Nature Photographers Ltd

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

Search Results

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

Loading ()...

  • Winter dawn at Avebury Stone Circle, Wiltshire, Uk
    154442.jpg
  • Winter dawn at Avebury Stone Circle, Wiltshire, Uk
    161476.jpg
  • Durdle Door on the Jurassic coast, Dorset, Uk
    144744.jpg
  • Durdle Door on the Jurassic coast, Dorset, Uk
    144745.jpg
  • Durdle Door on the Jurassic coast, Dorset, Uk
    161477.jpg
  • Natterjack Breeding Pool - Winterton dunes, Norfolk
    115534.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.
    157233.jpg
  • Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius - Juvenile. L 15-17cm. Slim-bodied little plover that lacks white wingbar. Sexes are similar. Summer adult has sandy brown upperparts and white underparts with black collar and breast band, and black and white markings on head. Has black bill, yellow legs and yellow eyering. Female has duller black elements of head plumage than male. Juvenile has black elements of plumage replaced by sandy brown. Breast band is usually incomplete, leg and eyering colours are dull, and head lacks pale supercilium seen in juvenile Ringed Plover. Voice Utters a pee-oo call. Status Locally fairly common, nesting around margins of flooded gravel pits and other manmade sites. Migrants turn up at freshwater sites outside breeding range and sometimes on coast.
    155571.jpg
  • Shelduck Tadorna tadorna - Juvenile. 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.
    155595.jpg
  • Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius L 15-17cm. Slim-bodied little plover that lacks white wingbar. Sexes are similar. Summer adult has sandy brown upperparts and white underparts with black collar and breast band, and black and white markings on head. Has black bill, yellow legs and yellow eyering. Female has duller black elements of head plumage than male. Juvenile has black elements of plumage replaced by sandy brown. Breast band is usually incomplete, leg and eyering colours are dull, and head lacks pale supercilium seen in juvenile Ringed Plover. Voice Utters a pee-oo call. Status Locally fairly common, nesting around margins of flooded gravel pits and other manmade sites. Migrants turn up at freshwater sites outside breeding range and sometimes on coast.
    126844.jpg
  • Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius L 15-17cm. Slim-bodied little plover that lacks white wingbar. Sexes are similar. Summer adult has sandy brown upperparts and white underparts with black collar and breast band, and black and white markings on head. Has black bill, yellow legs and yellow eyering. Female has duller black elements of head plumage than male. Juvenile has black elements of plumage replaced by sandy brown. Breast band is usually incomplete, leg and eyering colours are dull, and head lacks pale supercilium seen in juvenile Ringed Plover. Voice Utters a pee-oo call. Status Locally fairly common, nesting around margins of flooded gravel pits and other manmade sites. Migrants turn up at freshwater sites outside breeding range and sometimes on coast.
    127320.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.
    128810.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.
    128876.jpg
  • Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius L 15-17cm. Slim-bodied little plover that lacks white wingbar. Sexes are similar. Summer adult has sandy brown upperparts and white underparts with black collar and breast band, and black and white markings on head. Has black bill, yellow legs and yellow eyering. Female has duller black elements of head plumage than male. Juvenile has black elements of plumage replaced by sandy brown. Breast band is usually incomplete, leg and eyering colours are dull, and head lacks pale supercilium seen in juvenile Ringed Plover. Voice Utters a pee-oo call. Status Locally fairly common, nesting around margins of flooded gravel pits and other manmade sites. Migrants turn up at freshwater sites outside breeding range and sometimes on coast.
    133058.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
  • 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.
    136033.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.
    136037.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.
    137160.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.
    139589.jpg
  • Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius L 15-17cm. Slim-bodied little plover that lacks white wingbar. Sexes are similar. Summer adult has sandy brown upperparts and white underparts with black collar and breast band, and black and white markings on head. Has black bill, yellow legs and yellow eyering. Female has duller black elements of head plumage than male. Juvenile has black elements of plumage replaced by sandy brown. Breast band is usually incomplete, leg and eyering colours are dull, and head lacks pale supercilium seen in juvenile Ringed Plover. Voice Utters a pee-oo call. Status Locally fairly common, nesting around margins of flooded gravel pits and other manmade sites. Migrants turn up at freshwater sites outside breeding range and sometimes on coast.
    141084.jpg
  • Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius L 15-17cm. Slim-bodied little plover that lacks white wingbar. Sexes are similar. Summer adult has sandy brown upperparts and white underparts with black collar and breast band, and black and white markings on head. Has black bill, yellow legs and yellow eyering. Female has duller black elements of head plumage than male. Juvenile has black elements of plumage replaced by sandy brown. Breast band is usually incomplete, leg and eyering colours are dull, and head lacks pale supercilium seen in juvenile Ringed Plover. Voice Utters a pee-oo call. Status Locally fairly common, nesting around margins of flooded gravel pits and other manmade sites. Migrants turn up at freshwater sites outside breeding range and sometimes on coast.
    143059.jpg
  • Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius L 15-17cm. Slim-bodied little plover that lacks white wingbar. Sexes are similar. Summer adult has sandy brown upperparts and white underparts with black collar and breast band, and black and white markings on head. Has black bill, yellow legs and yellow eyering. Female has duller black elements of head plumage than male. Juvenile has black elements of plumage replaced by sandy brown. Breast band is usually incomplete, leg and eyering colours are dull, and head lacks pale supercilium seen in juvenile Ringed Plover. Voice Utters a pee-oo call. Status Locally fairly common, nesting around margins of flooded gravel pits and other manmade sites. Migrants turn up at freshwater sites outside breeding range and sometimes on coast.
    143873.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.
    145940.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.
    139568.jpg
  • Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius L 15-17cm. Slim-bodied little plover that lacks white wingbar. Sexes are similar. Summer adult has sandy brown upperparts and white underparts with black collar and breast band, and black and white markings on head. Has black bill, yellow legs and yellow eyering. Female has duller black elements of head plumage than male. Juvenile has black elements of plumage replaced by sandy brown. Breast band is usually incomplete, leg and eyering colours are dull, and head lacks pale supercilium seen in juvenile Ringed Plover. Voice Utters a pee-oo call. Status Locally fairly common, nesting around margins of flooded gravel pits and other manmade sites. Migrants turn up at freshwater sites outside breeding range and sometimes on coast.
    141098.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.
    135926.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.
    135925.jpg
  • Toad Patrol on a busy Hampshire lane. In early spring every year, thousands of toads, frogs and newts migrate from their hibernation sites to breeding grounds. These journeys often involve road crossings and many are killed by unsuspecting motorists. With awareness of this major problem growing, volunteer groups are now a common sight in known hotspots, helping to reduce the casualty numbers by slowing traffic and collecting these animals from the road.
    162190.jpg
  • Toad Patrol on a busy Hampshire lane. In early spring every year, thousands of toads, frogs and newts migrate from their hibernation sites to breeding grounds. These journeys often involve road crossings and many are killed by unsuspecting motorists. With awareness of this major problem growing, volunteer groups are now a common sight in known hotspots, helping to reduce the casualty numbers by slowing traffic and collecting these animals from the road.
    162195.jpg
  • Pellenes tripunctatus - female. A jumping spider that is very rare (RDB1) in Britain. It only occurs on a few coastal shingle sites along the South Coast.
    157296.jpg
  • PASQUEFLOWER Pulsatilla vulgaris (Ranunculaceae) Height to 25cm. Perennial of dry, calcareous grassland. FLOWERS are purple, bell-shaped with 6 petal-like sepals; upright at first, then nodding (Apr-May). FRUITS comprise seeds with long silky hairs. LEAVES are divided 2 or 3 times and comprise narrow leaflets. STATUS-Rare and restricted to a few sites in S and E England.
    156654.jpg
  • Wasp Spider - Argiope bruennichi - Female. Now frequent in southern counties of Britain on grassland in brown field sites, heathland, road verges, and coastal grassland.
    155122.jpg
  • Bewick’s Swan Cygnus columbianus L 115-125cm. Our smallest swan. Usually seen in medium-sized flocks comprising family groups. Similar to larger Whooper but separated by noting relatively shorter neck and different bill pattern. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly pure white plumage. Bill is wedge-shaped but proportionately shorter than Whooper; yellow colour typically does not extend beyond start of nostrils and yellow patch is usually rounded, not triangular. Juvenile has grubby buffish grey plumage and dark-tipped pink bill Voice Utters various honking and bugling calls. Status Winter visitor, 10,000+ birds found at traditional sites: flooded grassland, marshy meadows and occasionally arable farmland.
    155080.jpg
  • Sticky Catchfly Lychnis viscaria Height to 55cm<br />
Upright perennial with sticky stems. Grows in dry, rocky places. Leaves are narrow-oval and paired. Flowers are pinkish-purple with 5 lobes. Status Rare, restricted to a few sites, mainly in Scotland but also in Wales.
    134014.jpg
  • RAMPION BELLFLOWER Campanula rapunculus. Height to 1m. Upright biennial of grassy places and roadside verges. Flowers 1-2cm long, bell-shaped and pale blue, usually on short stalks and held erect (June-Aug). Fruits dry capsules. Leaves narrow, the basal ones slightly toothed. Status naturalised in a few sites.
    131845.jpg
  • GRAPE-HYACINTH Muscari armeniacum (Height to 25cm) is often grown in gardens but is also thought to be native to Britain at a few Breckland sites. The leaves are narrow, bright green and basal, and the flowers are blue, egg-shaped and borne in conical spikes, 3-4cm long (Apr-May).
    114626.jpg
  • House Mouse Mus domesticus Length 14-19cm Ancestor of domesticated pet mice. Diet is varied. Presence detected by musky smell. Adult has a compact head and body, roughly the same length as tail. Coat ranges from yellowish brown to grey brown and is darker above than below. Ears are relatively large. Utters high-pitched squeaks. Probably introduced to Britain during Iron Age. Formerly abundant but now less so. Favours sites where food is stored (factories and farm barns) and has truly commensal association with Man
    114174.jpg
  • Serotine Eptesicus serotinus Wingspan 33-38cm Large bat, often associated with human habitation. Adult has sleek fur, dark brown above and yellowish brown below. Nose and face are dark; dark ears are oval with 5 transverse folds and tragus is sickle-shaped. Wings are long, broad and dark. Utters shrill squeaks at roost sites. Echolocates in 25-30khz range. Widespread in S, favouring open woodland, parks and mature gardens. Leaves roosts shortly after sunset; wingbeats are slow and fluttering. Roosts in tree holes and buildings in summer, hibernates in buildings and barns.
    126339.jpg
  • Serotine Eptesicus serotinus Wingspan 33-38cm Large bat, often associated with human habitation. Adult has sleek fur, dark brown above and yellowish brown below. Nose and face are dark; dark ears are oval with 5 transverse folds and tragus is sickle-shaped. Wings are long, broad and dark. Utters shrill squeaks at roost sites. Echolocates in 25-30khz range. Widespread in S, favouring open woodland, parks and mature gardens. Leaves roosts shortly after sunset; wingbeats are slow and fluttering. Roosts in tree holes and buildings in summer, hibernates in buildings and barns.
    136001.jpg
  • Rook Corvus frugilegus L 43-48cm. Familiar farmland bird. Feeds in large flocks (mainly on soil invertebrates) and occupies noisy colonial tree nest sites. Sexes are similar. Adult has black plumage with reddish-purple sheen. Bill is long, narrow and rather pointed; note bare patch of whitish skin at base. Juvenile is similar but skin at base of bill is feathered. Voice Utters a grating craah-craah-craah… call. Status Locally common resident, found mainly on farmland and grassland. Builds large twig nests in clumps of tall trees.
    122378.jpg
  • Rook Corvus frugilegus L 43-48cm. Familiar farmland bird. Feeds in large flocks (mainly on soil invertebrates) and occupies noisy colonial tree nest sites. Sexes are similar. Adult has black plumage with reddish-purple sheen. Bill is long, narrow and rather pointed; note bare patch of whitish skin at base. Juvenile is similar but skin at base of bill is feathered. Voice Utters a grating craah-craah-craah… call. Status Locally common resident, found mainly on farmland and grassland. Builds large twig nests in clumps of tall trees.
    137656.jpg
  • Rook Corvus frugilegus L 43-48cm. Familiar farmland bird. Feeds in large flocks (mainly on soil invertebrates) and occupies noisy colonial tree nest sites. Sexes are similar. Adult has black plumage with reddish-purple sheen. Bill is long, narrow and rather pointed; note bare patch of whitish skin at base. Juvenile is similar but skin at base of bill is feathered. Voice Utters a grating craah-craah-craah… call. Status Locally common resident, found mainly on farmland and grassland. Builds large twig nests in clumps of tall trees.
    144029.jpg
  • Toad Patrol on a busy Hampshire lane. In early spring every year, thousands of toads, frogs and newts migrate from their hibernation sites to breeding grounds. These journeys often involve road crossings and many are killed by unsuspecting motorists. With awareness of this major problem growing, volunteer groups are now a common sight in known hotspots, helping to reduce the casualty numbers by slowing traffic and collecting these animals from the road.
    163920.jpg
  • Dead toads and frogs collected by volunteers at one of Britain's many toad patrols undertaken at known crossing sites in early spring.
    162189.jpg
  • Rescued toads and frogs collected by volunteers at one of Britain's many toad patrols undertaken at known crossing sites in early spring.
    162188.jpg
  • Toad Patrol on a busy Hampshire lane. In early spring every year, thousands of toads, frogs and newts migrate from their hibernation sites to breeding grounds. These journeys often involve road crossings and many are killed by unsuspecting motorists. With awareness of this major problem growing, volunteer groups are now a common sight in known hotspots, helping to reduce the casualty numbers by slowing traffic and collecting these animals from the road.
    162191.jpg
  • Toad Patrol on a busy Hampshire lane. In early spring every year, thousands of toads, frogs and newts migrate from their hibernation sites to breeding grounds. These journeys often involve road crossings and many are killed by unsuspecting motorists. With awareness of this major problem growing, volunteer groups are now a common sight in known hotspots, helping to reduce the casualty numbers by slowing traffic and collecting these animals from the road.
    162196.jpg
  • Toad Patrol on a busy Hampshire lane. In early spring every year, thousands of toads, frogs and newts migrate from their hibernation sites to breeding grounds. These journeys often involve road crossings and many are killed by unsuspecting motorists. With awareness of this major problem growing, volunteer groups are now a common sight in known hotspots, helping to reduce the casualty numbers by slowing traffic and collecting these animals from the road.
    162193.jpg
  • Toad Patrol on a busy Hampshire lane. In early spring every year, thousands of toads, frogs and newts migrate from their hibernation sites to breeding grounds. These journeys often involve road crossings and many are killed by unsuspecting motorists. With awareness of this major problem growing, volunteer groups are now a common sight in known hotspots, helping to reduce the casualty numbers by slowing traffic and collecting these animals from the road.
    162194.jpg
  • Long-eared Owl - Asio otus. L 32-35cm. Strictly nocturnal; sometimes caught in car headlights after dark or glimpsed at daytime winter roost. In flight, told from Short-eared by orange-buff patch that contrasts with otherwise dark upperwing. When alarmed, sometimes adopts upright posture with ‘ear’ tufts raised. Sexes are similar. Adult and juvenile have streaked dark brown upperparts and paler underparts. Orange-buff facial disc is rounded; note orange eyes and long ‘ear’ tufts. Voice Deep hoots sometimes uttered in spring. Status Nests in isolated conifer plantations and scrub thickets, with adjacent open country. Disperses outside breeding season and winter roost sites include coastal and wetland scrub, and hedgerows. Influx of European birds boosts winter numbers.
    157971.jpg
  • Rook Corvus frugilegus L 43-48cm. Familiar farmland bird. Feeds in large flocks (mainly on soil invertebrates) and occupies noisy colonial tree nest sites. Sexes are similar. Adult has black plumage with reddish-purple sheen. Bill is long, narrow and rather pointed; note bare patch of whitish skin at base. Juvenile is similar but skin at base of bill is feathered. Voice Utters a grating craah-craah-craah… call. Status Locally common resident, found mainly on farmland and grassland. Builds large twig nests in clumps of tall trees
    158086.jpg
  • Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos L 18-20cm. Active little wader with a bobbing gait and elongated tail end. Flies on bowed, fluttering wings low over water: note white wingbar and absence of white rump. Sexes are similar.Adult has warm brown upperparts with faint dark centres and barring feathers of back and wings. Head and neck are grey-brown; note clear demarcation between dark breast and white underparts, white extending up sides of breast. Juvenile is similar but wing covert feathers s are barred. Voice Utters a whistling tswee-wee-wee call. Status Fairly common summer visitor, nesting beside upland and northern rivers and lakes. Widespread and fairly common passage migrant, found at inland sites and on coasts. A handful overwinter.
    158062.jpg
  • Black-headed Gull - Chroicocephalus ridibundus - summer adult.  L 35-38cm. Our most numerous medium-sized gull. Plumage variable but white leading edge to outerwings is consistent feature. Forms single-species flocks. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has grey back and upperwings, white underparts and chocolate-brown hood. Legs and bill are red. In flight, trailing edge of outerwing is black. In winter, loses dark hood; white head has dark smudges above behind eye. Juvenile has orange-brown flush to upperparts, dark feathers on back, dark smudges on head, and dark tip to tail. Acquires adult plumage by 2nd winter through successive moults. 1st winter bird retains many juvenile plumage details but loses rufous elements and gains grey back. 1st summer bird still has juvenile-type wing pattern but gains dark hood. Voice Raucous calls include a nasal kaurrr. Status Widespread and numerous. Commonest on coasts and inland freshwater sites, but also in towns and on farmland; often follows the plough. Nests colonially beside water. Migrants from Europe boost winter numbers.
    157668.jpg
  • Pellenes tripunctatus - male. A jumping spider that is very rare (RDB1) in Britain. It only occurs on a few coastal shingle sites along the South Coast.
    157298.jpg
  • Pellenes tripunctatus - male. A jumping spider that is very rare (RDB1) in Britain. It only occurs on a few coastal shingle sites along the South Coast.
    157297.jpg
  • Pellenes tripunctatus - female. A jumping spider that is very rare (RDB1) in Britain. It only occurs on a few coastal shingle sites along the South Coast.
    157295.jpg
  • Black-headed Gull - Chroicocephalus ridibundus. L 35-38cm. Our most numerous medium-sized gull. Plumage variable but white leading edge to outerwings is consistent feature. Forms single-species flocks. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has grey back and upperwings, white underparts and chocolate-brown hood. Legs and bill are red. In flight, trailing edge of outerwing is black. In winter, loses dark hood; white head has dark smudges above behind eye. Juvenile has orange-brown flush to upperparts, dark feathers on back, dark smudges on head, and dark tip to tail. Acquires adult plumage by 2nd winter through successive moults. 1st winter bird retains many juvenile plumage details but loses rufous elements and gains grey back. 1st summer bird still has juvenile-type wing pattern but gains dark hood. Voice Raucous calls include a nasal kaurrr. Status Widespread and numerous. Commonest on coasts and inland freshwater sites, but also in towns and on farmland; often follows the plough. Nests colonially beside water. Migrants from Europe boost winter numbers.
    157282.jpg
  • Rook - Corvus frugilegus. L 43-48cm. Familiar farmland bird. Feeds in large flocks (mainly on soil invertebrates) and occupies noisy colonial tree nest sites. Sexes are similar. Adult has black plumage with reddish-purple sheen. Bill is long, narrow and rather pointed; note bare patch of whitish skin at base. Juvenile is similar but skin at base of bill is feathered. Voice Utters a grating craah-craah-craah… call. Status Locally common resident, found mainly on farmland and grassland. Builds large twig nests in clumps of tall trees.
    157257.jpg
  • Common Sandpiper - Actitis hypoleucos L 18-20cm. Active little wader with a bobbing gait and elongated tail end. Flies on bowed, fluttering wings low over water: note white wingbar and absence of white rump. Sexes are similar.<br />
Adult has warm brown upperparts with faint dark centres and barring feathers of back and wings. Head and neck are grey-brown; note clear demarcation between dark breast and white underparts, white extending up sides of breast. Juvenile is similar but wing covert feathers s are barred. Voice Utters a whistling tswee-wee-wee call. Status Fairly common summer visitor, nesting beside upland and northern rivers and lakes. Widespread and fairly common passage migrant, found at inland sites and on coasts. A handful overwinter.
    157244.jpg
  • Rook - Corvus frugilegus. L 43-48cm. Familiar farmland bird. Feeds in large flocks (mainly on soil invertebrates) and occupies noisy colonial tree nest sites. Sexes are similar. Adult has black plumage with reddish-purple sheen. Bill is long, narrow and rather pointed; note bare patch of whitish skin at base. Juvenile is similar but skin at base of bill is feathered. Voice Utters a grating craah-craah-craah… call. Status Locally common resident, found mainly on farmland and grassland. Builds large twig nests in clumps of tall trees.
    157223.jpg
  • Black-headed Gull - Chroicocephalus ridibundus - winter adult.  L 35-38cm. Our most numerous medium-sized gull. Plumage variable but white leading edge to outerwings is consistent feature. Forms single-species flocks. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has grey back and upperwings, white underparts and chocolate-brown hood. Legs and bill are red. In flight, trailing edge of outerwing is black. In winter, loses dark hood; white head has dark smudges above behind eye. Juvenile has orange-brown flush to upperparts, dark feathers on back, dark smudges on head, and dark tip to tail. Acquires adult plumage by 2nd winter through successive moults. 1st winter bird retains many juvenile plumage details but loses rufous elements and gains grey back. 1st summer bird still has juvenile-type wing pattern but gains dark hood. Voice Raucous calls include a nasal kaurrr. Status Widespread and numerous. Commonest on coasts and inland freshwater sites, but also in towns and on farmland; often follows the plough. Nests colonially beside water. Migrants from Europe boost winter numbers.
    157079.jpg
  • Bewick’s Swan - Cygnus columbianus - juvenile. L 115-125cm. Our smallest swan. Usually seen in medium-sized flocks comprising family groups. Similar to larger Whooper but separated by noting relatively shorter neck and different bill pattern. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly pure white plumage. Bill is wedge-shaped but proportionately shorter than Whooper; yellow colour typically does not extend beyond start of nostrils and yellow patch is usually rounded, not triangular. Juvenile has grubby buffish grey plumage and dark-tipped pink bill Voice Utters various honking and bugling calls. Status Winter visitor, 10,000+ birds found at traditional sites: flooded grassland, marshy meadows and occasionally arable farmland.
    133352.jpg
  • MONKEY ORCHID Orchis simia (Height to 45cm) has flowers that are fancifully monkey-like. They are borne in cylindrical heads; unlike most other orchids, the flowers open in succession from the top downwards (May-Jun). The Monkey Orchid grows at a few locations in Oxfordshire, with further isolated sites in Kent and Yorkshire.
    156662.jpg
  • MONKEY ORCHID Orchis simia (Height to 45cm) has flowers that are fancifully monkey-like. They are borne in cylindrical heads; unlike most other orchids, the flowers open in succession from the top downwards (May-Jun). The Monkey Orchid grows at a few locations in Oxfordshire, with further isolated sites in Kent and Yorkshire.
    156660.jpg
  • PASQUEFLOWER Pulsatilla vulgaris (Ranunculaceae) Height to 25cm. Perennial of dry, calcareous grassland. FLOWERS are purple, bell-shaped with 6 petal-like sepals; upright at first, then nodding (Apr-May). FRUITS comprise seeds with long silky hairs. LEAVES are divided 2 or 3 times and comprise narrow leaflets. STATUS-Rare and restricted to a few sites in S and E England.
    156655.jpg
  • Lodgepole Pine Pinus contorta (ssp. latifolia). Similar to Beach Pine (ssp. Pinaceae) Columnar with a less dense crown; usually grows on a much straighter, but sometimes divided trunk. Needles are broader than those of Beach Pine, and more spread apart. Grows in the mountains well inland away from sea. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS All trees have male flowers in dense clusters near the tips of shoots. Female flowers grow in groups of up to 4 close to the tip of the shoot. Cones are rounded to ovoid, up to 6cm long and 3cm in diameter, and usually a shiny yellow-brown. Each cone scale has a slender, sharp tip, which easily breaks off.<br />
STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native to coastal western North America, widely planted here for timber on poor soils and exposed, often upland, sites.
    134330.jpg
  • Rook Corvus frugilegus L 43-48cm. Familiar farmland bird. Feeds in large flocks (mainly on soil invertebrates) and occupies noisy colonial tree nest sites. Sexes are similar. Adult has black plumage with reddish-purple sheen. Bill is long, narrow and rather pointed; note bare patch of whitish skin at base. Juvenile is similar but skin at base of bill is feathered. Voice Utters a grating craah-craah-craah… call. Status Locally common resident, found mainly on farmland and grassland. Builds large twig nests in clumps of tall trees.
    155794.jpg
  • Rook Corvus frugilegus L 43-48cm. Familiar farmland bird. Feeds in large flocks (mainly on soil invertebrates) and occupies noisy colonial tree nest sites. Sexes are similar. Adult has black plumage with reddish-purple sheen. Bill is long, narrow and rather pointed; note bare patch of whitish skin at base. Juvenile is similar but skin at base of bill is feathered. Voice Utters a grating craah-craah-craah… call. Status Locally common resident, found mainly on farmland and grassland. Builds large twig nests in clumps of tall trees.
    155798.jpg
  • Rook Corvus frugilegus L 43-48cm. Familiar farmland bird. Feeds in large flocks (mainly on soil invertebrates) and occupies noisy colonial tree nest sites. Sexes are similar. Adult has black plumage with reddish-purple sheen. Bill is long, narrow and rather pointed; note bare patch of whitish skin at base. Juvenile is similar but skin at base of bill is feathered. Voice Utters a grating craah-craah-craah… call. Status Locally common resident, found mainly on farmland and grassland. Builds large twig nests in clumps of tall trees.
    155799.jpg
  • Rook Corvus frugilegus L 43-48cm. Familiar farmland bird. Feeds in large flocks (mainly on soil invertebrates) and occupies noisy colonial tree nest sites. Sexes are similar. Adult has black plumage with reddish-purple sheen. Bill is long, narrow and rather pointed; note bare patch of whitish skin at base. Juvenile is similar but skin at base of bill is feathered. Voice Utters a grating craah-craah-craah… call. Status Locally common resident, found mainly on farmland and grassland. Builds large twig nests in clumps of tall trees.
    155800.jpg
  • Rook Corvus frugilegus L 43-48cm. Familiar farmland bird. Feeds in large flocks (mainly on soil invertebrates) and occupies noisy colonial tree nest sites. Sexes are similar. Adult has black plumage with reddish-purple sheen. Bill is long, narrow and rather pointed; note bare patch of whitish skin at base. Juvenile is similar but skin at base of bill is feathered. Voice Utters a grating craah-craah-craah… call. Status Locally common resident, found mainly on farmland and grassland. Builds large twig nests in clumps of tall trees
    155801.jpg
  • Rook Corvus frugilegus L 43-48cm. Familiar farmland bird. Feeds in large flocks (mainly on soil invertebrates) and occupies noisy colonial tree nest sites. Sexes are similar. Adult has black plumage with reddish-purple sheen. Bill is long, narrow and rather pointed; note bare patch of whitish skin at base. Juvenile is similar but skin at base of bill is feathered. Voice Utters a grating craah-craah-craah… call. Status Locally common resident, found mainly on farmland and grassland. Builds large twig nests in clumps of tall trees
    155802.jpg
  • Rook Corvus frugilegus L 43-48cm. Familiar farmland bird. Feeds in large flocks (mainly on soil invertebrates) and occupies noisy colonial tree nest sites. Sexes are similar. Adult has black plumage with reddish-purple sheen. Bill is long, narrow and rather pointed; note bare patch of whitish skin at base. Juvenile is similar but skin at base of bill is feathered. Voice Utters a grating craah-craah-craah… call. Status Locally common resident, found mainly on farmland and grassland. Builds large twig nests in clumps of tall trees
    155803.jpg
  • Rook Corvus frugilegus L 43-48cm. Familiar farmland bird. Feeds in large flocks (mainly on soil invertebrates) and occupies noisy colonial tree nest sites. Sexes are similar. Adult has black plumage with reddish-purple sheen. Bill is long, narrow and rather pointed; note bare patch of whitish skin at base. Juvenile is similar but skin at base of bill is feathered. Voice Utters a grating craah-craah-craah… call. Status Locally common resident, found mainly on farmland and grassland. Builds large twig nests in clumps of tall trees.
    155805.jpg
  • Rook Corvus frugilegus - Immature. L 43-48cm. Familiar farmland bird. Feeds in large flocks (mainly on soil invertebrates) and occupies noisy colonial tree nest sites. Sexes are similar. Adult has black plumage with reddish-purple sheen. Bill is long, narrow and rather pointed; note bare patch of whitish skin at base. Juvenile is similar but skin at base of bill is feathered. Voice Utters a grating craah-craah-craah… call. Status Locally common resident, found mainly on farmland and grassland. Builds large twig nests in clumps of tall trees.
    155818.jpg
  • Rook Corvus frugilegus - Immature. L 43-48cm. Familiar farmland bird. Feeds in large flocks (mainly on soil invertebrates) and occupies noisy colonial tree nest sites. Sexes are similar. Adult has black plumage with reddish-purple sheen. Bill is long, narrow and rather pointed; note bare patch of whitish skin at base. Juvenile is similar but skin at base of bill is feathered. Voice Utters a grating craah-craah-craah… call. Status Locally common resident, found mainly on farmland and grassland. Builds large twig nests in clumps of tall trees.
    155819.jpg
  • Rook Corvus frugilegus - Juvenile. L 43-48cm. Familiar farmland bird. Feeds in large flocks (mainly on soil invertebrates) and occupies noisy colonial tree nest sites. Sexes are similar. Adult has black plumage with reddish-purple sheen. Bill is long, narrow and rather pointed; note bare patch of whitish skin at base. Juvenile is similar but skin at base of bill is feathered. Voice Utters a grating craah-craah-craah… call. Status Locally common resident, found mainly on farmland and grassland. Builds large twig nests in clumps of tall trees.
    155820.jpg
  • Rook Corvus frugilegus L 43-48cm. Familiar farmland bird. Feeds in large flocks (mainly on soil invertebrates) and occupies noisy colonial tree nest sites. Sexes are similar. Adult has black plumage with reddish-purple sheen. Bill is long, narrow and rather pointed; note bare patch of whitish skin at base. Juvenile is similar but skin at base of bill is feathered. Voice Utters a grating craah-craah-craah… call. Status Locally common resident, found mainly on farmland and grassland. Builds large twig nests in clumps of tall trees.
    155743.jpg
  • Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus L 35-38cm. Our most numerous medium-sized gull. Plumage variable but white leading edge to outerwings is consistent feature. Forms single-species flocks. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has grey back and upperwings, white underparts and chocolate-brown hood. Legs and bill are red. In flight, trailing edge of outerwing is black. In winter, loses dark hood; white head has dark smudges above behind eye. Juvenile has orange-brown flush to upperparts, dark feathers on back, dark smudges on head, and dark tip to tail. Acquires adult plumage by 2nd winter through successive moults. 1st winter bird retains many juvenile plumage details but loses rufous elements and gains grey back. 1st summer bird still has juvenile-type wing pattern but gains dark hood. Voice Raucous calls include a nasal kaurrr. Status Widespread and numerous. Commonest on coasts and inland freshwater sites, but also in towns and on farmland; often follows the plough. Nests colonially beside water. Migrants from Europe boost winter numbers.
    155722.jpg
  • Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus -Winter Adult. L 35-38cm. Our most numerous medium-sized gull. Plumage variable but white leading edge to outerwings is consistent feature. Forms single-species flocks. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has grey back and upperwings, white underparts and chocolate-brown hood. Legs and bill are red. In flight, trailing edge of outerwing is black. In winter, loses dark hood; white head has dark smudges above behind eye. Juvenile has orange-brown flush to upperparts, dark feathers on back, dark smudges on head, and dark tip to tail. Acquires adult plumage by 2nd winter through successive moults. 1st winter bird retains many juvenile plumage details but loses rufous elements and gains grey back. 1st summer bird still has juvenile-type wing pattern but gains dark hood. Voice Raucous calls include a nasal kaurrr. Status Widespread and numerous. Commonest on coasts and inland freshwater sites, but also in towns and on farmland; often follows the plough. Nests colonially beside water. Migrants from Europe boost winter numbers.
    155630.jpg
  • Rook - Corvus frugilegus - juvenile. L 43-48cm. Familiar farmland bird. Feeds in large flocks (mainly on soil invertebrates) and occupies noisy colonial tree nest sites. Sexes are similar. Adult has black plumage with reddish-purple sheen. Bill is long, narrow and rather pointed; note bare patch of whitish skin at base. Juvenile is similar but skin at base of bill is feathered. Voice Utters a grating craah-craah-craah… call. Status Locally common resident, found mainly on farmland and grassland. Builds large twig nests in clumps of tall trees.
    155500.jpg
  • Bewick’s Swan Cygnus columbianus L 115-125cm. Our smallest swan. Usually seen in medium-sized flocks comprising family groups. Similar to larger Whooper but separated by noting relatively shorter neck and different bill pattern. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly pure white plumage. Bill is wedge-shaped but proportionately shorter than Whooper; yellow colour typically does not extend beyond start of nostrils and yellow patch is usually rounded, not triangular. Juvenile has grubby buffish grey plumage and dark-tipped pink bill Voice Utters various honking and bugling calls. Status Winter visitor, 10,000+ birds found at traditional sites: flooded grassland, marshy meadows and occasionally arable farmland.
    155134.jpg
  • Bewick’s Swan Cygnus columbianus L 115-125cm. Our smallest swan. Usually seen in medium-sized flocks comprising family groups. Similar to larger Whooper but separated by noting relatively shorter neck and different bill pattern. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly pure white plumage. Bill is wedge-shaped but proportionately shorter than Whooper; yellow colour typically does not extend beyond start of nostrils and yellow patch is usually rounded, not triangular. Juvenile has grubby buffish grey plumage and dark-tipped pink bill Voice Utters various honking and bugling calls. Status Winter visitor, 10,000+ birds found at traditional sites: flooded grassland, marshy meadows and occasionally arable farmland.
    155130.jpg
  • Sibianor aurocinctus - Adult Female. This small jumping spider is a very local species found in dry sparse vegetation in grassland, heaths and brow field sites.
    155145.jpg
  • Rook Corvus frugilegus L 43-48cm. Familiar farmland bird. Feeds in large flocks (mainly on soil invertebrates) and occupies noisy colonial tree nest sites. Sexes are similar. Adult has black plumage with reddish-purple sheen. Bill is long, narrow and rather pointed; note bare patch of whitish skin at base. Juvenile is similar but skin at base of bill is feathered. Voice Utters a grating craah-craah-craah… call. Status Locally common resident, found mainly on farmland and grassland. Builds large twig nests in clumps of tall trees.
    154932.jpg
  • Rook Corvus frugilegus L 43-48cm. Familiar farmland bird. Feeds in large flocks (mainly on soil invertebrates) and occupies noisy colonial tree nest sites. Sexes are similar. Adult has black plumage with reddish-purple sheen. Bill is long, narrow and rather pointed; note bare patch of whitish skin at base. Juvenile is similar but skin at base of bill is feathered. Voice Utters a grating craah-craah-craah… call. Status Locally common resident, found mainly on farmland and grassland. Builds large twig nests in clumps of tall trees.
    154933.jpg
  • Rook Corvus frugilegus L 43-48cm. Familiar farmland bird. Feeds in large flocks (mainly on soil invertebrates) and occupies noisy colonial tree nest sites. Sexes are similar. Adult has black plumage with reddish-purple sheen. Bill is long, narrow and rather pointed; note bare patch of whitish skin at base. Juvenile is similar but skin at base of bill is feathered. Voice Utters a grating craah-craah-craah… call. Status Locally common resident, found mainly on farmland and grassland. Builds large twig nests in clumps of tall trees.
    154934.jpg
  • Rook Corvus frugilegus L 43-48cm. Familiar farmland bird. Feeds in large flocks (mainly on soil invertebrates) and occupies noisy colonial tree nest sites. Sexes are similar. Adult has black plumage with reddish-purple sheen. Bill is long, narrow and rather pointed; note bare patch of whitish skin at base. Juvenile is similar but skin at base of bill is feathered. Voice Utters a grating craah-craah-craah… call. Status Locally common resident, found mainly on farmland and grassland. Builds large twig nests in clumps of tall trees.
    154905.jpg
  • Serotine Eptesicus serotinus Wingspan 33-38cm Large bat, often associated with human habitation. Adult has sleek fur, dark brown above and yellowish brown below. Nose and face are dark; dark ears are oval with 5 transverse folds and tragus is sickle-shaped. Wings are long, broad and dark. Utters shrill squeaks at roost sites. Echolocates in 25-30khz range. Widespread in S, favouring open woodland, parks and mature gardens. Leaves roosts shortly after sunset; wingbeats are slow and fluttering. Roosts in tree holes and buildings in summer, hibernates in buildings and barns.
    143681.jpg
  • Bewick’s Swan Cygnus columbianus L 115-125cm. Our smallest swan. Usually seen in medium-sized flocks comprising family groups. Similar to larger Whooper but separated by noting relatively shorter neck and different bill pattern. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly pure white plumage. Bill is wedge-shaped but proportionately shorter than Whooper; yellow colour typically does not extend beyond start of nostrils and yellow patch is usually rounded, not triangular. Juvenile has grubby buffish grey plumage and dark-tipped pink bill Voice Utters various honking and bugling calls. Status Winter visitor, 10,000+ birds found at traditional sites: flooded grassland, marshy meadows and occasionally arable farmland.
    154289.jpg
  • Black-headed Gull - Larus ridibundus<br />
left = 1st winter, middle = adult winter, right = adult summer<br />
L 35-38cm. Our most numerous medium-sized gull. Plumage variable but white leading edge to outerwings is consistent feature. Forms single-species flocks. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has grey back and upperwings, white underparts and chocolate-brown hood. Legs and bill are red. In flight, trailing edge of outerwing is black. In winter, loses dark hood; white head has dark smudges above behind eye. Juvenile has orange-brown flush to upperparts, dark feathers on back, dark smudges on head, and dark tip to tail. Acquires adult plumage by 2nd winter through successive moults. 1st winter bird retains many juvenile plumage details but loses rufous elements and gains grey back. 1st summer bird still has juvenile-type wing pattern but gains dark hood. Voice Raucous calls include a nasal kaurrr. Status Widespread and numerous. Commonest on coasts and inland freshwater sites, but also in towns and on farmland; often follows the plough. Nests colonially beside water. Migrants from Europe boost winter numbers.
    154290.jpg
  • Lodgepole Pine Pinus contorta (ssp. latifolia). Similar to Beach Pine (ssp. Pinaceae) Columnar with a less dense crown; usually grows on a much straighter, but sometimes divided trunk. Needles are broader than those of Beach Pine, and more spread apart. Grows in the mountains well inland away from sea. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS All trees have male flowers in dense clusters near the tips of shoots. Female flowers grow in groups of up to 4 close to the tip of the shoot. Cones are rounded to ovoid, up to 6cm long and 3cm in diameter, and usually a shiny yellow-brown. Each cone scale has a slender, sharp tip, which easily breaks off.<br />
STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native to coastal western North America, widely planted here for timber on poor soils and exposed, often upland, sites.
    132800.jpg
  • Prince Albert’s Yew Saxegothaea conspicua (Podocarpaceae) HEIGHT to 18m. Often resembles a large yew, with a strong ribbed bole. BARK Reddish or purple-brown bark, peeling off in rounded scales. LEAVES Flattened, curved needles up to 3cm long, arranged untidily on the shoot. Tinged purple at first, becoming greener later. Note two pale bands on underside. Crushed leaves have a smell of grass. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male flowers are purplish, growing in leaf axils on undersides of shoots. Female flowers are small and blue-grey, and give rise to tiny greenish conelets that are borne at tips of shoots. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of forests of S Chile and Argentina, preferring damp, sheltered sites. Best specimens outside native area are found in Ireland and SW England.
    132649.jpg
  • Prince Albert’s Yew Saxegothaea conspicua (Podocarpaceae) HEIGHT to 18m. Often resembles a large yew, with a strong ribbed bole. BARK Reddish or purple-brown bark, peeling off in rounded scales. LEAVES Flattened, curved needles up to 3cm long, arranged untidily on the shoot. Tinged purple at first, becoming greener later. Note two pale bands on underside. Crushed leaves have a smell of grass. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male flowers are purplish, growing in leaf axils on undersides of shoots. Female flowers are small and blue-grey, and give rise to tiny greenish conelets that are borne at tips of shoots. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of forests of S Chile and Argentina, preferring damp, sheltered sites. Best specimens outside native area are found in Ireland and SW England.
    132646.jpg
  • FEN ORCHID Liparis loeselii (Height to 20cm) has rather curious yellow flowers with narrow, spreading perianth segments; the flowers are borne in spikes (Jun-Jul) that arise from the cup-like arrangement comprising the basal pair of leaves. Fen Orchid grows in a few fen locations in Norfolk, with additional sites in S Wales and N Devon.
    142355.jpg
  • FEN ORCHID Liparis loeselii (Height to 20cm) has rather curious yellow flowers with narrow, spreading perianth segments; the flowers are borne in spikes (Jun-Jul) that arise from the cup-like arrangement comprising the basal pair of leaves. Fen Orchid grows in a few fen locations in Norfolk, with additional sites in S Wales and N Devon.
    142356.jpg
  • MARTIN’S RAMPING-FUMITORY Fumaria reuteri (Fumariaceae) Height to 10cm. Spreading or upright annual of arable land, banks and walls. FLOWERS are 11-13mm long and pinkish purple with dark tips, the lower petal almost parallel-sided (not paddle-shaped) with erect margins; borne in spikes of 12-15 flowers (Apr-Oct). FRUITS are globular, smooth and 1-seeded. LEAVES are much divided. STATUS-Very rare. Two sites only, in S England; well know from an Isle of Wight allotment.
    140020.jpg
  • MARTIN’S RAMPING-FUMITORY Fumaria reuteri (Fumariaceae) Height to 10cm. Spreading or upright annual of arable land, banks and walls. FLOWERS are 11-13mm long and pinkish purple with dark tips, the lower petal almost parallel-sided (not paddle-shaped) with erect margins; borne in spikes of 12-15 flowers (Apr-Oct). FRUITS are globular, smooth and 1-seeded. LEAVES are much divided. STATUS-Very rare. Two sites only, in S England; well know from an Isle of Wight allotment.
    140019.jpg
  • Sticky Catchfly Lychnis viscaria Height to 55cm<br />
Upright perennial with sticky stems. Grows in dry, rocky places. Leaves are narrow-oval and paired. Flowers are pinkish-purple with 5 lobes. Status Rare, restricted to a few sites, mainly in Scotland but also in Wales.
    137915.jpg
  • LADY’S-SLIPPER ORCHID Cypripedium calceolus (Height to 50cm) is unmistakable, its truly magnificent flower comprising maroon outer perianth segments and an inflated yellow lip, 4-5cm across (May-Jun). It grows on limestone soils in N England, where it is extremely rare and its known sites protected. Occasionally, the species is discovered elsewhere in N England although the native origins of some of these plants is doubtful.
    137905.jpg
Next