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  • SWEET VERNAL-GRASS Anthoxanthum odoratum Height to 50cm. Tufted, downy perennial with a sweet smell when dried. Grows in grassland. FLOWERS are borne in relatively dense spike-like clusters, 3-4cm long, of 3-flowered spikelets, each with 1 straight and 1 bent awn (Apr-Jul). FRUITS are small, dry nutlets. LEAVES are flat with blunt ligules. STATUS-Widespread and common.
    130867.jpg
  • GRASS-OF-PARNASSUS Parnassia palustris (Saxifragaceae) Height to 25cm. Distinctive, tufted and hairless perennial of damp, peaty grassland, marshes and moors. FLOWERS are 15-20mm across and superficially buttercup-like, with 5 white petals and greenish veins; on upright stalks with clasping leaves (Jun-Sep). FRUITS are dry capsules. LEAVES are deep green; basal leaves are heart-shaped and stalked. STATUS-Locally common in N Britain and Ireland; scarce in, or absent from, the S.
    144495.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.
    113987.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.
    114577.jpg
  • Mistle Thrush Turdus viscivorus L 27cm. Appreciably larger than Song Thrush. Unobtrusive but has distinctive call and song. Sexes are similar. Adult has grey-brown upperparts with hint of white wingbar. Underparts are pale with large dark spots and flanks are washed orange-buff. In flight, note white underwings and white tips to outer tail feathers. Juvenile is similar but back has white, teardrop-shaped spots. Voice Utters a loud, rattling alarm call. Song contains brief phrases and long pauses; often sung in dull weather. Status Fairly common resident of open woodland, parks and mature gardens.
    127406.jpg
  • Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria L 28cm. Beautifully marked wader. Call is evocative of desolate uplands in summer. Gregarious outside breeding season; often associates with Lapwings. In flight, note white underwings. Sexes are sometimes separable in summer. Adult in summer has spangled golden upperparts bordered by white band. In most males, belly is black, grading to grey on neck and face. Most females have less distinct dark underparts and face is often whitish. Breeders from N Europe (seen on migration) have darker underparts than British birds. In winter, underparts are pale, and head, neck and back are streaked golden. Juvenile is similar to winter adult. Voice Utters peeoo flight call and plaintive pu-peeoo in summer. Status Locally common breeding species on N upland moors and mountains. Widespread in winter on grassland and arable fields.
    131636.jpg
  • Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria L 28cm. Beautifully marked wader. Call is evocative of desolate uplands in summer. Gregarious outside breeding season; often associates with Lapwings. In flight, note white underwings. Sexes are sometimes separable in summer. Adult in summer has spangled golden upperparts bordered by white band. In most males, belly is black, grading to grey on neck and face. Most females have less distinct dark underparts and face is often whitish. Breeders from N Europe (seen on migration) have darker underparts than British birds. In winter, underparts are pale, and head, neck and back are streaked golden. Juvenile is similar to winter adult. Voice Utters peeoo flight call and plaintive pu-peeoo in summer. Status Locally common breeding species on N upland moors and mountains. Widespread in winter on grassland and arable fields.
    131662.jpg
  • Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria L 28cm. Beautifully marked wader. Call is evocative of desolate uplands in summer. Gregarious outside breeding season; often associates with Lapwings. In flight, note white underwings. Sexes are sometimes separable in summer. Adult in summer has spangled golden upperparts bordered by white band. In most males, belly is black, grading to grey on neck and face. Most females have less distinct dark underparts and face is often whitish. Breeders from N Europe (seen on migration) have darker underparts than British birds. In winter, underparts are pale, and head, neck and back are streaked golden. Juvenile is similar to winter adult. Voice Utters peeoo flight call and plaintive pu-peeoo in summer. Status Locally common breeding species on N upland moors and mountains. Widespread in winter on grassland and arable fields.
    131661.jpg
  • Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria L 28cm. Beautifully marked wader. Call is evocative of desolate uplands in summer. Gregarious outside breeding season; often associates with Lapwings. In flight, note white underwings. Sexes are sometimes separable in summer. Adult in summer has spangled golden upperparts bordered by white band. In most males, belly is black, grading to grey on neck and face. Most females have less distinct dark underparts and face is often whitish. Breeders from N Europe (seen on migration) have darker underparts than British birds. In winter, underparts are pale, and head, neck and back are streaked golden. Juvenile is similar to winter adult. Voice Utters peeoo flight call and plaintive pu-peeoo in summer. Status Locally common breeding species on N upland moors and mountains. Widespread in winter on grassland and arable fields.
    133046.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
  • 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
  • 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.
    133407.jpg
  • Wood Stork - Mycteria americana
    133562.jpg
  • Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus schoenobaenus L 12-13cm. Well-marked wetland warbler with distinctive song. Sexes are similar. Adult has dark-streaked sandy brown upperparts and pale underparts, flushed orange-buff on breast and flanks. Head has dark-streaked crown, striking pale supercilium and dark eyestripe. Juvenile is similar but breast is faintly streaked. Voice Utters a sharp chek alarm call. Song comprises rasping and grating phrases interspersed with trills and whistles. Status Widespread summer visitor to rank marshy vegetation, scrub patches on fringes of reedbeds and overgrown ditches.
    133678.jpg
  • Shelduck Tadorna tadorna L 55-65cm. Goose-sized duck with bold markings. In poor light, looks black and white. In flight, note contrast between white wing coverts and black flight feathers. Sifts mud for small invertebrates. Nests in burrows. Sexes are separable with care. Adult male is mainly white but with dark green head and upper neck (looks black in poor light), chestnut breast band, black belly stripe and flush of orange-buff under tail. Legs are pink and bill is bright red with knob at base. Adult female is similar but bill’s basal knob is much smaller. Juvenile has mainly buffish grey upperparts and white underparts. Voice Courting male whistles while female’s call is a cackling gagaga… Status Common on most estuaries and mudflats; local at inland freshwater sites. Migrates to favoured sites like Bridgwater Bay in Somerset for summer moult.
    136015.jpg
  • Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus schoenobaenus L 12-13cm. Well-marked wetland warbler with distinctive song. Sexes are similar. Adult has dark-streaked sandy brown upperparts and pale underparts, flushed orange-buff on breast and flanks. Head has dark-streaked crown, striking pale supercilium and dark eyestripe. Juvenile is similar but breast is faintly streaked. Voice Utters a sharp chek alarm call. Song comprises rasping and grating phrases interspersed with trills and whistles. Status Widespread summer visitor to rank marshy vegetation, scrub patches on fringes of reedbeds and overgrown ditches.
    136440.jpg
  • Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus schoenobaenus L 12-13cm. Well-marked wetland warbler with distinctive song. Sexes are similar. Adult has dark-streaked sandy brown upperparts and pale underparts, flushed orange-buff on breast and flanks. Head has dark-streaked crown, striking pale supercilium and dark eyestripe. Juvenile is similar but breast is faintly streaked. Voice Utters a sharp chek alarm call. Song comprises rasping and grating phrases interspersed with trills and whistles. Status Widespread summer visitor to rank marshy vegetation, scrub patches on fringes of reedbeds and overgrown ditches.
    136439.jpg
  • Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola L 28cm. Plump-bodied coastal wader. Best known in winter plumage but breeding plumage sometimes seen in newly-arrived, or shortly-to-depart, migrants. In flight, note black ‘armpits’ on otherwise white underwings. Typically solitary. Sexes are similar. Adult in winter looks overall grey but upperparts are spangled with black and white and underparts are whitish. Legs and bill are dark. In summer plumage, has striking black underparts (sometimes rather mottled in females) separated from spangled grey upperparts by broad white band. Juvenile resembles winter adult but has buff wash to plumage. Voice Utters diagnostic, trisyllabic pee-oo-ee call, like a human wolf-whistle. Status Nests in high Arctic; coastal, non-breeding visitor to Britain and Ireland.
    137115.jpg
  • Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria L 28cm. Beautifully marked wader. Call is evocative of desolate uplands in summer. Gregarious outside breeding season; often associates with Lapwings. In flight, note white underwings. Sexes are sometimes separable in summer. Adult in summer has spangled golden upperparts bordered by white band. In most males, belly is black, grading to grey on neck and face. Most females have less distinct dark underparts and face is often whitish. Breeders from N Europe (seen on migration) have darker underparts than British birds. In winter, underparts are pale, and head, neck and back are streaked golden. Juvenile is similar to winter adult. Voice Utters peeoo flight call and plaintive pu-peeoo in summer. Status Locally common breeding species on N upland moors and mountains. Widespread in winter on grassland and arable fields.
    138823.jpg
  • Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria L 28cm. Beautifully marked wader. Call is evocative of desolate uplands in summer. Gregarious outside breeding season; often associates with Lapwings. In flight, note white underwings. Sexes are sometimes separable in summer. Adult in summer has spangled golden upperparts bordered by white band. In most males, belly is black, grading to grey on neck and face. Most females have less distinct dark underparts and face is often whitish. Breeders from N Europe (seen on migration) have darker underparts than British birds. In winter, underparts are pale, and head, neck and back are streaked golden. Juvenile is similar to winter adult. Voice Utters peeoo flight call and plaintive pu-peeoo in summer. Status Locally common breeding species on N upland moors and mountains. Widespread in winter on grassland and arable fields.
    138824.jpg
  • Levant Sparrowhawk - Accipiter brevipes
    139786.jpg
  • Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus schoenobaenus L 12-13cm. Well-marked wetland warbler with distinctive song. Sexes are similar. Adult has dark-streaked sandy brown upperparts and pale underparts, flushed orange-buff on breast and flanks. Head has dark-streaked crown, striking pale supercilium and dark eyestripe. Juvenile is similar but breast is faintly streaked. Voice Utters a sharp chek alarm call. Song comprises rasping and grating phrases interspersed with trills and whistles. Status Widespread summer visitor to rank marshy vegetation, scrub patches on fringes of reedbeds and overgrown ditches.
    139807.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.
    143025.jpg
  • Pied Flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca L 12-13cm. Well-marked bird with precise habitat requirements. Forages in tree canopy. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male in summer has black upperparts, white underparts and bold white band on otherwise black wings; note small white patch at base of bill. All other birds (including autumn adult male) are similarly patterned but black elements of plumage are replaced by brown. Voice Utters a sharp tik alarm call. Song is sweet and ringing. Status Locally fairly common summer visitor, mainly to Sessile Oak woodland; most numerous in Devon, Wales and Lake District.
    143053.jpg
  • Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus schoenobaenus L 12-13cm. Well-marked wetland warbler with distinctive song. Sexes are similar. Adult has dark-streaked sandy brown upperparts and pale underparts, flushed orange-buff on breast and flanks. Head has dark-streaked crown, striking pale supercilium and dark eyestripe. Juvenile is similar but breast is faintly streaked. Voice Utters a sharp chek alarm call. Song comprises rasping and grating phrases interspersed with trills and whistles. Status Widespread summer visitor to rank marshy vegetation, scrub patches on fringes of reedbeds and overgrown ditches.
    143063.jpg
  • Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria L 28cm. Beautifully marked wader. Call is evocative of desolate uplands in summer. Gregarious outside breeding season; often associates with Lapwings. In flight, note white underwings. Sexes are sometimes separable in summer. Adult in summer has spangled golden upperparts bordered by white band. In most males, belly is black, grading to grey on neck and face. Most females have less distinct dark underparts and face is often whitish. Breeders from N Europe (seen on migration) have darker underparts than British birds. In winter, underparts are pale, and head, neck and back are streaked golden. Juvenile is similar to winter adult. Voice Utters peeoo flight call and plaintive pu-peeoo in summer. Status Locally common breeding species on N upland moors and mountains. Widespread in winter on grassland and arable fields.
    143416.jpg
  • Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria L 28cm. Beautifully marked wader. Call is evocative of desolate uplands in summer. Gregarious outside breeding season; often associates with Lapwings. In flight, note white underwings. Sexes are sometimes separable in summer. Adult in summer has spangled golden upperparts bordered by white band. In most males, belly is black, grading to grey on neck and face. Most females have less distinct dark underparts and face is often whitish. Breeders from N Europe (seen on migration) have darker underparts than British birds. In winter, underparts are pale, and head, neck and back are streaked golden. Juvenile is similar to winter adult. Voice Utters peeoo flight call and plaintive pu-peeoo in summer. Status Locally common breeding species on N upland moors and mountains. Widespread in winter on grassland and arable fields.
    143417.jpg
  • King Cormorant - Phalacrocorax atriceps albiventer
    143439.jpg
  • Osprey Pandion halieaetus W 145-160cm. The classic fish-eating raptor. Can look gull-like in flight but fishing technique is unmistakable: hovers, then plunges talons first into water. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly brown upperparts, except for pale crown; underparts are mainly whitish with darker chest band. In flight from below, looks pale overall with dark carpal patches, dark band along base of flight feathers and dark terminal band on barred tail. Juvenile is similar to adult but darker markings are less distinct. Voice Utters various whistling calls. Status Migrant visitor, seldom seen far from water even on migration. Nests close to large waterbodies, mainly in N. Breeding range is gradually extending S; also introduced in places (notably Rutland Water). Passage migrants sometimes linger for a few days at fish-rich lakes and flooded gravel pits.
    143445.jpg
  • Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiacus L 65-72cm. Striking Shelduck-sized bird. In flight, bold white patch on inner wing useful for identification. Bill and legs are pink. Sexes are similar. Adult has grubby white head and neck; pale eye is surrounded by dark patch. Orange-buff breast is clearly separated from paler neck and darker, grey-buff belly; note small, dark patch on centre of breast. Back is dark grey-brown; note white and chestnut on wing, seen in resting birds. Juvenile is similar but colours are duller; dark breast spot and patch around eye are absent. Voice Mostly silent. Status Introduced from Africa but now well established and increasing. Usually seen near water, often on nearby grassland.
    143475.jpg
  • Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus schoenobaenus L 12-13cm. Well-marked wetland warbler with distinctive song. Sexes are similar. Adult has dark-streaked sandy brown upperparts and pale underparts, flushed orange-buff on breast and flanks. Head has dark-streaked crown, striking pale supercilium and dark eyestripe. Juvenile is similar but breast is faintly streaked. Voice Utters a sharp chek alarm call. Song comprises rasping and grating phrases interspersed with trills and whistles. Status Widespread summer visitor to rank marshy vegetation, scrub patches on fringes of reedbeds and overgrown ditches.
    143753.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.
    143984.jpg
  • Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto L 32cm. Relatively recent arrival to Britain and Ireland but now a familiar sight and sound in urban areas. Often seen in pairs. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly sandy brown plumage with pinkish flush to head and underparts, and dark half-collar on nape. Black wingtips and white outer tail feathers are striking in flight. Bill is dark and legs are reddish. Juvenile is similar duller colours and lacks black half-collar. Voice Utters repetitive song comprising repeated oo-oo-oo phrase. Status Spread NW through Europe in 20th Century and first seen here in 1950s.
    144690.jpg
  • Goshawk Accipiter gentilis W 100-115cm. Impressive, buzzard-sized raptor. In flight, note broad, rounded wings and relatively long but thickset barred tail. Soaring birds fan their tails and splay white, fluffy, undertail. Close view (an unusual event) reveals orange eye, yellow legs and feet, and striking pale supercilium. Xexes are similar but male is smaller than female. Adult has mainly grey-brown upperparts; pale underparts are marked with fine dark barring. Juvenile has brown upperparts; buffish underparts are marked with dark, teardrop-shaped spots. Voice Utters a harsh kie-kie-kie in breeding season. Status Scarce but easily overlooked. Favours wooded habitats with adjacent open country.
    144859.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.
    145314.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.
    145315.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.
    145316.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.
    145318.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.
    145317.jpg
  • Wandering Albatross - Diomedea antipodensis
    145380.jpg
  • Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa L 38-42cm. Long-legged wader with long, straight bill. In flight, has black tail, white rump and white wingbars on upperwing. Sexes are dissimilar in summer. Adult male in breeding plumage has reddish orange face, neck and breast. Greyish back is spangled with reddish brown and belly is whitish with barring on flanks. Adult female in breeding plumage is similar but reddish elements of plumage are less intense. Winter adult is grey-brown, palest on belly; undertail is white. Juvenile recalls winter adult but has orange suffusion on neck and breast and pale fringes and dark spotting on back feathers. Voice Utters a kwe-we-we call in flight. Status Rare British breeder; Ouse and Nene Washes are strongholds and favours wet grassland. Icelandic migrants boost numbers outside breeding season; locally common on muddy estuaries.
    145393.jpg
  • Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus schoenobaenus L 12-13cm. Well-marked wetland warbler with distinctive song. Sexes are similar. Adult has dark-streaked sandy brown upperparts and pale underparts, flushed orange-buff on breast and flanks. Head has dark-streaked crown, striking pale supercilium and dark eyestripe. Juvenile is similar but breast is faintly streaked. Voice Utters a sharp chek alarm call. Song comprises rasping and grating phrases interspersed with trills and whistles. Status Widespread summer visitor to rank marshy vegetation, scrub patches on fringes of reedbeds and overgrown ditches.
    145484.jpg
  • Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus schoenobaenus L 12-13cm. Well-marked wetland warbler with distinctive song. Sexes are similar. Adult has dark-streaked sandy brown upperparts and pale underparts, flushed orange-buff on breast and flanks. Head has dark-streaked crown, striking pale supercilium and dark eyestripe. Juvenile is similar but breast is faintly streaked. Voice Utters a sharp chek alarm call. Song comprises rasping and grating phrases interspersed with trills and whistles. Status Widespread summer visitor to rank marshy vegetation, scrub patches on fringes of reedbeds and overgrown ditches.
    145485.jpg
  • Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus schoenobaenus L 12-13cm. Well-marked wetland warbler with distinctive song. Sexes are similar. Adult has dark-streaked sandy brown upperparts and pale underparts, flushed orange-buff on breast and flanks. Head has dark-streaked crown, striking pale supercilium and dark eyestripe. Juvenile is similar but breast is faintly streaked. Voice Utters a sharp chek alarm call. Song comprises rasping and grating phrases interspersed with trills and whistles. Status Widespread summer visitor to rank marshy vegetation, scrub patches on fringes of reedbeds and overgrown ditches.
    145486.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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  • Little Owl Athene noctua L 22cm. Our smallest owl. Has large-headed, short-tailed and overall dumpy silhouette. Partly diurnal and seen perched on fenceposts and dead branches. Sometimes bobs head and body when agitated. Sexes are similar. Adult has brown upperparts with whitish spots; pale underparts have dark streaks. Note yellow eyes. Juvenile is duller and lacks spots on head. Voice Calls include cat-like kiu, uttered repeatedly in early evening. Status Introduced from mainland Europe in 19th Century. Now widespread and fairly common in S Britain. Nests in tree holes and cavities in stone walls.
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  • Little Owl Athene noctua L 22cm. Our smallest owl. Has large-headed, short-tailed and overall dumpy silhouette. Partly diurnal and seen perched on fenceposts and dead branches. Sometimes bobs head and body when agitated. Sexes are similar. Adult has brown upperparts with whitish spots; pale underparts have dark streaks. Note yellow eyes. Juvenile is duller and lacks spots on head. Voice Calls include cat-like kiu, uttered repeatedly in early evening. Status Introduced from mainland Europe in 19th Century. Now widespread and fairly common in S Britain. Nests in tree holes and cavities in stone walls.
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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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  • 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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  • Golden Plover - Pluvialis apricaria
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  • Common Centaury - Centaurium erythraea. Height to 25cm. Variable, hairless annual that is found in dry, grassy places, including verges, chalk downland and sand dunes. FLOWERS are 10-15mm across, unstalked and pink with 5 petal-like lobes that open fully only in sunshine; borne in terminal clusters and on side shoots (Jun-Sep). FRUITS are capsules. LEAVES are grey-green and oval, those on the stem narrower than the basal ones (10-20mm across), which form a rosette; all leaves have 3-7 veins. STATUS-Widespread and common, except Scotland. Note-dwarf form var. capitatum (so-called Dumpy Centaury) occurs on coasts of England and Wales.
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  • Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria L 28cm. Beautifully marked wader. Call is evocative of desolate uplands in summer. Gregarious outside breeding season; often associates with Lapwings. In flight, note white underwings. Sexes are sometimes separable in summer. Adult in summer has spangled golden upperparts bordered by white band. In most males, belly is black, grading to grey on neck and face. Most females have less distinct dark underparts and face is often whitish. Breeders from N Europe (seen on migration) have darker underparts than British birds. In winter, underparts are pale, and head, neck and back are streaked golden. Juvenile is similar to winter adult. Voice Utters peeoo flight call and plaintive pu-peeoo in summer. Status Locally common breeding species on N upland moors and mountains. Widespread in winter on grassland and arable fields.
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  • Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria L 28cm. Beautifully marked wader. Call is evocative of desolate uplands in summer. Gregarious outside breeding season; often associates with Lapwings. In flight, note white underwings. Sexes are sometimes separable in summer. Adult in summer has spangled golden upperparts bordered by white band. In most males, belly is black, grading to grey on neck and face. Most females have less distinct dark underparts and face is often whitish. Breeders from N Europe (seen on migration) have darker underparts than British birds. In winter, underparts are pale, and head, neck and back are streaked golden. Juvenile is similar to winter adult. Voice Utters peeoo flight call and plaintive pu-peeoo in summer. Status Locally common breeding species on N upland moors and mountains. Widespread in winter on grassland and arable fields.
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  • GRASS-OF-PARNASSUS Parnassia palustris (Saxifragaceae) Height to 25cm. Distinctive, tufted and hairless perennial of damp, peaty grassland, marshes and moors. FLOWERS are 15-20mm across and superficially buttercup-like, with 5 white petals and greenish veins; on upright stalks with clasping leaves (Jun-Sep). FRUITS are dry capsules. LEAVES are deep green; basal leaves are heart-shaped and stalked. STATUS-Locally common in N Britain and Ireland; scarce in, or absent from, the S.
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  • GRASS-OF-PARNASSUS Parnassia palustris (Saxifragaceae) Height to 25cm. Distinctive, tufted and hairless perennial of damp, peaty grassland, marshes and moors. FLOWERS are 15-20mm across and superficially buttercup-like, with 5 white petals and greenish veins; on upright stalks with clasping leaves (Jun-Sep). FRUITS are dry capsules. LEAVES are deep green; basal leaves are heart-shaped and stalked. STATUS-Locally common in N Britain and Ireland; scarce in, or absent from, the S.
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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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  • Willet - Catoptrophorus semipalmatus. Breeding Plumage
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  • Common Kestrel - Falco tinnunculus
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  • Speckled Pigeon - Columba guinea
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  • Dwarf Cornel - Cornus suecica
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  • Dwarf Cornel - Cornus suecica
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  • Cowberry - Vaccinium vitis-idaea
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  • Cowberry - Vaccinium vitis-idaea<br />
subsp minus
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  • Sun Spurge - Euphorbia helioscopia
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  • Red Bartsia - Odontites vernus
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  • Shepherd's Purse - Capsella bursa-pastoris
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  • Bean Goose - Anser fabalis
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  • Golden Plover - Pluvialis apricaria
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  • Golden Plover - Pluvialis apricaria
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  • Cuckoo - Cuculus canorus
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  • Great Blue Heron - Ardea herodias
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  • Sedge Warbler - Acrocephalus schoenobaenus - adult male
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  • Wigeon - Mareca penelope - male
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  • Golden Plover - Pluvialis apricaria
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  • Golden Plover - Pluvialis apricaria
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  • Striate Earthstar - Geastrum striatum
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  • Heath Waxcap - Hygrocybe laeta
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  • Crimson Waxcap - Hygrocybe punicea
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  • Glutinous Waxcap - Hygrocybe glutinipes
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  • Honey Waxcap - Hygrocybe reidii
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  • Splendid Waxcap - Hygrocybe splendidissima
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  • Cedarwood Waxcap - Hygrocybe russocoriacea
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  • Golden Waxcap - Hygrocybe chlorophana
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  • Agaricus bernardii
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  • Field Mushroom - Agaricus campestris
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  • Common Centaury - Centaurium erythraea
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  • Red-footed Falcon - Falco verspertinus
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  • Sedge Warbler - Acrocephalus schoenobaenus
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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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  • Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur L 27cm. Small, well-marked dove. Flight is fast and direct with flicking wingbeats. Song is distinctive. Sexes are similar. Adult has blue-grey head, neck and underparts with pinkish buff flush on breast, and white barring on neck. Back and wing coverts are chestnut: dark feather centres and pale margins create scaly appearance. Long, mainly black tail looks wedge-shaped in flight due to white corners. Juvenile is similar but duller and lacks neck markings. Voice Song is diagnostic, purring coo. Status Local summer visitor. Declining due to modern agricultural practises. Found on lowland arable farmland, scrub and downland; E England is its stronghold.
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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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  • Lapwing Vanellus vanellus L 30cm. Pied-looking wader with a spiky crest. Has rounded, black and white wings and distinctive call. Sexes are separable in summer. Adult male in summer has green- and purple-sheened dark upperparts; underparts are white except for orange vent and black foreneck. Note black and white markings on throat. Adult female in summer has less distinct black neck markings and shorter crest. Winter adult is similar to summer female but throat and foreneck are white, and back feathers have buffish fringes. Juvenile is similar to winter adult but crest is short and back looks scaly. Voice Utters a choked pee-wit call. Status Fairly common nesting species of undisturbed grazed grassland, moors and arable farmland; numbers have declined seriously. Migrants from Europe boost numbers in winter.
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  • Swallowtail - Papilio machaon ssp. britannicus - larva. Wingspan 70mm. Iconic and unmistakable butterfly with mainly yellow and black wings; hind wings have blue and red spots, and tail streamers. Double-brooded: adults are on the wing May–June, and again in August. Larva is yellow-green with black and red markings; feeds on Milk-parsley. Restricted to a few fens and marshes in East Anglia, mainly in the Norfolk Broads; easiest to see at Strumpshaw Fen and Hickling Broad.
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  • Sun Spurge - Euphorbia helioscopia. Height to 50cm. Upright, hairless and yellowish green annual. Found on disturbed ground and in cultivated soils. FLOWERS lack sepals and petals and are yellow with green lobes; borne in flat-topped umbel-like clusters with 5 leaf-like basal bracts (May-Nov). FRUITS are smooth. LEAVES are spoon-shaped and toothed. STATUS-Widespread and common.
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  • Lapwing Vanellus vanellus L 30cm. Pied-looking wader with a spiky crest. Has rounded, black and white wings and distinctive call. Sexes are separable in summer. Adult male in summer has green- and purple-sheened dark upperparts; underparts are white except for orange vent and black foreneck. Note black and white markings on throat. Adult female in summer has less distinct black neck markings and shorter crest. Winter adult is similar to summer female but throat and foreneck are white, and back feathers have buffish fringes. Juvenile is similar to winter adult but crest is short and back looks scaly. Voice Utters a choked pee-wit call. Status Fairly common nesting species of undisturbed grazed grassland, moors and arable farmland; numbers have declined seriously. Migrants from Europe boost numbers in winter.
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  • Red Hemp-nettle - Galeopsis angustifolia (Lamiaceae). Height to 30cm. Branched and downy annual with stems that are not swollen at the nodes. Grows in arable fields, on disturbed ground and on shingle usually near the coast. FLOWERS are 15-25mm long and reddish pink with a hooded upper lip and a 2-lobed lower lip, the corolla tube being twice as long as the calyx; borne in terminal heads (Jul-Sep). FRUITS are nutlets. LEAVES are narrow and only slightly toothed. STATUS-Widespread but only locally common only and encountered mainly in SE England.
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  • Lapwing - Vanellus vanellus. L 30cm. Pied-looking wader with a spiky crest. Has rounded, black and white wings and distinctive call. Sexes are separable in summer. Adult male in summer has green- and purple-sheened dark upperparts; underparts are white except for orange vent and black foreneck. Note black and white markings on throat. Adult female in summer has less distinct black neck markings and shorter crest. Winter adult is similar to summer female but throat and foreneck are white, and back feathers have buffish fringes. Juvenile is similar to winter adult but crest is short and back looks scaly. Voice Utters a choked pee-wit call. Status Fairly common nesting species of undisturbed grazed grassland, moors and arable farmland; numbers have declined seriously. Migrants from Europe boost numbers in winter.
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  • Swallowtail - Papilio machaon britannicus - female. Wingspan 70mm. Iconic and unmistakable butterfly with mainly yellow and black wings; hind wings have blue and red spots, and tail streamers. Double-brooded: adults are on the wing May–June, and again in August. Larva is yellow-green with black and red markings; feeds on Milk-parsley. Restricted to a few fens and marshes in East Anglia, mainly in the Norfolk Broads; easiest to see at Strumpshaw Fen and Hickling Broad.
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  • Girdled Snail - Hygromia cinctella
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  • Lapwing Vanellus vanellus L 30cm. Pied-looking wader with a spiky crest. Has rounded, black and white wings and distinctive call. Sexes are separable in summer. Adult male in summer has green- and purple-sheened dark upperparts; underparts are white except for orange vent and black foreneck. Note black and white markings on throat. Adult female in summer has less distinct black neck markings and shorter crest. Winter adult is similar to summer female but throat and foreneck are white, and back feathers have buffish fringes. Juvenile is similar to winter adult but crest is short and back looks scaly. Voice Utters a choked pee-wit call. Status Fairly common nesting species of undisturbed grazed grassland, moors and arable farmland; numbers have declined seriously. Migrants from Europe boost numbers in winter.
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