 calling birds). Arable farmland (especially barley) is favoured.
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  • 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.
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  • 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.
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  • 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.
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  • 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.
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  • 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.
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  • 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.
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  • 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.
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  • 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.
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  • Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus - Summer Adult. 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.
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  • Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus - Summer Adult. 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.
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  • Mediterranean Gull - Larus melanocephalus - adult in transition to breeding plumage. 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.
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  • Mediterranean Gull - Larus melanocephalus - with Black-headed Gulls. 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.
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  • Painted Lady Vanessa cardui Wingspan 60mm. A beautifully patterned butterfly. Adult upperwings are pinkish-buff, with white and black markings. Underwings are buffish, marked with a similar pattern to the upperwings. Larva is spiny and hairy, brown with yellow and red markings; feeds on thistles, usually concealed within ‘tent’ of woven-together leaves. A migrant from southern Europe, from late spring to autumn, mostly near coasts; numbers vary from year to year. Sometimes breeds but does not survive the winter.
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  • Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus - Breeding Adult. 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.
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  • Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus - Breeding Adult. 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.
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  • Hummingbird Hawk-moth Macroglossum stellatarum Wingspan 45mm. A fascinating, migrant day-flying moth that hovers and sips nectar from flowers using its long tongue; the wingbeats create an audible hum. Resting moths sometimes sit on banks but are well camouflaged and hard to spot. Adult has brown forewings and an orange patch on the hindwings. Flies May-October. Larva is pale green with a lengthways white line, white spots and a small bluish ‘horn’ at tail end. Larva feeds on bedstraws. An occasional migrant visitor to Britain from mainland Europe; numbers vary from year to year but always commonest on the south coast.
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  • Hummingbird Hawk-moth Macroglossum stellatarum Wingspan 45mm. A fascinating, migrant day-flying moth that hovers and sips nectar from flowers using its long tongue; the wingbeats create an audible hum. Resting moths sometimes sit on banks but are well camouflaged and hard to spot. Adult has brown forewings and an orange patch on the hindwings. Flies May-October. Larva is pale green with a lengthways white line, white spots and a small bluish ‘horn’ at tail end. Larva feeds on bedstraws. An occasional migrant visitor to Britain from mainland Europe; numbers vary from year to year but always commonest on the south coast.
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  • Hummingbird Hawk-moth Macroglossum stellatarum Wingspan 45mm. A fascinating, migrant day-flying moth that hovers and sips nectar from flowers using its long tongue; the wingbeats create an audible hum. Resting moths sometimes sit on banks but are well camouflaged and hard to spot. Adult has brown forewings and an orange patch on the hindwings. Flies May-October. Larva is pale green with a lengthways white line, white spots and a small bluish ‘horn’ at tail end. Larva feeds on bedstraws. An occasional migrant visitor to Britain from mainland Europe; numbers vary from year to year but always commonest on the south coast.
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  • Hummingbird Hawk-moth Macroglossum stellatarum Wingspan 45mm. A fascinating, migrant day-flying moth that hovers and sips nectar from flowers using its long tongue; the wingbeats create an audible hum. Resting moths sometimes sit on banks but are well camouflaged and hard to spot. Adult has brown forewings and an orange patch on the hindwings. Flies May-October. Larva is pale green with a lengthways white line, white spots and a small bluish ‘horn’ at tail end. Larva feeds on bedstraws. An occasional migrant visitor to Britain from mainland Europe; numbers vary from year to year but always commonest on the south coast.
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  • Painted Lady Vanessa cardui Wingspan 60mm. A beautifully patterned butterfly. Adult upperwings are pinkish-buff, with white and black markings. Underwings are buffish, marked with a similar pattern to the upperwings. Larva is spiny and hairy, brown with yellow and red markings; feeds on thistles, usually concealed within ‘tent’ of woven-together leaves. A migrant from southern Europe, from late spring to autumn, mostly near coasts; numbers vary from year to year. Sometimes breeds but does not survive the winter.
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  • JUNIPER Juniperus communis (Cupressaceae) Height to 5m (sometimes prostrate). Dense shrub of well-drained soils, from chalk downland to mountains. FLOWERS appear on separate sex plants; those on female plants are green and oval (much of year). FRUITS ripen in 2nd year to form blue-black berry-like cones. LEAVES are stiff, bluish green, needle-like and arranged in whorls of 3. STATUS-Widespread and locally common.
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  • JUNIPER Juniperus communis (Cupressaceae) Height to 5m (sometimes prostrate). Dense shrub of well-drained soils, from chalk downland to mountains. FLOWERS appear on separate sex plants; those on female plants are green and oval (much of year). FRUITS ripen in 2nd year to form blue-black berry-like cones. LEAVES are stiff, bluish green, needle-like and arranged in whorls of 3. STATUS-Widespread and locally common.
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  • WILD TEASEL Dipsacus fullonum (Dipsacaceae) Height to 2m<br />
Biennial of damp and disturbed grassland on heavy soils. Stems are angled, with sharp prickles on the angles. FLOWERS are pinkish purple and carried in egg-shaped heads, 6-8cm long, adorned with numerous spiny bracts; borne on tall stems (Jul-Aug). FRUITS are dry, papery and borne in the dry flower heads; popular with Goldfinches. LEAVES are spine-coated and appear as rosettes in the 1st year; in 2nd year, these die back and stem leaves are opposite and joined at the base, the resulting cup collecting water. STATUS-Widespread and common in the S; scarce or absent elsewhere.
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  • WILD TEASEL Dipsacus fullonum (Dipsacaceae) Height to 2m<br />
Biennial of damp and disturbed grassland on heavy soils. Stems are angled, with sharp prickles on the angles. FLOWERS are pinkish purple and carried in egg-shaped heads, 6-8cm long, adorned with numerous spiny bracts; borne on tall stems (Jul-Aug). FRUITS are dry, papery and borne in the dry flower heads; popular with Goldfinches. LEAVES are spine-coated and appear as rosettes in the 1st year; in 2nd year, these die back and stem leaves are opposite and joined at the base, the resulting cup collecting water. STATUS-Widespread and common in the S; scarce or absent elsewhere.
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  • Strawberry Tree Arbutus unedo (Ericaceae) Height to 9m <br />
Small, spreading evergreen tree with a short bole and a dense, domed crown. BARK Reddish, peeling away in shreds that turn brown. BRANCHES Often ascending and twisted; twigs slightly hairy and reddish. LEAVES To 11cm long, with either sharply toothed or entire margins, and a prominent midrib. Dark glossy-green above, paler below; 1cm-long petiole is usually red and hairy. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Flowers borne in pendulous clusters late in year at same time as fruits from previous year; flowers white, to 9mm long, and sometimes tinged pink or green. Fruit is a round berry, to 2cm across; warty skin ripens from yellow through orange to deep red; flesh is acidic. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Main native range is SW Europe and Mediterranean; also occurs naturally in SW Ireland in open woods and thickets. Planted widely elsewhere.
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  • 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.
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  • 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.
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  • 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.
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  • 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.
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  • Swamp Cypress Taxodium distichum (Taxodiaceae) HEIGHT to 35m. Deciduous conifer, conical at first, becoming broader and domed with maturity. When growing in or near water, fluted trunk is surrounded by emergent ‘breathing roots’ (likened by some to knobbly knees) characteristic of this species. BARK Pale reddish-brown, peeling in thin fibrous strips. BRANCHES Upright or spreading in older trees, carrying 2 types of shoots: long shoots bear spirally arranged leaves, and alternate side-shoots bear flattened leaves set in 2 ranks. LEAVES Alternate, up to 2cm long, and pale green; a greyish band on the underside has a fine midrib. A mature tree colours well in autumn before shedding its needles. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male cones produced in slender, branching clusters up to 15cm long at end of 1-year-old shoots. Female cones are globose and woody, on short stalks, ripening purplish-brown in first year. Each scale has a small curved spine in the centre. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of S and SE USA, planted here for ornament.
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  • Swamp Cypress Taxodium distichum (Taxodiaceae) HEIGHT to 35m. Deciduous conifer, conical at first, becoming broader and domed with maturity. When growing in or near water, fluted trunk is surrounded by emergent ‘breathing roots’ (likened by some to knobbly knees) characteristic of this species. BARK Pale reddish-brown, peeling in thin fibrous strips. BRANCHES Upright or spreading in older trees, carrying 2 types of shoots: long shoots bear spirally arranged leaves, and alternate side-shoots bear flattened leaves set in 2 ranks. LEAVES Alternate, up to 2cm long, and pale green; a greyish band on the underside has a fine midrib. A mature tree colours well in autumn before shedding its needles. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male cones produced in slender, branching clusters up to 15cm long at end of 1-year-old shoots. Female cones are globose and woody, on short stalks, ripening purplish-brown in first year. Each scale has a small curved spine in the centre. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of S and SE USA, planted here for ornament.
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  • Swamp Cypress Taxodium distichum (Taxodiaceae) HEIGHT to 35m. Deciduous conifer, conical at first, becoming broader and domed with maturity. When growing in or near water, fluted trunk is surrounded by emergent ‘breathing roots’ (likened by some to knobbly knees) characteristic of this species. BARK Pale reddish-brown, peeling in thin fibrous strips. BRANCHES Upright or spreading in older trees, carrying 2 types of shoots: long shoots bear spirally arranged leaves, and alternate side-shoots bear flattened leaves set in 2 ranks. LEAVES Alternate, up to 2cm long, and pale green; a greyish band on the underside has a fine midrib. A mature tree colours well in autumn before shedding its needles. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male cones produced in slender, branching clusters up to 15cm long at end of 1-year-old shoots. Female cones are globose and woody, on short stalks, ripening purplish-brown in first year. Each scale has a small curved spine in the centre. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of S and SE USA, planted here for ornament.
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  • Swamp Cypress Taxodium distichum (Taxodiaceae) HEIGHT to 35m. Deciduous conifer, conical at first, becoming broader and domed with maturity. When growing in or near water, fluted trunk is surrounded by emergent ‘breathing roots’ (likened by some to knobbly knees) characteristic of this species. BARK Pale reddish-brown, peeling in thin fibrous strips. BRANCHES Upright or spreading in older trees, carrying 2 types of shoots: long shoots bear spirally arranged leaves, and alternate side-shoots bear flattened leaves set in 2 ranks. LEAVES Alternate, up to 2cm long, and pale green; a greyish band on the underside has a fine midrib. A mature tree colours well in autumn before shedding its needles. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male cones produced in slender, branching clusters up to 15cm long at end of 1-year-old shoots. Female cones are globose and woody, on short stalks, ripening purplish-brown in first year. Each scale has a small curved spine in the centre. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of S and SE USA, planted here for ornament.
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  • Swamp Cypress Taxodium distichum (Taxodiaceae) HEIGHT to 35m. Deciduous conifer, conical at first, becoming broader and domed with maturity. When growing in or near water, fluted trunk is surrounded by emergent ‘breathing roots’ (likened by some to knobbly knees) characteristic of this species. BARK Pale reddish-brown, peeling in thin fibrous strips. BRANCHES Upright or spreading in older trees, carrying 2 types of shoots: long shoots bear spirally arranged leaves, and alternate side-shoots bear flattened leaves set in 2 ranks. LEAVES Alternate, up to 2cm long, and pale green; a greyish band on the underside has a fine midrib. A mature tree colours well in autumn before shedding its needles. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male cones produced in slender, branching clusters up to 15cm long at end of 1-year-old shoots. Female cones are globose and woody, on short stalks, ripening purplish-brown in first year. Each scale has a small curved spine in the centre. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of S and SE USA, planted here for ornament.
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  • Gannet Morus bassanus W 165-180cm. Our largest seabird. Has deep, powerful wingbeats and glides on stiffly held wings. Bill is large and dagger-like. Dives from a height to catch fish. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly white plumage with black wingtips; head has buffish wash. Juvenile has dark brown plumage speckled with white dots in first year; adult plumage acquired over next 4 years. Voice Silent at sea; nesting birds utter grating calls. Status Very locally common (3/4 of world population breeds here). Nests colonially but otherwise strictly marine.
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  • Gannet Morus bassanus W 165-180cm. Our largest seabird. Has deep, powerful wingbeats and glides on stiffly held wings. Bill is large and dagger-like. Dives from a height to catch fish. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly white plumage with black wingtips; head has buffish wash. Juvenile has dark brown plumage speckled with white dots in first year; adult plumage acquired over next 4 years. Voice Silent at sea; nesting birds utter grating calls. Status Very locally common (3/4 of world population breeds here). Nests colonially but otherwise strictly marine.
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  • Lesser Redpoll - Carduelis cabaret. Confusingly, redpoll classification has changed in recent years. Formerly, both the Mealy Redpoll and the bird now referred to as Lesser Redpoll were treated as races of the Common Redpoll complex; now they are considered to be separate species. But here they are treated as a single entry. The Mealy Redpoll Carduelis flammea is appreciably paler in all plumages than the Lesser Redpoll. Lessers are present here all year (although many migrate to mainland Europe in winter). Mealys are exclusively winter visitors, from N Europe.
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  • Lesser Redpoll Carduelis flammea. Confusingly, redpoll classification has changed in recent years. Formerly, both the Mealy Redpoll and the bird now referred to as Lesser Redpoll were treated as races of the Common Redpoll complex; now they are considered to be separate species. But here they are treated as a single entry. The Mealy Redpoll Carduelis flammea is appreciably paler in all plumages than the Lesser Redpoll. Lessers are present here all year (although many migrate to mainland Europe in winter). Mealys are exclusively winter visitors, from N Europe.
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  • Gannets -  Morus bassanus feeding on the ocean, Isles of Scilly, UK. W 165-180cm. Our largest seabird. Has deep, powerful wingbeats and glides on stiffly held wings. Bill is large and dagger-like. Dives from a height to catch fish. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly white plumage with black wingtips; head has buffish wash. Juvenile has dark brown plumage speckled with white dots in first year; adult plumage acquired over next 4 years. Voice Silent at sea; nesting birds utter grating calls. Status Very locally common (3/4 of world population breeds here). Nests colonially but otherwise strictly marine.
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  • Mealy Redpoll - Carduelis flammea.  Confusingly, redpoll classification has changed in recent years. Formerly, both the Mealy Redpoll and the bird now referred to as Lesser Redpoll were treated as races of the Common Redpoll complex; now they are considered to be separate species. But here they are treated as a single entry. The Mealy Redpoll Carduelis flammea is appreciably paler in all plumages than the Lesser Redpoll. Lessers are present here all year (although many migrate to mainland Europe in winter). Mealys are exclusively winter visitors, from N Europe.
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