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  • Grey Phalarope - Phalropus lobatus - Winter Adult. Grey Phalarope - Phalropus lobatus - Winter Adult. L 20-21cm. Confiding wader that habitually swims and spends its non-breeding life at sea. Bill is shorter and stouter than similar Red-necked, and has yellow base. Sexes are dissimilar in breeding plumage (seen here occasionally). Winter adult has grey upperparts, white underparts, dark cap and nape, and black ‘panda’ mark the eye. Adult female in summer has orange-red neck and underparts, dark crown, white face patch, and buff-fringed dark back feathers. Adult male in summer is similar but duller. Juvenile recalls winter adult but plumage is tinged buff and back feathers are dark with buff fringes. Voice Utters a sharp pit flight call. Status Nests in high Arctic, winters in tropical seas and seen here on migration, mostly in autumn but sometimes spring. Mainly coastal but sometimes on reservoirs.
    155308.jpg
  • Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus L 53-56cm. Similar to Herring Gull but adult has dark grey back and upperwings and bright yellow legs. Note, confusion possible with adult Yellow-legged (upperparts paler). Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has dark grey back and upperwings. Black wingtips are darker than rest of upperwing except for white trailing edge; plumage is otherwise white. Bill is yellow with orange spot. Iris is yellow and orbital ring is red. In winter, similar but with streaks on head and neck, and duller leg and bill colours. Juvenile and 1st winter have streaked and mottled grey-brown plumage, palest on head. Upperwings dark brown and whitish tail is dark-tipped. Eye and bill are dark. Adult plumage acquired over 3 years. 2nd winter similar to 1st winter but with grey back, pinkish legs and dark-tipped pink bill; 3rd winter resembles heavily streaked winter adult. Voice Utters a distinctive kyaoo and anxious ga-ka-ka. Status Locally common in summer, nesting colonially on seacliffs and islands. Most migrate S to Mediterranean outside breeding season; small numbers remain, often roosting on reservoirs.
    155913.jpg
  • Smew Mergus albellus - Adult winter male. L 38-44cm. Elegant little diving duck. Male is stunning and unmistakable. Female might be confused with grebe in winter plumage. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male looks pure white at a distance but close view reveals black patch through eye and black lines on breast and back. In eclipse (not seen here) resembles adult female but retains more extensive white on wing. Adult female, Juvenile and 1st winter birds (so-called ‘Redhead’ Smews) have orange-red cap and nape, white on cheek and throat, and grey-brown body. Voice Silent. Status Occasional and unpredictable winter visitor. Turns up on flooded gravel pits, reservoirs and lakes.
    155643.jpg
  • Black-tailed Godwit - Limosa limosa - Winter Adult -  L 35-40cm. Large wader with long, slightly upturned bill. Looks shorter-legged than Black-tailed. In flight, note absence of wingbar on upperwing; white rump extends as wedge to lower back and tail is barred. Sexes are dissimilar in summer. Adult male in breeding plumage has reddish orange head, neck and underparts. Back is spangled grey, black and pale buff. Adult female in breeding plumage has buffish orange wash on head, neck and breast, pale belly and greyish back. Winter adult has grey-brown head, neck and upperparts; underparts are pale. Juvenile recalls winter adult but has buffish wash to head, neck and upperparts. Voice Utters a sharp kve-wee call in flight. Status Nests in Arctic; non-breeding visitor to coastal Britain and Ireland.
    155398.jpg
  • Black-tailed Godwit - Limosa limosa - Winter Adult. L 35-40cm. Large wader with long, slightly upturned bill. Looks shorter-legged than Black-tailed. In flight, note absence of wingbar on upperwing; white rump extends as wedge to lower back and tail is barred. Sexes are dissimilar in summer. Adult male in breeding plumage has reddish orange head, neck and underparts. Back is spangled grey, black and pale buff. Adult female in breeding plumage has buffish orange wash on head, neck and breast, pale belly and greyish back. Winter adult has grey-brown head, neck and upperparts; underparts are pale. Juvenile recalls winter adult but has buffish wash to head, neck and upperparts. Voice Utters a sharp kve-wee call in flight. Status Nests in Arctic; non-breeding visitor to coastal Britain and Ireland.
    155399.jpg
  • Grey Phalarope - Phalaropus lobatus - Winter Adult. L 20-21cm. Confiding wader that habitually swims and spends its non-breeding life at sea. Bill is shorter and stouter than similar Red-necked, and has yellow base. Sexes are dissimilar in breeding plumage (seen here occasionally). Winter adult has grey upperparts, white underparts, dark cap and nape, and black ‘panda’ mark the eye. Adult female in summer has orange-red neck and underparts, dark crown, white face patch, and buff-fringed dark back feathers. Adult male in summer is similar but duller. Juvenile recalls winter adult but plumage is tinged buff and back feathers are dark with buff fringes. Voice Utters a sharp pit flight call. Status Nests in high Arctic, winters in tropical seas and seen here on migration, mostly in autumn but sometimes spring. Mainly coastal but sometimes on reservoirs.
    155319.jpg
  • Grey Phalarope - Phalaropus lobatus - Winter Adult. L 20-21cm. Confiding wader that habitually swims and spends its non-breeding life at sea. Bill is shorter and stouter than similar Red-necked, and has yellow base. Sexes are dissimilar in breeding plumage (seen here occasionally). Winter adult has grey upperparts, white underparts, dark cap and nape, and black ‘panda’ mark the eye. Adult female in summer has orange-red neck and underparts, dark crown, white face patch, and buff-fringed dark back feathers. Adult male in summer is similar but duller. Juvenile recalls winter adult but plumage is tinged buff and back feathers are dark with buff fringes. Voice Utters a sharp pit flight call. Status Nests in high Arctic, winters in tropical seas and seen here on migration, mostly in autumn but sometimes spring. Mainly coastal but sometimes on reservoirs.
    155317.jpg
  • Grey Phalarope - Phalaropus lobatus - Winter Adult. L 20-21cm. Confiding wader that habitually swims and spends its non-breeding life at sea. Bill is shorter and stouter than similar Red-necked, and has yellow base. Sexes are dissimilar in breeding plumage (seen here occasionally). Winter adult has grey upperparts, white underparts, dark cap and nape, and black ‘panda’ mark the eye. Adult female in summer has orange-red neck and underparts, dark crown, white face patch, and buff-fringed dark back feathers. Adult male in summer is similar but duller. Juvenile recalls winter adult but plumage is tinged buff and back feathers are dark with buff fringes. Voice Utters a sharp pit flight call. Status Nests in high Arctic, winters in tropical seas and seen here on migration, mostly in autumn but sometimes spring. Mainly coastal but sometimes on reservoirs.
    155316.jpg
  • Grey Phalarope - Phalaropus lobatus - Winter Adult. L 20-21cm. Confiding wader that habitually swims and spends its non-breeding life at sea. Bill is shorter and stouter than similar Red-necked, and has yellow base. Sexes are dissimilar in breeding plumage (seen here occasionally). Winter adult has grey upperparts, white underparts, dark cap and nape, and black ‘panda’ mark the eye. Adult female in summer has orange-red neck and underparts, dark crown, white face patch, and buff-fringed dark back feathers. Adult male in summer is similar but duller. Juvenile recalls winter adult but plumage is tinged buff and back feathers are dark with buff fringes. Voice Utters a sharp pit flight call. Status Nests in high Arctic, winters in tropical seas and seen here on migration, mostly in autumn but sometimes spring. Mainly coastal but sometimes on reservoirs.
    155315.jpg
  • Grey Phalarope - Phalaropus lobatus - Winter Adult. L 20-21cm. Confiding wader that habitually swims and spends its non-breeding life at sea. Bill is shorter and stouter than similar Red-necked, and has yellow base. Sexes are dissimilar in breeding plumage (seen here occasionally). Winter adult has grey upperparts, white underparts, dark cap and nape, and black ‘panda’ mark the eye. Adult female in summer has orange-red neck and underparts, dark crown, white face patch, and buff-fringed dark back feathers. Adult male in summer is similar but duller. Juvenile recalls winter adult but plumage is tinged buff and back feathers are dark with buff fringes. Voice Utters a sharp pit flight call. Status Nests in high Arctic, winters in tropical seas and seen here on migration, mostly in autumn but sometimes spring. Mainly coastal but sometimes on reservoirs.
    155314.jpg
  • Grey Phalarope - Phalaropus lobatus - Winter Adult. L 20-21cm. Confiding wader that habitually swims and spends its non-breeding life at sea. Bill is shorter and stouter than similar Red-necked, and has yellow base. Sexes are dissimilar in breeding plumage (seen here occasionally). Winter adult has grey upperparts, white underparts, dark cap and nape, and black ‘panda’ mark the eye. Adult female in summer has orange-red neck and underparts, dark crown, white face patch, and buff-fringed dark back feathers. Adult male in summer is similar but duller. Juvenile recalls winter adult but plumage is tinged buff and back feathers are dark with buff fringes. Voice Utters a sharp pit flight call. Status Nests in high Arctic, winters in tropical seas and seen here on migration, mostly in autumn but sometimes spring. Mainly coastal but sometimes on reservoirs.
    155312.jpg
  • Grey Phalarope - Phalropus lobatus - Winter Adult. L 20-21cm. Confiding wader that habitually swims and spends its non-breeding life at sea. Bill is shorter and stouter than similar Red-necked, and has yellow base. Sexes are dissimilar in breeding plumage (seen here occasionally). Winter adult has grey upperparts, white underparts, dark cap and nape, and black ‘panda’ mark the eye. Adult female in summer has orange-red neck and underparts, dark crown, white face patch, and buff-fringed dark back feathers. Adult male in summer is similar but duller. Juvenile recalls winter adult but plumage is tinged buff and back feathers are dark with buff fringes. Voice Utters a sharp pit flight call. Status Nests in high Arctic, winters in tropical seas and seen here on migration, mostly in autumn but sometimes spring. Mainly coastal but sometimes on reservoirs.
    155309.jpg
  • Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus L 53-56cm. Similar to Herring Gull but adult has dark grey back and upperwings and bright yellow legs. Note, confusion possible with adult Yellow-legged (upperparts paler). Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has dark grey back and upperwings. Black wingtips are darker than rest of upperwing except for white trailing edge; plumage is otherwise white. Bill is yellow with orange spot. Iris is yellow and orbital ring is red. In winter, similar but with streaks on head and neck, and duller leg and bill colours. Juvenile and 1st winter have streaked and mottled grey-brown plumage, palest on head. Upperwings dark brown and whitish tail is dark-tipped. Eye and bill are dark. Adult plumage acquired over 3 years. 2nd winter similar to 1st winter but with grey back, pinkish legs and dark-tipped pink bill; 3rd winter resembles heavily streaked winter adult. Voice Utters a distinctive kyaoo and anxious ga-ka-ka. Status Locally common in summer, nesting colonially on seacliffs and islands. Most migrate S to Mediterranean outside breeding season; small numbers remain, often roosting on reservoirs.
    154277.jpg
  • Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus L 53-56cm. Similar to Herring Gull but adult has dark grey back and upperwings and bright yellow legs. Note, confusion possible with adult Yellow-legged (upperparts paler). Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has dark grey back and upperwings. Black wingtips are darker than rest of upperwing except for white trailing edge; plumage is otherwise white. Bill is yellow with orange spot. Iris is yellow and orbital ring is red. In winter, similar but with streaks on head and neck, and duller leg and bill colours. Juvenile and 1st winter have streaked and mottled grey-brown plumage, palest on head. Upperwings dark brown and whitish tail is dark-tipped. Eye and bill are dark. Adult plumage acquired over 3 years. 2nd winter similar to 1st winter but with grey back, pinkish legs and dark-tipped pink bill; 3rd winter resembles heavily streaked winter adult. Voice Utters a distinctive kyaoo and anxious ga-ka-ka. Status Locally common in summer, nesting colonially on seacliffs and islands. Most migrate S to Mediterranean outside breeding season; small numbers remain, often roosting on reservoirs.
    127677.jpg
  • Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula L 17-19cm. Small, dumpy coastal wader. Runs at speed before pausing and picking food item from ground. Note white wingbar in flight. Sexes are separable. Adult male in summer has sandy brown upperparts and white underparts with black breast band and collar. Has black and white markings on face, and white throat and nape. Legs are orange-yellow and bill is orange with dark tip. Adult female in summer is similar but black elements of plumage are duller. Winter adult is similar to summer adult but most black elements of plumage are sandy brown, and has pale supercilium. Leg and bill colours are dull. Juvenile is similar to winter adult but breast band is often incomplete. Voice Utters a soft tuu-eep call. Status Locally common. Nests mainly on sandy or shingle beached, sometimes inland. Coastal outside breeding season; numbers boosted by migrants from Europe.
    129016.jpg
  • Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus L 53-56cm. Similar to Herring Gull but adult has dark grey back and upperwings and bright yellow legs. Note, confusion possible with adult Yellow-legged (upperparts paler). Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has dark grey back and upperwings. Black wingtips are darker than rest of upperwing except for white trailing edge; plumage is otherwise white. Bill is yellow with orange spot. Iris is yellow and orbital ring is red. In winter, similar but with streaks on head and neck, and duller leg and bill colours. Juvenile and 1st winter have streaked and mottled grey-brown plumage, palest on head. Upperwings dark brown and whitish tail is dark-tipped. Eye and bill are dark. Adult plumage acquired over 3 years. 2nd winter similar to 1st winter but with grey back, pinkish legs and dark-tipped pink bill; 3rd winter resembles heavily streaked winter adult. Voice Utters a distinctive kyaoo and anxious ga-ka-ka. Status Locally common in summer, nesting colonially on seacliffs and islands. Most migrate S to Mediterranean outside breeding season; small numbers remain, often roosting on reservoirs.
    137006.jpg
  • Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula L 17-19cm. Small, dumpy coastal wader. Runs at speed before pausing and picking food item from ground. Note white wingbar in flight. Sexes are separable. Adult male in summer has sandy brown upperparts and white underparts with black breast band and collar. Has black and white markings on face, and white throat and nape. Legs are orange-yellow and bill is orange with dark tip. Adult female in summer is similar but black elements of plumage are duller. Winter adult is similar to summer adult but most black elements of plumage are sandy brown, and has pale supercilium. Leg and bill colours are dull. Juvenile is similar to winter adult but breast band is often incomplete. Voice Utters a soft tuu-eep call. Status Locally common. Nests mainly on sandy or shingle beached, sometimes inland. Coastal outside breeding season; numbers boosted by migrants from Europe.
    137283.jpg
  • Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus L 53-56cm. Similar to Herring Gull but adult has dark grey back and upperwings and bright yellow legs. Note, confusion possible with adult Yellow-legged (upperparts paler). Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has dark grey back and upperwings. Black wingtips are darker than rest of upperwing except for white trailing edge; plumage is otherwise white. Bill is yellow with orange spot. Iris is yellow and orbital ring is red. In winter, similar but with streaks on head and neck, and duller leg and bill colours. Juvenile and 1st winter have streaked and mottled grey-brown plumage, palest on head. Upperwings dark brown and whitish tail is dark-tipped. Eye and bill are dark. Adult plumage acquired over 3 years. 2nd winter similar to 1st winter but with grey back, pinkish legs and dark-tipped pink bill; 3rd winter resembles heavily streaked winter adult. Voice Utters a distinctive kyaoo and anxious ga-ka-ka. Status Locally common in summer, nesting colonially on seacliffs and islands. Most migrate S to Mediterranean outside breeding season; small numbers remain, often roosting on reservoirs.
    157942.jpg
  • Black-tailed Godwit - Limosa limosa - Winter Adults. L 35-40cm. Large wader with long, slightly upturned bill. Looks shorter-legged than Black-tailed. In flight, note absence of wingbar on upperwing; white rump extends as wedge to lower back and tail is barred. Sexes are dissimilar in summer. Adult male in breeding plumage has reddish orange head, neck and underparts. Back is spangled grey, black and pale buff. Adult female in breeding plumage has buffish orange wash on head, neck and breast, pale belly and greyish back. Winter adult has grey-brown head, neck and upperparts; underparts are pale. Juvenile recalls winter adult but has buffish wash to head, neck and upperparts. Voice Utters a sharp kve-wee call in flight. Status Nests in Arctic; non-breeding visitor to coastal Britain and Ireland.
    155400.jpg
  • Grey Phalarope - Phalaropus lobatus - Winter Adult. L 20-21cm. Confiding wader that habitually swims and spends its non-breeding life at sea. Bill is shorter and stouter than similar Red-necked, and has yellow base. Sexes are dissimilar in breeding plumage (seen here occasionally). Winter adult has grey upperparts, white underparts, dark cap and nape, and black ‘panda’ mark the eye. Adult female in summer has orange-red neck and underparts, dark crown, white face patch, and buff-fringed dark back feathers. Adult male in summer is similar but duller. Juvenile recalls winter adult but plumage is tinged buff and back feathers are dark with buff fringes. Voice Utters a sharp pit flight call. Status Nests in high Arctic, winters in tropical seas and seen here on migration, mostly in autumn but sometimes spring. Mainly coastal but sometimes on reservoirs.
    155318.jpg
  • Gadwall Anas strepera L 46-55cm. Rather nondescript dabbling duck. Distant male looks grey and brown but close view reveals intricate feather patterns. In flight, both sexes show white in speculum; male also has chestnut on inner wing. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has buffish head and neck, with a clear separation from grey, finely-patterned breast and flanks. Centre of belly is white; black stern is useful identification feature. Has dark bill and yellow legs. In eclipse, male resembles adult female. Adult female has mottled brown plumage with greyish head and yellow bill. Juvenile resembles adult female. Voice Male utters croaking call and female utters mallard-like quack. Status Found on shallow freshwater; dabbles for water plants.
    133043.jpg
  • Shoveler - Spatula clypeata - female. L 44-52cm. Unmistakable because of bill shape. Usually unobtrusive. In flight, male shows blue forewing panel and white-bordered green speculum; in female, blue is replaced by grey. Sexes are dissimilar overall. Adult male has shiny green head, white breast and chestnut on flanks and belly. Stern is black and white and back is mainly dark. Has yellow eye and dark bill. In eclipse, resembles adult female although body is more rufous and head greyer. Adult female has mottled buffish brown plumage and yellowish bill. Juvenile is similar to adult female. Voice Male utters a sharp tuk-tuk while female makes a soft quack. Status Scarce breeding species on freshwater wetland. Commoner and more widespread in winter but seldom numerous.
    157680.jpg
  • Mallard - Anas platyrhynchos - Female.  L 50-65cm. Our most familiar duck. In flight, both sexes show white-bordered blue speculum. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has yellow bill and green, shiny head and upper neck, separated from chestnut breast by striking white collar. Underparts are grey-brown except for black stern and white tail. Back is grey-brown grading to reddish brown. Legs and feet are orange. In eclipse, male resembles adult female but note yellow bill and well-defined reddish brown breast. Adult female has orange-brown bill and mottled brown plumage. Legs and feet are dull orange-yellow. Juvenile is similar to adult female. Voice Male utters whistles and nasal calls. Female utters familiar quack. Status Widespread, commonest on lowland lakes, rivers and urban ornamental lakes.
    157649.jpg
  • Mallard - Anas platyrhynchos - male.  L 50-65cm. Our most familiar duck. In flight, both sexes show white-bordered blue speculum. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has yellow bill and green, shiny head and upper neck, separated from chestnut breast by striking white collar. Underparts are grey-brown except for black stern and white tail. Back is grey-brown grading to reddish brown. Legs and feet are orange. In eclipse, male resembles adult female but note yellow bill and well-defined reddish brown breast. Adult female has orange-brown bill and mottled brown plumage. Legs and feet are dull orange-yellow. Juvenile is similar to adult female. Voice Male utters whistles and nasal calls. Female utters familiar quack. Status Widespread, commonest on lowland lakes, rivers and urban ornamental lakes.
    157643.jpg
  • Mallard - Anas platyrhynchos - male. L 50-65cm. Our most familiar duck. In flight, both sexes show white-bordered blue speculum. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has yellow bill and green, shiny head and upper neck, separated from chestnut breast by striking white collar. Underparts are grey-brown except for black stern and white tail. Back is grey-brown grading to reddish brown. Legs and feet are orange. In eclipse, male resembles adult female but note yellow bill and well-defined reddish brown breast. Adult female has orange-brown bill and mottled brown plumage. Legs and feet are dull orange-yellow. Juvenile is similar to adult female. Voice Male utters whistles and nasal calls. Female utters familiar quack. Status Widespread, commonest on lowland lakes, rivers and urban ornamental lakes.
    157638.jpg
  • Yellow-legged Gull - Larus michahellis - summer adult. L 52-60cm. Similar plumage to Herring Gull but adult has yellow legs. Typically, consorts with other large gull species. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has grey back and upperwings (darker than Herring Gull) with more black and less white in wingtips. In winter, similar, sometimes with small dark streaks on head. Juvenile and 1st winter have grey-brown back and wing coverts, and otherwise dark wings. Head, neck and underparts are streaked, are paler than similar age Herring Gull. Adult plumage acquired over 3 years. Voice Similar to Herring Gull but perhaps more nasal. Status S European counterpart of Herring Gull and a rather scarce non-breeding visitor to Britain and Ireland. Most frequent in winter.
    157399.jpg
  • Yellow-legged Gull - Larus michahellis - summer adult. L 52-60cm. Similar plumage to Herring Gull but adult has yellow legs. Typically, consorts with other large gull species. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has grey back and upperwings (darker than Herring Gull) with more black and less white in wingtips. In winter, similar, sometimes with small dark streaks on head. Juvenile and 1st winter have grey-brown back and wing coverts, and otherwise dark wings. Head, neck and underparts are streaked, are paler than similar age Herring Gull. Adult plumage acquired over 3 years. Voice Similar to Herring Gull but perhaps more nasal. Status S European counterpart of Herring Gull and a rather scarce non-breeding visitor to Britain and Ireland. Most frequent in winter.
    157395.jpg
  • Yellow-legged Gull - Larus michahellis - summer adult. L 52-60cm. Similar plumage to Herring Gull but adult has yellow legs. Typically, consorts with other large gull species. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has grey back and upperwings (darker than Herring Gull) with more black and less white in wingtips. In winter, similar, sometimes with small dark streaks on head. Juvenile and 1st winter have grey-brown back and wing coverts, and otherwise dark wings. Head, neck and underparts are streaked, are paler than similar age Herring Gull. Adult plumage acquired over 3 years. Voice Similar to Herring Gull but perhaps more nasal. Status S European counterpart of Herring Gull and a rather scarce non-breeding visitor to Britain and Ireland. Most frequent in winter.
    157394.jpg
  • Yellow-legged Gull - Larus michahellis - summer adult. L 52-60cm. Similar plumage to Herring Gull but adult has yellow legs. Typically, consorts with other large gull species. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has grey back and upperwings (darker than Herring Gull) with more black and less white in wingtips. In winter, similar, sometimes with small dark streaks on head. Juvenile and 1st winter have grey-brown back and wing coverts, and otherwise dark wings. Head, neck and underparts are streaked, are paler than similar age Herring Gull. Adult plumage acquired over 3 years. Voice Similar to Herring Gull but perhaps more nasal. Status S European counterpart of Herring Gull and a rather scarce non-breeding visitor to Britain and Ireland. Most frequent in winter.
    157391.jpg
  • Yellow-legged Gull - Larus michahellis - summer adult. L 52-60cm. Similar plumage to Herring Gull but adult has yellow legs. Typically, consorts with other large gull species. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has grey back and upperwings (darker than Herring Gull) with more black and less white in wingtips. In winter, similar, sometimes with small dark streaks on head. Juvenile and 1st winter have grey-brown back and wing coverts, and otherwise dark wings. Head, neck and underparts are streaked, are paler than similar age Herring Gull. Adult plumage acquired over 3 years. Voice Similar to Herring Gull but perhaps more nasal. Status S European counterpart of Herring Gull and a rather scarce non-breeding visitor to Britain and Ireland. Most frequent in winter.
    157389.jpg
  • Yellow-legged Gull - Larus michahellis - summer adult. L 52-60cm. Similar plumage to Herring Gull but adult has yellow legs. Typically, consorts with other large gull species. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has grey back and upperwings (darker than Herring Gull) with more black and less white in wingtips. In winter, similar, sometimes with small dark streaks on head. Juvenile and 1st winter have grey-brown back and wing coverts, and otherwise dark wings. Head, neck and underparts are streaked, are paler than similar age Herring Gull. Adult plumage acquired over 3 years. Voice Similar to Herring Gull but perhaps more nasal. Status S European counterpart of Herring Gull and a rather scarce non-breeding visitor to Britain and Ireland. Most frequent in winter.
    157388.jpg
  • Teal Anas crecca - mating pair. L 34-38cm. Our smallest duck. Forms flocks outside breeding season. Often nervous and flighty. In flight, both sexes show white-bordered green speculum. Sexes are otherwise dissimilar. Adult male has chestnut-orange head with yellow-bordered green patch through eye. Plumage is otherwise finely marked grey except for black-bordered yellow stern and horizontal white line along flanks. Bill is dark grey. In eclipse, resembles adult female. Adult female has mottled grey-brown plumage. Bill is grey with hint of yellow at base. Juvenile is similar to adult female but warmer buff. Voice Male utters a ringing whistle, female utters a soft quack. Status Associated with water. Nests in small numbers beside pools and bogs mainly in N. Locally common outside breeding season on freshwater marshes, estuaries and mudflats.
    157228.jpg
  • Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator L 52-58cm. Slim duck with shaggy, spiky, crest. Dives frequently in search of fish. In flight, all birds show white on upper surface of inner wing; extent is greatest in male. Sexes are dissimilar in other regards. Adult male has narrow red bill, green head, white neck and orange-red breast. Flanks are grey and back is black. In eclipse, similar to adult female but retains extensive white on wing. Adult female has red bill, dirty orange head and nape and paler throat; body is otherwise greyish buff. Juvenile resembles adult female. Voice Mostly silent. Status Nests beside fish-rich lakes and rivers, mainly in N; locally common. Influx from N Europe boosts numbers in winter and then common on estuaries and sheltered coasts.
    157026.jpg
  • Teal Anas crecca - Female. L 34-38cm. Our smallest duck. Forms flocks outside breeding season. Often nervous and flighty. In flight, both sexes show white-bordered green speculum. Sexes are otherwise dissimilar. Adult male has chestnut-orange head with yellow-bordered green patch through eye. Plumage is otherwise finely marked grey except for black-bordered yellow stern and horizontal white line along flanks. Bill is dark grey. In eclipse, resembles adult female. Adult female has mottled grey-brown plumage. Bill is grey with hint of yellow at base. Juvenile is similar to adult female but warmer buff. Voice Male utters a ringing whistle, female utters a soft quack. Status Associated with water. Nests in small numbers beside pools and bogs mainly in N. Locally common outside breeding season on freshwater marshes, estuaries and mudflats.
    156898.jpg
  • Teal - Anas crecca - female. L 34-38cm. Our smallest duck. Forms flocks outside breeding season. Often nervous and flighty. In flight, both sexes show white-bordered green speculum. Sexes are otherwise dissimilar. Adult male has chestnut-orange head with yellow-bordered green patch through eye. Plumage is otherwise finely marked grey except for black-bordered yellow stern and horizontal white line along flanks. Bill is dark grey.  In eclipse, resembles adult female. Adult female has mottled grey-brown plumage. Bill is grey with hint of yellow at base. Juvenile is similar to adult female but warmer buff. Voice Male utters a ringing whistle, female utters a soft quack. Status Associated with water. Nests in small numbers beside pools and bogs mainly in N. Locally common outside breeding season on freshwater marshes, estuaries and mudflats.
    156888.jpg
  • Starling - Sturnus vulgaris - breeding adult. L 20-22cm. Familiar urban and rural bird with swaggering walk. Forms large flocks outside breeding season. Sexes are separable in summer. Adult male in summer has dark plumage with iridescence seen in good light. Legs are reddish and bill is yellow with blue base to lower mandible. Adult female in summer is similar but has some pale spots on underparts and pale yellow base to lower mandible. Winter adult (both sexes) has numerous white spots adorning dark plumage and dark bill. Juvenile is grey-brown, palest on throat; bill is dark; spotted body plumage acquired in winter. Voice Varied repertoire of clicks and whistles including mimicry. Status Widespread and common but declining. Found in all kinds of open habitats in winter. Often nests in house roofs.
    148458.jpg
  • Starling - Sturnus vulgaris - breeding adult. L 20-22cm. Familiar urban and rural bird with swaggering walk. Forms large flocks outside breeding season. Sexes are separable in summer. Adult male in summer has dark plumage with iridescence seen in good light. Legs are reddish and bill is yellow with blue base to lower mandible. Adult female in summer is similar but has some pale spots on underparts and pale yellow base to lower mandible. Winter adult (both sexes) has numerous white spots adorning dark plumage and dark bill. Juvenile is grey-brown, palest on throat; bill is dark; spotted body plumage acquired in winter. Voice Varied repertoire of clicks and whistles including mimicry. Status Widespread and common but declining. Found in all kinds of open habitats in winter. Often nests in house roofs.
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  • Starling - Sturnus vulgaris - breeding adult. L 20-22cm. Familiar urban and rural bird with swaggering walk. Forms large flocks outside breeding season. Sexes are separable in summer. Adult male in summer has dark plumage with iridescence seen in good light. Legs are reddish and bill is yellow with blue base to lower mandible. Adult female in summer is similar but has some pale spots on underparts and pale yellow base to lower mandible. Winter adult (both sexes) has numerous white spots adorning dark plumage and dark bill. Juvenile is grey-brown, palest on throat; bill is dark; spotted body plumage acquired in winter. Voice Varied repertoire of clicks and whistles including mimicry. Status Widespread and common but declining. Found in all kinds of open habitats in winter. Often nests in house roofs.
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  • Starling - Sturnus vulgaris - breeding adult. L 20-22cm. Familiar urban and rural bird with swaggering walk. Forms large flocks outside breeding season. Sexes are separable in summer. Adult male in summer has dark plumage with iridescence seen in good light. Legs are reddish and bill is yellow with blue base to lower mandible. Adult female in summer is similar but has some pale spots on underparts and pale yellow base to lower mandible. Winter adult (both sexes) has numerous white spots adorning dark plumage and dark bill. Juvenile is grey-brown, palest on throat; bill is dark; spotted body plumage acquired in winter. Voice Varied repertoire of clicks and whistles including mimicry. Status Widespread and common but declining. Found in all kinds of open habitats in winter. Often nests in house roofs.
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  • Starling - Sturnus vulgaris - breeding adult. L 20-22cm. Familiar urban and rural bird with swaggering walk. Forms large flocks outside breeding season. Sexes are separable in summer. Adult male in summer has dark plumage with iridescence seen in good light. Legs are reddish and bill is yellow with blue base to lower mandible. Adult female in summer is similar but has some pale spots on underparts and pale yellow base to lower mandible. Winter adult (both sexes) has numerous white spots adorning dark plumage and dark bill. Juvenile is grey-brown, palest on throat; bill is dark; spotted body plumage acquired in winter. Voice Varied repertoire of clicks and whistles including mimicry. Status Widespread and common but declining. Found in all kinds of open habitats in winter. Often nests in house roofs.
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  • Herring Gull - Larus argentatus - Summer Adult.  L 56-62cm. Noisy, familiar bird and our most numerous large gull species. Often follows boats. Bold when fed regularly. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has blue-grey black and upperwings, with white-spotted, black wingtips; plumage is otherwise white. Legs are pink, bill is yellow with orange spot, and eye is yellow with orange-yellow ring. In winter, similar but with dark streaks on head and nape. Juvenile and 1st winter are mottled grey-brown with streaked underparts. Legs are dull pink, bill is dark and spotted pale tail has dark tip. Adult plumage acquired over 3 years. 2nd winter bird is similar but has grey back and grey areas on upperwing. Tail is white with dark tip. 3rd winter resembles winter adult but has more black on wingtips and hint of dark tail band. Voice Utters distinctive kyaoo and anxious ga-ka-ka. Status Common, mainly coastal in summer, nesting on seacliffs and in seaside towns. Widespread and more numerous in winter due to migrant influx.
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  • Teal Anas crecca L 34-38cm. Our smallest duck. Forms flocks outside breeding season. Often nervous and flighty. In flight, both sexes show white-bordered green speculum. Sexes are otherwise dissimilar. Adult male has chestnut-orange head with yellow-bordered green patch through eye. Plumage is otherwise finely marked grey except for black-bordered yellow stern and horizontal white line along flanks. Bill is dark grey. In eclipse, resembles adult female. Adult female has mottled grey-brown plumage. Bill is grey with hint of yellow at base. Juvenile is similar to adult female but warmer buff. Voice Male utters a ringing whistle, female utters a soft quack. Status Associated with water. Nests in small numbers beside pools and bogs mainly in N. Locally common outside breeding season on freshwater marshes, estuaries and mudflats.
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  • Common Gull Larus canus - Winter adult. L 40-42cm. Medium-sized gull. Slimmer bodied and smaller billed, than larger Herring Gull. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has grey back and upperwings with white trailing margin; black wingtips have white spots. Plumage is otherwise white. Bill is yellowish and legs are yellowish green. In winter, similar but with dark streaks on head and neck; bill is duller with dark sub-terminal band. Juvenile has pale-margined brown back feathers and upperwings. Head and underparts are pale with dark streaks while neck and breast look grubby. Adult plumage acquired over 2 years. 1st winter is similar to juvenile but has grey back; bill is pink with dark tip. 2nd winter is similar to adult but with more black on outerwing and broader band on bill. Voice Utters a mewing keeow. Status Locally common. Nests close to water, often inland. Outside breeding season, migrants from Europe boost numbers and then widespread on farmland and grassy fields.
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  • Mallard Anas platyrhynchos - female. L 50-65cm. Our most familiar duck. In flight, both sexes show white-bordered blue speculum. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has yellow bill and green, shiny head and upper neck, separated from chestnut breast by striking white collar. Underparts are grey-brown except for black stern and white tail. Back is grey-brown grading to reddish brown. Legs and feet are orange. In eclipse, male resembles adult female but note yellow bill and well-defined reddish brown breast. Adult female has orange-brown bill and mottled brown plumage. Legs and feet are dull orange-yellow. Juvenile is similar to adult female. Voice Male utters whistles and nasal calls. Female utters familiar quack. Status Widespread, commonest on lowland lakes, rivers and urban ornamental lakes.
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  • Mallard Anas platyrhynchos - male. L 50-65cm. Our most familiar duck. In flight, both sexes show white-bordered blue speculum. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has yellow bill and green, shiny head and upper neck, separated from chestnut breast by striking white collar. Underparts are grey-brown except for black stern and white tail. Back is grey-brown grading to reddish brown. Legs and feet are orange. In eclipse, male resembles adult female but note yellow bill and well-defined reddish brown breast. Adult female has orange-brown bill and mottled brown plumage. Legs and feet are dull orange-yellow. Juvenile is similar to adult female. Voice Male utters whistles and nasal calls. Female utters familiar quack. Status Widespread, commonest on lowland lakes, rivers and urban ornamental lakes.
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  • Teal Anas crecca - Male. L 34-38cm. Our smallest duck. Forms flocks outside breeding season. Often nervous and flighty. In flight, both sexes show white-bordered green speculum. Sexes are otherwise dissimilar. Adult male has chestnut-orange head with yellow-bordered green patch through eye. Plumage is otherwise finely marked grey except for black-bordered yellow stern and horizontal white line along flanks. Bill is dark grey. In eclipse, resembles adult female. Adult female has mottled grey-brown plumage. Bill is grey with hint of yellow at base. Juvenile is similar to adult female but warmer buff. Voice Male utters a ringing whistle, female utters a soft quack. Status Associated with water. Nests in small numbers beside pools and bogs mainly in N. Locally common outside breeding season on freshwater marshes, estuaries and mudflats.
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  • Teal Anas crecca - Female. L 34-38cm. Our smallest duck. Forms flocks outside breeding season. Often nervous and flighty. In flight, both sexes show white-bordered green speculum. Sexes are otherwise dissimilar. Adult male has chestnut-orange head with yellow-bordered green patch through eye. Plumage is otherwise finely marked grey except for black-bordered yellow stern and horizontal white line along flanks. Bill is dark grey. In eclipse, resembles adult female. Adult female has mottled grey-brown plumage. Bill is grey with hint of yellow at base. Juvenile is similar to adult female but warmer buff. Voice Male utters a ringing whistle, female utters a soft quack. Status Associated with water. Nests in small numbers beside pools and bogs mainly in N. Locally common outside breeding season on freshwater marshes, estuaries and mudflats.
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  • Teal Anas crecca L 34-38cm. Our smallest duck. Forms flocks outside breeding season. Often nervous and flighty. In flight, both sexes show white-bordered green speculum. Sexes are otherwise dissimilar. Adult male has chestnut-orange head with yellow-bordered green patch through eye. Plumage is otherwise finely marked grey except for black-bordered yellow stern and horizontal white line along flanks. Bill is dark grey. In eclipse, resembles adult female. Adult female has mottled grey-brown plumage. Bill is grey with hint of yellow at base. Juvenile is similar to adult female but warmer buff. Voice Male utters a ringing whistle, female utters a soft quack. Status Associated with water. Nests in small numbers beside pools and bogs mainly in N. Locally common outside breeding season on freshwater marshes, estuaries and mudflats.
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  • Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator L 52-58cm. Slim duck with shaggy, spiky, crest. Dives frequently in search of fish. In flight, all birds show white on upper surface of inner wing; extent is greatest in male. Sexes are dissimilar in other regards. Adult male has narrow red bill, green head, white neck and orange-red breast. Flanks are grey and back is black. In eclipse, similar to adult female but retains extensive white on wing. Adult female has red bill, dirty orange head and nape and paler throat; body is otherwise greyish buff. Juvenile resembles adult female. Voice Mostly silent. Status Nests beside fish-rich lakes and rivers, mainly in N; locally common. Influx from N Europe boosts numbers in winter and then common on estuaries and sheltered coasts.
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  • Herring Gull Larus argentatus - Winter Adult. L 56-62cm. Noisy, familiar bird and our most numerous large gull species. Often follows boats. Bold when fed regularly. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has blue-grey black and upperwings, with white-spotted, black wingtips; plumage is otherwise white. Legs are pink, bill is yellow with orange spot, and eye is yellow with orange-yellow ring. In winter, similar but with dark streaks on head and nape. Juvenile and 1st winter are mottled grey-brown with streaked underparts. Legs are dull pink, bill is dark and spotted pale tail has dark tip. Adult plumage acquired over 3 years. 2nd winter bird is similar but has grey back and grey areas on upperwing. Tail is white with dark tip. 3rd winter resembles winter adult but has more black on wingtips and hint of dark tail band. Voice Utters distinctive kyaoo and anxious ga-ka-ka. Status Common, mainly coastal in summer, nesting on seacliffs and in seaside towns. Widespread and more numerous in winter due to migrant influx.
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  • Herring Gull Larus argentatus - Winter Adult. L 56-62cm. Noisy, familiar bird and our most numerous large gull species. Often follows boats. Bold when fed regularly. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has blue-grey black and upperwings, with white-spotted, black wingtips; plumage is otherwise white. Legs are pink, bill is yellow with orange spot, and eye is yellow with orange-yellow ring. In winter, similar but with dark streaks on head and nape. Juvenile and 1st winter are mottled grey-brown with streaked underparts. Legs are dull pink, bill is dark and spotted pale tail has dark tip. Adult plumage acquired over 3 years. 2nd winter bird is similar but has grey back and grey areas on upperwing. Tail is white with dark tip. 3rd winter resembles winter adult but has more black on wingtips and hint of dark tail band. Voice Utters distinctive kyaoo and anxious ga-ka-ka. Status Common, mainly coastal in summer, nesting on seacliffs and in seaside towns. Widespread and more numerous in winter due to migrant influx.
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  • Herring Gull Larus argentatus - Winter Adult. L 56-62cm. Noisy, familiar bird and our most numerous large gull species. Often follows boats. Bold when fed regularly. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has blue-grey black and upperwings, with white-spotted, black wingtips; plumage is otherwise white. Legs are pink, bill is yellow with orange spot, and eye is yellow with orange-yellow ring. In winter, similar but with dark streaks on head and nape. Juvenile and 1st winter are mottled grey-brown with streaked underparts. Legs are dull pink, bill is dark and spotted pale tail has dark tip. Adult plumage acquired over 3 years. 2nd winter bird is similar but has grey back and grey areas on upperwing. Tail is white with dark tip. 3rd winter resembles winter adult but has more black on wingtips and hint of dark tail band. Voice Utters distinctive kyaoo and anxious ga-ka-ka. Status Common, mainly coastal in summer, nesting on seacliffs and in seaside towns. Widespread and more numerous in winter due to migrant influx.
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  • Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator L 52-58cm. Slim duck with shaggy, spiky, crest. Dives frequently in search of fish. In flight, all birds show white on upper surface of inner wing; extent is greatest in male. Sexes are dissimilar in other regards. Adult male has narrow red bill, green head, white neck and orange-red breast. Flanks are grey and back is black. In eclipse, similar to adult female but retains extensive white on wing. Adult female has red bill, dirty orange head and nape and paler throat; body is otherwise greyish buff. Juvenile resembles adult female. Voice Mostly silent. Status Nests beside fish-rich lakes and rivers, mainly in N; locally common. Influx from N Europe boosts numbers in winter and then common on estuaries and sheltered coasts.
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  • Glaucous Gull Larus hyperboreus - Winter Adult. L 62-68cm. Bulky, pale-looking gull. Similar size to Great Black-backed but closer to Herring in plumage terms. Note adult’s white wing tips; bill is massive and legs are pinkish at all times. Sexes are similar. Adult in winter has pale grey back and upperwings with white wingtips and trailing margin. Plumage is otherwise mainly white with variable dark streaking on head and neck. Eye has pale iris and orbital ring is yellow. In breeding plumage (sometimes seen in late winter) similar but without dark streaks. Juvenile and 1st winter are mainly pale buffish grey but very pale primaries. Pink bill is dark-tipped. Adult plumage acquired over 3 years. 2nd winter is very pale with faint streaks marbling. 3rd winter is overall paler still. Voice Utters a kyaoo and an anxious ga-ka-ka. Status Scarce non-breeding visitor, commonest on N coasts in late winter.
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  • Glaucous Gull Larus hyperboreus - Winter Adult. L 62-68cm. Bulky, pale-looking gull. Similar size to Great Black-backed but closer to Herring in plumage terms. Note adult’s white wing tips; bill is massive and legs are pinkish at all times. Sexes are similar. Adult in winter has pale grey back and upperwings with white wingtips and trailing margin. Plumage is otherwise mainly white with variable dark streaking on head and neck. Eye has pale iris and orbital ring is yellow. In breeding plumage (sometimes seen in late winter) similar but without dark streaks. Juvenile and 1st winter are mainly pale buffish grey but very pale primaries. Pink bill is dark-tipped. Adult plumage acquired over 3 years. 2nd winter is very pale with faint streaks marbling. 3rd winter is overall paler still. Voice Utters a kyaoo and an anxious ga-ka-ka. Status Scarce non-breeding visitor, commonest on N coasts in late winter.
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  • Mallard - Anas platyrhynchos. Close up of drake head. L 50-65cm. Our most familiar duck. In flight, both sexes show white-bordered blue speculum. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has yellow bill and green, shiny head and upper neck, separated from chestnut breast by striking white collar. Underparts are grey-brown except for black stern and white tail. Back is grey-brown grading to reddish brown. Legs and feet are orange. In eclipse, male resembles adult female but note yellow bill and well-defined reddish brown breast. Adult female has orange-brown bill and mottled brown plumage. Legs and feet are dull orange-yellow. Juvenile is similar to adult female. Voice Male utters whistles and nasal calls. Female utters familiar quack. Status Widespread, commonest on lowland lakes, rivers and urban ornamental lakes.
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  • Mallard Anas platyrhynchos - female. L 50-65cm. Our most familiar duck. In flight, both sexes show white-bordered blue speculum. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has yellow bill and green, shiny head and upper neck, separated from chestnut breast by striking white collar. Underparts are grey-brown except for black stern and white tail. Back is grey-brown grading to reddish brown. Legs and feet are orange. In eclipse, male resembles adult female but note yellow bill and well-defined reddish brown breast. Adult female has orange-brown bill and mottled brown plumage. Legs and feet are dull orange-yellow. Juvenile is similar to adult female. Voice Male utters whistles and nasal calls. Female utters familiar quack. Status Widespread, commonest on lowland lakes, rivers and urban ornamental lakes.
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  • Mallard Anas platyrhynchos - female. L 50-65cm. Our most familiar duck. In flight, both sexes show white-bordered blue speculum. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has yellow bill and green, shiny head and upper neck, separated from chestnut breast by striking white collar. Underparts are grey-brown except for black stern and white tail. Back is grey-brown grading to reddish brown. Legs and feet are orange. In eclipse, male resembles adult female but note yellow bill and well-defined reddish brown breast. Adult female has orange-brown bill and mottled brown plumage. Legs and feet are dull orange-yellow. Juvenile is similar to adult female. Voice Male utters whistles and nasal calls. Female utters familiar quack. Status Widespread, commonest on lowland lakes, rivers and urban ornamental lakes.
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  • Black-headed Gull - Larus ridibundus<br />
left = 1st winter, middle = adult winter, right = adult summer<br />
L 35-38cm. Our most numerous medium-sized gull. Plumage variable but white leading edge to outerwings is consistent feature. Forms single-species flocks. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has grey back and upperwings, white underparts and chocolate-brown hood. Legs and bill are red. In flight, trailing edge of outerwing is black. In winter, loses dark hood; white head has dark smudges above behind eye. Juvenile has orange-brown flush to upperparts, dark feathers on back, dark smudges on head, and dark tip to tail. Acquires adult plumage by 2nd winter through successive moults. 1st winter bird retains many juvenile plumage details but loses rufous elements and gains grey back. 1st summer bird still has juvenile-type wing pattern but gains dark hood. Voice Raucous calls include a nasal kaurrr. Status Widespread and numerous. Commonest on coasts and inland freshwater sites, but also in towns and on farmland; often follows the plough. Nests colonially beside water. Migrants from Europe boost winter numbers.
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  • Ruff - Philomachus pugnax - female, moulting from summer to winter plumage. L 23-29cm. Variable wader but rather small head is a consistent feature. Has slightly downcurved bill, orange-yellow legs and, in flight, narrow white wingbar and white sides to rump. Male is smaller than female and, in breeding season, has unique head decorations. Adult male in summer has brownish upperparts, many feathers with black tips and bars. On breeding grounds, briefly has facial warts and variably coloured ruff and crest feathers. Adult female in summer has grey-brown upperparts, many feathers with dark tips and bars; underparts are pale. Winter adult has rather uniform grey-brown upperparts and pale underparts. Juvenile recalls winter adult but has buff suffusion and scaly-looking back. Voice Mostly silent. Status Rare breeding species on freshwater wetlands. Fairly common passage migrant, favouring coastal freshwater pools; scarce in winter.
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  • Goldeneye Bucephala clangula L 42-50cm. Compact diving duck. Both sexes are easily recognised. In flight, all birds show white on inner wings (extent greatest in males). Sexes are dissimilar in other respects. Adult male has mainly black and white plumage. Rounded and peaked, green-glossed head has yellow eye and striking white patch at base of bill. In eclipse, resembles an adult female but retains his more striking white wing pattern. Adult female has mainly grey-brown body, pale neck, dark brown head and yellow eye. Juvenile is similar to adult female but with dark eye. Voice Displaying male utters squeaky calls and rattles. Status Scarce breeding species, mainly in N. Locally common in winter, mostly on estuaries but also on inland lakes and flooded gravel pits.
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  • Little Gull Hydrocoloeus minutus - Adult. L 25-28cm. Our smallest gull. Has buoyant, tern-like flight. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has pale grey upperwings with white wingtips, dark hood, dark bill and short, reddish legs. In flight, upperwings have white trailing edge and rounded white wingtip; underwings are dark with white trailing edge. In winter, similar but loses dark hood; otherwise white head has dark smudges on crown and ear coverts. Juvenile has striking black bar (forming letter ‘W’) on upperwings and back. Note dark markings on mantle, nape and ear coverts, and dark tail band; plumage is otherwise white. 1st winter is similar to juvenile but back is pale grey, hence dark bar is seen only on wings. Adult plumage acquired over next 2 years. Voice Utters a sharp kyeck call. Status Regular but scarce passage migrant and winter visitor; mainly coastal.
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  • Teal Anas crecca L 34-38cm. Our smallest duck. Forms flocks outside breeding season. Often nervous and flighty. In flight, both sexes show white-bordered green speculum. Sexes are otherwise dissimilar. Adult male has chestnut-orange head with yellow-bordered green patch through eye. Plumage is otherwise finely marked grey except for black-bordered yellow stern and horizontal white line along flanks. Bill is dark grey.  In eclipse, resembles adult female. Adult female has mottled grey-brown plumage. Bill is grey with hint of yellow at base. Juvenile is similar to adult female but warmer buff. Voice Male utters a ringing whistle, female utters a soft quack. Status Associated with water. Nests in small numbers beside pools and bogs mainly in N. Locally common outside breeding season on freshwater marshes, estuaries and mudflats.
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  • Dotterel Charadrius morinellus L 22cm. Beautiful and tame, pot-bellied mountain wader. Role-reversal seen when nesting: duller male incubates eggs. Adult female in summer has reddish orange breast and belly, black-bordered white collar, and blue-grey throat. Face is whitish and has white supercilium and dark cap; upperparts otherwise grey-brown, back feathers with brown margins. Legs are yellow. Adult male in summer is duller. Winter adult is grey buff with broad, pale buff supercilium and pale breast band. Juvenile is similar to winter adult but with scaly-looking back. Voice Utters a soft pierrr call. Status Rare migrant visitor, mainly to Scottish Highlands. Migrants linger briefly at traditional hilltops staging posts in England, or on coasts.
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  • Red-necked Phalarope Phalaropus lobatus L 18cm. Confiding wader that habitually swims, picking food from water’s surface. Non-breeding life spent at sea. Adult female in summer has brown upperparts, with buff feather margins on back. Note white throat, dark cap and reddish orange neck; grey breast and mottled flanks grade to white underparts. Adult male in summer is similar but duller. Winter adult has grey upperparts, nape and hindcrown, white underparts and black eyepatch. Juvenile recalls winter adult but grey elements of plumage are mainly brown or buff; grey feathers acquired gradually. Voice Utters a sharp kip call. Status Mainly Arctic breeding species. Britain and Ireland are at S limit of range and hence rare and mainly in N. Nests beside freshwater pools. Best known as scarce passage migrant, seen mainly in wake of severe gales.
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  • Grey Phalarope - Phalaropus lobatus. L 20-21cm. Confiding wader that habitually swims and spends its non-breeding life at sea. Bill is shorter and stouter than similar Red-necked, and has yellow base. Sexes are dissimilar in breeding plumage (seen here occasionally). Winter adult has grey upperparts, white underparts, dark cap and nape, and black ‘panda’ mark the eye. Adult female in summer has orange-red neck and underparts, dark crown, white face patch, and buff-fringed dark back feathers. Adult male in summer is similar but duller. Juvenile recalls winter adult but plumage is tinged buff and back feathers are dark with buff fringes. Voice Utters a sharp pit flight call. Status Nests in high Arctic, winters in tropical seas and seen here on migration, mostly in autumn but sometimes spring. Mainly coastal but sometimes on reservoirs.
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  • Grey Phalarope - Phalaropus lobatus. L 20-21cm. Confiding wader that habitually swims and spends its non-breeding life at sea. Bill is shorter and stouter than similar Red-necked, and has yellow base. Sexes are dissimilar in breeding plumage (seen here occasionally). Winter adult has grey upperparts, white underparts, dark cap and nape, and black ‘panda’ mark the eye. Adult female in summer has orange-red neck and underparts, dark crown, white face patch, and buff-fringed dark back feathers. Adult male in summer is similar but duller. Juvenile recalls winter adult but plumage is tinged buff and back feathers are dark with buff fringes. Voice Utters a sharp pit flight call. Status Nests in high Arctic, winters in tropical seas and seen here on migration, mostly in autumn but sometimes spring. Mainly coastal but sometimes on reservoirs.
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  • Wigeon - Mareca penelope L 45-47cm. Males are colourful and attractive. Forms large flocks outside breeding season. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has mainly orange-red head with yellow forehead. Breast is pinkish; rest of plumage is mainly finely marked grey except for white belly and black and white stern. In flight, has white patch on wing. Bill is pale grey and dark-tipped. In eclipse, resembles an adult female although white wing patch is still evident. Adult female is mainly reddish brown, darkest on head and back. Note, however, the white belly and stern. In flight, lacks male’s white wing patch. Bill is grey and dark-tipped. Juvenile resembles adult female. Voice Male utters evocative wheeeoo whistle.
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  • Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca L 38-42cm. Attractive diving duck. In flight, all birds show striking white wingbar on upperwing, white underwings and white belly. In all birds, cap is peaked and bill is mainly grey; pale band separates grey from dark tip. Sexes are separable with care. Adult male has rich, reddish brown plumage, darkest on back, almost black on rump and tail. Has white stern and white belly (latter only visible in flight) and white eye. Adult female is similar to adult male but reddish colouration is duller and eye is dark. Juvenile is similar to adult female but duller colours. Voice Mostly silent. Status Scarce visitor, mainly outside breeding season. Species’ status is confused by presence of undoubted escapees from captivity. Favours lakes and flooded gravel pits.
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  • Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca L 38-42cm. Attractive diving duck. In flight, all birds show striking white wingbar on upperwing, white underwings and white belly. In all birds, cap is peaked and bill is mainly grey; pale band separates grey from dark tip. Sexes are separable with care. Adult male has rich, reddish brown plumage, darkest on back, almost black on rump and tail. Has white stern and white belly (latter only visible in flight) and white eye. Adult female is similar to adult male but reddish colouration is duller and eye is dark. Juvenile is similar to adult female but duller colours. Voice Mostly silent. Status Scarce visitor, mainly outside breeding season. Species’ status is confused by presence of undoubted escapees from captivity. Favours lakes and flooded gravel pits.
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  • Goosander Mergus merganser L 58-66cm. Large, elegant diving duck. Narrow mandibles have serrated edges. In flight, upper surface of male’s inner wing is white; in female white is restricted to trailing edge. Sexes are dissimilar in other regards. Adult male has bright red bill, green-glossed head (looks dark in poor light), mainly pink-flushed white body and black back. In eclipse, resembles adult female but retains white wing pattern. Adult female has reddish bill, orange-red head with shaggy crest, and greyish body palest on breast; chin is white. Juvenile resembles dull adult female. Voice Displaying male utters ringing calls. Status Fairly common freshwater species beside wooded upland rivers; nests in tree holes. Influx from mainland Europe boosts winter numbers; found on reservoirs, lochs and flooded gravel pits.
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  • Mallard Anas platyrhynchos L 50-65cm. Our most familiar duck. In flight, both sexes show white-bordered blue speculum. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has yellow bill and green, shiny head and upper neck, separated from chestnut breast by striking white collar. Underparts are grey-brown except for black stern and white tail. Back is grey-brown grading to reddish brown. Legs and feet are orange. In eclipse, male resembles adult female but note yellow bill and well-defined reddish brown breast. Adult female has orange-brown bill and mottled brown plumage. Legs and feet are dull orange-yellow. Juvenile is similar to adult female. Voice Male utters whistles and nasal calls. Female utters familiar quack. Status Widespread, commonest on lowland lakes, rivers and urban ornamental lakes.
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  • Mallard Anas platyrhynchos L 50-65cm. Our most familiar duck. In flight, both sexes show white-bordered blue speculum. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has yellow bill and green, shiny head and upper neck, separated from chestnut breast by striking white collar. Underparts are grey-brown except for black stern and white tail. Back is grey-brown grading to reddish brown. Legs and feet are orange. In eclipse, male resembles adult female but note yellow bill and well-defined reddish brown breast. Adult female has orange-brown bill and mottled brown plumage. Legs and feet are dull orange-yellow. Juvenile is similar to adult female. Voice Male utters whistles and nasal calls. Female utters familiar quack. Status Widespread, commonest on lowland lakes, rivers and urban ornamental lakes.
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  • Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator L 52-58cm. Slim duck with shaggy, spiky, crest. Dives frequently in search of fish. In flight, all birds show white on upper surface of inner wing; extent is greatest in male. Sexes are dissimilar in other regards. Adult male has narrow red bill, green head, white neck and orange-red breast. Flanks are grey and back is black. In eclipse, similar to adult female but retains extensive white on wing. Adult female has red bill, dirty orange head and nape and paler throat; body is otherwise greyish buff. Juvenile resembles adult female. Voice Mostly silent. Status Nests beside fish-rich lakes and rivers, mainly in N; locally common. Influx from N Europe boosts numbers in winter and then common on estuaries and sheltered coasts.
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  • Pintail Anas acuta L 51-66cm. Recognised by elongated appearance; male is unmistakable. In flight, male’s grey wings and green speculum are striking; female’s white trailing edge on inner wing is obvious. Sexes are dissimilar in regards. Adult male has chocolate brown head and nape, with white breast extending as stripe up side of head. Plumage is otherwise grey and finely marked but note cream and black stern, and long, pointed tail, often held at an angle. In eclipse, resembles adult female but retains wing pattern. Adult female has mottled buffish brown plumage. Juvenile is similar to adult female. Voice Male utters a whistle, female’s call is grating. Status Rare breeding species (on freshwater marshes) but fairly common in winter, often on estuaries.
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  • Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina L 54-57cm. Large, distinctive diving duck; male is unmistakable. Associates with other diving ducks. In flight, both sexes show striking white wing bars. Sexes are dissimilar in other regards. Adult male has rounded, bright orange head, black neck, breast, belly and stern, and white flanks. Back is grey-buff and bill is bright red. In eclipse, resembles adult female but retains red bill. Adult female has mainly grey-buff plumage, darkest on back and above eye, and pale cheeks. Bill is mainly dark with pink tip. Juvenile Resembles adult female but bill is uniformly dark. Voice Mostly silent. Status Occurs in mainland Europe; some records may be genuine vagrants but most sightings are certainly escapees; feral populations are now established. Favours lakes and flooded gravel pits.
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  • Shoveler - Spatula clypeata. L 44-52cm. Unmistakable because of bill shape. Usually unobtrusive. In flight, male shows blue forewing panel and white-bordered green speculum; in female, blue is replaced by grey. Sexes are dissimilar overall. Adult male has shiny green head, white breast and chestnut on flanks and belly. Stern is black and white and back is mainly dark. Has yellow eye and dark bill. In eclipse, resembles adult female although body is more rufous and head greyer. Adult female has mottled buffish brown plumage and yellowish bill. Juvenile is similar to adult female. Voice Male utters a sharp tuk-tuk while female makes a soft quack. Status Scarce breeding species on freshwater wetland. Commoner and more widespread in winter but seldom numerous.
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  • Teal Anas crecca L 34-38cm. Our smallest duck. Forms flocks outside breeding season. Often nervous and flighty. In flight, both sexes show white-bordered green speculum. Sexes are otherwise dissimilar. Adult male has chestnut-orange head with yellow-bordered green patch through eye. Plumage is otherwise finely marked grey except for black-bordered yellow stern and horizontal white line along flanks. Bill is dark grey.  In eclipse, resembles adult female. Adult female has mottled grey-brown plumage. Bill is grey with hint of yellow at base. Juvenile is similar to adult female but warmer buff. Voice Male utters a ringing whistle, female utters a soft quack. Status Associated with water. Nests in small numbers beside pools and bogs mainly in N. Locally common outside breeding season on freshwater marshes, estuaries and mudflats.
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  • Gadwall Anas strepera L 46-55cm. Rather nondescript dabbling duck. Distant male looks grey and brown but close view reveals intricate feather patterns. In flight, both sexes show white in speculum; male also has chestnut on inner wing. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has buffish head and neck, with a clear separation from grey, finely-patterned breast and flanks. Centre of belly is white; black stern is useful identification feature. Has dark bill and yellow legs. In eclipse, male resembles adult female. Adult female has mottled brown plumage with greyish head and yellow bill. Juvenile resembles adult female. Voice Male utters croaking call and female utters mallard-like quack. Status Found on shallow freshwater; dabbles for water plants.
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  • Garganey - Spatula querquedula. L 37-41cm. Teal-sized summer visitor to the region. Favours emergent wetland vegetation, hence unobtrusive. In flight, male shows pale blue-grey forewing and white-bordered greenish speculum; female’s speculum is brown. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has reddish brown head and broad white stripe above and behind eye. Breast is brown but otherwise plumage is greyish, except for mottled buffish brown stern. In eclipse, resembles adult female but retains wing patterns. Adult female has mottled brown plumage; similar to female Teal but bill is uniform grey bill and has pale spot at base of bill. Juvenile resembles adult female. Voice Male utters diagnostic rattle. Status Scarce breeding bird but fairly widespread on migration.
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  • Mallard Anas platyrhynchos L 50-65cm. Our most familiar duck. In flight, both sexes show white-bordered blue speculum. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has yellow bill and green, shiny head and upper neck, separated from chestnut breast by striking white collar. Underparts are grey-brown except for black stern and white tail. Back is grey-brown grading to reddish brown. Legs and feet are orange. In eclipse, male resembles adult female but note yellow bill and well-defined reddish brown breast. Adult female has orange-brown bill and mottled brown plumage. Legs and feet are dull orange-yellow. Juvenile is similar to adult female. Voice Male utters whistles and nasal calls. Female utters familiar quack. Status Widespread, commonest on lowland lakes, rivers and urban ornamental lakes.
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  • Shoveler - Spatula clypeata. L 44-52cm. Unmistakable because of bill shape. Usually unobtrusive. In flight, male shows blue forewing panel and white-bordered green speculum; in female, blue is replaced by grey. Sexes are dissimilar overall. Adult male has shiny green head, white breast and chestnut on flanks and belly. Stern is black and white and back is mainly dark. Has yellow eye and dark bill. In eclipse, resembles adult female although body is more rufous and head greyer. Adult female has mottled buffish brown plumage and yellowish bill. Juvenile is similar to adult female. Voice Male utters a sharp tuk-tuk while female makes a soft quack. Status Scarce breeding species on freshwater wetland. Commoner and more widespread in winter but seldom numerous.
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  • Mallard Anas platyrhynchos L 50-65cm. Our most familiar duck. In flight, both sexes show white-bordered blue speculum. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has yellow bill and green, shiny head and upper neck, separated from chestnut breast by striking white collar. Underparts are grey-brown except for black stern and white tail. Back is grey-brown grading to reddish brown. Legs and feet are orange. In eclipse, male resembles adult female but note yellow bill and well-defined reddish brown breast. Adult female has orange-brown bill and mottled brown plumage. Legs and feet are dull orange-yellow. Juvenile is similar to adult female. Voice Male utters whistles and nasal calls. Female utters familiar quack. Status Widespread, commonest on lowland lakes, rivers and urban ornamental lakes.
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  • Teal Anas crecca L 34-38cm. Our smallest duck. Forms flocks outside breeding season. Often nervous and flighty. In flight, both sexes show white-bordered green speculum. Sexes are otherwise dissimilar. Adult male has chestnut-orange head with yellow-bordered green patch through eye. Plumage is otherwise finely marked grey except for black-bordered yellow stern and horizontal white line along flanks. Bill is dark grey.  In eclipse, resembles adult female. Adult female has mottled grey-brown plumage. Bill is grey with hint of yellow at base. Juvenile is similar to adult female but warmer buff. Voice Male utters a ringing whistle, female utters a soft quack. Status Associated with water. Nests in small numbers beside pools and bogs mainly in N. Locally common outside breeding season on freshwater marshes, estuaries and mudflats.
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  • Ferruginous Duck (male) Aythya nyroca L 38-42cm. Attractive diving duck. In flight, all birds show striking white wingbar on upperwing, white underwings and white belly. In all birds, cap is peaked and bill is mainly grey; pale band separates grey from dark tip. Sexes are separable with care. Adult male has rich, reddish brown plumage, darkest on back, almost black on rump and tail. Has white stern and white belly (latter only visible in flight) and white eye. Adult female is similar to adult male but reddish colouration is duller and eye is dark. Juvenile is similar to adult female but duller colours. Voice Mostly silent. Status Scarce visitor, mainly outside breeding season. Species’ status is confused by presence of undoubted escapees from captivity. Favours lakes and flooded gravel pits.
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  • Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator L 52-58cm. Slim duck with shaggy, spiky, crest. Dives frequently in search of fish. In flight, all birds show white on upper surface of inner wing; extent is greatest in male. Sexes are dissimilar in other regards. Adult male has narrow red bill, green head, white neck and orange-red breast. Flanks are grey and back is black. In eclipse, similar to adult female but retains extensive white on wing. Adult female has red bill, dirty orange head and nape and paler throat; body is otherwise greyish buff. Juvenile resembles adult female. Voice Mostly silent. Status Nests beside fish-rich lakes and rivers, mainly in N; locally common. Influx from N Europe boosts numbers in winter and then common on estuaries and sheltered coasts.
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  • Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator L 52-58cm. Slim duck with shaggy, spiky, crest. Dives frequently in search of fish. In flight, all birds show white on upper surface of inner wing; extent is greatest in male. Sexes are dissimilar in other regards. Adult male has narrow red bill, green head, white neck and orange-red breast. Flanks are grey and back is black. In eclipse, similar to adult female but retains extensive white on wing. Adult female has red bill, dirty orange head and nape and paler throat; body is otherwise greyish buff. Juvenile resembles adult female. Voice Mostly silent. Status Nests beside fish-rich lakes and rivers, mainly in N; locally common. Influx from N Europe boosts numbers in winter and then common on estuaries and sheltered coasts.
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  • Goldeneye Bucephala clangula L 42-50cm. Compact diving duck. Both sexes are easily recognised. In flight, all birds show white on inner wings (extent greatest in males). Sexes are dissimilar in other respects. Adult male has mainly black and white plumage. Rounded and peaked, green-glossed head has yellow eye and striking white patch at base of bill. In eclipse, resembles an adult female but retains his more striking white wing pattern. Adult female has mainly grey-brown body, pale neck, dark brown head and yellow eye. Juvenile is similar to adult female but with dark eye. Voice Displaying male utters squeaky calls and rattles. Status Scarce breeding species, mainly in N. Locally common in winter, mostly on estuaries but also on inland lakes and flooded gravel pits.
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  • Teal Anas crecca L 34-38cm. Our smallest duck. Forms flocks outside breeding season. Often nervous and flighty. In flight, both sexes show white-bordered green speculum. Sexes are otherwise dissimilar. Adult male has chestnut-orange head with yellow-bordered green patch through eye. Plumage is otherwise finely marked grey except for black-bordered yellow stern and horizontal white line along flanks. Bill is dark grey.  In eclipse, resembles adult female. Adult female has mottled grey-brown plumage. Bill is grey with hint of yellow at base. Juvenile is similar to adult female but warmer buff. Voice Male utters a ringing whistle, female utters a soft quack. Status Associated with water. Nests in small numbers beside pools and bogs mainly in N. Locally common outside breeding season on freshwater marshes, estuaries and mudflats.
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  • Goosander Mergus merganser L 58-66cm. Large, elegant diving duck. Narrow mandibles have serrated edges. In flight, upper surface of male’s inner wing is white; in female white is restricted to trailing edge. Sexes are dissimilar in other regards. Adult male has bright red bill, green-glossed head (looks dark in poor light), mainly pink-flushed white body and black back. In eclipse, resembles adult female but retains white wing pattern. Adult female has reddish bill, orange-red head with shaggy crest, and greyish body palest on breast; chin is white. Juvenile resembles dull adult female. Voice Displaying male utters ringing calls. Status Fairly common freshwater species beside wooded upland rivers; nests in tree holes. Influx from mainland Europe boosts winter numbers; found on reservoirs, lochs and flooded gravel pits.
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  • Teal Anas crecca L 34-38cm. Our smallest duck. Forms flocks outside breeding season. Often nervous and flighty. In flight, both sexes show white-bordered green speculum. Sexes are otherwise dissimilar. Adult male has chestnut-orange head with yellow-bordered green patch through eye. Plumage is otherwise finely marked grey except for black-bordered yellow stern and horizontal white line along flanks. Bill is dark grey.  In eclipse, resembles adult female. Adult female has mottled grey-brown plumage. Bill is grey with hint of yellow at base. Juvenile is similar to adult female but warmer buff. Voice Male utters a ringing whistle, female utters a soft quack. Status Associated with water. Nests in small numbers beside pools and bogs mainly in N. Locally common outside breeding season on freshwater marshes, estuaries and mudflats.
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  • Teal Anas crecca L 34-38cm. Our smallest duck. Forms flocks outside breeding season. Often nervous and flighty. In flight, both sexes show white-bordered green speculum. Sexes are otherwise dissimilar. Adult male has chestnut-orange head with yellow-bordered green patch through eye. Plumage is otherwise finely marked grey except for black-bordered yellow stern and horizontal white line along flanks. Bill is dark grey.  In eclipse, resembles adult female. Adult female has mottled grey-brown plumage. Bill is grey with hint of yellow at base. Juvenile is similar to adult female but warmer buff. Voice Male utters a ringing whistle, female utters a soft quack. Status Associated with water. Nests in small numbers beside pools and bogs mainly in N. Locally common outside breeding season on freshwater marshes, estuaries and mudflats.
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  • Dotterel Charadrius morinellus L 22cm. Beautiful and tame, pot-bellied mountain wader. Role-reversal seen when nesting: duller male incubates eggs. Adult female in summer has reddish orange breast and belly, black-bordered white collar, and blue-grey throat. Face is whitish and has white supercilium and dark cap; upperparts otherwise grey-brown, back feathers with brown margins. Legs are yellow. Adult male in summer is duller. Winter adult is grey buff with broad, pale buff supercilium and pale breast band. Juvenile is similar to winter adult but with scaly-looking back. Voice Utters a soft pierrr call. Status Rare migrant visitor, mainly to Scottish Highlands. Migrants linger briefly at traditional hilltops staging posts in England, or on coasts.
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  • Teal Anas crecca - Female. L 34-38cm. Our smallest duck. Forms flocks outside breeding season. Often nervous and flighty. In flight, both sexes show white-bordered green speculum. Sexes are otherwise dissimilar. Adult male has chestnut-orange head with yellow-bordered green patch through eye. Plumage is otherwise finely marked grey except for black-bordered yellow stern and horizontal white line along flanks. Bill is dark grey. In eclipse, resembles adult female. Adult female has mottled grey-brown plumage. Bill is grey with hint of yellow at base. Juvenile is similar to adult female but warmer buff. Voice Male utters a ringing whistle, female utters a soft quack. Status Associated with water. Nests in small numbers beside pools and bogs mainly in N. Locally common outside breeding season on freshwater marshes, estuaries and mudflats.
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  • Wigeon - Mareca penelope. L 45-47cm. Males is colourful and attractive. Forms large flocks outside breeding season. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has mainly orange-red head with yellow forehead. Breast is pinkish; rest of plumage is mainly finely marked grey except for white belly and black and white stern. In flight, has white patch on wing. Bill is pale grey and dark-tipped. In eclipse, resembles an adult female although white wing patch is still evident. Adult female is mainly reddish brown, darkest on head and back. Note, however, the white belly and stern. In flight, lacks male’s white wing patch. Bill is grey and dark-tipped. Juvenile resembles adult female. Voice Male utters evocative wheeeoo whistle.
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  • Grey Phalarope Phalaropus fulicarius L 20-21cm. Confiding wader that habitually swims and spends its non-breeding life at sea. Bill is shorter and stouter than similar Red-necked, and has yellow base. Sexes are dissimilar in breeding plumage (seen here occasionally). Winter adult has grey upperparts, white underparts, dark cap and nape, and black ‘panda’ mark the eye. Adult female in summer has orange-red neck and underparts, dark crown, white face patch, and buff-fringed dark back feathers. Adult male in summer is similar but duller. Juvenile recalls winter adult but plumage is tinged buff and back feathers are dark with buff fringes. Voice Utters a sharp pit flight call. Status Nests in high Arctic, winters in tropical seas and seen here on migration, mostly in autumn but sometimes spring. Mainly coastal but sometimes on reservoirs.
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  • Merlin - Falco columbarius - adult male. W 60-65cm. Our smallest raptor. Typically seen dashing flight, low over in pursuit of prey such as Meadow Pipit. Also perches on fence posts or rocky outcrops. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has blue-grey upperparts and buffish, streaked and spotted underparts. In flight from above, note contrast between blue-grey back, inner wings and tail, and dark wing tips and dark terminal band on tail. Adult female has brown upperparts and pale underparts with large, brown spots. In flight from above, upperparts look rather uniformly brown with numerous bars on wings and tail. Juvenile resembles adult female. Voice Mostly silent but shrill kee-kee-kee… is uttered in alarm near nest. Status Scarce breeding season, found on upland moorland in spring and summer. Outside breeding season, moves S and to lowland areas and numbers boosted by migrants from Iceland.
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  • Teal - Anas crecca - Male. L 34-38cm. Our smallest duck. Forms flocks outside breeding season. Often nervous and flighty. In flight, both sexes show white-bordered green speculum. Sexes are otherwise dissimilar. Adult male has chestnut-orange head with yellow-bordered green patch through eye. Plumage is otherwise finely marked grey except for black-bordered yellow stern and horizontal white line along flanks. Bill is dark grey. In eclipse, resembles adult female. Adult female has mottled grey-brown plumage. Bill is grey with hint of yellow at base. Juvenile is similar to adult female but warmer buff. Voice Male utters a ringing whistle, female utters a soft quack. Status Associated with water. Nests in small numbers beside pools and bogs mainly in N. Locally common outside breeding season on freshwater marshes, estuaries and mudflats.
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  • Herring Gull - Larus argentatus - winter adult. L 56-62cm. Noisy, familiar bird and our most numerous large gull species. Often follows boats. Bold when fed regularly. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has blue-grey black and upperwings, with white-spotted, black wingtips; plumage is otherwise white. Legs are pink, bill is yellow with orange spot, and eye is yellow with orange-yellow ring. In winter, similar but with dark streaks on head and nape. Juvenile and 1st winter are mottled grey-brown with streaked underparts. Legs are dull pink, bill is dark and spotted pale tail has dark tip. Adult plumage acquired over 3 years. 2nd winter bird is similar but has grey back and grey areas on upperwing. Tail is white with dark tip. 3rd winter resembles winter adult but has more black on wingtips and hint of dark tail band. Voice Utters distinctive kyaoo and anxious ga-ka-ka. Status Common, mainly coastal in summer, nesting on seacliffs and in seaside towns. Widespread and more numerous in winter due to migrant influx.
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  • Yellow-legged Gull - Larus michahellis - summer adult. L 52-60cm. Similar plumage to Herring Gull but adult has yellow legs. Typically, consorts with other large gull species. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has grey back and upperwings (darker than Herring Gull) with more black and less white in wingtips. In winter, similar, sometimes with small dark streaks on head. Juvenile and 1st winter have grey-brown back and wing coverts, and otherwise dark wings. Head, neck and underparts are streaked, are paler than similar age Herring Gull. Adult plumage acquired over 3 years. Voice Similar to Herring Gull but perhaps more nasal. Status S European counterpart of Herring Gull and a rather scarce non-breeding visitor to Britain and Ireland. Most frequent in winter.
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