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  • The Rustics Mesapamea sp. Length 15-20mm. Common Rustic M. secalis and Lesser Common Rustic M. didyma are two closely-related species that are hard to distinguish and are treated together here. Both rest with their wings flat or in a shallow tent-like manner. Both have forewings that can range from buff to dark brown; all have a kidney-shaped marked outlined with white. Individuals with buffish forewings and darker margins are likely to be Common Rustics. Both species fly July-August. Larvae feed on grasses. Widespread and common.
    128285.jpg
  • Small Tortoiseshell Nymphalis urticae  Wingspan 42mm. A colourful butterfly associated with waste and wayside areas where larval foodplant flourishes. Fond of basking in the sun, usually on bare ground. Adult has marbled orange, yellow and black upperwings; underwings are grey-brown. Double- or triple-brooded: flies March–October. Also hibernates. Larva is yellow and black and spiny; typically they are gregarious and feed on Common Nettle. Fairly common and widespread but much reduced in numbers in recent years.Comma Polygonia c-album Wingspan 45mm. Unmistakable butterfly with ragged-edged wing margins. Adult has orange-brown upperwings marked with dark spots; grey-brown underwings show a white ‘comma’ mark. Double-brooded and hibernates: seen on the wing March–April, and again August-October. Larva has tufts of spiny hairs and is orange-brown with a white dorsal band; feeds on Common Nettle, elms and Hop. Locally fairly common in England and Wales.
    124220.jpg
  • Common Pipistrelle Pipistrellus pipistrellus Wingspan 18-24cm Small bat with sleek, fluffy fur that is rich grey-brown above and buffish brown below. Note the dark ‘bandit’ mask and dark, oval ears with 4-5 transverse folds on the outer edge. People with good hearing can sometimes detect their high-pitched contact calls and Common Pipistrelles echolocate at around 45khz. Widespread and common in woods and gardens, with a fluttery flight. Summer roosts are often in roofs of modern houses.
    136045.jpg
  • Red Admiral Vanessa atalanta Wingspan 60mm. An active, fast-flying butterfly that is also fond of basking in the sun. Adult has marbled dark-grey underwings and black upperwings with red bands and white spots. Commonest in July–August, but also seen in many other months. Larva is spiny and brown with yellow markings; feeds on Common Nettle, hidden inside ‘tent’ of woven-together leaves. Mainly a summer migrant from southern Europe, but adults hibernate in small numbers and emerge on sunny days in early spring. Comma Polygonia c-album Wingspan 45mm. Unmistakable butterfly with ragged-edged wing margins. Adult has orange-brown upperwings marked with dark spots; grey-brown underwings show a white ‘comma’ mark. Double-brooded and hibernates: seen on the wing March–April, and again August-October. Larva has tufts of spiny hairs and is orange-brown with a white dorsal band; feeds on Common Nettle, elms and Hop. Locally fairly common in England and Wales.
    137043.jpg
  • Blood-vein Timandra comae Wingspan 32mm. A stunning and well-named moth that rests with its wings spread flat. Adult wings have angular margins and are has straw-coloured with a dark red transverse line across the forewings, and a red outer margin to both wings. Double-brooded: flies May-July and August-October. Larva feeds on Common Sorrel, Common Orache and related plants. Locally common in damp waysides.
    133307.jpg
  • Common Bird's Nest - Crucibulum laeve
    135501.jpg
  • Splitgill or Common Porecrust - Schizophyllum commune
    135502.jpg
  • Common Quaker Orthosia cerasi Length 18-20mm. A spring-flying woodland moth that rests with its wings held flat. Adult has forewings whose colour ranges from rich brown to grey-buff. Forewings usually show a pale cross line towards the outer margin and pale-ringed kidney and circular spots. Flies March-April. Larva feeds on deciduous trees, particularly oaks and willows. Widespread and common in lowland Britain, especially in the south.
    141220.jpg
  • Common Wainscot Mythimna pallens Length 17-19mm. A rather plain grassland moth. At rest, wings are held in a tent-like manner. Adult has buffish forewings with whitish veins; hindwings are whitish. Flies July-August. Larva feeds on various grasses. Widespread and fairly common in southern and central Britain; more local further north.
    140710.jpg
  • Common Marbled Carpet Chloroclysta truncata Wingspan 25-30mm. A well-marked moth whose wing colours and patterns are extremely variable. Adult has variably marbled wings. Some forms have overall brown and white wings with a broad dark band; others have a broad chestnut band or patch on otherwise dark wings. Dark Marbled Carpet C. citrata is similarly patterned and variable; outer edge of central band is more angular. Larva feeds on a wide range of low-growing plants. Widespread and common.
    140639.jpg
  • Common Blue Polyommatus icarus Wingspan 32mm. Britain’s commonest and most widespread blue butterfly. Adult male has blue upperwings; female’s are usually brown (sometimes tinged blue in the middle) with submarginal orange spots. Underwings of both sexes are grey-brown with white-ringed dark spots and orange submarginal spots on hindwing. Flies April–September in two or three successive broods. Larva feeds on Bird’s-foot Trefoil and related plants. Common in grassy places where larval foodplant grows.
    140368.jpg
  • Common Wainscot Mythimna pallens Length 17-19mm. A rather plain grassland moth. At rest, wings are held in a tent-like manner. Adult has buffish forewings with whitish veins; hindwings are whitish. Flies July-August. Larva feeds on various grasses. Widespread and fairly common in southern and central Britain; more local further north.
    113960.jpg
  • Common Blue Polyommatus icarus Wingspan 32mm. Britain’s commonest and most widespread blue butterfly. Adult male has blue upperwings; female’s are usually brown (sometimes tinged blue in the middle) with submarginal orange spots. Underwings of both sexes are grey-brown with white-ringed dark spots and orange submarginal spots on hindwing. Flies April–September in two or three successive broods. Larva feeds on Bird’s-foot Trefoil and related plants. Common in grassy places where larval foodplant grows.
    105171.jpg
  • COMMON COTTONGRASS Eriophorum angustifolium (Cyperaceae) Height to 75cm. Upright perennial, distinctive when in fruit. Grows in very boggy ground with peaty, acid soils. FLOWERS are in inflorescences of drooping, stalked spikelets (Apr-May). FRUITS are dark brown with cottony hairs; fruiting heads resemble balls of cotton wool. LEAVES are dark green and narrow. STATUS-Locally common throughout.
    153720.jpg
  • COMMON COTTONGRASS Eriophorum angustifolium (Cyperaceae) Height to 75cm. Upright perennial, distinctive when in fruit. Grows in very boggy ground with peaty, acid soils. FLOWERS are in inflorescences of drooping, stalked spikelets (Apr-May). FRUITS are dark brown with cottony hairs; fruiting heads resemble balls of cotton wool. LEAVES are dark green and narrow. STATUS-Locally common throughout.
    153719.jpg
  • Common Toad Bufo bufo Length 5-9cm A widespread toad; the only common species in Britain. Skin is covered in toxin-containing warts. Spawn is laid in double-rowed spawn strings. Gait consists of short hops. Adult is olive-brown to greenish buff (hue is influenced by ambient light). Has red iris and webbed hind feet. Female is larger than male. Juvenile recalls a tiny, large-headed adult. Courting male utters croaking calls in spring. More terrestrial than most other amphibians and adults spend much of their lives on land:  woodland, scrub, grassland and moors are favoured. Must return to water to breed and most are found within 2km or so of suitable ponds. Not deterred by fish: tadpole’ toxic skin acts as deterrent to predation. Observation tips Courting is easy to watch in suitable ponds in spring (February-March are typical months). Sometimes found hibernating under logs in winter.
    105100.jpg
  • Common Toad Bufo bufo Length 5-9cm A widespread toad; the only common species in Britain. Skin is covered in toxin-containing warts. Spawn is laid in double-rowed spawn strings. Gait consists of short hops. Adult is olive-brown to greenish buff (hue is influenced by ambient light). Has red iris and webbed hind feet. Female is larger than male. Juvenile recalls a tiny, large-headed adult. Courting male utters croaking calls in spring. More terrestrial than most other amphibians and adults spend much of their lives on land:  woodland, scrub, grassland and moors are favoured. Must return to water to breed and most are found within 2km or so of suitable ponds. Not deterred by fish: tadpole’ toxic skin acts as deterrent to predation. Observation tips Courting is easy to watch in suitable ponds in spring (February-March are typical months). Sometimes found hibernating under logs in winter.
    114336.jpg
  • Common Toad Bufo bufo Length 5-9cm A widespread toad; the only common species in Britain. Skin is covered in toxin-containing warts. Spawn is laid in double-rowed spawn strings. Gait consists of short hops. Adult is olive-brown to greenish buff (hue is influenced by ambient light). Has red iris and webbed hind feet. Female is larger than male. Juvenile recalls a tiny, large-headed adult. Courting male utters croaking calls in spring. More terrestrial than most other amphibians and adults spend much of their lives on land:  woodland, scrub, grassland and moors are favoured. Must return to water to breed and most are found within 2km or so of suitable ponds. Not deterred by fish: tadpole’ toxic skin acts as deterrent to predation. Observation tips Courting is easy to watch in suitable ponds in spring (February-March are typical months). Sometimes found hibernating under logs in winter.
    114337.jpg
  • Common Toad Bufo bufo Length 5-9cm A widespread toad; the only common species in Britain. Skin is covered in toxin-containing warts. Spawn is laid in double-rowed spawn strings. Gait consists of short hops. Adult is olive-brown to greenish buff (hue is influenced by ambient light). Has red iris and webbed hind feet. Female is larger than male. Juvenile recalls a tiny, large-headed adult. Courting male utters croaking calls in spring. More terrestrial than most other amphibians and adults spend much of their lives on land:  woodland, scrub, grassland and moors are favoured. Must return to water to breed and most are found within 2km or so of suitable ponds. Not deterred by fish: tadpole’ toxic skin acts as deterrent to predation. Observation tips Courting is easy to watch in suitable ponds in spring (February-March are typical months). Sometimes found hibernating under logs in winter.
    121995.jpg
  • Common Toad Bufo bufo Length 5-9cm A widespread toad; the only common species in Britain. Skin is covered in toxin-containing warts. Spawn is laid in double-rowed spawn strings. Gait consists of short hops. Adult is olive-brown to greenish buff (hue is influenced by ambient light). Has red iris and webbed hind feet. Female is larger than male. Juvenile recalls a tiny, large-headed adult. Courting male utters croaking calls in spring. More terrestrial than most other amphibians and adults spend much of their lives on land:  woodland, scrub, grassland and moors are favoured. Must return to water to breed and most are found within 2km or so of suitable ponds. Not deterred by fish: tadpole’ toxic skin acts as deterrent to predation. Observation tips Courting is easy to watch in suitable ponds in spring (February-March are typical months). Sometimes found hibernating under logs in winter.
    128403.jpg
  • Common Toad Bufo bufo Length 5-9cm A widespread toad; the only common species in Britain. Skin is covered in toxin-containing warts. Spawn is laid in double-rowed spawn strings. Gait consists of short hops. Adult is olive-brown to greenish buff (hue is influenced by ambient light). Has red iris and webbed hind feet. Female is larger than male. Juvenile recalls a tiny, large-headed adult. Courting male utters croaking calls in spring. More terrestrial than most other amphibians and adults spend much of their lives on land:  woodland, scrub, grassland and moors are favoured. Must return to water to breed and most are found within 2km or so of suitable ponds. Not deterred by fish: tadpole’ toxic skin acts as deterrent to predation. Observation tips Courting is easy to watch in suitable ponds in spring (February-March are typical months). Sometimes found hibernating under logs in winter.
    128651.jpg
  • Common Toad Bufo bufo Length 5-9cm A widespread toad; the only common species in Britain. Skin is covered in toxin-containing warts. Spawn is laid in double-rowed spawn strings. Gait consists of short hops. Adult is olive-brown to greenish buff (hue is influenced by ambient light). Has red iris and webbed hind feet. Female is larger than male. Juvenile recalls a tiny, large-headed adult. Courting male utters croaking calls in spring. More terrestrial than most other amphibians and adults spend much of their lives on land:  woodland, scrub, grassland and moors are favoured. Must return to water to breed and most are found within 2km or so of suitable ponds. Not deterred by fish: tadpole’ toxic skin acts as deterrent to predation. Observation tips Courting is easy to watch in suitable ponds in spring (February-March are typical months). Sometimes found hibernating under logs in winter.
    128653.jpg
  • Common Toad Bufo bufo Length 5-9cm A widespread toad; the only common species in Britain. Skin is covered in toxin-containing warts. Spawn is laid in double-rowed spawn strings. Gait consists of short hops. Adult is olive-brown to greenish buff (hue is influenced by ambient light). Has red iris and webbed hind feet. Female is larger than male. Juvenile recalls a tiny, large-headed adult. Courting male utters croaking calls in spring. More terrestrial than most other amphibians and adults spend much of their lives on land:  woodland, scrub, grassland and moors are favoured. Must return to water to breed and most are found within 2km or so of suitable ponds. Not deterred by fish: tadpole’ toxic skin acts as deterrent to predation. Observation tips Courting is easy to watch in suitable ponds in spring (February-March are typical months). Sometimes found hibernating under logs in winter.
    144144.jpg
  • Common Rustgill - Gymnopilus penetrans
    135611.jpg
  • Common Rustgill - Gymnopilus penetrans
    135610.jpg
  • Common Inkcap - Coprinopsis atramentaria
    135607.jpg
  • Common Inkcap - Coprinopsis atramentaria
    135604.jpg
  • Common Inkcap - Coprinopsis atramentaria
    135606.jpg
  • Common Inkcap - Coprinopsis atramentaria
    135605.jpg
  • Common Rustgill - Gymnopilus penetrans
    135595.jpg
  • Splitgill or Common Porecrust - Schizophyllum commune
    135534.jpg
  • Splitgill or Common Porecrust - Schizophyllum commune
    135503.jpg
  • Common Bird's Nest - Crucibulum laeve
    135489.jpg
  • Common Stump Brittlestem - Psathyrella piluliformis
    135333.jpg
  • Common Quaker Orthosia cerasi Length 18-20mm. A spring-flying woodland moth that rests with its wings held flat. Adult has forewings whose colour ranges from rich brown to grey-buff. Forewings usually show a pale cross line towards the outer margin and pale-ringed kidney and circular spots. Flies March-April. Larva feeds on deciduous trees, particularly oaks and willows. Widespread and common in lowland Britain, especially in the south.
    158938.jpg
  • Common Blue Polyommatus icarus Wingspan 32mm. Britain’s commonest and most widespread blue butterfly. Adult male has blue upperwings; female’s are usually brown (sometimes tinged blue in the middle) with submarginal orange spots. Underwings of both sexes are grey-brown with white-ringed dark spots and orange submarginal spots on hindwing. Flies April–September in two or three successive broods. Larva feeds on Bird’s-foot Trefoil and related plants. Common in grassy places where larval foodplant grows.
    143309.jpg
  • Common Quaker Orthosia cerasi Length 18-20mm. A spring-flying woodland moth that rests with its wings held flat. Adult has forewings whose colour ranges from rich brown to grey-buff. Forewings usually show a pale cross line towards the outer margin and pale-ringed kidney and circular spots. Flies March-April. Larva feeds on deciduous trees, particularly oaks and willows. Widespread and common in lowland Britain, especially in the south.
    143223.jpg
  • Common Footman Eilema lurideola Length 25mm. An elongated, narrow-winged moth that rests with its wings held flat, the forewings overlapping one another. Adult has mainly grey forewings with a yellow leading edge; the hindwings are yellow. Flies July-August. Larva feeds on lichens growing on trees and shrubs. Widespread and locally common in England and Wales; much more local, and mainly coastal, in Scotland.
    141333.jpg
  • Common Marbled Carpet Chloroclysta truncata Wingspan 25-30mm. A well-marked moth whose wing colours and patterns are extremely variable. Adult has variably marbled wings. Some forms have overall brown and white wings with a broad dark band; others have a broad chestnut band or patch on otherwise dark wings. Dark Marbled Carpet C. citrata is similarly patterned and variable; outer edge of central band is more angular. Larva feeds on a wide range of low-growing plants. Widespread and common.
    140638.jpg
  • Common Marbled Carpet Chloroclysta truncata Wingspan 25-30mm. A well-marked moth whose wing colours and patterns are extremely variable. Adult has variably marbled wings. Some forms have overall brown and white wings with a broad dark band; others have a broad chestnut band or patch on otherwise dark wings. Dark Marbled Carpet C. citrata is similarly patterned and variable; outer edge of central band is more angular. Larva feeds on a wide range of low-growing plants. Widespread and common.
    140523.jpg
  • Common Marbled Carpet Chloroclysta truncata Wingspan 25-30mm. A well-marked moth whose wing colours and patterns are extremely variable. Adult has variably marbled wings. Some forms have overall brown and white wings with a broad dark band; others have a broad chestnut band or patch on otherwise dark wings. Dark Marbled Carpet C. citrata is similarly patterned and variable; outer edge of central band is more angular. Larva feeds on a wide range of low-growing plants. Widespread and common.
    140520.jpg
  • Common Marbled Carpet Chloroclysta truncata Wingspan 25-30mm. A well-marked moth whose wing colours and patterns are extremely variable. Adult has variably marbled wings. Some forms have overall brown and white wings with a broad dark band; others have a broad chestnut band or patch on otherwise dark wings. Dark Marbled Carpet C. citrata is similarly patterned and variable; outer edge of central band is more angular. Larva feeds on a wide range of low-growing plants. Widespread and common.
    140518.jpg
  • Common Blue Polyommatus icarus Wingspan 32mm. Britain’s commonest and most widespread blue butterfly. Adult male has blue upperwings; female’s are usually brown (sometimes tinged blue in the middle) with submarginal orange spots. Underwings of both sexes are grey-brown with white-ringed dark spots and orange submarginal spots on hindwing. Flies April–September in two or three successive broods. Larva feeds on Bird’s-foot Trefoil and related plants. Common in grassy places where larval foodplant grows.
    140315.jpg
  • Common White Wave Cabera pusaria Wingspan 25-28mm. A pale and delicate moth that rests with its wings spread flat. Adult has whitish wings marked with three concentric brown cross lines. Flies May-August, with one or two broods. Larva feeds on deciduous trees and shrubs. Widespread and locally common.
    140167.jpg
  • Common Wainscot Mythimna pallens Length 17-19mm. A rather plain grassland moth. At rest, wings are held in a tent-like manner. Adult has buffish forewings with whitish veins; hindwings are whitish. Flies July-August. Larva feeds on various grasses. Widespread and fairly common in southern and central Britain; more local further north.
    140145.jpg
  • Common Footman Eilema lurideola Length 25mm. An elongated, narrow-winged moth that rests with its wings held flat, the forewings overlapping one another. Adult has mainly grey forewings with a yellow leading edge; the hindwings are yellow. Flies July-August. Larva feeds on lichens growing on trees and shrubs. Widespread and locally common in England and Wales; much more local, and mainly coastal, in Scotland.
    140108.jpg
  • Common Marbled Carpet Chloroclysta truncata Wingspan 25-30mm. A well-marked moth whose wing colours and patterns are extremely variable. Adult has variably marbled wings. Some forms have overall brown and white wings with a broad dark band; others have a broad chestnut band or patch on otherwise dark wings. Dark Marbled Carpet C. citrata is similarly patterned and variable; outer edge of central band is more angular. Larva feeds on a wide range of low-growing plants. Widespread and common.
    140068.jpg
  • Common Blue Polyommatus icarus Wingspan 32mm. Britain’s commonest and most widespread blue butterfly. Adult male has blue upperwings; female’s are usually brown (sometimes tinged blue in the middle) with submarginal orange spots. Underwings of both sexes are grey-brown with white-ringed dark spots and orange submarginal spots on hindwing. Flies April–September in two or three successive broods. Larva feeds on Bird’s-foot Trefoil and related plants. Common in grassy places where larval foodplant grows.
    136203.jpg
  • Common Blue Polyommatus icarus Wingspan 32mm. Britain’s commonest and most widespread blue butterfly. Adult male has blue upperwings; female’s are usually brown (sometimes tinged blue in the middle) with submarginal orange spots. Underwings of both sexes are grey-brown with white-ringed dark spots and orange submarginal spots on hindwing. Flies April–September in two or three successive broods. Larva feeds on Bird’s-foot Trefoil and related plants. Common in grassy places where larval foodplant grows.
    136202.jpg
  • Common Blue Polyommatus icarus Wingspan 32mm. Britain’s commonest and most widespread blue butterfly. Adult male has blue upperwings; female’s are usually brown (sometimes tinged blue in the middle) with submarginal orange spots. Underwings of both sexes are grey-brown with white-ringed dark spots and orange submarginal spots on hindwing. Flies April–September in two or three successive broods. Larva feeds on Bird’s-foot Trefoil and related plants. Common in grassy places where larval foodplant grows.
    136198.jpg
  • Common Blue Polyommatus icarus Wingspan 32mm. Britain’s commonest and most widespread blue butterfly. Adult male has blue upperwings; female’s are usually brown (sometimes tinged blue in the middle) with submarginal orange spots. Underwings of both sexes are grey-brown with white-ringed dark spots and orange submarginal spots on hindwing. Flies April–September in two or three successive broods. Larva feeds on Bird’s-foot Trefoil and related plants. Common in grassy places where larval foodplant grows.
    123345.jpg
  • Common Quaker Orthosia cerasi Length 18-20mm. A spring-flying woodland moth that rests with its wings held flat. Adult has forewings whose colour ranges from rich brown to grey-buff. Forewings usually show a pale cross line towards the outer margin and pale-ringed kidney and circular spots. Flies March-April. Larva feeds on deciduous trees, particularly oaks and willows. Widespread and common in lowland Britain, especially in the south.
    110624.jpg
  • Common Toad Bufo bufo Length 5-9cm A widespread toad; the only common species in Britain. Skin is covered in toxin-containing warts. Spawn is laid in double-rowed spawn strings. Gait consists of short hops. Adult is olive-brown to greenish buff (hue is influenced by ambient light). Has red iris and webbed hind feet. Female is larger than male. Juvenile recalls a tiny, large-headed adult. Courting male utters croaking calls in spring. More terrestrial than most other amphibians and adults spend much of their lives on land:  woodland, scrub, grassland and moors are favoured. Must return to water to breed and most are found within 2km or so of suitable ponds. Not deterred by fish: tadpole’ toxic skin acts as deterrent to predation. Observation tips Courting is easy to watch in suitable ponds in spring (February-March are typical months). Sometimes found hibernating under logs in winter.
    108275.jpg
  • Common Toad Bufo bufo Length 5-9cm A widespread toad; the only common species in Britain. Skin is covered in toxin-containing warts. Spawn is laid in double-rowed spawn strings. Gait consists of short hops. Adult is olive-brown to greenish buff (hue is influenced by ambient light). Has red iris and webbed hind feet. Female is larger than male. Juvenile recalls a tiny, large-headed adult. Courting male utters croaking calls in spring. More terrestrial than most other amphibians and adults spend much of their lives on land:  woodland, scrub, grassland and moors are favoured. Must return to water to breed and most are found within 2km or so of suitable ponds. Not deterred by fish: tadpole’ toxic skin acts as deterrent to predation. Observation tips Courting is easy to watch in suitable ponds in spring (February-March are typical months). Sometimes found hibernating under logs in winter.
    128650.jpg
  • Common Toad Bufo bufo Length 5-9cm A widespread toad; the only common species in Britain. Skin is covered in toxin-containing warts. Spawn is laid in double-rowed spawn strings. Gait consists of short hops. Adult is olive-brown to greenish buff (hue is influenced by ambient light). Has red iris and webbed hind feet. Female is larger than male. Juvenile recalls a tiny, large-headed adult. Courting male utters croaking calls in spring. More terrestrial than most other amphibians and adults spend much of their lives on land:  woodland, scrub, grassland and moors are favoured. Must return to water to breed and most are found within 2km or so of suitable ponds. Not deterred by fish: tadpole’ toxic skin acts as deterrent to predation. Observation tips Courting is easy to watch in suitable ponds in spring (February-March are typical months). Sometimes found hibernating under logs in winter.
    128683.jpg
  • Common Toad Bufo bufo Length 5-9cm A widespread toad; the only common species in Britain. Skin is covered in toxin-containing warts. Spawn is laid in double-rowed spawn strings. Gait consists of short hops. Adult is olive-brown to greenish buff (hue is influenced by ambient light). Has red iris and webbed hind feet. Female is larger than male. Juvenile recalls a tiny, large-headed adult. Courting male utters croaking calls in spring. More terrestrial than most other amphibians and adults spend much of their lives on land:  woodland, scrub, grassland and moors are favoured. Must return to water to breed and most are found within 2km or so of suitable ponds. Not deterred by fish: tadpole’ toxic skin acts as deterrent to predation. Observation tips Courting is easy to watch in suitable ponds in spring (February-March are typical months). Sometimes found hibernating under logs in winter.
    142204.jpg
  • Common Toad Bufo bufo Length 5-9cm A widespread toad; the only common species in Britain. Skin is covered in toxin-containing warts. Spawn is laid in double-rowed spawn strings. Gait consists of short hops. Adult is olive-brown to greenish buff (hue is influenced by ambient light). Has red iris and webbed hind feet. Female is larger than male. Juvenile recalls a tiny, large-headed adult. Courting male utters croaking calls in spring. More terrestrial than most other amphibians and adults spend much of their lives on land:  woodland, scrub, grassland and moors are favoured. Must return to water to breed and most are found within 2km or so of suitable ponds. Not deterred by fish: tadpole’ toxic skin acts as deterrent to predation. Observation tips Courting is easy to watch in suitable ponds in spring (February-March are typical months). Sometimes found hibernating under logs in winter.
    144138.jpg
  • Common Toad Bufo bufo Length 5-9cm A widespread toad; the only common species in Britain. Skin is covered in toxin-containing warts. Spawn is laid in double-rowed spawn strings. Gait consists of short hops. Adult is olive-brown to greenish buff (hue is influenced by ambient light). Has red iris and webbed hind feet. Female is larger than male. Juvenile recalls a tiny, large-headed adult. Courting male utters croaking calls in spring. More terrestrial than most other amphibians and adults spend much of their lives on land:  woodland, scrub, grassland and moors are favoured. Must return to water to breed and most are found within 2km or so of suitable ponds. Not deterred by fish: tadpole’ toxic skin acts as deterrent to predation. Observation tips Courting is easy to watch in suitable ponds in spring (February-March are typical months). Sometimes found hibernating under logs in winter.
    144143.jpg
  • Common Redstart - Phoenicurus phoenicurus
    162579.jpg
  • Common Redstart - Phoenicurus phoenicurus - <br />
female
    162477.jpg
  • Common Tern - Sterna hirundo
    161586.jpg
  • The Snout - Hypena proboscidalis Length 17-19mm. A distinctive moth that rests with its angular wings spread flat, forming a triangle, its long palps projecting as a ‘snout’. Adult has forewings that range from buff to reddish-brown forewings; these are marked dark cross lines. Double-brooded: flies June-August, and again in late September. Larva feeds on Common Nettle. Widespread and common throughout.
    157501.jpg
  • Common Blue - Polyommatus icarus - male (top row) - female (middle and bottom row). Wingspan 32mm. Britain’s commonest and most widespread blue butterfly. Adult male has blue upperwings; female’s are usually brown (sometimes tinged blue in the middle) with submarginal orange spots. Underwings of both sexes are grey-brown with white-ringed dark spots and orange submarginal spots on hindwing. Flies April–September in two or three successive broods. Larva feeds on Bird’s-foot Trefoil and related plants. Common in grassy places where larval foodplant grows.
    157173.jpg
  • Small Tortoiseshell - Nymphalis urticae  Wingspan 42mm. A colourful butterfly associated with waste and wayside areas where larval foodplant flourishes. Fond of basking in the sun, usually on bare ground. Adult has marbled orange, yellow and black upperwings; underwings are grey-brown. Double- or triple-brooded: flies March–October. Also hibernates. Larva is yellow and black and spiny; typically they are gregarious and feed on Common Nettle. Fairly common and widespread but much reduced in numbers in recent years.
    156727.jpg
  • Comma Polygonia c-album Wingspan 45mm. Unmistakable butterfly with ragged-edged wing margins. Adult has orange-brown upperwings marked with dark spots; grey-brown underwings show a white ‘comma’ mark. Double-brooded and hibernates: seen on the wing March–April, and again August-October. Larva has tufts of spiny hairs and is orange-brown with a white dorsal band; feeds on Common Nettle, elms and Hop. Locally fairly common in England and Wales.
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  • Large Yellow Underwing Noctua pronuba Length 25mm. An extremely common moth. Rests with wings held flat, one forewing overlapping the other. Easily disturbed from vegetation in daytime, when yellow pattern on hindwing becomes obvious. Adult has marbled brown and purplish-grey forewings and yellow hindwings with a narrow subterminal black border. Flies June–September. Larva eats a wide range of herbaceous plants. Widespread and extremely common.
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  • Mother of Pearl Pleuroptya ruralis Wingspan 25-38mm. A distinctive moth that sometimes is found resting on wayside vegetation in daytime. Adult has buffish wings with dark lines and veins, and mother-of-pearl lustre. Flies June-Aug. Larva feeds in rolled-up leaf of Common Nettle. Widespread and common throughout much of Britain.
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  • Large Yellow Underwing Noctua pronuba Length 25mm. An extremely common moth. Rests with wings held flat, one forewing overlapping the other. Easily disturbed from vegetation in daytime, when yellow pattern on hindwing becomes obvious. Adult has marbled brown and purplish-grey forewings and yellow hindwings with a narrow subterminal black border. Flies June–September. Larva eats a wide range of herbaceous plants. Widespread and extremely common.
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  • The Snout Hypena proboscidalis Length 17-19mm. A distinctive moth that rests with its angular wings spread flat, forming a triangle, its long palps projecting as a ‘snout’. Adult has forewings that range from buff to reddish-brown forewings; these are marked dark cross lines. Double-brooded: flies June-August, and again in late September. Larva feeds on Common Nettle. Widespread and common throughout.
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  • Peacock Nymphalis io Wingspan 60mm. A colourful and distinctive garden butterfly, also associated with wayside habitats where larval foodplant flourishes. Adult has marbled brown underwings and maroon upperwings with bold eye markings. Flies from July–September; hibernates during winter months and appears again in spring. Larva is spiny and black; feeds on Common Nettle and young stages are gregarious. Common and widespread throughout much of lowland Britain.
    140443.jpg
  • Peacock Nymphalis io Wingspan 60mm. A colourful and distinctive garden butterfly, also associated with wayside habitats where larval foodplant flourishes. Adult has marbled brown underwings and maroon upperwings with bold eye markings. Flies from July–September; hibernates during winter months and appears again in spring. Larva is spiny and black; feeds on Common Nettle and young stages are gregarious. Common and widespread throughout much of lowland Britain.
    140442.jpg
  • Comma Polygonia c-album Wingspan 45mm. Unmistakable butterfly with ragged-edged wing margins. Adult has orange-brown upperwings marked with dark spots; grey-brown underwings show a white ‘comma’ mark. Double-brooded and hibernates: seen on the wing March–April, and again August-October. Larva has tufts of spiny hairs and is orange-brown with a white dorsal band; feeds on Common Nettle, elms and Hop. Locally fairly common in England and Wales.
    140441.jpg
  • Large Yellow Underwing Noctua pronuba Length 25mm. An extremely common moth. Rests with wings held flat, one forewing overlapping the other. Easily disturbed from vegetation in daytime, when yellow pattern on hindwing becomes obvious. Adult has marbled brown and purplish-grey forewings and yellow hindwings with a narrow subterminal black border. Flies June–September. Larva eats a wide range of herbaceous plants. Widespread and extremely common.
    140237.jpg
  • Large Yellow Underwing Noctua pronuba Length 25mm. An extremely common moth. Rests with wings held flat, one forewing overlapping the other. Easily disturbed from vegetation in daytime, when yellow pattern on hindwing becomes obvious. Adult has marbled brown and purplish-grey forewings and yellow hindwings with a narrow subterminal black border. Flies June–September. Larva eats a wide range of herbaceous plants. Widespread and extremely common.
    140236.jpg
  • Peacock Nymphalis io Wingspan 60mm. A colourful and distinctive garden butterfly, also associated with wayside habitats where larval foodplant flourishes. Adult has marbled brown underwings and maroon upperwings with bold eye markings. Flies from July–September; hibernates during winter months and appears again in spring. Larva is spiny and black; feeds on Common Nettle and young stages are gregarious. Common and widespread throughout much of lowland Britain.
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  • Peacock Nymphalis io Wingspan 60mm. A colourful and distinctive garden butterfly, also associated with wayside habitats where larval foodplant flourishes. Adult has marbled brown underwings and maroon upperwings with bold eye markings. Flies from July–September; hibernates during winter months and appears again in spring. Larva is spiny and black; feeds on Common Nettle and young stages are gregarious. Common and widespread throughout much of lowland Britain.
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  • Peacock Nymphalis io Wingspan 60mm. A colourful and distinctive garden butterfly, also associated with wayside habitats where larval foodplant flourishes. Adult has marbled brown underwings and maroon upperwings with bold eye markings. Flies from July–September; hibernates during winter months and appears again in spring. Larva is spiny and black; feeds on Common Nettle and young stages are gregarious. Common and widespread throughout much of lowland Britain.
    140155.jpg
  • Comma Polygonia c-album Wingspan 45mm. Unmistakable butterfly with ragged-edged wing margins. Adult has orange-brown upperwings marked with dark spots; grey-brown underwings show a white ‘comma’ mark. Double-brooded and hibernates: seen on the wing March–April, and again August-October. Larva has tufts of spiny hairs and is orange-brown with a white dorsal band; feeds on Common Nettle, elms and Hop. Locally fairly common in England and Wales.
    140144.jpg
  • Comma Polygonia c-album Wingspan 45mm. Unmistakable butterfly with ragged-edged wing margins. Adult has orange-brown upperwings marked with dark spots; grey-brown underwings show a white ‘comma’ mark. Double-brooded and hibernates: seen on the wing March–April, and again August-October. Larva has tufts of spiny hairs and is orange-brown with a white dorsal band; feeds on Common Nettle, elms and Hop. Locally fairly common in England and Wales.
    140142.jpg
  • Peacock Nymphalis io Wingspan 60mm. A colourful and distinctive garden butterfly, also associated with wayside habitats where larval foodplant flourishes. Adult has marbled brown underwings and maroon upperwings with bold eye markings. Flies from July–September; hibernates during winter months and appears again in spring. Larva is spiny and black; feeds on Common Nettle and young stages are gregarious. Common and widespread throughout much of lowland Britain.
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  • Comma Polygonia c-album Wingspan 45mm. Unmistakable butterfly with ragged-edged wing margins. Adult has orange-brown upperwings marked with dark spots; grey-brown underwings show a white ‘comma’ mark. Double-brooded and hibernates: seen on the wing March–April, and again August-October. Larva has tufts of spiny hairs and is orange-brown with a white dorsal band; feeds on Common Nettle, elms and Hop. Locally fairly common in England and Wales.
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  • Comma Polygonia c-album Wingspan 45mm. Unmistakable butterfly with ragged-edged wing margins. Adult has orange-brown upperwings marked with dark spots; grey-brown underwings show a white ‘comma’ mark. Double-brooded and hibernates: seen on the wing March–April, and again August-October. Larva has tufts of spiny hairs and is orange-brown with a white dorsal band; feeds on Common Nettle, elms and Hop. Locally fairly common in England and Wales.
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  • Small Magpie Eurrhypara hortulata Wingspan 25-28mm. A well-marked moth. Adult has black-and-white wings; the head, thorax and tip of the abdomen are flushed orange-yellow. Flies June-July. Larva feeds inside a rolled leaf of Common Nettle and other plants. Locally common in southern and central Britain but scarce elsewhere.
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  • Peacock Nymphalis io Wingspan 60mm. A colourful and distinctive garden butterfly, also associated with wayside habitats where larval foodplant flourishes. Adult has marbled brown underwings and maroon upperwings with bold eye markings. Flies from July–September; hibernates during winter months and appears again in spring. Larva is spiny and black; feeds on Common Nettle and young stages are gregarious. Common and widespread throughout much of lowland Britain.
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  • The Spectacle Abrostola tripartita Length 17-19mm. A well-marked moth that rests with its wings held in a tent-like manner, showing projecting hair tufts when viewed in profile. Viewed head-on, distinctive white ‘spectacle’ markings can be seen. Adult has greyish-brown forewings with a dark central band. Flies May–August. Larva feeds on Common Nettle. Widespread and locally common throughout.
    136535.jpg
  • Peacock Nymphalis io Wingspan 60mm. A colourful and distinctive garden butterfly, also associated with wayside habitats where larval foodplant flourishes. Adult has marbled brown underwings and maroon upperwings with bold eye markings. Flies from July–September; hibernates during winter months and appears again in spring. Larva is spiny and black; feeds on Common Nettle and young stages are gregarious. Common and widespread throughout much of lowland Britain.
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  • Comma Polygonia c-album Wingspan 45mm. Unmistakable butterfly with ragged-edged wing margins. Adult has orange-brown upperwings marked with dark spots; grey-brown underwings show a white ‘comma’ mark. Double-brooded and hibernates: seen on the wing March–April, and again August-October. Larva has tufts of spiny hairs and is orange-brown with a white dorsal band; feeds on Common Nettle, elms and Hop. Locally fairly common in England and Wales.
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  • Small Tortoiseshell Nymphalis urticae  Wingspan 42mm. A colourful butterfly associated with waste and wayside areas where larval foodplant flourishes. Fond of basking in the sun, usually on bare ground. Adult has marbled orange, yellow and black upperwings; underwings are grey-brown. Double- or triple-brooded: flies March–October. Also hibernates. Larva is yellow and black and spiny; typically they are gregarious and feed on Common Nettle. Fairly common and widespread but much reduced in numbers in recent years.
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  • Barred Straw Eulithis pyraliata Wingspan 35mm. A readily identifiable moth with a diagnostic resting posture: the forewings are spread wide, obscuring the hindwings and exposing the abdomen. Adult has buffish-yellow wings marked with dark brown bars. Flies July-September. Larva feeds on bedstraws and Common Cleavers. Widespread and generally common, but least so in the far north.
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  • Small Tortoiseshell Nymphalis urticae  Wingspan 42mm. A colourful butterfly associated with waste and wayside areas where larval foodplant flourishes. Fond of basking in the sun, usually on bare ground. Adult has marbled orange, yellow and black upperwings; underwings are grey-brown. Double- or triple-brooded: flies March–October. Also hibernates. Larva is yellow and black and spiny; typically they are gregarious and feed on Common Nettle. Fairly common and widespread but much reduced in numbers in recent years.
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  • Large Yellow Underwing Noctua pronuba Length 25mm. An extremely common moth. Rests with wings held flat, one forewing overlapping the other. Easily disturbed from vegetation in daytime, when yellow pattern on hindwing becomes obvious. Adult has marbled brown and purplish-grey forewings and yellow hindwings with a narrow subterminal black border. Flies June–September. Larva eats a wide range of herbaceous plants. Widespread and extremely common.
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  • Small Tortoiseshell Nymphalis urticae  Wingspan 42mm. A colourful butterfly associated with waste and wayside areas where larval foodplant flourishes. Fond of basking in the sun, usually on bare ground. Adult has marbled orange, yellow and black upperwings; underwings are grey-brown. Double- or triple-brooded: flies March–October. Also hibernates. Larva is yellow and black and spiny; typically they are gregarious and feed on Common Nettle. Fairly common and widespread but much reduced in numbers in recent years.
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  • Small Tortoiseshell Nymphalis urticae  Wingspan 42mm. A colourful butterfly associated with waste and wayside areas where larval foodplant flourishes. Fond of basking in the sun, usually on bare ground. Adult has marbled orange, yellow and black upperwings; underwings are grey-brown. Double- or triple-brooded: flies March–October. Also hibernates. Larva is yellow and black and spiny; typically they are gregarious and feed on Common Nettle. Fairly common and widespread but much reduced in numbers in recent years.
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  • Common Bream Abramis brama Length 30-50cm <br />
This distinctive, extremely deep-bodied fish has a ‘humpback’ profile behind the head; the body is laterally compressed when viewed head-on. Adult has a golden-brown body, palest below, and dark reddish-grey fins. Bream are locally common in weedy lowland lakes and slow-flowing rivers, mainly in England. Their natural range is completely confused as a result of introductions by anglers.
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  • Roach Rutilus rutilus Length 10-25cm<br />
The Roach is a familiar deep-bodied fish. Adult has a mainly silvery body, that is palest below, red pelvic and anal fins, and reddish brown dorsal, pectoral and tail fins. The dorsal fin is sited above the pelvic fins (cf Rudd). The Roach is common and widespread in England but less so in Wales and Scotland; it is rare in Ireland where, confusingly, the more common Rudd is sometimes called ‘Roach’.
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  • Common Alder Alnus glutinosa Betulaceae Height to 25m. Spreading, often multi-stemmed tree. Bark Brownish, fissured into squarish plates. Branches Ascending in young trees. Young twigs sticky. Buds 7mm long, on 3mm-long stalks. Leaves Stalked, to 10cm long, rounded with notched apex. Reproductive parts Purplish male catkins, in bunches of 2–3, appear first in winter. Female catkins cone-like, reddish at first ripening green by summer. Status Common beside water.
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  • Common Alder Alnus glutinosa Betulaceae Height to 25m. Spreading, often multi-stemmed tree. Bark Brownish, fissured into squarish plates. Branches Ascending in young trees. Young twigs sticky. Buds 7mm long, on 3mm-long stalks. Leaves Stalked, to 10cm long, rounded with notched apex. Reproductive parts Purplish male catkins, in bunches of 2–3, appear first in winter. Female catkins cone-like, reddish at first ripening green by summer. Status Common beside water.
    133263.jpg
  • Common Alder Alnus glutinosa Betulaceae Height to 25m. Spreading, often multi-stemmed tree. Bark Brownish, fissured into squarish plates. Branches Ascending in young trees. Young twigs sticky. Buds 7mm long, on 3mm-long stalks. Leaves Stalked, to 10cm long, rounded with notched apex. Reproductive parts Purplish male catkins, in bunches of 2–3, appear first in winter. Female catkins cone-like, reddish at first ripening green by summer. Status Common beside water.
    133262.jpg
  • Common Alder Alnus glutinosa Betulaceae Height to 25m. Spreading, often multi-stemmed tree. Bark Brownish, fissured into squarish plates. Branches Ascending in young trees. Young twigs sticky. Buds 7mm long, on 3mm-long stalks. Leaves Stalked, to 10cm long, rounded with notched apex. Reproductive parts Purplish male catkins, in bunches of 2–3, appear first in winter. Female catkins cone-like, reddish at first ripening green by summer. Status Common beside water.
    133261.jpg
  • Common Alder Alnus glutinosa Betulaceae Height to 25m. Spreading, often multi-stemmed tree. Bark Brownish, fissured into squarish plates. Branches Ascending in young trees. Young twigs sticky. Buds 7mm long, on 3mm-long stalks. Leaves Stalked, to 10cm long, rounded with notched apex. Reproductive parts Purplish male catkins, in bunches of 2–3, appear first in winter. Female catkins cone-like, reddish at first ripening green by summer. Status Common beside water.
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