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  • Southern Elephant Seal - Mirounga leonina - fighting
    159603.jpg
  • Northern Elephant Seal - Mirounga angustirostris - males fighting
    158100.jpg
  • Northern Elephant Seal - Mirounga angustirostris
    158092.jpg
  • Northern Elephant Seal - Mirounga angustirostris
    158091.jpg
  • Northern Elephant Seal - Mirounga angustirostris
    158089.jpg
  • Northern Elephant Seal - Mirounga angustirostris
    158090.jpg
  • Southern Elephant Seal Mirounga leonina Length 2-3m, weight 400-850kg Massive seal. Male is up to four times larger than female, with distinctive proboscis. Breeds on Sub-Antarctic islands, notably South Georgia.
    143429.jpg
  • Southern Elephant Seal - Mirounga leonina - Juvenile males rearing and fighting. Falkland Islands
    159583.jpg
  • Northern Elephant Seal - Mirounga angustirostris - males fighting
    158099.jpg
  • Northern Elephant Seal - Mirounga angustirostris - fighting males
    158094.jpg
  • Northern Elephant Seal - Mirounga angustirostris
    158093.jpg
  • Southern Elephant Seal - Mirounga leonina  - pup. Length 2-3m, weight 400-850kg Massive seal. Male is up to four times larger than female, with distinctive proboscis. Breeds on Sub-Antarctic islands, notably South Georgia.
    157633.jpg
  • Southern Elephant Seal Mirounga leonina Length 2-3m, weight 400-850kg Massive seal. Male is up to four times larger than female, with distinctive proboscis. Breeds on Sub-Antarctic islands, notably South Georgia.
    143428.jpg
  • Northern Elephant Seal - Mirounga angustirostris - males fighting
    158097.jpg
  • Northern Elephant Seal - Mirounga angustirostris - cows and pups in colony
    158096.jpg
  • Southern Elephant Seal - Mirounga leonina
    159602.jpg
  • Southern Elephant Seal - Mirounga leonina
    159601.jpg
  • Northern Elephant Seal - Mirounga angustirostris - colony
    158098.jpg
  • Southern Elephant Seal - Mirounga leonina - fighting
    159600.jpg
  • Southern Elephant Seal - Mirounga leonina - fighting
    159597.jpg
  • Northern Elephant Seal - Mirounga angustirostris - young pup
    158095.jpg
  • Idylic sandy beach on the island of Bermuda, a British territory in the North Atlantic Ocean.
    160385.jpg
  • View over Great Sound, Bermuda Island, a British island territory in the North Atlantic Ocean.
    160387.jpg
  • View of Hog Bay looking towards Somerset Village, Bermuda Island, a British island territory in the North Atlantic Ocean.
    160386.jpg
  • Sunset over Bermuda Island, a British island territory in the North Atlantic Ocean.
    160388.jpg
  • The Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus (L 24-27cm) may share nocturnal habits with owls but the similarities between these unrelated birds ends there. The Nightjar has a huge gape that it uses to catch flying moths. The species is hard to find in the daytime, thanks to its cryptic plumage and often observers have to satisfy themselves with the silhouette of a bird in flight: it looks long-winged and narrow-tailed. All birds have intricate brown, grey and black markings that, in combination, resemble tree bark; males have striking white patches near the wingtips and corners of the tail. Territorial males utter a distinctive churring song for hours on end, after dark. The Nightjar is a migrant visitor to the region, found mainly on lowland heathland (where it is easiest to find) and heather moors.
    157965.jpg
  • Corn Crake Crex crex L 27-30cm. Easy to hear (in right locations) but secretive and tricky to see. Sexes are similar. Adult has sandy brown upperparts; dark feather-centres create ‘scaly’ look. Face, throat, breast and belly are blue-grey while flanks are barred chestnut and white. In flight, note chestnut patch on inner wing and dangling legs. Juvenile is greyer than adult. Voice Territorial male utters ceaseless crek-crek, crek-crek… mainly at night. Status Migrant visitor; has declined terribly due to modern farming practises. Now restricted to hay meadows and damp grassland.
    157863.jpg
  • Great Black-backed Gull - Larus marinus. L 64-79cm. Our largest gull species. Bulkier than Lesser Black-backed, adult with darker back, massive bill and pink legs. Sexes are similar. Adult has almost uniformly dark back and upperwings; wingtips only marginally darker than rest of wings. Note white patch at tip of wings and broad white trailing edge. Plumage is otherwise white. Bill is yellow with an orange spot. Juvenile and 1st winter are mottled and streaked grey brown. In flight, brown upperwings have pale panels and inner primaries. Bill is dark, legs are dull pink and whitish tail is dark-tipped. Adult plumage acquired over 3 years. Voice Utters a deep kaa-ga-ga call. Status Local and coastal in the breeding season. Often nests in vicinity of mixed seabird colonies and pairs are territorial. Outside breeding season, more widespread inland and numbers boosted by migrants from N Europe.
    156917.jpg
  • Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus L 64-79cm. Our largest gull species. Bulkier than Lesser Black-backed, adult with darker back, massive bill and pink legs. Sexes are similar. Adult has almost uniformly dark back and upperwings; wingtips only marginally darker than rest of wings. Note white patch at tip of wings and broad white trailing edge. Plumage is otherwise white. Bill is yellow with an orange spot. Juvenile and 1st winter are mottled and streaked grey brown. In flight, brown upperwings have pale panels and inner primaries. Bill is dark, legs are dull pink and whitish tail is dark-tipped. Adult plumage acquired over 3 years. Voice Utters a deep kaa-ga-ga call. Status Local and coastal in the breeding season. Often nests in vicinity of mixed seabird colonies and pairs are territorial. Outside breeding season, more widespread inland and numbers boosted by migrants from N Europe.
    156921.jpg
  • Nightjar - Caprimulgus europeus - Chicks in nest. (L 24-27cm) may share nocturnal habits with owls but the similarities between these unrelated birds ends there. The Nightjar has a huge gape that it uses to catch flying moths. The species is hard to find in the daytime, thanks to its cryptic plumage and often observers have to satisfy themselves with the silhouette of a bird in flight: it looks long-winged and narrow-tailed. All birds have intricate brown, grey and black markings that, in combination, resemble tree bark; males have striking white patches near the wingtips and corners of the tail. Territorial males utter a distinctive churring song for hours on end, after dark. The Nightjar is a migrant visitor to the region, found mainly on lowland heathland (where it is easiest to find) and heather moors.
    156479.jpg
  • Roe Deer Capreolus capreolus Shoulder height 65-70cm Territorial and mostly solitary deer. Adult has white on muzzle, and black nose and ‘moustache’. Coat is reddish brown in summer, greyish-brown in winter coat. Male (buck) has short, branch-like antlers from spring to early winter; size and complexity increases with age. Note oval, whitish mark on rump. Female (doe) is less stocky than male and lacks antlers; whitish rump marking is like an inverted heart. Fawn is reddish brown with white spots. Utters barking call in alarm. Native to Britain. Widespread in Scotland and locally common in England. Favours wooded farmland.
    155729.jpg
  • Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus L 64-79cm. Our largest gull species. Bulkier than Lesser Black-backed, adult with darker back, massive bill and pink legs. Sexes are similar. Adult has almost uniformly dark back and upperwings; wingtips only marginally darker than rest of wings. Note white patch at tip of wings and broad white trailing edge. Plumage is otherwise white. Bill is yellow with an orange spot. Juvenile and 1st winter are mottled and streaked grey brown. In flight, brown upperwings have pale panels and inner primaries. Bill is dark, legs are dull pink and whitish tail is dark-tipped. Adult plumage acquired over 3 years. Voice Utters a deep kaa-ga-ga call. Status Local and coastal in the breeding season. Often nests in vicinity of mixed seabird colonies and pairs are territorial. Outside breeding season, more widespread inland and numbers boosted by migrants from N Europe.
    155730.jpg
  • Pheasant Phasianus colchicus L 55-90cm. Male is colourful and unmistakable; female is also hard to confuse. Takes to the wing noisily and explosively when flushed. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male typically has orange-brown body plumage, blue-green sheen on head, large and striking red wattle and long, orange barred tail; some birds have a white collar. Violet-blue birds are sometimes released. Adult female is mottled buffish brown with shorter tail than male. Juvenile resembles a small, short-tailed female. Voice Territorial male utters a loud, shrieking call, followed by bout of vigorous wing beating. In alarm, a loud ke-tuk, ke-tuk, ke-tuk is uttered as bird flies away. Status Introduced and established here since 11th Century. Widespread and commonest in wooded farmland.
    155550.jpg
  • Pheasant Phasianus colchicus L 55-90cm. Male is colourful and unmistakable; female is also hard to confuse. Takes to the wing noisily and explosively when flushed. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male typically has orange-brown body plumage, blue-green sheen on head, large and striking red wattle and long, orange barred tail; some birds have a white collar. Violet-blue birds are sometimes released. Adult female is mottled buffish brown with shorter tail than male. Juvenile resembles a small, short-tailed female. Voice Territorial male utters a loud, shrieking call, followed by bout of vigorous wing beating. In alarm, a loud ke-tuk, ke-tuk, ke-tuk is uttered as bird flies away. Status Introduced and established here since 11th Century. Widespread and commonest in wooded farmland.
    155551.jpg
  • Lesser Spotted Woodpecker - Dendrocopus minor - male. L 14-15cm. Unobtrusive and easily overlooked. Sexes are separable with care. Adult male has black back and wings with white barring. Underparts are grubby white with dark streaking. Face is white and nape is black; black stripe runs from bill, around ear coverts to sides of breast. Note white-flecked red crown. Adult female and Juvenile are similar but with black crown. Voice Territorial male utters raptor-like piping call in spring. Drumming is rapid but rather faint. Status Local resident of deciduous woodland and parkland; often associated with alders
    155360.jpg
  • Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus L 64-79cm. Our largest gull species. Bulkier than Lesser Black-backed, adult with darker back, massive bill and pink legs. Sexes are similar. Adult has almost uniformly dark back and upperwings; wingtips only marginally darker than rest of wings. Note white patch at tip of wings and broad white trailing edge. Plumage is otherwise white. Bill is yellow with an orange spot. Juvenile and 1st winter are mottled and streaked grey brown. In flight, brown upperwings have pale panels and inner primaries. Bill is dark, legs are dull pink and whitish tail is dark-tipped. Adult plumage acquired over 3 years. Voice Utters a deep kaa-ga-ga call. Status Local and coastal in the breeding season. Often nests in vicinity of mixed seabird colonies and pairs are territorial. Outside breeding season, more widespread inland and numbers boosted by migrants from N Europe.
    154983.jpg
  • The Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus (L 24-27cm) may share nocturnal habits with owls but the similarities between these unrelated birds ends there. The Nightjar has a huge gape that it uses to catch flying moths. The species is hard to find in the daytime, thanks to its cryptic plumage and often observers have to satisfy themselves with the silhouette of a bird in flight: it looks long-winged and narrow-tailed. All birds have intricate brown, grey and black markings that, in combination, resemble tree bark; males have striking white patches near the wingtips and corners of the tail. Territorial males utter a distinctive churring song for hours on end, after dark. The Nightjar is a migrant visitor to the region, found mainly on lowland heathland (where it is easiest to find) and heather moors.
    153713.jpg
  • The Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus (L 24-27cm) may share nocturnal habits with owls but the similarities between these unrelated birds ends there. The Nightjar has a huge gape that it uses to catch flying moths. The species is hard to find in the daytime, thanks to its cryptic plumage and often observers have to satisfy themselves with the silhouette of a bird in flight: it looks long-winged and narrow-tailed. All birds have intricate brown, grey and black markings that, in combination, resemble tree bark; males have striking white patches near the wingtips and corners of the tail. Territorial males utter a distinctive churring song for hours on end, after dark. The Nightjar is a migrant visitor to the region, found mainly on lowland heathland (where it is easiest to find) and heather moors.
    153629.jpg
  • The Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus (L 24-27cm) may share nocturnal habits with owls but the similarities between these unrelated birds ends there. The Nightjar has a huge gape that it uses to catch flying moths. The species is hard to find in the daytime, thanks to its cryptic plumage and often observers have to satisfy themselves with the silhouette of a bird in flight: it looks long-winged and narrow-tailed. All birds have intricate brown, grey and black markings that, in combination, resemble tree bark; males have striking white patches near the wingtips and corners of the tail. Territorial males utter a distinctive churring song for hours on end, after dark. The Nightjar is a migrant visitor to the region, found mainly on lowland heathland (where it is easiest to find) and heather moors.
    153633.jpg
  • The Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus (L 24-27cm) may share nocturnal habits with owls but the similarities between these unrelated birds ends there. The Nightjar has a huge gape that it uses to catch flying moths. The species is hard to find in the daytime, thanks to its cryptic plumage and often observers have to satisfy themselves with the silhouette of a bird in flight: it looks long-winged and narrow-tailed. All birds have intricate brown, grey and black markings that, in combination, resemble tree bark; males have striking white patches near the wingtips and corners of the tail. Territorial males utter a distinctive churring song for hours on end, after dark. The Nightjar is a migrant visitor to the region, found mainly on lowland heathland (where it is easiest to find) and heather moors.
    153645.jpg
  • Roe Deer Capreolus capreolus Shoulder height 65-70cm Territorial and mostly solitary deer. Adult has white on muzzle, and black nose and ‘moustache’. Coat is reddish brown in summer, greyish-brown in winter coat. Male (buck) has short, branch-like antlers from spring to early winter; size and complexity increases with age. Note oval, whitish mark on rump. Female (doe) is less stocky than male and lacks antlers; whitish rump marking is like an inverted heart. Fawn is reddish brown with white spots. Utters barking call in alarm. Native to Britain. Widespread in Scotland and locally common in England. Favours wooded farmland.
    108146.jpg
  • Muntjac Muntiacus reevesi Shoulder height 38-45cm Tiny, unobtrusive deer. Territorial and mainly solitary. Browses low vegetation. Adult is mainly reddish brown coat with whitish chest and belly. Has large head (with converging dark stripes on forehead) and short legs. Tail is long, reddish brown above but whitish below; conspicuous when raised in alarm. Male (buck) develops tusk-like upper canine teeth; antlers appear in autumn, shed the following summer. Female (doe) does not grow antlers. Fawn is tiny and reddish brown with white spots. Utters a piercing bark. Introduced from Far East, now locally common in scrub, woods and gardens.
    109244.jpg
  • Roe Deer Capreolus capreolus Shoulder height 65-70cm Territorial and mostly solitary deer. Adult has white on muzzle, and black nose and ‘moustache’. Coat is reddish brown in summer, greyish-brown in winter coat. Male (buck) has short, branch-like antlers from spring to early winter; size and complexity increases with age. Note oval, whitish mark on rump. Female (doe) is less stocky than male and lacks antlers; whitish rump marking is like an inverted heart. Fawn is reddish brown with white spots. Utters barking call in alarm. Native to Britain. Widespread in Scotland and locally common in England. Favours wooded farmland.
    111387.jpg
  • Muntjac Muntiacus reevesi Shoulder height 38-45cm Tiny, unobtrusive deer. Territorial and mainly solitary. Browses low vegetation. Adult is mainly reddish brown coat with whitish chest and belly. Has large head (with converging dark stripes on forehead) and short legs. Tail is long, reddish brown above but whitish below; conspicuous when raised in alarm. Male (buck) develops tusk-like upper canine teeth; antlers appear in autumn, shed the following summer. Female (doe) does not grow antlers. Fawn is tiny and reddish brown with white spots. Utters a piercing bark. Introduced from Far East, now locally common in scrub, woods and gardens.
    128256.jpg
  • Roe Deer Capreolus capreolus Shoulder height 65-70cm Territorial and mostly solitary deer. Adult has white on muzzle, and black nose and ‘moustache’. Coat is reddish brown in summer, greyish-brown in winter coat. Male (buck) has short, branch-like antlers from spring to early winter; size and complexity increases with age. Note oval, whitish mark on rump. Female (doe) is less stocky than male and lacks antlers; whitish rump marking is like an inverted heart. Fawn is reddish brown with white spots. Utters barking call in alarm. Native to Britain. Widespread in Scotland and locally common in England. Favours wooded farmland.
    140874.jpg
  • Muntjac Muntiacus reevesi Shoulder height 38-45cm Tiny, unobtrusive deer. Territorial and mainly solitary. Browses low vegetation. Adult is mainly reddish brown coat with whitish chest and belly. Has large head (with converging dark stripes on forehead) and short legs. Tail is long, reddish brown above but whitish below; conspicuous when raised in alarm. Male (buck) develops tusk-like upper canine teeth; antlers appear in autumn, shed the following summer. Female (doe) does not grow antlers. Fawn is tiny and reddish brown with white spots. Utters a piercing bark. Introduced from Far East, now locally common in scrub, woods and gardens.
    143207.jpg
  • Roe Deer Capreolus capreolus Shoulder height 65-70cm Territorial and mostly solitary deer. Adult has white on muzzle, and black nose and ‘moustache’. Coat is reddish brown in summer, greyish-brown in winter coat. Male (buck) has short, branch-like antlers from spring to early winter; size and complexity increases with age. Note oval, whitish mark on rump. Female (doe) is less stocky than male and lacks antlers; whitish rump marking is like an inverted heart. Fawn is reddish brown with white spots. Utters barking call in alarm. Native to Britain. Widespread in Scotland and locally common in England. Favours wooded farmland.
    144388.jpg
  • Roe Deer Capreolus capreolus Shoulder height 65-70cm Territorial and mostly solitary deer. Adult has white on muzzle, and black nose and ‘moustache’. Coat is reddish brown in summer, greyish-brown in winter coat. Male (buck) has short, branch-like antlers from spring to early winter; size and complexity increases with age. Note oval, whitish mark on rump. Female (doe) is less stocky than male and lacks antlers; whitish rump marking is like an inverted heart. Fawn is reddish brown with white spots. Utters barking call in alarm. Native to Britain. Widespread in Scotland and locally common in England. Favours wooded farmland.
    144389.jpg
  • Roe Deer Capreolus capreolus Shoulder height 65-70cm Territorial and mostly solitary deer. Adult has white on muzzle, and black nose and ‘moustache’. Coat is reddish brown in summer, greyish-brown in winter coat. Male (buck) has short, branch-like antlers from spring to early winter; size and complexity increases with age. Note oval, whitish mark on rump. Female (doe) is less stocky than male and lacks antlers; whitish rump marking is like an inverted heart. Fawn is reddish brown with white spots. Utters barking call in alarm. Native to Britain. Widespread in Scotland and locally common in England. Favours wooded farmland.
    144391.jpg
  • Pheasant Phasianus colchicus L 55-90cm. Male is colourful and unmistakable; female is also hard to confuse. Takes to the wing noisily and explosively when flushed. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male typically has orange-brown body plumage, blue-green sheen on head, large and striking red wattle and long, orange barred tail; some birds have a white collar. Violet-blue birds are sometimes released. Adult female is mottled buffish brown with shorter tail than male. Juvenile resembles a small, short-tailed female. Voice Territorial male utters a loud, shrieking call, followed by bout of vigorous wing beating. In alarm, a loud ke-tuk, ke-tuk, ke-tuk is uttered as bird flies away. Status Introduced and established here since 11th Century. Widespread and commonest in wooded farmland.
    127295.jpg
  • Bittern Botaurus stellaris L 70-80cm. Shy and superbly camouflaged, hence hard to see in reedbeds. Posture is usually hunched but ‘skypoints’ and sways if alarmed. Bill is dagger-like and legs and feet are long and powerful. Superficially owl-like in flight. Sexes are similar. Adult has brown plumage with intricate dark markings. Juvenile is similar but crown and ‘moustache’ are paler. Voice Territorial males ‘boom’ in spring. Status Favours large reedbeds with shallow water for feeding. Outside breeding season, sometimes seen in smaller wetlands.
    128912.jpg
  • Spotted Crake Porzana porzana L 19-22cm. Secretive wetland bird. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly brown upperparts and blue-grey underparts, all adorned with white spots; note dark-centred feathers on back and striking barring on flanks. Bill is yellow with a red base; face is marked with black and undertail coverts are pale buff. Legs and feet are greenish. Juvenile lacks adult’s dark face and throat and blue-grey elements of plumage are buffish grey. Voice Male’s territorial call is a repetitive whiplash-like whistle, uttered after dark. Status Migrant visitor. Favours impenetrable wetlands so breeding status is impossible to assess accurately.
    128946.jpg
  • Bittern Botaurus stellaris L 70-80cm. Shy and superbly camouflaged, hence hard to see in reedbeds. Posture is usually hunched but ‘skypoints’ and sways if alarmed. Bill is dagger-like and legs and feet are long and powerful. Superficially owl-like in flight. Sexes are similar. Adult has brown plumage with intricate dark markings. Juvenile is similar but crown and ‘moustache’ are paler. Voice Territorial males ‘boom’ in spring. Status Favours large reedbeds with shallow water for feeding. Outside breeding season, sometimes seen in smaller wetlands.
    133023.jpg
  • Golden Pheasant Chrysolophus pictus L 60-100cm. Male is gaudy and unmistakable; female is superficially similar to female Pheasant but separable on close inspection. Typically secretive. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has mainly red body plumage with golden-yellow crown and barred ‘cape’, yellow rump and blue on wings and back; tail is buffish with intricate dark markings. Adult female is buffish brown with distinct dark barring all over; note contrast between pale brown face and darker crown and nape. Juvenile recalls a small, short-tailed female. Voice Territorial male utters a shrill, disyllabic call. Status Native of China. Introduced and now very locally established; favours dense woodland.
    133724.jpg
  • Golden Pheasant Chrysolophus pictus L 60-100cm. Male is gaudy and unmistakable; female is superficially similar to female Pheasant but separable on close inspection. Typically secretive. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has mainly red body plumage with golden-yellow crown and barred ‘cape’, yellow rump and blue on wings and back; tail is buffish with intricate dark markings. Adult female is buffish brown with distinct dark barring all over; note contrast between pale brown face and darker crown and nape. Juvenile recalls a small, short-tailed female. Voice Territorial male utters a shrill, disyllabic call. Status Native of China. Introduced and now very locally established; favours dense woodland.
    133726.jpg
  • Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus L 64-79cm. Our largest gull species. Bulkier than Lesser Black-backed, adult with darker back, massive bill and pink legs. Sexes are similar. Adult has almost uniformly dark back and upperwings; wingtips only marginally darker than rest of wings. Note white patch at tip of wings and broad white trailing edge. Plumage is otherwise white. Bill is yellow with an orange spot. Juvenile and 1st winter are mottled and streaked grey brown. In flight, brown upperwings have pale panels and inner primaries. Bill is dark, legs are dull pink and whitish tail is dark-tipped. Adult plumage acquired over 3 years. Voice Utters a deep kaa-ga-ga call. Status Local and coastal in the breeding season. Often nests in vicinity of mixed seabird colonies and pairs are territorial. Outside breeding season, more widespread inland and numbers boosted by migrants from N Europe.
    137389.jpg
  • Bittern Botaurus stellaris L 70-80cm. Shy and superbly camouflaged, hence hard to see in reedbeds. Posture is usually hunched but ‘skypoints’ and sways if alarmed. Bill is dagger-like and legs and feet are long and powerful. Superficially owl-like in flight. Sexes are similar. Adult has brown plumage with intricate dark markings. Juvenile is similar but crown and ‘moustache’ are paler. Voice Territorial males ‘boom’ in spring. Status Favours large reedbeds with shallow water for feeding. Outside breeding season, sometimes seen in smaller wetlands.
    139824.jpg
  • Bittern Botaurus stellaris L 70-80cm. Shy and superbly camouflaged, hence hard to see in reedbeds. Posture is usually hunched but ‘skypoints’ and sways if alarmed. Bill is dagger-like and legs and feet are long and powerful. Superficially owl-like in flight. Sexes are similar. Adult has brown plumage with intricate dark markings. Juvenile is similar but crown and ‘moustache’ are paler. Voice Territorial males ‘boom’ in spring. Status Favours large reedbeds with shallow water for feeding. Outside breeding season, sometimes seen in smaller wetlands.
    139825.jpg
  • Lesser Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopus minor L 14-15cm. Unobtrusive and easily overlooked. Sexes are separable with care. Adult male has black back and wings with white barring. Underparts are grubby white with dark streaking. Face is white and nape is black; black stripe runs from bill, around ear coverts to sides of breast. Note white-flecked red crown. Adult female and Juvenile are similar but with black crown. Voice Territorial male utters raptor-like piping call in spring. Drumming is rapid but rather faint. Status Local resident of deciduous woodland and parkland; often associated with alders.
    143111.jpg
  • Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus L 64-79cm. Our largest gull species. Bulkier than Lesser Black-backed, adult with darker back, massive bill and pink legs. Sexes are similar. Adult has almost uniformly dark back and upperwings; wingtips only marginally darker than rest of wings. Note white patch at tip of wings and broad white trailing edge. Plumage is otherwise white. Bill is yellow with an orange spot. Juvenile and 1st winter are mottled and streaked grey brown. In flight, brown upperwings have pale panels and inner primaries. Bill is dark, legs are dull pink and whitish tail is dark-tipped. Adult plumage acquired over 3 years. Voice Utters a deep kaa-ga-ga call. Status Local and coastal in the breeding season. Often nests in vicinity of mixed seabird colonies and pairs are territorial. Outside breeding season, more widespread inland and numbers boosted by migrants from N Europe.
    143116.jpg
  • Corn Crake Crex crex L 27-30cm. Easy to hear (in right locations) but secretive and tricky to see. Sexes are similar. Adult has sandy brown upperparts; dark feather-centres create ‘scaly’ look. Face, throat, breast and belly are blue-grey while flanks are barred chestnut and white. In flight, note chestnut patch on inner wing and dangling legs. Juvenile is greyer than adult. Voice Territorial male utters ceaseless crek-crek, crek-crek… mainly at night. Status Migrant visitor; has declined terribly due to modern farming practises. Now restricted to hay meadows and damp grassland.
    143134.jpg
  • Corn Crake Crex crex L 27-30cm. Easy to hear (in right locations) but secretive and tricky to see. Sexes are similar. Adult has sandy brown upperparts; dark feather-centres create ‘scaly’ look. Face, throat, breast and belly are blue-grey while flanks are barred chestnut and white. In flight, note chestnut patch on inner wing and dangling legs. Juvenile is greyer than adult. Voice Territorial male utters ceaseless crek-crek, crek-crek… mainly at night. Status Migrant visitor; has declined terribly due to modern farming practises. Now restricted to hay meadows and damp grassland.
    143386.jpg
  • Corn Crake Crex crex L 27-30cm. Easy to hear (in right locations) but secretive and tricky to see. Sexes are similar. Adult has sandy brown upperparts; dark feather-centres create ‘scaly’ look. Face, throat, breast and belly are blue-grey while flanks are barred chestnut and white. In flight, note chestnut patch on inner wing and dangling legs. Juvenile is greyer than adult. Voice Territorial male utters ceaseless crek-crek, crek-crek… mainly at night. Status Migrant visitor; has declined terribly due to modern farming practises. Now restricted to hay meadows and damp grassland.
    143396.jpg
  • Bittern Botaurus stellaris L 70-80cm. Shy and superbly camouflaged, hence hard to see in reedbeds. Posture is usually hunched but ‘skypoints’ and sways if alarmed. Bill is dagger-like and legs and feet are long and powerful. Superficially owl-like in flight. Sexes are similar. Adult has brown plumage with intricate dark markings. Juvenile is similar but crown and ‘moustache’ are paler. Voice Territorial males ‘boom’ in spring. Status Favours large reedbeds with shallow water for feeding. Outside breeding season, sometimes seen in smaller wetlands.
    143404.jpg
  • Corn Crake Crex crex L 27-30cm. Easy to hear (in right locations) but secretive and tricky to see. Sexes are similar. Adult has sandy brown upperparts; dark feather-centres create ‘scaly’ look. Face, throat, breast and belly are blue-grey while flanks are barred chestnut and white. In flight, note chestnut patch on inner wing and dangling legs. Juvenile is greyer than adult. Voice Territorial male utters ceaseless crek-crek, crek-crek… mainly at night. Status Migrant visitor; has declined terribly due to modern farming practises. Now restricted to hay meadows and damp grassland.
    143426.jpg
  • Corn Crake Crex crex L 27-30cm. Easy to hear (in right locations) but secretive and tricky to see. Sexes are similar. Adult has sandy brown upperparts; dark feather-centres create ‘scaly’ look. Face, throat, breast and belly are blue-grey while flanks are barred chestnut and white. In flight, note chestnut patch on inner wing and dangling legs. Juvenile is greyer than adult. Voice Territorial male utters ceaseless crek-crek, crek-crek… mainly at night. Status Migrant visitor; has declined terribly due to modern farming practises. Now restricted to hay meadows and damp grassland.
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  • Corn Crake Crex crex L 27-30cm. Easy to hear (in right locations) but secretive and tricky to see. Sexes are similar. Adult has sandy brown upperparts; dark feather-centres create ‘scaly’ look. Face, throat, breast and belly are blue-grey while flanks are barred chestnut and white. In flight, note chestnut patch on inner wing and dangling legs. Juvenile is greyer than adult. Voice Territorial male utters ceaseless crek-crek, crek-crek… mainly at night. Status Migrant visitor; has declined terribly due to modern farming practises. Now restricted to hay meadows and damp grassland.
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  • Pheasant Phasianus colchicus L 55-90cm. Male is colourful and unmistakable; female is also hard to confuse. Takes to the wing noisily and explosively when flushed. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male typically has orange-brown body plumage, blue-green sheen on head, large and striking red wattle and long, orange barred tail; some birds have a white collar. Violet-blue birds are sometimes released. Adult female is mottled buffish brown with shorter tail than male. Juvenile resembles a small, short-tailed female. Voice Territorial male utters a loud, shrieking call, followed by bout of vigorous wing beating. In alarm, a loud ke-tuk, ke-tuk, ke-tuk is uttered as bird flies away. Status Introduced and established here since 11th Century. Widespread and commonest in wooded farmland.
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  • Spotted Crake Porzana porzana L 19-22cm. Secretive wetland bird. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly brown upperparts and blue-grey underparts, all adorned with white spots; note dark-centred feathers on back and striking barring on flanks. Bill is yellow with a red base; face is marked with black and undertail coverts are pale buff. Legs and feet are greenish. Juvenile lacks adult’s dark face and throat and blue-grey elements of plumage are buffish grey. Voice Male’s territorial call is a repetitive whiplash-like whistle, uttered after dark. Status Migrant visitor. Favours impenetrable wetlands so breeding status is impossible to assess accurately.
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  • Pheasant Phasianus colchicus L 55-90cm. Male is colourful and unmistakable; female is also hard to confuse. Takes to the wing noisily and explosively when flushed. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male typically has orange-brown body plumage, blue-green sheen on head, large and striking red wattle and long, orange barred tail; some birds have a white collar. Violet-blue birds are sometimes released. Adult female is mottled buffish brown with shorter tail than male. Juvenile resembles a small, short-tailed female. Voice Territorial male utters a loud, shrieking call, followed by bout of vigorous wing beating. In alarm, a loud ke-tuk, ke-tuk, ke-tuk is uttered as bird flies away. Status Introduced and established here since 11th Century. Widespread and commonest in wooded farmland. Observation tips Easy to find.
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  • Nightjar - Caprimulgus europaeus - Male. (L 24-27cm) may share nocturnal habits with owls but the similarities between these unrelated birds ends there. The Nightjar has a huge gape that it uses to catch flying moths. The species is hard to find in the daytime, thanks to its cryptic plumage and often observers have to satisfy themselves with the silhouette of a bird in flight: it looks long-winged and narrow-tailed. All birds have intricate brown, grey and black markings that, in combination, resemble tree bark; males have striking white patches near the wingtips and corners of the tail. Territorial males utter a distinctive churring song for hours on end, after dark. The Nightjar is a migrant visitor to the region, found mainly on lowland heathland (where it is easiest to find) and heather moors.
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  • Pheasant Phasianus colchicus L 55-90cm. Male is colourful and unmistakable; female is also hard to confuse. Takes to the wing noisily and explosively when flushed. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male typically has orange-brown body plumage, blue-green sheen on head, large and striking red wattle and long, orange barred tail; some birds have a white collar. Violet-blue birds are sometimes released. Adult female is mottled buffish brown with shorter tail than male. Juvenile resembles a small, short-tailed female. Voice Territorial male utters a loud, shrieking call, followed by bout of vigorous wing beating. In alarm, a loud ke-tuk, ke-tuk, ke-tuk is uttered as bird flies away. Status Introduced and established here since 11th Century. Widespread and commonest in wooded farmland.
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  • Great Black-backed Gull - Larus marinus. L 64-79cm. Our largest gull species. Bulkier than Lesser Black-backed, adult with darker back, massive bill and pink legs. Sexes are similar. Adult has almost uniformly dark back and upperwings; wingtips only marginally darker than rest of wings. Note white patch at tip of wings and broad white trailing edge. Plumage is otherwise white. Bill is yellow with an orange spot. Juvenile and 1st winter are mottled and streaked grey brown. In flight, brown upperwings have pale panels and inner primaries. Bill is dark, legs are dull pink and whitish tail is dark-tipped. Adult plumage acquired over 3 years. Voice Utters a deep kaa-ga-ga call. Status Local and coastal in the breeding season. Often nests in vicinity of mixed seabird colonies and pairs are territorial. Outside breeding season, more widespread inland and numbers boosted by migrants from N Europe.
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  • Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus L 64-79cm. Our largest gull species. Bulkier than Lesser Black-backed, adult with darker back, massive bill and pink legs. Sexes are similar. Adult has almost uniformly dark back and upperwings; wingtips only marginally darker than rest of wings. Note white patch at tip of wings and broad white trailing edge. Plumage is otherwise white. Bill is yellow with an orange spot. Juvenile and 1st winter are mottled and streaked grey brown. In flight, brown upperwings have pale panels and inner primaries. Bill is dark, legs are dull pink and whitish tail is dark-tipped. Adult plumage acquired over 3 years. Voice Utters a deep kaa-ga-ga call. Status Local and coastal in the breeding season. Often nests in vicinity of mixed seabird colonies and pairs are territorial. Outside breeding season, more widespread inland and numbers boosted by migrants from N Europe.
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  • Corn Crake Crex crex L 27-30cm. Easy to hear (in right locations) but secretive and tricky to see. Sexes are similar. Adult has sandy brown upperparts; dark feather-centres create ‘scaly’ look. Face, throat, breast and belly are blue-grey while flanks are barred chestnut and white. In flight, note chestnut patch on inner wing and dangling legs. Juvenile is greyer than adult. Voice Territorial male utters ceaseless crek-crek, crek-crek… mainly at night. Status Migrant visitor; has declined terribly due to modern farming practises. Now restricted to hay meadows and damp grassland.
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  • Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus L 64-79cm. Our largest gull species. Bulkier than Lesser Black-backed, adult with darker back, massive bill and pink legs. Sexes are similar. Adult has almost uniformly dark back and upperwings; wingtips only marginally darker than rest of wings. Note white patch at tip of wings and broad white trailing edge. Plumage is otherwise white. Bill is yellow with an orange spot. Juvenile and 1st winter are mottled and streaked grey brown. In flight, brown upperwings have pale panels and inner primaries. Bill is dark, legs are dull pink and whitish tail is dark-tipped. Adult plumage acquired over 3 years. Voice Utters a deep kaa-ga-ga call. Status Local and coastal in the breeding season. Often nests in vicinity of mixed seabird colonies and pairs are territorial. Outside breeding season, more widespread inland and numbers boosted by migrants from N Europe.
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  • Great Black-backed - Gull Larus marinus L 64-79cm. Our largest gull species. Bulkier than Lesser Black-backed, adult with darker back, massive bill and pink legs. Sexes are similar. Adult has almost uniformly dark back and upperwings; wingtips only marginally darker than rest of wings. Note white patch at tip of wings and broad white trailing edge. Plumage is otherwise white. Bill is yellow with an orange spot. Juvenile and 1st winter are mottled and streaked grey brown. In flight, brown upperwings have pale panels and inner primaries. Bill is dark, legs are dull pink and whitish tail is dark-tipped. Adult plumage acquired over 3 years. Voice Utters a deep kaa-ga-ga call. Status Local and coastal in the breeding season. Often nests in vicinity of mixed seabird colonies and pairs are territorial. Outside breeding season, more widespread inland and numbers boosted by migrants from N Europe.
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  • Great Black-backed Gull - Larus marinus. L 64-79cm. Our largest gull species. Bulkier than Lesser Black-backed, adult with darker back, massive bill and pink legs. Sexes are similar. Adult has almost uniformly dark back and upperwings; wingtips only marginally darker than rest of wings. Note white patch at tip of wings and broad white trailing edge. Plumage is otherwise white. Bill is yellow with an orange spot. Juvenile and 1st winter are mottled and streaked grey brown. In flight, brown upperwings have pale panels and inner primaries. Bill is dark, legs are dull pink and whitish tail is dark-tipped. Adult plumage acquired over 3 years. Voice Utters a deep kaa-ga-ga call. Status Local and coastal in the breeding season. Often nests in vicinity of mixed seabird colonies and pairs are territorial. Outside breeding season, more widespread inland and numbers boosted by migrants from N Europe.
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  • Golden Pheasant - Chrysolophus pictus - female. L 60-100cm. Male is gaudy and unmistakable; female is superficially similar to female Pheasant but separable on close inspection. Typically secretive. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has mainly red body plumage with golden-yellow crown and barred ‘cape’, yellow rump and blue on wings and back; tail is buffish with intricate dark markings. Adult female is buffish brown with distinct dark barring all over; note contrast between pale brown face and darker crown and nape. Juvenile recalls a small, short-tailed female. Voice Territorial male utters a shrill, disyllabic call. Status Native of China. Introduced and now very locally established; favours dense woodland.
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  • Corn Crake Crex crex L 27-30cm. Easy to hear (in right locations) but secretive and tricky to see. Sexes are similar. Adult has sandy brown upperparts; dark feather-centres create ‘scaly’ look. Face, throat, breast and belly are blue-grey while flanks are barred chestnut and white. In flight, note chestnut patch on inner wing and dangling legs. Juvenile is greyer than adult. Voice Territorial male utters ceaseless crek-crek, crek-crek… mainly at night. Status Migrant visitor; has declined terribly due to modern farming practises. Now restricted to hay meadows and damp grassland.
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  • Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus - male. (L 24-27cm) may share nocturnal habits with owls but the similarities between these unrelated birds ends there. The Nightjar has a huge gape that it uses to catch flying moths. The species is hard to find in the daytime, thanks to its cryptic plumage and often observers have to satisfy themselves with the silhouette of a bird in flight: it looks long-winged and narrow-tailed. All birds have intricate brown, grey and black markings that, in combination, resemble tree bark; males have striking white patches near the wingtips and corners of the tail. Territorial males utter a distinctive churring song for hours on end, after dark. The Nightjar is a migrant visitor to the region, found mainly on lowland heathland (where it is easiest to find) and heather moors.
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  • Lesser Spotted Woodpecker - Dendrocopus minor - female. L 14-15cm. Unobtrusive and easily overlooked. Sexes are separable with care. Adult male has black back and wings with white barring. Underparts are grubby white with dark streaking. Face is white and nape is black; black stripe runs from bill, around ear coverts to sides of breast. Note white-flecked red crown. Adult female and Juvenile are similar but with black crown. Voice Territorial male utters raptor-like piping call in spring. Drumming is rapid but rather faint. Status Local resident of deciduous woodland and parkland; often associated with alders
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  • Spotted Crake Porzana porzana L 19-22cm. Secretive wetland bird. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly brown upperparts and blue-grey underparts, all adorned with white spots; note dark-centred feathers on back and striking barring on flanks. Bill is yellow with a red base; face is marked with black and undertail coverts are pale buff. Legs and feet are greenish. Juvenile lacks adult’s dark face and throat and blue-grey elements of plumage are buffish grey. Voice Male’s territorial call is a repetitive whiplash-like whistle, uttered after dark. Status Migrant visitor. Favours impenetrable wetlands so breeding status is impossible to assess accurately.
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  • Lesser Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopus minor L 14-15cm. Unobtrusive and easily overlooked. Sexes are separable with care. Adult male has black back and wings with white barring. Underparts are grubby white with dark streaking. Face is white and nape is black; black stripe runs from bill, around ear coverts to sides of breast. Note white-flecked red crown. Adult female and Juvenile are similar but with black crown. Voice Territorial male utters raptor-like piping call in spring. Drumming is rapid but rather faint. Status Local resident of deciduous woodland and parkland; often associated with alders.
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  • Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus L 64-79cm. Our largest gull species. Bulkier than Lesser Black-backed, adult with darker back, massive bill and pink legs. Sexes are similar. Adult has almost uniformly dark back and upperwings; wingtips only marginally darker than rest of wings. Note white patch at tip of wings and broad white trailing edge. Plumage is otherwise white. Bill is yellow with an orange spot. Juvenile and 1st winter are mottled and streaked grey brown. In flight, brown upperwings have pale panels and inner primaries. Bill is dark, legs are dull pink and whitish tail is dark-tipped. Adult plumage acquired over 3 years. Voice Utters a deep kaa-ga-ga call. Status Local and coastal in the breeding season. Often nests in vicinity of mixed seabird colonies and pairs are territorial. Outside breeding season, more widespread inland and numbers boosted by migrants from N Europe.
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  • The Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus (L 24-27cm) may share nocturnal habits with owls but the similarities between these unrelated birds ends there. The Nightjar has a huge gape that it uses to catch flying moths. The species is hard to find in the daytime, thanks to its cryptic plumage and often observers have to satisfy themselves with the silhouette of a bird in flight: it looks long-winged and narrow-tailed. All birds have intricate brown, grey and black markings that, in combination, resemble tree bark; males have striking white patches near the wingtips and corners of the tail. Territorial males utter a distinctive churring song for hours on end, after dark. The Nightjar is a migrant visitor to the region, found mainly on lowland heathland (where it is easiest to find) and heather moors.
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  • The Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus (L 24-27cm) may share nocturnal habits with owls but the similarities between these unrelated birds ends there. The Nightjar has a huge gape that it uses to catch flying moths. The species is hard to find in the daytime, thanks to its cryptic plumage and often observers have to satisfy themselves with the silhouette of a bird in flight: it looks long-winged and narrow-tailed. All birds have intricate brown, grey and black markings that, in combination, resemble tree bark; males have striking white patches near the wingtips and corners of the tail. Territorial males utter a distinctive churring song for hours on end, after dark. The Nightjar is a migrant visitor to the region, found mainly on lowland heathland (where it is easiest to find) and heather moors.
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  • The Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus (L 24-27cm) may share nocturnal habits with owls but the similarities between these unrelated birds ends there. The Nightjar has a huge gape that it uses to catch flying moths. The species is hard to find in the daytime, thanks to its cryptic plumage and often observers have to satisfy themselves with the silhouette of a bird in flight: it looks long-winged and narrow-tailed. All birds have intricate brown, grey and black markings that, in combination, resemble tree bark; males have striking white patches near the wingtips and corners of the tail. Territorial males utter a distinctive churring song for hours on end, after dark. The Nightjar is a migrant visitor to the region, found mainly on lowland heathland (where it is easiest to find) and heather moors.
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  • The Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus (L 24-27cm) may share nocturnal habits with owls but the similarities between these unrelated birds ends there. The Nightjar has a huge gape that it uses to catch flying moths. The species is hard to find in the daytime, thanks to its cryptic plumage and often observers have to satisfy themselves with the silhouette of a bird in flight: it looks long-winged and narrow-tailed. All birds have intricate brown, grey and black markings that, in combination, resemble tree bark; males have striking white patches near the wingtips and corners of the tail. Territorial males utter a distinctive churring song for hours on end, after dark. The Nightjar is a migrant visitor to the region, found mainly on lowland heathland (where it is easiest to find) and heather moors.
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  • Muntjac Muntiacus reevesi Shoulder height 38-45cm Tiny, unobtrusive deer. Territorial and mainly solitary. Browses low vegetation. Adult is mainly reddish brown coat with whitish chest and belly. Has large head (with converging dark stripes on forehead) and short legs. Tail is long, reddish brown above but whitish below; conspicuous when raised in alarm. Male (buck) develops tusk-like upper canine teeth; antlers appear in autumn, shed the following summer. Female (doe) does not grow antlers. Fawn is tiny and reddish brown with white spots. Utters a piercing bark. Introduced from Far East, now locally common in scrub, woods and gardens.
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  • Roe Deer Capreolus capreolus Shoulder height 65-70cm Territorial and mostly solitary deer. Adult has white on muzzle, and black nose and ‘moustache’. Coat is reddish brown in summer, greyish-brown in winter coat. Male (buck) has short, branch-like antlers from spring to early winter; size and complexity increases with age. Note oval, whitish mark on rump. Female (doe) is less stocky than male and lacks antlers; whitish rump marking is like an inverted heart. Fawn is reddish brown with white spots. Utters barking call in alarm. Native to Britain. Widespread in Scotland and locally common in England. Favours wooded farmland.
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  • Roe Deer Capreolus capreolus Shoulder height 65-70cm Territorial and mostly solitary deer. Adult has white on muzzle, and black nose and ‘moustache’. Coat is reddish brown in summer, greyish-brown in winter coat. Male (buck) has short, branch-like antlers from spring to early winter; size and complexity increases with age. Note oval, whitish mark on rump. Female (doe) is less stocky than male and lacks antlers; whitish rump marking is like an inverted heart. Fawn is reddish brown with white spots. Utters barking call in alarm. Native to Britain. Widespread in Scotland and locally common in England. Favours wooded farmland.
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  • Roe Deer Capreolus capreolus Shoulder height 65-70cm Territorial and mostly solitary deer. Adult has white on muzzle, and black nose and ‘moustache’. Coat is reddish brown in summer, greyish-brown in winter coat. Male (buck) has short, branch-like antlers from spring to early winter; size and complexity increases with age. Note oval, whitish mark on rump. Female (doe) is less stocky than male and lacks antlers; whitish rump marking is like an inverted heart. Fawn is reddish brown with white spots. Utters barking call in alarm. Native to Britain. Widespread in Scotland and locally common in England. Favours wooded farmland.
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  • Roe Deer Capreolus capreolus Shoulder height 65-70cm Territorial and mostly solitary deer. Adult has white on muzzle, and black nose and ‘moustache’. Coat is reddish brown in summer, greyish-brown in winter coat. Male (buck) has short, branch-like antlers from spring to early winter; size and complexity increases with age. Note oval, whitish mark on rump. Female (doe) is less stocky than male and lacks antlers; whitish rump marking is like an inverted heart. Fawn is reddish brown with white spots. Utters barking call in alarm. Native to Britain. Widespread in Scotland and locally common in England. Favours wooded farmland.
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  • Muntjac Muntiacus reevesi Shoulder height 38-45cm Tiny, unobtrusive deer. Territorial and mainly solitary. Browses low vegetation. Adult is mainly reddish brown coat with whitish chest and belly. Has large head (with converging dark stripes on forehead) and short legs. Tail is long, reddish brown above but whitish below; conspicuous when raised in alarm. Male (buck) develops tusk-like upper canine teeth; antlers appear in autumn, shed the following summer. Female (doe) does not grow antlers. Fawn is tiny and reddish brown with white spots. Utters a piercing bark. Introduced from Far East, now locally common in scrub, woods and gardens.
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  • Muntjac Muntiacus reevesi Shoulder height 38-45cm Tiny, unobtrusive deer. Territorial and mainly solitary. Browses low vegetation. Adult is mainly reddish brown coat with whitish chest and belly. Has large head (with converging dark stripes on forehead) and short legs. Tail is long, reddish brown above but whitish below; conspicuous when raised in alarm. Male (buck) develops tusk-like upper canine teeth; antlers appear in autumn, shed the following summer. Female (doe) does not grow antlers. Fawn is tiny and reddish brown with white spots. Utters a piercing bark. Introduced from Far East, now locally common in scrub, woods and gardens.
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  • Roe Deer Capreolus capreolus Shoulder height 65-70cm Territorial and mostly solitary deer. Adult has white on muzzle, and black nose and ‘moustache’. Coat is reddish brown in summer, greyish-brown in winter coat. Male (buck) has short, branch-like antlers from spring to early winter; size and complexity increases with age. Note oval, whitish mark on rump. Female (doe) is less stocky than male and lacks antlers; whitish rump marking is like an inverted heart. Fawn is reddish brown with white spots. Utters barking call in alarm. Native to Britain. Widespread in Scotland and locally common in England. Favours wooded farmland.
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  • The Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus (L 24-27cm) may share nocturnal habits with owls but the similarities between these unrelated birds ends there. The Nightjar has a huge gape that it uses to catch flying moths. The species is hard to find in the daytime, thanks to its cryptic plumage and often observers have to satisfy themselves with the silhouette of a bird in flight: it looks long-winged and narrow-tailed. All birds have intricate brown, grey and black markings that, in combination, resemble tree bark; males have striking white patches near the wingtips and corners of the tail. Territorial males utter a distinctive churring song for hours on end, after dark. The Nightjar is a migrant visitor to the region, found mainly on lowland heathland (where it is easiest to find) and heather moors.
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  • Lesser Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopus minor L 14-15cm. Unobtrusive and easily overlooked. Sexes are separable with care. Adult male has black back and wings with white barring. Underparts are grubby white with dark streaking. Face is white and nape is black; black stripe runs from bill, around ear coverts to sides of breast. Note white-flecked red crown. Adult female and Juvenile are similar but with black crown. Voice Territorial male utters raptor-like piping call in spring. Drumming is rapid but rather faint. Status Local resident of deciduous woodland and parkland; often associated with alders.
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  • Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus L 64-79cm. Our largest gull species. Bulkier than Lesser Black-backed, adult with darker back, massive bill and pink legs. Sexes are similar. Adult has almost uniformly dark back and upperwings; wingtips only marginally darker than rest of wings. Note white patch at tip of wings and broad white trailing edge. Plumage is otherwise white. Bill is yellow with an orange spot. Juvenile and 1st winter are mottled and streaked grey brown. In flight, brown upperwings have pale panels and inner primaries. Bill is dark, legs are dull pink and whitish tail is dark-tipped. Adult plumage acquired over 3 years. Voice Utters a deep kaa-ga-ga call. Status Local and coastal in the breeding season. Often nests in vicinity of mixed seabird colonies and pairs are territorial. Outside breeding season, more widespread inland and numbers boosted by migrants from N Europe.
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