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  • Brimstone - Gonepteryx rhamni. Male (top) - female (bottom). Wingspan 60mm. A colourful butterfly and a harbinger of spring. Adult has distinctive wings: rounded overall with pointed tips; those on the forewings are hooked. Male is brimstone-yellow; female is much paler and could be mistaken for a Large White in flight. Single-brooded: adults hatch in August, then hibernate and emerge on sunny spring days. Larva is green with pale lateral line; feeds on Buckthorn and Alder Buckthorn. Locally common in England and Wales.
    156705.jpg
  • Spring Sowbread - Cyclamen repandum
    162488.jpg
  • Spring Sowbread - Cyclamen repandum
    162487.jpg
  • Field Maple - Acer campestre, spring leaf burst, Stoke Woods, Bicester, Oxfordshire owned by the Woodland Trust
    162455.jpg
  • Brimstone - Gonepteryx rhamni - female. Wingspan 60mm. A colourful butterfly and a harbinger of spring. Adult has distinctive wings: rounded overall with pointed tips; those on the forewings are hooked. Male is brimstone-yellow; female is much paler and could be mistaken for a Large White in flight. Single-brooded: adults hatch in August, then hibernate and emerge on sunny spring days. Larva is green with pale lateral line; feeds on Buckthorn and Alder Buckthorn. Locally common in England and Wales.
    156603.jpg
  • Brimstone - Gonepteryx rhamni - female. Wingspan 60mm. A colourful butterfly and a harbinger of spring. Adult has distinctive wings: rounded overall with pointed tips; those on the forewings are hooked. Male is brimstone-yellow; female is much paler and could be mistaken for a Large White in flight. Single-brooded: adults hatch in August, then hibernate and emerge on sunny spring days. Larva is green with pale lateral line; feeds on Buckthorn and Alder Buckthorn. Locally common in England and Wales.
    156603.jpg
  • Brimstone Gonepteryx rhamni Wingspan 60mm. A colourful butterfly and a harbinger of spring. Adult has distinctive wings: rounded overall with pointed tips; those on the forewings are hooked. Male is brimstone-yellow; female is much paler and could be mistaken for a Large White in flight. Single-brooded: adults hatch in August, then hibernate and emerge on sunny spring days. Larva is green with pale lateral line; feeds on Buckthorn and Alder Buckthorn. Locally common in England and Wales.
    145202.jpg
  • Brimstone Gonepteryx rhamni Wingspan 60mm. A colourful butterfly and a harbinger of spring. Adult has distinctive wings: rounded overall with pointed tips; those on the forewings are hooked. Male is brimstone-yellow; female is much paler and could be mistaken for a Large White in flight. Single-brooded: adults hatch in August, then hibernate and emerge on sunny spring days. Larva is green with pale lateral line; feeds on Buckthorn and Alder Buckthorn. Locally common in England and Wales.
    144887.jpg
  • Brimstone Gonepteryx rhamni Wingspan 60mm. A colourful butterfly and a harbinger of spring. Adult has distinctive wings: rounded overall with pointed tips; those on the forewings are hooked. Male is brimstone-yellow; female is much paler and could be mistaken for a Large White in flight. Single-brooded: adults hatch in August, then hibernate and emerge on sunny spring days. Larva is green with pale lateral line; feeds on Buckthorn and Alder Buckthorn. Locally common in England and Wales.
    140100.jpg
  • Brimstone Gonepteryx rhamni Wingspan 60mm. A colourful butterfly and a harbinger of spring. Adult has distinctive wings: rounded overall with pointed tips; those on the forewings are hooked. Male is brimstone-yellow; female is much paler and could be mistaken for a Large White in flight. Single-brooded: adults hatch in August, then hibernate and emerge on sunny spring days. Larva is green with pale lateral line; feeds on Buckthorn and Alder Buckthorn. Locally common in England and Wales.
    136597.jpg
  • Brimstone Gonepteryx rhamni Wingspan 60mm. A colourful butterfly and a harbinger of spring. Adult has distinctive wings: rounded overall with pointed tips; those on the forewings are hooked. Male is brimstone-yellow; female is much paler and could be mistaken for a Large White in flight. Single-brooded: adults hatch in August, then hibernate and emerge on sunny spring days. Larva is green with pale lateral line; feeds on Buckthorn and Alder Buckthorn. Locally common in England and Wales.
    136588.jpg
  • Brimstone Gonepteryx rhamni Wingspan 60mm. A colourful butterfly and a harbinger of spring. Adult has distinctive wings: rounded overall with pointed tips; those on the forewings are hooked. Male is brimstone-yellow; female is much paler and could be mistaken for a Large White in flight. Single-brooded: adults hatch in August, then hibernate and emerge on sunny spring days. Larva is green with pale lateral line; feeds on Buckthorn and Alder Buckthorn. Locally common in England and Wales.
    136552.jpg
  • Brimstone Gonepteryx rhamni Wingspan 60mm. A colourful butterfly and a harbinger of spring. Adult has distinctive wings: rounded overall with pointed tips; those on the forewings are hooked. Male is brimstone-yellow; female is much paler and could be mistaken for a Large White in flight. Single-brooded: adults hatch in August, then hibernate and emerge on sunny spring days. Larva is green with pale lateral line; feeds on Buckthorn and Alder Buckthorn. Locally common in England and Wales.
    136495.jpg
  • Brimstone Gonepteryx rhamni Wingspan 60mm. A colourful butterfly and a harbinger of spring. Adult has distinctive wings: rounded overall with pointed tips; those on the forewings are hooked. Male is brimstone-yellow; female is much paler and could be mistaken for a Large White in flight. Single-brooded: adults hatch in August, then hibernate and emerge on sunny spring days. Larva is green with pale lateral line; feeds on Buckthorn and Alder Buckthorn. Locally common in England and Wales.
    136158.jpg
  • Brimstone Gonepteryx rhamni Wingspan 60mm. A colourful butterfly and a harbinger of spring. Adult has distinctive wings: rounded overall with pointed tips; those on the forewings are hooked. Male is brimstone-yellow; female is much paler and could be mistaken for a Large White in flight. Single-brooded: adults hatch in August, then hibernate and emerge on sunny spring days. Larva is green with pale lateral line; feeds on Buckthorn and Alder Buckthorn. Locally common in England and Wales.
    102285.jpg
  • Grey Willow Salix cinerea (Salicaceae) HEIGHT to 6m <br />
Variable, usually a large shrub or sometimes a small tree with characteristic thick, downy, grey twigs. Represented by ssp. cinerea and ssp. oleifolia (pka S. c. atrocinerea or S. atrocinerea). SHOOTS If bark is peeled off 2-year-old twigs, wood shows a series of fine longitudinal ridges. LEAVES Oblong and pointed, usually about 4 times as long as broad, on short petioles with irregular stipules. Leaves often have inrolled margins and are grey and downy below. Upper surface is matt and downy in ssp. cinerea but glossy and hairless in ssp. oleifolia. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Catkins appear in early spring on separate trees, before leaves: male catkins ovoid and yellow, female catkins similar but greener, eventually releasing finely plumed seeds. This species and Goat Willow S. caprea, are often called ‘Pussy Willow’ when their silky-grey buds, resembling cats’ paws, followed by bright-yellow catkins, appear in spring. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Common across much of our region usually growing in wet habitats such as fenlands, streamsides and damp woodlands
    133640.jpg
  • Grey Willow Salix cinerea (Salicaceae) HEIGHT to 6m <br />
Variable, usually a large shrub or sometimes a small tree with characteristic thick, downy, grey twigs. Represented by ssp. cinerea and ssp. oleifolia (pka S. c. atrocinerea or S. atrocinerea). SHOOTS If bark is peeled off 2-year-old twigs, wood shows a series of fine longitudinal ridges. LEAVES Oblong and pointed, usually about 4 times as long as broad, on short petioles with irregular stipules. Leaves often have inrolled margins and are grey and downy below. Upper surface is matt and downy in ssp. cinerea but glossy and hairless in ssp. oleifolia. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Catkins appear in early spring on separate trees, before leaves: male catkins ovoid and yellow, female catkins similar but greener, eventually releasing finely plumed seeds. This species and Goat Willow S. caprea, are often called ‘Pussy Willow’ when their silky-grey buds, resembling cats’ paws, followed by bright-yellow catkins, appear in spring. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Common across much of our region usually growing in wet habitats such as fenlands, streamsides and damp woodlands
    102364.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
  • Spring Fieldcap - Agrocybe praecox
    135539.jpg
  • Spring dawn on the River Thames in Wallingford, Oxfordshire, Uk
    154549.jpg
  • Spring dawn on the River Thames in Wallingford, Oxfordshire, Uk
    154558.jpg
  • Spring bluebells in beech woodland on the Chiltern Hills above Mapledurham near Reading, Berkshire, Uk
    154450.jpg
  • Spring sunset over the River Thames overlooking Mapledurham House and Weir from the Chiltern Hills, Uk
    154489.jpg
  • Japanese Witch Hazel Hamamelis japonica (Height to 4m). Similar to Witch Hazel H. mollis and  is a spring-flowering shrub with a spreading habit, rather subdued flower colour but colourful autumn leaves. H. x intermedia is a popular hybrid with more showy spring flowers than of the above species; seen as many different cultivars.
    133180.jpg
  • Spring Cherry Prunus subhirtella (Rosaceae) HEIGHT to 20m <br />
Densely crowned deciduous tree. BARK Greyish-brown. BRANCHES Slender, with many downy, crimson twigs. LEAVES To 6cm long ovate to lanceolate with a long-pointed tip and irregularly toothed margin; veins downy below. On a 1cm-long crimson, downy petiole. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Pinkish-white short-stalked flowers open just before leaves in March or April; petals are about 1cm long and notched. Purplish-black fruits are rounded but seldom produced. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Japan, commonly planted as a street and garden tree in Britain and Ireland.
    117894.jpg
  • Spring bluebells in beech woodland on the Chiltern Hills above Mapledurham near Reading, Berkshire, Uk
    154452.jpg
  • Spring on the River Thames in Abingdon town centre, Oxfordshire, Uk
    154515.jpg
  • Spring bluebells in beech woodland on the Chiltern Hills above Mapledurham near Reading, Berkshire, Uk
    154451.jpg
  • Goat Willow (Sallow) - Salix caprea (Salicaceae). HEIGHT to 12m. Depending on its situation this may be a multi-branched, dense, shrubby tree, or a taller tree with a straight, ridged stem and sparsely domed crown. SHOOTS Thick, stiff twigs are hairy at first, but become smoother and yellowish-brown with age. If the twigs have the bark peeled off they are smooth. (Compare with Grey Willow.) LEAVES Large, up to 12cm long and oval, with a short twisted point at the tip. The upper surface is dull green and slightly hairy, the lower surface is noticeably grey and woolly. The leaf margins have small, irregular teeth, and the short petiole sometimes has 2 ear-like sinuous stipules at its base. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male and female catkins, on separate trees, appear before the leaves, often very early in the spring in sheltered places. Measuring up to 2.5cm long, they are ovoid and covered with greyish silky hairs before opening; at this time, Goat Willow is often called ‘Pussy Willow’ because the silky-grey buds bear a fanciful resemblance to cats’ paws. When they open, the male catkins become bright yellow. Female catkins are greener and produce numerous silky-haired seeds. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION A widespread and common native species in Britain and Ireland, occurring in woods, hedgerows and scrub, and often in drier places than other similar species.Goat Willow (Sallow) Salix caprea (Salicaceae) HEIGHT to 12m. Depending on its situation this may be a multi-branched, dense, shrubby tree, or a taller tree with a straight, ridged stem and sparsely domed crown. SHOOTS Thick, stiff twigs are hairy at first, but become smoother and yellowish-brown with age. If the twigs have the bark peeled off they are smooth. (Compare with Grey Willow.) LEAVES Large, up to 12cm long and oval, with a short twisted point at the tip. The upper surface is dull green and slightly hairy, the lower surface is noticeably grey and woolly. The leaf margins have small, irregular teeth, and the sho
    157425.jpg
  • Mature pollarded Ash - Fraxinus excelsior, in spring, Stoke Wood, Oxfordshire.
    162415.jpg
  • Bee-eater Merops apiaster L 26-29cm.Stunning bird that catches insects in flight. Sometimes perches on dead branches. Sexes are similar. Adult has chestnut crown and nape, grading to yellow on back and rump; uppertail is green and note 2 projecting central tail feathers. Underparts are blue except for black-bordered yellow throat. In flight, wings are chestnut and blue above. Juvenile is duller and lacks tail projections. Voice Utters a bubbling pruuupp call. Status Has bred here but best known as a rare migrant visitor in spring and autumn.
    156818.jpg
  • Bee-eater Merops apiaster L 26-29cm.Stunning bird that catches insects in flight. Sometimes perches on dead branches. Sexes are similar. Adult has chestnut crown and nape, grading to yellow on back and rump; uppertail is green and note 2 projecting central tail feathers. Underparts are blue except for black-bordered yellow throat. In flight, wings are chestnut and blue above. Juvenile is duller and lacks tail projections. Voice Utters a bubbling pruuupp call. Status Has bred here but best known as a rare migrant visitor in spring and autumn.
    127940.jpg
  • White Stork Ciconia ciconia L 100-115cm. Large and unmistakable black-and-white bird. Winters in Africa, breeds in mainland Europe and turns up in small numbers, usually in spring and summer, favouring wet grassland.
    129538.jpg
  • Bee-eater Merops apiaster L 26-29cm.Stunning bird that catches insects in flight. Sometimes perches on dead branches. Sexes are similar. Adult has chestnut crown and nape, grading to yellow on back and rump; uppertail is green and note 2 projecting central tail feathers. Underparts are blue except for black-bordered yellow throat. In flight, wings are chestnut and blue above. Juvenile is duller and lacks tail projections. Voice Utters a bubbling pruuupp call. Status Has bred here but best known as a rare migrant visitor in spring and autumn.
    139784.jpg
  • Mature pollarded Ash - Fraxinus excelsior, in spring, Stoke Wood, Oxfordshire.
    162420.jpg
  • Mature pollarded Ash - Fraxinus excelsior, in spring, Stoke Wood, Oxfordshire.
    162414.jpg
  • Mature spring Beech - Fagus sylvatica, Stoke Wood, Oxfordshire.
    162408.jpg
  • Mature pollarded Ash - Fraxinus excelsior, in spring, Stoke Wood, Oxfordshire.
    162405.jpg
  • Hazel - Corylus avellana, spring leaf burst at Stoke Wood, Bicester, Oxfordshire
    162462.jpg
  • Hazel - Corylus avellana, spring leaf burst at Stoke Wood, Bicester, Oxfordshire
    162461.jpg
  • Pedunculate or English Oak - Quercus robur. Spring leaf burst in Stoke Wood, Bicester, Oxfordshire.
    162370.jpg
  • Pedunculate or English Oak - Quercus robur. Spring leaf burst in Stoke Wood, Bicester, Oxfordshire.
    162369.jpg
  • Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus L 40-45cm. Smaller cousin to Curlew with shorter bill, diagnostic head markings and distinctive call. Sexes are similar. Adult has grey-brown to buffish brown plumage with fine, dark streaking on neck and breast. Head pattern comprises two broad, dark lateral stripes on otherwise pale crown, and pale supercilium. Juvenile is similar but plumage is overall warmer buff. Voice Distinctive bubbling call comprises seven notes that descend slightly in pitch from start to finish. Song is confusingly similar to that of Curlew. Status Rare breeding species, favouring boggy moorland; Shetland is a hotspot. Fairly common passage migrant in spring and autumn on coasts; overwinters in S in very small numbers.
    155086.jpg
  • White Stork - Ciconia ciconia. L 100-115cm. Large and unmistakable black-and-white bird. Winters in Africa, breeds in mainland Europe and turns up in small numbers, usually in spring and summer, favouring wet grassland.
    157672.jpg
  • Whimbrel - Numenius phaeopus. L 40-45cm. Smaller cousin to Curlew with shorter bill, diagnostic head markings and distinctive call. Sexes are similar. Adult has grey-brown to buffish brown plumage with fine, dark streaking on neck and breast. Head pattern comprises two broad, dark lateral stripes on otherwise pale crown, and pale supercilium. Juvenile is similar but plumage is overall warmer buff. Voice Distinctive bubbling call comprises seven notes that descend slightly in pitch from start to finish. Song is confusingly similar to that of Curlew. Status Rare breeding species, favouring boggy moorland; Shetland is a hotspot. Fairly common passage migrant in spring and autumn on coasts; overwinters in S in very small numbers.
    157666.jpg
  • Common Pear (Cultivated Pear) - Pyrus communis (Rosaceae) HEIGHT to 20m. A normally upright and slender deciduous tree with a stout bole and a dense framework unless pruned. BARK Dark-brown and breaking up into small square plates. BRANCHES Ascending in young trees, but becoming more spreading in older specimens; some branches may bear a few spines. Young twigs are reddish-brown and sparsely hairy, but they become smoother with age. LEAVES Up to 8cm long, and usually oval to elliptic in shape, but there is always some variation; the margins have numerous small teeth, and the leaves are smooth and almost glossy when mature. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS The flowers are pure white and open before the leaves have fully expanded, typically two to four weeks earlier and cultivated apples flower in the same location. A pear orchard is a spectacular sight on a sunny spring day. The pear-shaped fruits may be up to 12cm long, with a soft, but slightly gritty, sweet-tasting flesh. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION A native of western Asia originally, but cultivated for millennia and now widespread across Europe, including Britain and Ireland
    157448.jpg
  • Orchard Oriole - Icterus spurius - 1st spring male
    150746.jpg
  • Orchard Oriole - Icterus spurius - 1st spring male
    150736.jpg
  • Olive Warbler - Peucedramus taeniatus - 1st spring male
    150679.jpg
  • Olive Warbler - Peucedramus taeniatus - 1st spring male
    150680.jpg
  • Holly Blue - Celastrina argiolus - male (top row) - female (bottom row). Wingspan 30mm. A familiar sight in mature gardens, especially if the larval foodplants (Holly and Ivy) grow nearby. In flight, looks rather silvery and can be hard to follow. Adult has violet-blue upperwings (seldom revealed at rest) and black-dotted white underwings. Double brooded: flies April-May and August-September. Eggs from spring brood are laid on Holly; in autumn they are laid on Ivy. Larva is green and grub-like. Fairly common in southern England, south Wales and southern Ireland.
    157177.jpg
  • Indigo Bunting - Passerina cyanea - 1st spring male
    149451.jpg
  • Indigo Bunting - Passerina cyanea - 1st spring male
    149442.jpg
  • Indigo Bunting - Passerina cyanea - 1st spring male
    149434.jpg
  • Indigo Bunting - Passerina cyanea - 1st spring male
    149432.jpg
  • Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus. Spring and early summer are the times when rare waders that breed in Asia turn up here. The Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus is unmistakable with its black and white plumage and ridiculously long, red legs
    156790.jpg
  • Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus. Spring and early summer are the times when rare waders that breed in Asia turn up here. The Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus is unmistakable with its black and white plumage and ridiculously long, red legs
    156792.jpg
  • Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus. Spring and early summer are the times when rare waders that breed in Asia turn up here. The Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus is unmistakable with its black and white plumage and ridiculously long, red legs
    156793.jpg
  • Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus. Spring and early summer are the times when rare waders that breed in Asia turn up here. The Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus is unmistakable with its black and white plumage and ridiculously long, red legs
    156794.jpg
  • Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus. Spring and early summer are the times when rare waders that breed in Asia turn up here. The Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus is unmistakable with its black and white plumage and ridiculously long, red legs
    156797.jpg
  • Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus. Spring and early summer are the times when rare waders that breed in Asia turn up here. The Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus is unmistakable with its black and white plumage and ridiculously long, red legs
    156798.jpg
  • Bee-eater - Merops apiaster L 26-29cm.Stunning bird that catches insects in flight. Sometimes perches on dead branches. Sexes are similar. Adult has chestnut crown and nape, grading to yellow on back and rump; uppertail is green and note 2 projecting central tail feathers. Underparts are blue except for black-bordered yellow throat. In flight, wings are chestnut and blue above. Juvenile is duller and lacks tail projections. Voice Utters a bubbling pruuupp call. Status Has bred here but best known as a rare migrant visitor in spring and autumn.
    156813.jpg
  • Bee-eater Merops apiaster L 26-29cm.Stunning bird that catches insects in flight. Sometimes perches on dead branches. Sexes are similar. Adult has chestnut crown and nape, grading to yellow on back and rump; uppertail is green and note 2 projecting central tail feathers. Underparts are blue except for black-bordered yellow throat. In flight, wings are chestnut and blue above. Juvenile is duller and lacks tail projections. Voice Utters a bubbling pruuupp call. Status Has bred here but best known as a rare migrant visitor in spring and autumn.
    156814.jpg
  • Bee-eater Merops apiaster L 26-29cm.Stunning bird that catches insects in flight. Sometimes perches on dead branches. Sexes are similar. Adult has chestnut crown and nape, grading to yellow on back and rump; uppertail is green and note 2 projecting central tail feathers. Underparts are blue except for black-bordered yellow throat. In flight, wings are chestnut and blue above. Juvenile is duller and lacks tail projections. Voice Utters a bubbling pruuupp call. Status Has bred here but best known as a rare migrant visitor in spring and autumn.
    156815.jpg
  • Bee-eater Merops apiaster L 26-29cm.Stunning bird that catches insects in flight. Sometimes perches on dead branches. Sexes are similar. Adult has chestnut crown and nape, grading to yellow on back and rump; uppertail is green and note 2 projecting central tail feathers. Underparts are blue except for black-bordered yellow throat. In flight, wings are chestnut and blue above. Juvenile is duller and lacks tail projections. Voice Utters a bubbling pruuupp call. Status Has bred here but best known as a rare migrant visitor in spring and autumn.
    156816.jpg
  • Bee-eater Merops apiaster L 26-29cm.Stunning bird that catches insects in flight. Sometimes perches on dead branches. Sexes are similar. Adult has chestnut crown and nape, grading to yellow on back and rump; uppertail is green and note 2 projecting central tail feathers. Underparts are blue except for black-bordered yellow throat. In flight, wings are chestnut and blue above. Juvenile is duller and lacks tail projections. Voice Utters a bubbling pruuupp call. Status Has bred here but best known as a rare migrant visitor in spring and autumn.
    156817.jpg
  • Hoopoe Upupa epops L 25-28cm. Distinctive, with long, downcurved bill. Habit of creeping along ground often makes it hard to spot. In flight, however, unmistakable thanks to bold black-and-white bird pattern and butterfly-like flight. Sexes are similar. Adult and juvenile are mainly pale pinkish brown with black and white barring on wings and back; white rump is seen in flight. Erectile crest of barred, pink feathers is raised in excitement. Voice Utters diagnostic hoo-poo-poo call. Status Has bred here, but best known as scarce visitor in spring and autumn.
    156770.jpg
  • Hoopoe Upupa epops L 25-28cm. Distinctive, with long, downcurved bill. Habit of creeping along ground often makes it hard to spot. In flight, however, unmistakable thanks to bold black-and-white bird pattern and butterfly-like flight. Sexes are similar. Adult and juvenile are mainly pale pinkish brown with black and white barring on wings and back; white rump is seen in flight. Erectile crest of barred, pink feathers is raised in excitement. Voice Utters diagnostic hoo-poo-poo call. Status Has bred here, but best known as scarce visitor in spring and autumn.
    156769.jpg
  • Hoopoe Upupa epops L 25-28cm. Distinctive, with long, downcurved bill. Habit of creeping along ground often makes it hard to spot. In flight, however, unmistakable thanks to bold black-and-white bird pattern and butterfly-like flight. Sexes are similar. Adult and juvenile are mainly pale pinkish brown with black and white barring on wings and back; white rump is seen in flight. Erectile crest of barred, pink feathers is raised in excitement. Voice Utters diagnostic hoo-poo-poo call. Status Has bred here, but best known as scarce visitor in spring and autumn.
    156768.jpg
  • Hoopoe Upupa epops L 25-28cm. Distinctive, with long, downcurved bill. Habit of creeping along ground often makes it hard to spot. In flight, however, unmistakable thanks to bold black-and-white bird pattern and butterfly-like flight. Sexes are similar. Adult and juvenile are mainly pale pinkish brown with black and white barring on wings and back; white rump is seen in flight. Erectile crest of barred, pink feathers is raised in excitement. Voice Utters diagnostic hoo-poo-poo call. Status Has bred here, but best known as scarce visitor in spring and autumn.
    156767.jpg
  • Painted Lady Vanessa cardui Wingspan 60mm. A beautifully patterned butterfly. Adult upperwings are pinkish-buff, with white and black markings. Underwings are buffish, marked with a similar pattern to the upperwings. Larva is spiny and hairy, brown with yellow and red markings; feeds on thistles, usually concealed within ‘tent’ of woven-together leaves. A migrant from southern Europe, from late spring to autumn, mostly near coasts; numbers vary from year to year. Sometimes breeds but does not survive the winter.
    156732.jpg
  • Orange-tip - Anthocharis cardamines - pupa. Wingspan 40mm. A familiar spring butterfly, males of which are unmistakable. Adult has rounded wings. Forewing is dark-tipped but male has an adjacent orange patch. Underside of hindwing of both sexes is marbled green and white. Adult flies April–June. Larva is green with whitish counter shading; feeds mainly on Cuckoo-flower. Widespread in southern Britain and Ireland; associated with open woodland, verges, and rural gardens.
    156726.jpg
  • Orange-tip - Anthocharis cardamines. Male (top) - female (bottom). Wingspan 40mm. A familiar spring butterfly, males of which are unmistakable. Adult has rounded wings. Forewing is dark-tipped but male has an adjacent orange patch. Underside of hindwing of both sexes is marbled green and white. Adult flies April–June. Larva is green with whitish counter shading; feeds mainly on Cuckoo-flower. Widespread in southern Britain and Ireland; associated with open woodland, verges, and rural gardens.
    156709.jpg
  • Bullock's Oriole - Icterus bullockii - 1st spring male
    147488.jpg
  • Bullock's Oriole - Icterus bullockii - 1st spring male
    147489.jpg
  • Bullock's Oriole - Icterus bullockii - 1st spring male
    147494.jpg
  • Bullock's Oriole - Icterus bullockii - 1st spring male
    147496.jpg
  • Bullock's Oriole - Icterus bullockii - 1st spring male
    147508.jpg
  • Spring on the River Test near Houghton, Hampshire
    156591.jpg
  • Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis. Spring and early summer are the times when rare waders that breed in Asia turn up here. A number of possible contenders exist but the Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis (L 22-25cm) is one of most elegant and keenly-sought; it resembles a miniature Greenshank but with a thin, needle-like bill.
    156317.jpg
  • Hoopoe Upupa epops L 25-28cm. Distinctive, with long, downcurved bill. Habit of creeping along ground often makes it hard to spot. In flight, however, unmistakable thanks to bold black-and-white bird pattern and butterfly-like flight. Sexes are similar. Adult and juvenile are mainly pale pinkish brown with black and white barring on wings and back; white rump is seen in flight. Erectile crest of barred, pink feathers is raised in excitement. Voice Utters diagnostic hoo-poo-poo call. Status Has bred here, but best known as scarce visitor in spring and autumn.
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  • Bee-eater Merops apiaster L 26-29cm.Stunning bird that catches insects in flight. Sometimes perches on dead branches. Sexes are similar. Adult has chestnut crown and nape, grading to yellow on back and rump; uppertail is green and note 2 projecting central tail feathers. Underparts are blue except for black-bordered yellow throat. In flight, wings are chestnut and blue above. Juvenile is duller and lacks tail projections. Voice Utters a bubbling pruuupp call. Status Has bred here but best known as a rare migrant visitor in spring and autumn.
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  • Blue Grosbeak - Passerina caerulea - 1st spring male
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  • Blue Grosbeak - Passerina caerulea - 1st spring male
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  • Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio - Female. Shrikes are well-marked, bold predators that have an allure far beyond what might be expected for birds of their size. Sightings are infrequent nowadays and consequently it is a red letter day for any birdwatcher if they see one. Two species occur reasonably regularly in the region. The Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio (L 16-18cm) was once a locally common summer visitor but sadly now is extinct as a breeding species. However, it does occur in small numbers as a passage migrant in spring and autumn, mainly in coastal scrub. Adult males have a reddish brown back, blue-grey cap and nape (with a dark band through the eye), and pink-flushed pale underparts. Adult females are similar but with muted colours while juveniles are barred brown.
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  • Spring on Greenham Common, near Newbury, Berkshire, Uk
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  • Spring on Greenham Common, near Newbury, Berkshire, Uk
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  • Spring on Greenham Common, near Newbury, Berkshire, Uk
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  • Spring on Greenham Common, near Newbury, Berkshire, Uk
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  • Spring on Greenham Common, near Newbury, Berkshire, Uk
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  • Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis. Spring and early summer are the times when rare waders that breed in Asia turn up here. A number of possible contenders exist but the Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis (L 22-25cm) is one of most elegant and keenly-sought; it resembles a miniature Greenshank but with a thin, needle-like bill.
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  • White Stork Ciconia ciconia L 100-115cm. Large and unmistakable black-and-white bird. Winters in Africa, breeds in mainland Europe and turns up in small numbers, usually in spring and summer, favouring wet grassland.
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  • Hoopoe Upupa epops L 25-28cm. Distinctive, with long, downcurved bill. Habit of creeping along ground often makes it hard to spot. In flight, however, unmistakable thanks to bold black-and-white bird pattern and butterfly-like flight. Sexes are similar. Adult and juvenile are mainly pale pinkish brown with black and white barring on wings and back; white rump is seen in flight. Erectile crest of barred, pink feathers is raised in excitement. Voice Utters diagnostic hoo-poo-poo call. Status Has bred here, but best known as scarce visitor in spring and autumn.
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  • Alpine Swifts Apus melba, which winter in Africa and breed in southern Europe, turn up in small numbers in spring, carried here on strong southerly winds.
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  • Spring along the Thames Path at Church Walk in Ashton Keynes, Wiltshire, Uk
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  • Tractor rolling field for hay production in spring
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  • Tractor rolling field for hay production in spring
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  • Tractor rolling field for hay production in spring
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  • Tractor rolling field for hay production in spring
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  • Tractor rolling field for hay production in spring
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