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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
  • 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
  • Pale Clouded Yellow - Colias hyale
    156711.jpg
  • White-letter Hairstreak - Strymondia w-album. Male (top) - female (bottom). Wingspan 35mm. Small, active butterfly that is hard to observe closely. Usually flies around treetops but also visits Bramble flowers to feed. Adult seldom reveals upperwings. Underwings are brown with jagged orange band and white ‘w’ on hindwing. Flies July-Aug. Larva is rather slug-like and feeds on elms. Widespread loss of larval foodplants from Dutch elm disease has caused decline. Today it is very local, in central and southern England and Wales.
    156713.jpg
  • Chequered Skipper - Carterocephalus palaemon. Male (top) - female (bottom). Wingspan 25mm. An attractive little butterfly that attracts conservation interest. Hides in deep cover on dull days; active and fast-flying on sunny days but fond of sunbathing. Adult has rich brown upperwings with orange-yellow spots; underwings are paler brown than upperwings, with pale spots. Flies May–June. Larva is nocturnal and feeds on various grasses. Very locally common in open birchwoods in northwest Scotland; used to live in England but now extinct there.
    156715.jpg
  • Clouded Yellow - Colias croceus - Male (top) - female - (middle) - female, form helice (bottom). Wingspan 50mm. A fast-flying migrant visitor to Britain, from mainland Europe. Adult has dark-bordered upperwings that are rich orange-yellow in male, pale yellow in female. Both sexes have yellow underwings with a few dark markings. Larva is green with pale yellow lateral line; feeds on Lucerne and other members of the pea family. A summer visitor to Britain, seen mainly in coastal areas; generally scarce but common in some years.
    156725.jpg
  • Pectoral Sandpiper - Calidris melanotos (left) and Dunlin - Calidris alpina (right)
    156701.jpg
  • Large White - Pieris brassicae. Male (top) - female (bottom). Wingspan 60mm. As its name suggests, this the largest British ‘white’ butterfly. Adult upperwings are creamy-white with black tip to forewing; female has additional two spots on forewing. Underwings are yellowish. Adult flies May–September. Larva is black and yellow and feeds on cabbages and related plants; usually found in groups. Common and widespread, and often seen in the garden.
    156707.jpg
  • Lesser Spotted Catshark - Scyliorhinus canicula (top fish)<br />
Starry Smooth Hound - Mustelus asterias (middle fish)<br />
Smooth Hound - Mustelus mustelus (bottom fish)
    145324.jpg
  • Small White Pieris rapae  Wingspan 45mm. Appreciably smaller than Large White. Adult upperwings are creamy-white with dark tip to forewing; female has two dark spots on forewing. Underwings are yellowish. Adult flies April–May and July–August. Larva is green, speckled with tiny pale dots; feeds on cultivated cabbage and related plants. Common and widespread, and often seen in the garden.
    156978.jpg
  • Cryptic Wood White - Leptidea juvernica. Male (top) - female (bottom).
    156708.jpg
  • Wood White - Leptidea sinapis. Male 1st generation (top) - female 1st generation (second down) - male 2nd generation (third down) - female 2nd generation (bottom).
    156710.jpg
  • Dingy Skipper Erynnis tages Wingspan 25mm. The most moth-like of the skippers, with a buzzing flight. Adult has dark grey-brown upperwings; underwings are reddish-brown. Flies May–June. Larva is nocturnal and feeds mainly on Bird’s-foot Trefoil but also related plants. Locally common in England and Wales in meadows and grassy woodland clearings.
    156977.jpg
  • Clouded Yellow - Colias croceus. Male (top) - female (bottom). Wingspan 50mm. A fast-flying migrant visitor to Britain, from mainland Europe. Adult has dark-bordered upperwings that are rich orange-yellow in male, pale yellow in female. Both sexes have yellow underwings with a few dark markings. Larva is green with pale yellow lateral line; feeds on Lucerne and other members of the pea family. A summer visitor to Britain, seen mainly in coastal areas; generally scarce but common in some years.
    156704.jpg
  • Purple Hairstreak - Neozephyrus quercus = Favonius quercus. Male (top) - female  (centre and bottom (underside)). Wingspan 38mm. A rather enigmatic butterfly that can be hard to observe closely. As an adult it usually remains close to the top of the mature tree where its life-cycle began. Lives in colonies. Adults have brown upperwings; males have purple sheen on both wings, in females it is restricted to hindwings. Underwings are grey with hairstreak line. Larva is brown and rather slug-like; feeds on oak buds. Widespread but locally common only in southern England and Wales.
    156706.jpg
  • Lady Orchid - Orchid purpurea (top row - Oxfordshire, bottom row - Kent)
    160838.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
  • 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.
    144493.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.
    133878.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.
    157426.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.
    134314.jpg
  • Temminck’s Stint Calidris temminckii L 14-15cm. Tiny, slim-bodied wader with deliberate, almost creeping, feeding action. Compared to Little Stint, has short, yellow legs, longer tail and wings, and slightly downcurved bill. Note clear demarcation between dark breast and white underparts and white outer tail feathers. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has grey-brown upperparts and streaked grey head, neck and breast; many back feathers having dark centres. Underparts are white. In winter (unlikely to be seen here), has uniform grey-brown upperparts and white underparts. Juvenile has white underparts and brownish upperparts with scaly-looking back. Voice Utters a trilling call. Status Scarce passage migrant; favours margins of shallow freshwater pools. A few pairs breed in Scotland.
    158055.jpg
  • Common Tern Sterna hirundo L 35cm. Similar to Arctic Tern but separable with care. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has grey upperparts, black cap and whitish underparts. Compared to Arctic, note black-tipped orange-red bill, longer red legs, and paler underparts. In flight from below, only inner primaries look translucent and wings have diffuse dark tip. Non-breeding plumage (sometimes seen in late summer) is similar but has white on forehead and dark shoulder bar; bill and legs are dark. Juvenile has white underparts, incomplete dark cap and scaly grey upperparts; in flight from above, leading and trailing edges of inner wing are dark. Voice Utters harsh kreeear call. Status Widespread summer visitor, commonest on coasts; also nests on flooded gravel pits and reservoirs. Widespread coastal passage migrant.
    157953.jpg
  • Barred Warbler - Sylvia nisoria L 16-17cm. Bulky, rather thick-billed warbler. Adult is easy to recognise but seldom seen here. Juvenile could be confused with Garden Warbler. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has blue-grey upperparts and pale underparts marked with dark bars. Note yellow eye, pale wingbars and pale tip to tail. Adult female is similar but duller. Juvenile has grey-brown upperparts and pale underparts washed buff on breast and flanks. Compared to Garden Warbler, note pale wingbars, subtle crescent-shaped barring on flanks and undertail coverts, pale brown eye and proportionately larger bill. Voice Utters a rattling tchrrrr alarm call. Status Rare passage migrant, mostly on E coast and in autumn.
    156877.jpg
  • Temminck’s Stint Calidris temminckii L 14-15cm. Tiny, slim-bodied wader with deliberate, almost creeping, feeding action. Compared to Little Stint, has short, yellow legs, longer tail and wings, and slightly downcurved bill. Note clear demarcation between dark breast and white underparts and white outer tail feathers. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has grey-brown upperparts and streaked grey head, neck and breast; many back feathers having dark centres. Underparts are white. In winter (unlikely to be seen here), has uniform grey-brown upperparts and white underparts. Juvenile has white underparts and brownish upperparts with scaly-looking back. Voice Utters a trilling call. Status Scarce passage migrant; favours margins of shallow freshwater pools. A few pairs breed in Scotland.<br />
nature photographers #
    126651.jpg
  • Northern Brown Argus Aricia artaxerxes Wingspan 25mm. A distinctive butterfly and the northern counterpart of the Brown Argus. Adult has rich brown upperwings and orange submarginal spots; compared to Brown Argus note the white spot on the upper forewing. Underwings are grey-brown with white-ringed black spots, and orange submarginal spots. Flies June-July. Larva is grub-like and feeds on Common Rock-rose. Very local in calcareous grassland in northern England and Scotland.
    155570.jpg
  • Common Tern Sterna hirundo L 35cm. Similar to Arctic Tern but separable with care. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has grey upperparts, black cap and whitish underparts. Compared to Arctic, note black-tipped orange-red bill, longer red legs, and paler underparts. In flight from below, only inner primaries look translucent and wings have diffuse dark tip. Non-breeding plumage (sometimes seen in late summer) is similar but has white on forehead and dark shoulder bar; bill and legs are dark. Juvenile has white underparts, incomplete dark cap and scaly grey upperparts; in flight from above, leading and trailing edges of inner wing are dark. Voice Utters harsh kreeear call. Status Widespread summer visitor, commonest on coasts; also nests on flooded gravel pits and reservoirs. Widespread coastal passage migrant.
    154369.jpg
  • Common Tern Sterna hirundo L 35cm. Similar to Arctic Tern but separable with care. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has grey upperparts, black cap and whitish underparts. Compared to Arctic, note black-tipped orange-red bill, longer red legs, and paler underparts. In flight from below, only inner primaries look translucent and wings have diffuse dark tip. Non-breeding plumage (sometimes seen in late summer) is similar but has white on forehead and dark shoulder bar; bill and legs are dark. Juvenile has white underparts, incomplete dark cap and scaly grey upperparts; in flight from above, leading and trailing edges of inner wing are dark. Voice Utters harsh kreeear call. Status Widespread summer visitor, commonest on coasts; also nests on flooded gravel pits and reservoirs. Widespread coastal passage migrant.
    153852.jpg
  • Common Tern Sterna hirundo L 35cm. Similar to Arctic Tern but separable with care. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has grey upperparts, black cap and whitish underparts. Compared to Arctic, note black-tipped orange-red bill, longer red legs, and paler underparts. In flight from below, only inner primaries look translucent and wings have diffuse dark tip. Non-breeding plumage (sometimes seen in late summer) is similar but has white on forehead and dark shoulder bar; bill and legs are dark. Juvenile has white underparts, incomplete dark cap and scaly grey upperparts; in flight from above, leading and trailing edges of inner wing are dark. Voice Utters harsh kreeear call. Status Widespread summer visitor, commonest on coasts; also nests on flooded gravel pits and reservoirs. Widespread coastal passage migrant.
    153857.jpg
  • Greylag Goose Anser anser L 75-90cm. Largest Anser goose and only one that breeds in Britain. Feral populations confuse species’ wild status. Compared to other ‘grey’ geese, bulky and more uniformly grey-brown. Pink legs and heavy, pinkish orange bill help with identification. In flight, pale forewings, rump and tail contrast with darker flight feathers. Sexes are similar. Adult is greyish with dark lines on side of neck, barring on flanks and pale margins to back feathers. Bill is pale-tipped. Juvenile is more uniformly grey-brown than adult and bill lacks pale tip. Voice Utters loud, honking calls. Status Locally common resident, mainly in N. Wild migrants boost numbers in winter. Favours wetlands and reservoirs with adjacent grassland.
    153982.jpg
  • THYME BROOMRAPE Orobanche alba (Orobanchaceae) ** Height to 25cm. Attractive, upright and rather stout plant that is tinged reddish. Parasitic on the roots of thymes, and related plants. FLOWERS are 15-20mm long and fragrant, the corolla reddish; borne in comparatively short spikes (May-Aug). FRUITS are egg-shaped capsules, concealed by the dead flowers. LEAVES are scale-like.
    106351.jpg
  • Temminck’s Stint Calidris temminckii L 14-15cm. Tiny, slim-bodied wader with deliberate, almost creeping, feeding action. Compared to Little Stint, has short, yellow legs, longer tail and wings, and slightly downcurved bill. Note clear demarcation between dark breast and white underparts and white outer tail feathers. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has grey-brown upperparts and streaked grey head, neck and breast; many back feathers having dark centres. Underparts are white. In winter (unlikely to be seen here), has uniform grey-brown upperparts and white underparts. Juvenile has white underparts and brownish upperparts with scaly-looking back. Voice Utters a trilling call. Status Scarce passage migrant; favours margins of shallow freshwater pools. A few pairs breed in Scotland.
    133087.jpg
  • Greylag Goose Anser anser L 75-90cm. Largest Anser goose and only one that breeds in Britain. Feral populations confuse species’ wild status. Compared to other ‘grey’ geese, bulky and more uniformly grey-brown. Pink legs and heavy, pinkish orange bill help with identification. In flight, pale forewings, rump and tail contrast with darker flight feathers. Sexes are similar. Adult is greyish with dark lines on side of neck, barring on flanks and pale margins to back feathers. Bill is pale-tipped. Juvenile is more uniformly grey-brown than adult and bill lacks pale tip. Voice Utters loud, honking calls. Status Locally common resident, mainly in N. Wild migrants boost numbers in winter. Favours wetlands and reservoirs with adjacent grassland.
    137342.jpg
  • Temminck’s Stint Calidris temminckii L 14-15cm. Tiny, slim-bodied wader with deliberate, almost creeping, feeding action. Compared to Little Stint, has short, yellow legs, longer tail and wings, and slightly downcurved bill. Note clear demarcation between dark breast and white underparts and white outer tail feathers. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has grey-brown upperparts and streaked grey head, neck and breast; many back feathers having dark centres. Underparts are white. In winter (unlikely to be seen here), has uniform grey-brown upperparts and white underparts. Juvenile has white underparts and brownish upperparts with scaly-looking back. Voice Utters a trilling call. Status Scarce passage migrant; favours margins of shallow freshwater pools. A few pairs breed in Scotland.
    137624.jpg
  • Common Tern Sterna hirundo L 35cm. Similar to Arctic Tern but separable with care. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has grey upperparts, black cap and whitish underparts. Compared to Arctic, note black-tipped orange-red bill, longer red legs, and paler underparts. In flight from below, only inner primaries look translucent and wings have diffuse dark tip. Non-breeding plumage (sometimes seen in late summer) is similar but has white on forehead and dark shoulder bar; bill and legs are dark. Juvenile has white underparts, incomplete dark cap and scaly grey upperparts; in flight from above, leading and trailing edges of inner wing are dark. Voice Utters harsh kreeear call. Status Widespread summer visitor, commonest on coasts; also nests on flooded gravel pits and reservoirs. Widespread coastal passage migrant.
    140306.jpg
  • Marsh Tit Poecile palustris L 12-13cm. Pugnacious woodland bird. Similar to Willow Tit but separable using subtle differences in plumage and voice. Sexes are similar. Adult and juvenile have black cap and bib; compared to Willow, cap is glossy, not dull, and bib is relatively small. Cheeks are whitish, upperparts are grey brown and underparts are pale grey-buff. Bill is short and legs are bluish. Voice Utters a loud pitchoo call. Song is loud and repeated chip-chip-chip… Status Locally common resident of deciduous woodland and mature gardens; commonest in S.
    144817.jpg
  • Common Tern Sterna hirundo L 35cm. Similar to Arctic Tern but separable with care. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has grey upperparts, black cap and whitish underparts. Compared to Arctic, note black-tipped orange-red bill, longer red legs, and paler underparts. In flight from below, only inner primaries look translucent and wings have diffuse dark tip. Non-breeding plumage (sometimes seen in late summer) is similar but has white on forehead and dark shoulder bar; bill and legs are dark. Juvenile has white underparts, incomplete dark cap and scaly grey upperparts; in flight from above, leading and trailing edges of inner wing are dark. Voice Utters harsh kreeear call. Status Widespread summer visitor, commonest on coasts; also nests on flooded gravel pits and reservoirs. Widespread coastal passage migrant.
    145308.jpg
  • Greylag Goose Anser anser L 75-90cm. Largest Anser goose and only one that breeds in Britain. Feral populations confuse species’ wild status. Compared to other ‘grey’ geese, bulky and more uniformly grey-brown. Pink legs and heavy, pinkish orange bill help with identification. In flight, pale forewings, rump and tail contrast with darker flight feathers. Sexes are similar. Adult is greyish with dark lines on side of neck, barring on flanks and pale margins to back feathers. Bill is pale-tipped. Juvenile is more uniformly grey-brown than adult and bill lacks pale tip. Voice Utters loud, honking calls. Status Locally common resident, mainly in N. Wild migrants boost numbers in winter. Favours wetlands and reservoirs with adjacent grassland.
    145746.jpg
  • Greylag Goose Anser anser L 75-90cm. Largest Anser goose and only one that breeds in Britain. Feral populations confuse species’ wild status. Compared to other ‘grey’ geese, bulky and more uniformly grey-brown. Pink legs and heavy, pinkish orange bill help with identification. In flight, pale forewings, rump and tail contrast with darker flight feathers. Sexes are similar. Adult is greyish with dark lines on side of neck, barring on flanks and pale margins to back feathers. Bill is pale-tipped. Juvenile is more uniformly grey-brown than adult and bill lacks pale tip. Voice Utters loud, honking calls. Status Locally common resident, mainly in N. Wild migrants boost numbers in winter. Favours wetlands and reservoirs with adjacent grassland.
    158057.jpg
  • Greylag Goose Anser anser L 75-90cm. Largest Anser goose and only one that breeds in Britain. Feral populations confuse species’ wild status. Compared to other ‘grey’ geese, bulky and more uniformly grey-brown. Pink legs and heavy, pinkish orange bill help with identification. In flight, pale forewings, rump and tail contrast with darker flight feathers. Sexes are similar. Adult is greyish with dark lines on side of neck, barring on flanks and pale margins to back feathers. Bill is pale-tipped. Juvenile is more uniformly grey-brown than adult and bill lacks pale tip. Voice Utters loud, honking calls. Status Locally common resident, mainly in N. Wild migrants boost numbers in winter. Favours wetlands and reservoirs with adjacent grassland.
    157700.jpg
  • Greylag Goose - Anser anser. L 75-90cm. Largest Anser goose and only one that breeds in Britain. Feral populations confuse species’ wild status. Compared to other ‘grey’ geese, bulky and more uniformly grey-brown. Pink legs and heavy, pinkish orange bill help with identification. In flight, pale forewings, rump and tail contrast with darker flight feathers. Sexes are similar. Adult is greyish with dark lines on side of neck, barring on flanks and pale margins to back feathers. Bill is pale-tipped. Juvenile is more uniformly grey-brown than adult and bill lacks pale tip. Voice Utters loud, honking calls. Status Locally common resident, mainly in N. Wild migrants boost numbers in winter. Favours wetlands and reservoirs with adjacent grassland.
    157648.jpg
  • Greylag Goose - Anser anser. L 75-90cm. Largest Anser goose and only one that breeds in Britain. Feral populations confuse species’ wild status. Compared to other ‘grey’ geese, bulky and more uniformly grey-brown. Pink legs and heavy, pinkish orange bill help with identification. In flight, pale forewings, rump and tail contrast with darker flight feathers. Sexes are similar. Adult is greyish with dark lines on side of neck, barring on flanks and pale margins to back feathers. Bill is pale-tipped. Juvenile is more uniformly grey-brown than adult and bill lacks pale tip. Voice Utters loud, honking calls. Status Locally common resident, mainly in N. Wild migrants boost numbers in winter. Favours wetlands and reservoirs with adjacent grassland.
    157636.jpg
  • Northern Brown Argus - Aricia artexerxes - ssp. artaxerxes (top and middle row) - <br />
ssp. salmacis = Durham Argus (bottom row).  Wingspan 25mm. A distinctive butterfly and the northern counterpart of the Brown Argus. Adult has rich brown upperwings and orange submarginal spots; compared to Brown Argus note the white spot on the upper forewing. Underwings are grey-brown with white-ringed black spots, and orange submarginal spots. Flies June-July. Larva is grub-like and feeds on Common Rock-rose. Very local in calcareous grassland in northern England and Scotland.
    157169.jpg
  • Barred Warbler - Sylvia nisoria L 16-17cm. Bulky, rather thick-billed warbler. Adult is easy to recognise but seldom seen here. Juvenile could be confused with Garden Warbler. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has blue-grey upperparts and pale underparts marked with dark bars. Note yellow eye, pale wingbars and pale tip to tail. Adult female is similar but duller. Juvenile has grey-brown upperparts and pale underparts washed buff on breast and flanks. Compared to Garden Warbler, note pale wingbars, subtle crescent-shaped barring on flanks and undertail coverts, pale brown eye and proportionately larger bill. Voice Utters a rattling tchrrrr alarm call. Status Rare passage migrant, mostly on E coast and in autumn.
    156876.jpg
  • Barred Warbler - Sylvia nisoria L 16-17cm. Bulky, rather thick-billed warbler. Adult is easy to recognise but seldom seen here. Juvenile could be confused with Garden Warbler. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has blue-grey upperparts and pale underparts marked with dark bars. Note yellow eye, pale wingbars and pale tip to tail. Adult female is similar but duller. Juvenile has grey-brown upperparts and pale underparts washed buff on breast and flanks. Compared to Garden Warbler, note pale wingbars, subtle crescent-shaped barring on flanks and undertail coverts, pale brown eye and proportionately larger bill. Voice Utters a rattling tchrrrr alarm call. Status Rare passage migrant, mostly on E coast and in autumn.
    156877.jpg
  • Northern Brown Argus Aricia artaxerxes Wingspan 25mm. A distinctive butterfly and the northern counterpart of the Brown Argus. Adult has rich brown upperwings and orange submarginal spots; compared to Brown Argus note the white spot on the upper forewing. Underwings are grey-brown with white-ringed black spots, and orange submarginal spots. Flies June-July. Larva is grub-like and feeds on Common Rock-rose. Very local in calcareous grassland in northern England and Scotland.
    156281.jpg
  • Greylag Goose Anser anser L 75-90cm. Largest Anser goose and only one that breeds in Britain. Feral populations confuse species’ wild status. Compared to other ‘grey’ geese, bulky and more uniformly grey-brown. Pink legs and heavy, pinkish orange bill help with identification. In flight, pale forewings, rump and tail contrast with darker flight feathers. Sexes are similar. Adult is greyish with dark lines on side of neck, barring on flanks and pale margins to back feathers. Bill is pale-tipped. Juvenile is more uniformly grey-brown than adult and bill lacks pale tip. Voice Utters loud, honking calls. Status Locally common resident, mainly in N. Wild migrants boost numbers in winter. Favours wetlands and reservoirs with adjacent grassland.
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  • Greylag Goose Anser anser L 75-90cm. Largest Anser goose and only one that breeds in Britain. Feral populations confuse species’ wild status. Compared to other ‘grey’ geese, bulky and more uniformly grey-brown. Pink legs and heavy, pinkish orange bill help with identification. In flight, pale forewings, rump and tail contrast with darker flight feathers. Sexes are similar. Adult is greyish with dark lines on side of neck, barring on flanks and pale margins to back feathers. Bill is pale-tipped. Juvenile is more uniformly grey-brown than adult and bill lacks pale tip. Voice Utters loud, honking calls. Status Locally common resident, mainly in N. Wild migrants boost numbers in winter. Favours wetlands and reservoirs with adjacent grassland.
    155588.jpg
  • Greylag Goose Anser anser   on nest. L 75-90cm. Largest Anser goose and only one that breeds in Britain. Feral populations confuse species’ wild status. Compared to other ‘grey’ geese, bulky and more uniformly grey-brown. Pink legs and heavy, pinkish orange bill help with identification. In flight, pale forewings, rump and tail contrast with darker flight feathers. Sexes are similar. Adult is greyish with dark lines on side of neck, barring on flanks and pale margins to back feathers. Bill is pale-tipped. Juvenile is more uniformly grey-brown than adult and bill lacks pale tip. Voice Utters loud, honking calls. Status Locally common resident, mainly in N. Wild migrants boost numbers in winter. Favours wetlands and reservoirs with adjacent grassland.
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  • Barred Warbler Sylvia nisoria L 16-17cm. Bulky, rather thick-billed warbler. Adult is easy to recognise but seldom seen here. Juvenile could be confused with Garden Warbler. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has blue-grey upperparts and pale underparts marked with dark bars. Note yellow eye, pale wingbars and pale tip to tail. Adult female is similar but duller. Juvenile has grey-brown upperparts and pale underparts washed buff on breast and flanks. Compared to Garden Warbler, note pale wingbars, subtle crescent-shaped barring on flanks and undertail coverts, pale brown eye and proportionately larger bill. Voice Utters a rattling tchrrrr alarm call. Status Rare passage migrant, mostly on E coast and in autumn.
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  • Common Tern Sterna hirundo L 35cm. Similar to Arctic Tern but separable with care. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has grey upperparts, black cap and whitish underparts. Compared to Arctic, note black-tipped orange-red bill, longer red legs, and paler underparts. In flight from below, only inner primaries look translucent and wings have diffuse dark tip. Non-breeding plumage (sometimes seen in late summer) is similar but has white on forehead and dark shoulder bar; bill and legs are dark. Juvenile has white underparts, incomplete dark cap and scaly grey upperparts; in flight from above, leading and trailing edges of inner wing are dark. Voice Utters harsh kreeear call. Status Widespread summer visitor, commonest on coasts; also nests on flooded gravel pits and reservoirs. Widespread coastal passage migrant.
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  • Common Tern Sterna hirundo L 35cm. Similar to Arctic Tern but separable with care. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has grey upperparts, black cap and whitish underparts. Compared to Arctic, note black-tipped orange-red bill, longer red legs, and paler underparts. In flight from below, only inner primaries look translucent and wings have diffuse dark tip. Non-breeding plumage (sometimes seen in late summer) is similar but has white on forehead and dark shoulder bar; bill and legs are dark. Juvenile has white underparts, incomplete dark cap and scaly grey upperparts; in flight from above, leading and trailing edges of inner wing are dark. Voice Utters harsh kreeear call. Status Widespread summer visitor, commonest on coasts; also nests on flooded gravel pits and reservoirs. Widespread coastal passage migrant.
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  • Common Tern - Sterna hirundo - Juvenile.  L 35cm. Similar to Arctic Tern but separable with care. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has grey upperparts, black cap and whitish underparts. Compared to Arctic, note black-tipped orange-red bill, longer red legs, and paler underparts. In flight from below, only inner primaries look translucent and wings have diffuse dark tip. Non-breeding plumage (sometimes seen in late summer) is similar but has white on forehead and dark shoulder bar; bill and legs are dark. Juvenile has white underparts, incomplete dark cap and scaly grey upperparts; in flight from above, leading and trailing edges of inner wing are dark. Voice Utters harsh kreeear call. Status Widespread summer visitor, commonest on coasts; also nests on flooded gravel pits and reservoirs. Widespread coastal passage migrant.
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  • Common Tern Sterna hirundo L 35cm. Similar to Arctic Tern but separable with care. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has grey upperparts, black cap and whitish underparts. Compared to Arctic, note black-tipped orange-red bill, longer red legs, and paler underparts. In flight from below, only inner primaries look translucent and wings have diffuse dark tip. Non-breeding plumage (sometimes seen in late summer) is similar but has white on forehead and dark shoulder bar; bill and legs are dark. Juvenile has white underparts, incomplete dark cap and scaly grey upperparts; in flight from above, leading and trailing edges of inner wing are dark. Voice Utters harsh kreeear call. Status Widespread summer visitor, commonest on coasts; also nests on flooded gravel pits and reservoirs. Widespread coastal passage migrant.
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  • Common Tern - Sterna hirundo - juvenile. L 35cm. Similar to Arctic Tern but separable with care. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has grey upperparts, black cap and whitish underparts. Compared to Arctic, note black-tipped orange-red bill, longer red legs, and paler underparts. In flight from below, only inner primaries look translucent and wings have diffuse dark tip. Non-breeding plumage (sometimes seen in late summer) is similar but has white on forehead and dark shoulder bar; bill and legs are dark. Juvenile has white underparts, incomplete dark cap and scaly grey upperparts; in flight from above, leading and trailing edges of inner wing are dark. Voice Utters harsh kreeear call. Status Widespread summer visitor, commonest on coasts; also nests on flooded gravel pits and reservoirs. Widespread coastal passage migrant.
    154359.jpg
  • Common Tern Sterna hirundo L 35cm. Similar to Arctic Tern but separable with care. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has grey upperparts, black cap and whitish underparts. Compared to Arctic, note black-tipped orange-red bill, longer red legs, and paler underparts. In flight from below, only inner primaries look translucent and wings have diffuse dark tip. Non-breeding plumage (sometimes seen in late summer) is similar but has white on forehead and dark shoulder bar; bill and legs are dark. Juvenile has white underparts, incomplete dark cap and scaly grey upperparts; in flight from above, leading and trailing edges of inner wing are dark. Voice Utters harsh kreeear call. Status Widespread summer visitor, commonest on coasts; also nests on flooded gravel pits and reservoirs. Widespread coastal passage migrant.
    154358.jpg
  • Common Tern - Sterna hirundo - juvenile. L 35cm. Similar to Arctic Tern but separable with care. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has grey upperparts, black cap and whitish underparts. Compared to Arctic, note black-tipped orange-red bill, longer red legs, and paler underparts. In flight from below, only inner primaries look translucent and wings have diffuse dark tip. Non-breeding plumage (sometimes seen in late summer) is similar but has white on forehead and dark shoulder bar; bill and legs are dark. Juvenile has white underparts, incomplete dark cap and scaly grey upperparts; in flight from above, leading and trailing edges of inner wing are dark. Voice Utters harsh kreeear call. Status Widespread summer visitor, commonest on coasts; also nests on flooded gravel pits and reservoirs. Widespread coastal passage migrant.
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  • Common Tern Sterna hirundo L 35cm. Similar to Arctic Tern but separable with care. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has grey upperparts, black cap and whitish underparts. Compared to Arctic, note black-tipped orange-red bill, longer red legs, and paler underparts. In flight from below, only inner primaries look translucent and wings have diffuse dark tip. Non-breeding plumage (sometimes seen in late summer) is similar but has white on forehead and dark shoulder bar; bill and legs are dark. Juvenile has white underparts, incomplete dark cap and scaly grey upperparts; in flight from above, leading and trailing edges of inner wing are dark. Voice Utters harsh kreeear call. Status Widespread summer visitor, commonest on coasts; also nests on flooded gravel pits and reservoirs. Widespread coastal passage migrant.
    154368.jpg
  • Common Tern Sterna hirundo L 35cm. Similar to Arctic Tern but separable with care. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has grey upperparts, black cap and whitish underparts. Compared to Arctic, note black-tipped orange-red bill, longer red legs, and paler underparts. In flight from below, only inner primaries look translucent and wings have diffuse dark tip. Non-breeding plumage (sometimes seen in late summer) is similar but has white on forehead and dark shoulder bar; bill and legs are dark. Juvenile has white underparts, incomplete dark cap and scaly grey upperparts; in flight from above, leading and trailing edges of inner wing are dark. Voice Utters harsh kreeear call. Status Widespread summer visitor, commonest on coasts; also nests on flooded gravel pits and reservoirs. Widespread coastal passage migrant.
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  • Common Tern Sterna hirundo L 35cm. Similar to Arctic Tern but separable with care. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has grey upperparts, black cap and whitish underparts. Compared to Arctic, note black-tipped orange-red bill, longer red legs, and paler underparts. In flight from below, only inner primaries look translucent and wings have diffuse dark tip. Non-breeding plumage (sometimes seen in late summer) is similar but has white on forehead and dark shoulder bar; bill and legs are dark. Juvenile has white underparts, incomplete dark cap and scaly grey upperparts; in flight from above, leading and trailing edges of inner wing are dark. Voice Utters harsh kreeear call. Status Widespread summer visitor, commonest on coasts; also nests on flooded gravel pits and reservoirs. Widespread coastal passage migrant.
    153851.jpg
  • Common Tern Sterna hirundo L 35cm. Similar to Arctic Tern but separable with care. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has grey upperparts, black cap and whitish underparts. Compared to Arctic, note black-tipped orange-red bill, longer red legs, and paler underparts. In flight from below, only inner primaries look translucent and wings have diffuse dark tip. Non-breeding plumage (sometimes seen in late summer) is similar but has white on forehead and dark shoulder bar; bill and legs are dark. Juvenile has white underparts, incomplete dark cap and scaly grey upperparts; in flight from above, leading and trailing edges of inner wing are dark. Voice Utters harsh kreeear call. Status Widespread summer visitor, commonest on coasts; also nests on flooded gravel pits and reservoirs. Widespread coastal passage migrant.
    153853.jpg
  • Common Tern Sterna hirundo L 35cm. Similar to Arctic Tern but separable with care. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has grey upperparts, black cap and whitish underparts. Compared to Arctic, note black-tipped orange-red bill, longer red legs, and paler underparts. In flight from below, only inner primaries look translucent and wings have diffuse dark tip. Non-breeding plumage (sometimes seen in late summer) is similar but has white on forehead and dark shoulder bar; bill and legs are dark. Juvenile has white underparts, incomplete dark cap and scaly grey upperparts; in flight from above, leading and trailing edges of inner wing are dark. Voice Utters harsh kreeear call. Status Widespread summer visitor, commonest on coasts; also nests on flooded gravel pits and reservoirs. Widespread coastal passage migrant.
    153854.jpg
  • Common Tern Sterna hirundo L 35cm. Similar to Arctic Tern but separable with care. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has grey upperparts, black cap and whitish underparts. Compared to Arctic, note black-tipped orange-red bill, longer red legs, and paler underparts. In flight from below, only inner primaries look translucent and wings have diffuse dark tip. Non-breeding plumage (sometimes seen in late summer) is similar but has white on forehead and dark shoulder bar; bill and legs are dark. Juvenile has white underparts, incomplete dark cap and scaly grey upperparts; in flight from above, leading and trailing edges of inner wing are dark. Voice Utters harsh kreeear call. Status Widespread summer visitor, commonest on coasts; also nests on flooded gravel pits and reservoirs. Widespread coastal passage migrant.
    153855.jpg
  • Common Tern Sterna hirundo L 35cm. Similar to Arctic Tern but separable with care. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has grey upperparts, black cap and whitish underparts. Compared to Arctic, note black-tipped orange-red bill, longer red legs, and paler underparts. In flight from below, only inner primaries look translucent and wings have diffuse dark tip. Non-breeding plumage (sometimes seen in late summer) is similar but has white on forehead and dark shoulder bar; bill and legs are dark. Juvenile has white underparts, incomplete dark cap and scaly grey upperparts; in flight from above, leading and trailing edges of inner wing are dark. Voice Utters harsh kreeear call. Status Widespread summer visitor, commonest on coasts; also nests on flooded gravel pits and reservoirs. Widespread coastal passage migrant.
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  • Greylag Goose Anser anser L 75-90cm. Largest Anser goose and only one that breeds in Britain. Feral populations confuse species’ wild status. Compared to other ‘grey’ geese, bulky and more uniformly grey-brown. Pink legs and heavy, pinkish orange bill help with identification. In flight, pale forewings, rump and tail contrast with darker flight feathers. Sexes are similar. Adult is greyish with dark lines on side of neck, barring on flanks and pale margins to back feathers. Bill is pale-tipped. Juvenile is more uniformly grey-brown than adult and bill lacks pale tip. Voice Utters loud, honking calls. Status Locally common resident, mainly in N. Wild migrants boost numbers in winter. Favours wetlands and reservoirs with adjacent grassland.
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  • Greylag Goose Anser anser L 75-90cm. Largest Anser goose and only one that breeds in Britain. Feral populations confuse species’ wild status. Compared to other ‘grey’ geese, bulky and more uniformly grey-brown. Pink legs and heavy, pinkish orange bill help with identification. In flight, pale forewings, rump and tail contrast with darker flight feathers. Sexes are similar. Adult is greyish with dark lines on side of neck, barring on flanks and pale margins to back feathers. Bill is pale-tipped. Juvenile is more uniformly grey-brown than adult and bill lacks pale tip. Voice Utters loud, honking calls. Status Locally common resident, mainly in N. Wild migrants boost numbers in winter. Favours wetlands and reservoirs with adjacent grassland.
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  • Greylag Goose Anser anser L 75-90cm. Largest Anser goose and only one that breeds in Britain. Feral populations confuse species’ wild status. Compared to other ‘grey’ geese, bulky and more uniformly grey-brown. Pink legs and heavy, pinkish orange bill help with identification. In flight, pale forewings, rump and tail contrast with darker flight feathers. Sexes are similar. Adult is greyish with dark lines on side of neck, barring on flanks and pale margins to back feathers. Bill is pale-tipped. Juvenile is more uniformly grey-brown than adult and bill lacks pale tip. Voice Utters loud, honking calls. Status Locally common resident, mainly in N. Wild migrants boost numbers in winter. Favours wetlands and reservoirs with adjacent grassland.
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  • Greylag Goose Anser anser L 75-90cm. Largest Anser goose and only one that breeds in Britain. Feral populations confuse species’ wild status. Compared to other ‘grey’ geese, bulky and more uniformly grey-brown. Pink legs and heavy, pinkish orange bill help with identification. In flight, pale forewings, rump and tail contrast with darker flight feathers. Sexes are similar. Adult is greyish with dark lines on side of neck, barring on flanks and pale margins to back feathers. Bill is pale-tipped. Juvenile is more uniformly grey-brown than adult and bill lacks pale tip. Voice Utters loud, honking calls. Status Locally common resident, mainly in N. Wild migrants boost numbers in winter. Favours wetlands and reservoirs with adjacent grassland.
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  • Northern Brown Argus Aricia artaxerxes Wingspan 25mm. A distinctive butterfly and the northern counterpart of the Brown Argus. Adult has rich brown upperwings and orange submarginal spots; compared to Brown Argus note the white spot on the upper forewing. Underwings are grey-brown with white-ringed black spots, and orange submarginal spots. Flies June-July. Larva is grub-like and feeds on Common Rock-rose. Very local in calcareous grassland in northern England and Scotland.
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  • THYME BROOMRAPE Orobanche alba (Orobanchaceae) Height to 25cm. Attractive, upright and rather stout plant that is tinged reddish. Parasitic on the roots of thymes, and related plants. FLOWERS are 15-20mm long and fragrant, the corolla reddish; borne in comparatively short spikes (May-Aug). FRUITS are egg-shaped capsules, concealed by the dead flowers. LEAVES are scale-like. STATUS-Scarce and local, restricted to coastal grassland in SW England, W Scotland and Ireland.
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  • Common EelAnguilla anguilla Length to 100cm<br />
Similar to Conger Eel but with subtle structural differences. Found in freshwater for much of life but also on rocky shores and in estuaries. Adult is yellowish for much of life, but turns silvery-blue as adult before migration. Compared to Conger note relatively smaller eye, protruding lower jaw, and dorsal fin that starts 1/3 of way down body. Widespread but rather scarce, numbers much reduced in recent years.
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  • Common EelAnguilla anguilla Length to 100cm<br />
Similar to Conger Eel but with subtle structural differences. Found in freshwater for much of life but also on rocky shores and in estuaries. Adult is yellowish for much of life, but turns silvery-blue as adult before migration. Compared to Conger note relatively smaller eye, protruding lower jaw, and dorsal fin that starts 1/3 of way down body. Widespread but rather scarce, numbers much reduced in recent years.
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  • Yellow Catalpa Catalpa ovata (Bignoniaceae) HEIGHT to 12m<br />
Very similar to Indian Bean Tree, best distinguished by comparing leaves. BARK Grey-brown and scaly. BRANCHES Spreading. LEAVES Dark-green and pentagonal with a short point on each corner; large, to 25cm in each direction, with a heart-shaped base. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Off-white flowers, to 2.5cm across, are tinged yellow and are red-spotted inside; in spikes about 25cm long. The pod is about 25cm long. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION A native of China, introduced to our region for ornament and rarely seen outside parks and gardens.
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  • Roble Nothofagus obliqua (Fagaceae) HEIGHT to 30m <br />
More delicate in appearance than Rauli. BARK Silvery grey with curling plates. BRANCHES Slender, ascending branches and pendent shoots on upper crown. Has finer twigs than Rauli; these branch in a regular, alternate pattern. LEAVES 7–11 pairs of veins (compared with Rauli’s 15–22) and a wavy margin. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Flowers grow in leaf axils and fruits are 4-lobed hairy capsules. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Chile and W Argentina; grown here for ornament, occasionally for timber.
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  • Yellow Catalpa Catalpa ovata (Bignoniaceae) HEIGHT to 12m<br />
Very similar to Indian Bean Tree, best distinguished by comparing leaves. BARK Grey-brown and scaly. BRANCHES Spreading. LEAVES Dark-green and pentagonal with a short point on each corner; large, to 25cm in each direction, with a heart-shaped base. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Off-white flowers, to 2.5cm across, are tinged yellow and are red-spotted inside; in spikes about 25cm long. The pod is about 25cm long. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION A native of China, introduced to our region for ornament and rarely seen outside parks and gardens.
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  • Yellow Catalpa Catalpa ovata (Bignoniaceae) HEIGHT to 12m<br />
Very similar to Indian Bean Tree, best distinguished by comparing leaves. BARK Grey-brown and scaly. BRANCHES Spreading. LEAVES Dark-green and pentagonal with a short point on each corner; large, to 25cm in each direction, with a heart-shaped base. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Off-white flowers, to 2.5cm across, are tinged yellow and are red-spotted inside; in spikes about 25cm long. The pod is about 25cm long. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION A native of China, introduced to our region for ornament and rarely seen outside parks and gardens.
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  • Roble Nothofagus obliqua (Fagaceae) HEIGHT to 30m <br />
More delicate in appearance than Rauli. BARK Silvery grey with curling plates. BRANCHES Slender, ascending branches and pendent shoots on upper crown. Has finer twigs than Rauli; these branch in a regular, alternate pattern. LEAVES 7–11 pairs of veins (compared with Rauli’s 15–22) and a wavy margin. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Flowers grow in leaf axils and fruits are 4-lobed hairy capsules. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Chile and W Argentina; grown here for ornament, occasionally for timber.
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  • Common Shrew Sorex araneus Length 9-14cm Lives mainly in ground cover or underground, and hence easily overlooked. Leads a frenetic life, its search for invertebrate food seemingly never ending. Adult has velvety fur, dark brown above, with buffish flanks grading to greyish white on underparts. Head extends to a pointed, whiskered snout. Eyes are tiny and beady eyes and ears are small. Tail is relatively short compared to Pygmy Shrew. Utters high-pitched squeaks and shrill screams. Widespread and common in hedgerows, grassland and woodland margins.
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  • Common Shrew Sorex araneus Length 9-14cm Lives mainly in ground cover or underground, and hence easily overlooked. Leads a frenetic life, its search for invertebrate food seemingly never ending. Adult has velvety fur, dark brown above, with buffish flanks grading to greyish white on underparts. Head extends to a pointed, whiskered snout. Eyes are tiny and beady eyes and ears are small. Tail is relatively short compared to Pygmy Shrew. Utters high-pitched squeaks and shrill screams. Widespread and common in hedgerows, grassland and woodland margins.
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  • Common Shrew Sorex araneus Length 9-14cm Lives mainly in ground cover or underground, and hence easily overlooked. Leads a frenetic life, its search for invertebrate food seemingly never ending. Adult has velvety fur, dark brown above, with buffish flanks grading to greyish white on underparts. Head extends to a pointed, whiskered snout. Eyes are tiny and beady eyes and ears are small. Tail is relatively short compared to Pygmy Shrew. Utters high-pitched squeaks and shrill screams. Widespread and common in hedgerows, grassland and woodland margins.
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  • Common Shrew Sorex araneus Length 9-14cm Lives mainly in ground cover or underground, and hence easily overlooked. Leads a frenetic life, its search for invertebrate food seemingly never ending. Adult has velvety fur, dark brown above, with buffish flanks grading to greyish white on underparts. Head extends to a pointed, whiskered snout. Eyes are tiny and beady eyes and ears are small. Tail is relatively short compared to Pygmy Shrew. Utters high-pitched squeaks and shrill screams. Widespread and common in hedgerows, grassland and woodland margins.
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  • Stripeless Tree Frog - Hyla meridionalis Bright green frog that is usually found in vegetation, or climbing trees rather than on the ground. Suckers on feet facilitate climbing. Compared to similar Common Tree Frog, note that stripe through eyes only reaches to base of front legs, not along flanks. Widespread in southern Europe, mainly from Spain to northern Italy.
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  • Willow Tit - Poecile montanus L 12-13cm. Separable from similar Marsh Tit using voice and plumage differences; also favours subtly different habitats. Sexes are similar. Adult and juvenile have black cap and bib; cap is dull and bib is relatively large. Cheeks are whitish, back is grey-brown and underparts are pale grey-buff. Compared to Marsh, neck appears thicker and pale panel can usually be seen on otherwise grey-brown wings. Bill is short and legs are bluish. Voice Utters nasal si-si tchay-thcay-tchay call. Song is musical and warbling. Status Very local resident damp wooded areas with dense undergrowth; Alder carr is ideal.
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  • Greylag Goose Anser anser L 75-90cm. Largest Anser goose and only one that breeds in Britain. Feral populations confuse species’ wild status. Compared to other ‘grey’ geese, bulky and more uniformly grey-brown. Pink legs and heavy, pinkish orange bill help with identification. In flight, pale forewings, rump and tail contrast with darker flight feathers. Sexes are similar. Adult is greyish with dark lines on side of neck, barring on flanks and pale margins to back feathers. Bill is pale-tipped. Juvenile is more uniformly grey-brown than adult and bill lacks pale tip. Voice Utters loud, honking calls. Status Locally common resident, mainly in N. Wild migrants boost numbers in winter. Favours wetlands and reservoirs with adjacent grassland.
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  • Marsh Tit Parus palustris L 12-13cm. Pugnacious woodland bird. Similar to Willow Tit but separable using subtle differences in plumage and voice. Sexes are similar. Adult and juvenile have black cap and bib; compared to Willow, cap is glossy, not dull, and bib is relatively small. Cheeks are whitish, upperparts are grey brown and underparts are pale grey-buff. Bill is short and legs are bluish. Voice Utters a loud pitchoo call. Song is loud and repeated chip-chip-chip… Status Locally common resident of deciduous woodland and mature gardens; commonest in S.
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  • Common Tern Sterna hirundo L 35cm. Similar to Arctic Tern but separable with care. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has grey upperparts, black cap and whitish underparts. Compared to Arctic, note black-tipped orange-red bill, longer red legs, and paler underparts. In flight from below, only inner primaries look translucent and wings have diffuse dark tip. Non-breeding plumage (sometimes seen in late summer) is similar but has white on forehead and dark shoulder bar; bill and legs are dark. Juvenile has white underparts, incomplete dark cap and scaly grey upperparts; in flight from above, leading and trailing edges of inner wing are dark. Voice Utters harsh kreeear call. Status Widespread summer visitor, commonest on coasts; also nests on flooded gravel pits and reservoirs. Widespread coastal passage migrant.
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  • Temminck’s Stint Calidris temminckii L 14-15cm. Tiny, slim-bodied wader with deliberate, almost creeping, feeding action. Compared to Little Stint, has short, yellow legs, longer tail and wings, and slightly downcurved bill. Note clear demarcation between dark breast and white underparts and white outer tail feathers. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has grey-brown upperparts and streaked grey head, neck and breast; many back feathers having dark centres. Underparts are white. In winter (unlikely to be seen here), has uniform grey-brown upperparts and white underparts. Juvenile has white underparts and brownish upperparts with scaly-looking back. Voice Utters a trilling call. Status Scarce passage migrant; favours margins of shallow freshwater pools. A few pairs breed in Scotland.
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  • Great Snipe Gallinago media. Superficially very similar to a Snipe. Compared to that species and in all plumages, note the proportionately shorter bill, three striking white wingbars and more extensively barred underparts. When taking off,the outer tail feathers are revealed as being largely white. Great Snipe usually favour drier habitats than Snipe; Stinging Nettle-covered wetland margins are ideal for migrants. The species breeds in eastern Europe and winters in Africa. Most records in our region (four or five in a good year) occur in autumn and in the northern isles.
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  • Barred Warbler Sylvia nisoria L 16-17cm. Bulky, rather thick-billed warbler. Adult is easy to recognise but seldom seen here. Juvenile could be confused with Garden Warbler. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has blue-grey upperparts and pale underparts marked with dark bars. Note yellow eye, pale wingbars and pale tip to tail. Adult female is similar but duller. Juvenile has grey-brown upperparts and pale underparts washed buff on breast and flanks. Compared to Garden Warbler, note pale wingbars, subtle crescent-shaped barring on flanks and undertail coverts, pale brown eye and proportionately larger bill. Voice Utters a rattling tchrrrr alarm call. Status Rare passage migrant, mostly on E coast and in autumn.
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  • Barred Warbler Sylvia nisoria L 16-17cm. Bulky, rather thick-billed warbler. Adult is easy to recognise but seldom seen here. Juvenile could be confused with Garden Warbler. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has blue-grey upperparts and pale underparts marked with dark bars. Note yellow eye, pale wingbars and pale tip to tail. Adult female is similar but duller. Juvenile has grey-brown upperparts and pale underparts washed buff on breast and flanks. Compared to Garden Warbler, note pale wingbars, subtle crescent-shaped barring on flanks and undertail coverts, pale brown eye and proportionately larger bill. Voice Utters a rattling tchrrrr alarm call. Status Rare passage migrant, mostly on E coast and in autumn.
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  • Marsh Tit Parus palustris L 12-13cm. Pugnacious woodland bird. Similar to Willow Tit but separable using subtle differences in plumage and voice. Sexes are similar. Adult and juvenile have black cap and bib; compared to Willow, cap is glossy, not dull, and bib is relatively small. Cheeks are whitish, upperparts are grey brown and underparts are pale grey-buff. Bill is short and legs are bluish. Voice Utters a loud pitchoo call. Song is loud and repeated chip-chip-chip… Status Locally common resident of deciduous woodland and mature gardens; commonest in S.
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  • Willow Tit - Poecile montanus L 12-13cm. Separable from similar Marsh Tit using voice and plumage differences; also favours subtly different habitats. Sexes are similar. Adult and juvenile have black cap and bib; cap is dull and bib is relatively large. Cheeks are whitish, back is grey-brown and underparts are pale grey-buff. Compared to Marsh, neck appears thicker and pale panel can usually be seen on otherwise grey-brown wings. Bill is short and legs are bluish. Voice Utters nasal si-si tchay-thcay-tchay call. Song is musical and warbling. Status Very local resident damp wooded areas with dense undergrowth; Alder carr is ideal.
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  • Marsh Tit Parus palustris L 12-13cm. Pugnacious woodland bird. Similar to Willow Tit but separable using subtle differences in plumage and voice. Sexes are similar. Adult and juvenile have black cap and bib; compared to Willow, cap is glossy, not dull, and bib is relatively small. Cheeks are whitish, upperparts are grey brown and underparts are pale grey-buff. Bill is short and legs are bluish. Voice Utters a loud pitchoo call. Song is loud and repeated chip-chip-chip… Status Locally common resident of deciduous woodland and mature gardens; commonest in S.
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  • Greylag Goose Anser anser L 75-90cm. Largest Anser goose and only one that breeds in Britain. Feral populations confuse species’ wild status. Compared to other ‘grey’ geese, bulky and more uniformly grey-brown. Pink legs and heavy, pinkish orange bill help with identification. In flight, pale forewings, rump and tail contrast with darker flight feathers. Sexes are similar. Adult is greyish with dark lines on side of neck, barring on flanks and pale margins to back feathers. Bill is pale-tipped. Juvenile is more uniformly grey-brown than adult and bill lacks pale tip. Voice Utters loud, honking calls. Status Locally common resident, mainly in N. Wild migrants boost numbers in winter. Favours wetlands and reservoirs with adjacent grassland.
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  • Common Tern Sterna hirundo L 35cm. Similar to Arctic Tern but separable with care. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has grey upperparts, black cap and whitish underparts. Compared to Arctic, note black-tipped orange-red bill, longer red legs, and paler underparts. In flight from below, only inner primaries look translucent and wings have diffuse dark tip. Non-breeding plumage (sometimes seen in late summer) is similar but has white on forehead and dark shoulder bar; bill and legs are dark. Juvenile has white underparts, incomplete dark cap and scaly grey upperparts; in flight from above, leading and trailing edges of inner wing are dark. Voice Utters harsh kreeear call. Status Widespread summer visitor, commonest on coasts; also nests on flooded gravel pits and reservoirs. Widespread coastal passage migrant.
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  • Greylag Goose Anser anser L 75-90cm. Largest Anser goose and only one that breeds in Britain. Feral populations confuse species’ wild status. Compared to other ‘grey’ geese, bulky and more uniformly grey-brown. Pink legs and heavy, pinkish orange bill help with identification. In flight, pale forewings, rump and tail contrast with darker flight feathers. Sexes are similar. Adult is greyish with dark lines on side of neck, barring on flanks and pale margins to back feathers. Bill is pale-tipped. Juvenile is more uniformly grey-brown than adult and bill lacks pale tip. Voice Utters loud, honking calls. Status Locally common resident, mainly in N. Wild migrants boost numbers in winter. Favours wetlands and reservoirs with adjacent grassland.
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  • Marsh Tit Parus palustris L 12-13cm. Pugnacious woodland bird. Similar to Willow Tit but separable using subtle differences in plumage and voice. Sexes are similar. Adult and juvenile have black cap and bib; compared to Willow, cap is glossy, not dull, and bib is relatively small. Cheeks are whitish, upperparts are grey brown and underparts are pale grey-buff. Bill is short and legs are bluish. Voice Utters a loud pitchoo call. Song is loud and repeated chip-chip-chip… Status Locally common resident of deciduous woodland and mature gardens; commonest in S.
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  • Common Tern Sterna hirundo L 35cm. Similar to Arctic Tern but separable with care. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has grey upperparts, black cap and whitish underparts. Compared to Arctic, note black-tipped orange-red bill, longer red legs, and paler underparts. In flight from below, only inner primaries look translucent and wings have diffuse dark tip. Non-breeding plumage (sometimes seen in late summer) is similar but has white on forehead and dark shoulder bar; bill and legs are dark. Juvenile has white underparts, incomplete dark cap and scaly grey upperparts; in flight from above, leading and trailing edges of inner wing are dark. Voice Utters harsh kreeear call. Status Widespread summer visitor, commonest on coasts; also nests on flooded gravel pits and reservoirs. Widespread coastal passage migrant.
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  • Greylag Goose Anser anser L 75-90cm. Largest Anser goose and only one that breeds in Britain. Feral populations confuse species’ wild status. Compared to other ‘grey’ geese, bulky and more uniformly grey-brown. Pink legs and heavy, pinkish orange bill help with identification. In flight, pale forewings, rump and tail contrast with darker flight feathers. Sexes are similar. Adult is greyish with dark lines on side of neck, barring on flanks and pale margins to back feathers. Bill is pale-tipped. Juvenile is more uniformly grey-brown than adult and bill lacks pale tip. Voice Utters loud, honking calls. Status Locally common resident, mainly in N. Wild migrants boost numbers in winter. Favours wetlands and reservoirs with adjacent grassland.
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  • Common Tern Sterna hirundo L 35cm. Similar to Arctic Tern but separable with care. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has grey upperparts, black cap and whitish underparts. Compared to Arctic, note black-tipped orange-red bill, longer red legs, and paler underparts. In flight from below, only inner primaries look translucent and wings have diffuse dark tip. Non-breeding plumage (sometimes seen in late summer) is similar but has white on forehead and dark shoulder bar; bill and legs are dark. Juvenile has white underparts, incomplete dark cap and scaly grey upperparts; in flight from above, leading and trailing edges of inner wing are dark. Voice Utters harsh kreeear call. Status Widespread summer visitor, commonest on coasts; also nests on flooded gravel pits and reservoirs. Widespread coastal passage migrant.
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