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  • Common Seal Phoca vitulina Length 1.2-1.9m Has a ‘friendly’-looking face. Hauled-out seals are easy to observe. Adult is greyish brown but variably mottled with darker spots. Underside is paler than upperside. Dry coat looks shiny if coated in sand. Bridge of nose has concave outline (convex in Grey Seal) and muzzle is blunt, creating a dog-like appearance. Seen from front, nostrils are close together at base and splayed in V-shaped fashion (separated from, and more parallel to, one another in Grey Seal). Front flippers have claws and powerful hind flippers effect propulsion when swimming. Males are larger and heavier than females. Pup is born with marbled grey-brown coat. Widespread on E coast of England and around Scotland and Ireland generally.
    144272.jpg
  • Common Seal Phoca vitulina Length 1.2-1.9m Has a ‘friendly’-looking face. Hauled-out seals are easy to observe. Adult is greyish brown but variably mottled with darker spots. Underside is paler than upperside. Dry coat looks shiny if coated in sand. Bridge of nose has concave outline (convex in Grey Seal) and muzzle is blunt, creating a dog-like appearance. Seen from front, nostrils are close together at base and splayed in V-shaped fashion (separated from, and more parallel to, one another in Grey Seal). Front flippers have claws and powerful hind flippers effect propulsion when swimming. Males are larger and heavier than females. Pup is born with marbled grey-brown coat. Widespread on E coast of England and around Scotland and Ireland generally.
    144273.jpg
  • European Beaver Castor fiber Length 120-150cm including tail. Large, aquatic rodent with proportionately large head, water-repellent fur and broad, paddle-like tail used for swimming. Once hunted (for fur) close to extinction across its temperate European range. Now re-introduced in places and recovering.
    144279.jpg
  • European Beaver Castor fiber Length 120-150cm including tail. Large, aquatic rodent with proportionately large head, water-repellent fur and broad, paddle-like tail used for swimming. Once hunted (for fur) close to extinction across its temperate European range. Now re-introduced in places and recovering.
    144280.jpg
  • European Beaver Castor fiber Length 120-150cm including tail. Large, aquatic rodent with proportionately large head, water-repellent fur and broad, paddle-like tail used for swimming. Once hunted (for fur) close to extinction across its temperate European range. Now re-introduced in places and recovering.
    144282.jpg
  • Goshawk Accipiter gentilis W 100-115cm. Impressive, buzzard-sized raptor. In flight, note broad, rounded wings and relatively long but thickset barred tail. Soaring birds fan their tails and splay white, fluffy, undertail. Close view (an unusual event) reveals orange eye, yellow legs and feet, and striking pale supercilium. Sexes are similar but male is smaller than female. Adult has mainly grey-brown upperparts; pale underparts are marked with fine dark barring. Juvenile has brown upperparts; buffish underparts are marked with dark, teardrop-shaped spots. Voice Utters a harsh kie-kie-kie in breeding season. Status Scarce but easily overlooked. Favours wooded habitats with adjacent open country.
    110817.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.
    113462.jpg
  • Red Grouse Lagopus lagopus scoticus L 37-42cm. Familiar moorland gamebird. If alarmed, takes to the air explosively; flight comprises bouts of rapid wingbeats and long glides on bowed wings. Both sexes have uniformly dark wings. Sexes are separable with care. Adult male has chestnut-brown plumage overall; fine feather markings visible at close range. Note red wattle above eye. Adult female has paler, more buffish grey and marbled plumage than male: well camouflaged when sitting on nest. Juvenile resembles adult female but with less well-marked plumage markings. Voice Utters a distinctive, go-back, go-back, go-back. Status Confined to heather moorland and feeds primarily on shoots of Heather and related plants. Moors are sometimes managed by selective burning for grouse (encourages young plant growth).
    113659.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.
    125755.jpg
  • HONEY-BUZZARD Pernis apivorus Wingspan 135-150cm. Feeds exclusively on larvae and adults of bees and wasps. In flight, recalls Buzzard but has proportionately longer tail, with wings held slightly downcurved when soaring. Adult plumage is variable but typically has brownish upperparts, pale underparts, a grey head and evenly barred grey tail. At close range, note yellow eye and longish, narrow bill. In flight from below, note evenly barred tail, dark carpal patch and conspicuous barring on underwing. Juvenile is similar to adult but usually browner overall and with less distinct barring on underwing coverts. Voice – mainly silent. Status and habitat – Summer visitor to Britain, present May-September. Favours mature, open woodland and New Forest is a stronghold.
    127742.jpg
  • HONEY-BUZZARD Pernis apivorus Wingspan 135-150cm. Feeds exclusively on larvae and adults of bees and wasps. In flight, recalls Buzzard but has proportionately longer tail, with wings held slightly downcurved when soaring. Adult plumage is variable but typically has brownish upperparts, pale underparts, a grey head and evenly barred grey tail. At close range, note yellow eye and longish, narrow bill. In flight from below, note evenly barred tail, dark carpal patch and conspicuous barring on underwing. Juvenile is similar to adult but usually browner overall and with less distinct barring on underwing coverts. Voice – mainly silent. Status and habitat – Summer visitor to Britain, present May-September. Favours mature, open woodland and New Forest is a stronghold.
    127759.jpg
  • HONEY-BUZZARD Pernis apivorus Wingspan 135-150cm. Feeds exclusively on larvae and adults of bees and wasps. In flight, recalls Buzzard but has proportionately longer tail, with wings held slightly downcurved when soaring. Adult plumage is variable but typically has brownish upperparts, pale underparts, a grey head and evenly barred grey tail. At close range, note yellow eye and longish, narrow bill. In flight from below, note evenly barred tail, dark carpal patch and conspicuous barring on underwing. Juvenile is similar to adult but usually browner overall and with less distinct barring on underwing coverts. Voice – mainly silent. Status and habitat – Summer visitor to Britain, present May-September. Favours mature, open woodland and New Forest is a stronghold.
    127765.jpg
  • HONEY-BUZZARD Pernis apivorus Wingspan 135-150cm. Feeds exclusively on larvae and adults of bees and wasps. In flight, recalls Buzzard but has proportionately longer tail, with wings held slightly downcurved when soaring. Adult plumage is variable but typically has brownish upperparts, pale underparts, a grey head and evenly barred grey tail. At close range, note yellow eye and longish, narrow bill. In flight from below, note evenly barred tail, dark carpal patch and conspicuous barring on underwing. Juvenile is similar to adult but usually browner overall and with less distinct barring on underwing coverts. Voice – mainly silent. Status and habitat – Summer visitor to Britain, present May-September. Favours mature, open woodland and New Forest is a stronghold.
    127790.jpg
  • Osprey Pandion haliaetus W 145-160cm. The classic fish-eating raptor. Can look gull-like in flight but fishing technique is unmistakable: hovers, then plunges talons first into water. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly brown upperparts, except for pale crown; underparts are mainly whitish with darker chest band. In flight from below, looks pale overall with dark carpal patches, dark band along base of flight feathers and dark terminal band on barred tail. Juvenile is similar to adult but darker markings are less distinct. Voice Utters various whistling calls. Status Migrant visitor, seldom seen far from water even on migration. Nests close to large waterbodies, mainly in N. Breeding range is gradually extending S; also introduced in places (notably Rutland Water). Passage migrants sometimes linger for a few days at fish-rich lakes and flooded gravel pits.
    127980.jpg
  • Osprey Pandion haliaetus W 145-160cm. The classic fish-eating raptor. Can look gull-like in flight but fishing technique is unmistakable: hovers, then plunges talons first into water. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly brown upperparts, except for pale crown; underparts are mainly whitish with darker chest band. In flight from below, looks pale overall with dark carpal patches, dark band along base of flight feathers and dark terminal band on barred tail. Juvenile is similar to adult but darker markings are less distinct. Voice Utters various whistling calls. Status Migrant visitor, seldom seen far from water even on migration. Nests close to large waterbodies, mainly in N. Breeding range is gradually extending S; also introduced in places (notably Rutland Water). Passage migrants sometimes linger for a few days at fish-rich lakes and flooded gravel pits.
    127981.jpg
  • Leach’s Storm-petrel Oceanodroma leucorhoa L 16-18cm. More robust and longer-winged than British Storm-petrel; flight is ever-changing flight with powerful wingbeats and glides. Sexes are similar. Adult is dark sooty-grey except for pale panel on upperwing coverts. Fork in tail and grey central line on rump can be hard. Underwings are all-dark. Juvenile is similar to adult. Voice Silent at sea; weird gurgling rattles are heard when nesting. Status Truly oceanic. Very locally common but hard to see. Only willingly comes close to land after dark, at breeding colonies.
    128758.jpg
  • Eider Somateria mollissima L 50-70cm. Bulky seaduck with distinctive profile: wedge-shaped bill forms continuous line with slope of forehead. Gregarious for most of year. In summer, female flocks supervise ‘creche’ of youngsters. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has mainly black underparts and white upperparts, except for black cap, lime green nape and pinkish flush on breast. In eclipse, plumage is brown and black, with some white feathers on back, and pale stripe above eye. Adult female is brown with darker barring. Juvenile is similar to adult female but with pale stripe above eye. Voice Male utters endearing, cooing ah-whooo. Status Almost exclusively coastal. Nests close to seashore and feeds in inshore waters, diving for prey such as mussels.
    128855.jpg
  • Smew Mergus albellus 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.
    128889.jpg
  • Smew Mergus albellus 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.
    128890.jpg
  • Common Scoter Melanitta nigra L 44-54cm. Male is our only all-black duck. Rather long tail is sometimes raised when swimming. Gregarious outside breeding season. In flight, looks mainly dark but paler flight feathers can sometimes be seen. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has uniformly black plumage. Head sheen only visible at close range. Bill is mostly dark but with yellow ridge; base is bulbous base. 1st winter male has browner plumage are all-dark bill. Adult female has mainly dark brown plumage with pale buff cheeks. Juvenile resembles aadult female. Voice Mostly silent. Status Rare breeding bird, found on vegetated N lakes and lochs. Locally fairly common in winter, found on coasts with sandy seabeds.
    128892.jpg
  • Black Kite Milvus migrans. Wingspan 145-155cm. A medium-sized raptor that is most easily confused with a Red Kite or Marsh Harrier. All birds have mainly brown plumage that is palest on the head. In flight, note the forked tail, although this can appear straight-ended when broadly fanned. Note also the pale panel on the outer flight feathers of the otherwise rather dark wings. At very close range, the yellow base to the bill and the yellow legs can sometimes be discerned. The Black Kite breeds in mainland Europe and winters in Africa. Vagrants to our region usually turn up in spring and autumn, and perhaps 10 or so might be recorded in a good year. However, most individuals seldom linger in one location for very long and so usually they are seen by just a handful of lucky observers.
    128914.jpg
  • Golden Pheasant Chrysolophus pictus L 60-100cm. Male is gaudy and unmistakable; female is superficially similar to female Pheasant but separable on close inspection. Typically secretive. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has mainly red body plumage with golden-yellow crown and barred ‘cape’, yellow rump and blue on wings and back; tail is buffish with intricate dark markings. Adult female is buffish brown with distinct dark barring all over; note contrast between pale brown face and darker crown and nape. Juvenile recalls a small, short-tailed female. Voice Territorial male utters a shrill, disyllabic call. Status Native of China. Introduced and now very locally established; favours dense woodland.
    133724.jpg
  • Golden Pheasant Chrysolophus pictus L 60-100cm. Male is gaudy and unmistakable; female is superficially similar to female Pheasant but separable on close inspection. Typically secretive. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has mainly red body plumage with golden-yellow crown and barred ‘cape’, yellow rump and blue on wings and back; tail is buffish with intricate dark markings. Adult female is buffish brown with distinct dark barring all over; note contrast between pale brown face and darker crown and nape. Juvenile recalls a small, short-tailed female. Voice Territorial male utters a shrill, disyllabic call. Status Native of China. Introduced and now very locally established; favours dense woodland.
    133726.jpg
  • Golden Pheasant Chrysolophus pictus L 60-100cm. Male is gaudy and unmistakable; female is superficially similar to female Pheasant but separable on close inspection. Typically secretive. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has mainly red body plumage with golden-yellow crown and barred ‘cape’, yellow rump and blue on wings and back; tail is buffish with intricate dark markings. Adult female is buffish brown with distinct dark barring all over; note contrast between pale brown face and darker crown and nape. Juvenile recalls a small, short-tailed female. Voice Territorial male utters a shrill, disyllabic call. Status Native of China. Introduced and now very locally established; favours dense woodland.
    133727.jpg
  • Eider (female) Somateria mollissima L 50-70cm. Bulky seaduck with distinctive profile: wedge-shaped bill forms continuous line with slope of forehead. Gregarious for most of year. In summer, female flocks supervise ‘creche’ of youngsters. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has mainly black underparts and white upperparts, except for black cap, lime green nape and pinkish flush on breast. In eclipse, plumage is brown and black, with some white feathers on back, and pale stripe above eye. Adult female is brown with darker barring. Juvenile is similar to adult female but with pale stripe above eye. Voice Male utters endearing, cooing ah-whooo. Status Almost exclusively coastal. Nests close to seashore and feeds in inshore waters, diving for prey such as mussels.
    136017.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.
    136021.jpg
  • Eider (male) Somateria mollissima L 50-70cm. Bulky seaduck with distinctive profile: wedge-shaped bill forms continuous line with slope of forehead. Gregarious for most of year. In summer, female flocks supervise ‘creche’ of youngsters. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has mainly black underparts and white upperparts, except for black cap, lime green nape and pinkish flush on breast. In eclipse, plumage is brown and black, with some white feathers on back, and pale stripe above eye. Adult female is brown with darker barring. Juvenile is similar to adult female but with pale stripe above eye. Voice Male utters endearing, cooing ah-whooo. Status Almost exclusively coastal. Nests close to seashore and feeds in inshore waters, diving for prey such as mussels.
    136024.jpg
  • Gadwall (female) 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.
    136026.jpg
  • Osprey Pandion halieaetus W 145-160cm. The classic fish-eating raptor. Can look gull-like in flight but fishing technique is unmistakable: hovers, then plunges talons first into water. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly brown upperparts, except for pale crown; underparts are mainly whitish with darker chest band. In flight from below, looks pale overall with dark carpal patches, dark band along base of flight feathers and dark terminal band on barred tail. Juvenile is similar to adult but darker markings are less distinct. Voice Utters various whistling calls. Status Migrant visitor, seldom seen far from water even on migration. Nests close to large waterbodies, mainly in N. Breeding range is gradually extending S; also introduced in places (notably Rutland Water). Passage migrants sometimes linger for a few days at fish-rich lakes and flooded gravel pits.
    136104.jpg
  • Razorbill Alca torda L 41cm. Bulky seabird with distinctive bill and essentially black and white plumage. Swims well and flies on whirring wingbeats. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has black head, neck and upperparts, and white underparts; note white wingbar. Bill is large and flattened with vertical ridges and white lines. In winter, similar but throat and cheeks are white and bill is smaller. Voice Mostly silent. Status Locally common on rocky coast seabird colonies in W and N. Nests under boulders and in crevices on cliff ledges. Pelagic outside breeding season; healthy birds seldom seen close to land. Vulnerable to oil spills.
    136164.jpg
  • Sabine’s Gull Xema sabini L 30-35cm. Distinctive seabird. Can only be confused with juvenile Kittiwake but upperwing patterns are separable with care. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has blue-grey back and upperwings, dark hood, dark wingtips with white spots and dark bill with yellow tip. In flight, upperwing pattern is diagnostic: triangular patches of black, white and grey. Tail is forked. In winter, similar but dark smudges on nape replace dark hood. Juvenile has a upperwing pattern to adult but triangle of grey replaced by scaly grey-brown. Forked tail is dark-tipped. Voice Silent. Status Nests in high Arctic and winters at sea in southern oceans. Seen here mainly as offshore passage migrant in autumn. Does not willingly come close to land.
    136777.jpg
  • Sabine’s Gull Xema sabini L 30-35cm. Distinctive seabird. Can only be confused with juvenile Kittiwake but upperwing patterns are separable with care. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has blue-grey back and upperwings, dark hood, dark wingtips with white spots and dark bill with yellow tip. In flight, upperwing pattern is diagnostic: triangular patches of black, white and grey. Tail is forked. In winter, similar but dark smudges on nape replace dark hood. Juvenile has a upperwing pattern to adult but triangle of grey replaced by scaly grey-brown. Forked tail is dark-tipped. Voice Silent. Status Nests in high Arctic and winters at sea in southern oceans. Seen here mainly as offshore passage migrant in autumn. Does not willingly come close to land.
    136778.jpg
  • Common Gull Larus canus 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.
    137364.jpg
  • Common Gull Larus canus 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.
    137363.jpg
  • Common Gull Larus canus 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.
    137365.jpg
  • Common Gull Larus canus 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.
    137367.jpg
  • Razorbill Alca torda L 41cm. Bulky seabird with distinctive bill and essentially black and white plumage. Swims well and flies on whirring wingbeats. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has black head, neck and upperparts, and white underparts; note white wingbar. Bill is large and flattened with vertical ridges and white lines. In winter, similar but throat and cheeks are white and bill is smaller. Voice Mostly silent. Status Locally common on rocky coast seabird colonies in W and N. Nests under boulders and in crevices on cliff ledges. Pelagic outside breeding season; healthy birds seldom seen close to land. Vulnerable to oil spills.
    137575.jpg
  • Osprey Pandion halieaetus W 145-160cm. The classic fish-eating raptor. Can look gull-like in flight but fishing technique is unmistakable: hovers, then plunges talons first into water. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly brown upperparts, except for pale crown; underparts are mainly whitish with darker chest band. In flight from below, looks pale overall with dark carpal patches, dark band along base of flight feathers and dark terminal band on barred tail. Juvenile is similar to adult but darker markings are less distinct. Voice Utters various whistling calls. Status Migrant visitor, seldom seen far from water even on migration. Nests close to large waterbodies, mainly in N. Breeding range is gradually extending S; also introduced in places (notably Rutland Water). Passage migrants sometimes linger for a few days at fish-rich lakes and flooded gravel pits.
    137581.jpg
  • Common Scoter Melanitta nigra L 44-54cm. Male is our only all-black duck. Rather long tail is sometimes raised when swimming. Gregarious outside breeding season. In flight, looks mainly dark but paler flight feathers can sometimes be seen. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has uniformly black plumage. Head sheen only visible at close range. Bill is mostly dark but with yellow ridge; base is bulbous base. 1st winter male has browner plumage are all-dark bill. Adult female has mainly dark brown plumage with pale buff cheeks. Juvenile resembles aadult female. Voice Mostly silent. Status Rare breeding bird, found on vegetated N lakes and lochs. Locally fairly common in winter, found on coasts with sandy seabeds.
    137585.jpg
  • Marsh Warbler Acrocephalus palustris (L 13-14cm) is very similar to a Reed Warbler and the best way to separate the two is by song: a Marsh’ is rich and varied, including amazing mimicry of both other European songsters and species learnt in its African wintering grounds. It also favours subtly different habitats, namely rank waterside vegetation (including nettles and brambles) rather than reedebeds. On close inspection, subtle plumage and structural differences also exist between the two species. An adult Marsh has grey-brown upperparts (not ‘warm’) including the rump, and pale underparts suffused yellow-buff. The legs are pinkish (not dark) and the soles of the feet look yellowish. The species is a rare summer visitor and just a handful of pairs breed.
    137764.jpg
  • Marsh Warbler Acrocephalus palustris (L 13-14cm) is very similar to a Reed Warbler and the best way to separate the two is by song: a Marsh’ is rich and varied, including amazing mimicry of both other European songsters and species learnt in its African wintering grounds. It also favours subtly different habitats, namely rank waterside vegetation (including nettles and brambles) rather than reedebeds. On close inspection, subtle plumage and structural differences also exist between the two species. An adult Marsh has grey-brown upperparts (not ‘warm’) including the rump, and pale underparts suffused yellow-buff. The legs are pinkish (not dark) and the soles of the feet look yellowish. The species is a rare summer visitor and just a handful of pairs breed.
    137765.jpg
  • Marsh Warbler Acrocephalus palustris (L 13-14cm) is very similar to a Reed Warbler and the best way to separate the two is by song: a Marsh’ is rich and varied, including amazing mimicry of both other European songsters and species learnt in its African wintering grounds. It also favours subtly different habitats, namely rank waterside vegetation (including nettles and brambles) rather than reedebeds. On close inspection, subtle plumage and structural differences also exist between the two species. An adult Marsh has grey-brown upperparts (not ‘warm’) including the rump, and pale underparts suffused yellow-buff. The legs are pinkish (not dark) and the soles of the feet look yellowish. The species is a rare summer visitor and just a handful of pairs breed.
    137767.jpg
  • Marsh Warbler Acrocephalus palustris (L 13-14cm) is very similar to a Reed Warbler and the best way to separate the two is by song: a Marsh’ is rich and varied, including amazing mimicry of both other European songsters and species learnt in its African wintering grounds. It also favours subtly different habitats, namely rank waterside vegetation (including nettles and brambles) rather than reedebeds. On close inspection, subtle plumage and structural differences also exist between the two species. An adult Marsh has grey-brown upperparts (not ‘warm’) including the rump, and pale underparts suffused yellow-buff. The legs are pinkish (not dark) and the soles of the feet look yellowish. The species is a rare summer visitor and just a handful of pairs breed.
    137766.jpg
  • HONEY-BUZZARD Pernis apivorus Wingspan 135-150cm. Feeds exclusively on larvae and adults of bees and wasps. In flight, recalls Buzzard but has proportionately longer tail, with wings held slightly downcurved when soaring. Adult plumage is variable but typically has brownish upperparts, pale underparts, a grey head and evenly barred grey tail. At close range, note yellow eye and longish, narrow bill. In flight from below, note evenly barred tail, dark carpal patch and conspicuous barring on underwing. Juvenile is similar to adult but usually browner overall and with less distinct barring on underwing coverts. Voice – mainly silent. Status and habitat – Summer visitor to Britain, present May-September. Favours mature, open woodland and New Forest is a stronghold.
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  • HONEY-BUZZARD Pernis apivorus Wingspan 135-150cm. Feeds exclusively on larvae and adults of bees and wasps. In flight, recalls Buzzard but has proportionately longer tail, with wings held slightly downcurved when soaring. Adult plumage is variable but typically has brownish upperparts, pale underparts, a grey head and evenly barred grey tail. At close range, note yellow eye and longish, narrow bill. In flight from below, note evenly barred tail, dark carpal patch and conspicuous barring on underwing. Juvenile is similar to adult but usually browner overall and with less distinct barring on underwing coverts. Voice – mainly silent. Status and habitat – Summer visitor to Britain, present May-September. Favours mature, open woodland and New Forest is a stronghold.
    139757.jpg
  • HONEY-BUZZARD Pernis apivorus Wingspan 135-150cm. Feeds exclusively on larvae and adults of bees and wasps. In flight, recalls Buzzard but has proportionately longer tail, with wings held slightly downcurved when soaring. Adult plumage is variable but typically has brownish upperparts, pale underparts, a grey head and evenly barred grey tail. At close range, note yellow eye and longish, narrow bill. In flight from below, note evenly barred tail, dark carpal patch and conspicuous barring on underwing. Juvenile is similar to adult but usually browner overall and with less distinct barring on underwing coverts. Voice – mainly silent. Status and habitat – Summer visitor to Britain, present May-September. Favours mature, open woodland and New Forest is a stronghold.
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  • Eider Somateria mollissima L 50-70cm. Bulky seaduck with distinctive profile: wedge-shaped bill forms continuous line with slope of forehead. Gregarious for most of year. In summer, female flocks supervise ‘creche’ of youngsters. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has mainly black underparts and white upperparts, except for black cap, lime green nape and pinkish flush on breast. In eclipse, plumage is brown and black, with some white feathers on back, and pale stripe above eye. Adult female is brown with darker barring. Juvenile is similar to adult female but with pale stripe above eye. Voice Male utters endearing, cooing ah-whooo. Status Almost exclusively coastal. Nests close to seashore and feeds in inshore waters, diving for prey such as mussels.
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  • Razorbill Alca torda L 41cm. Bulky seabird with distinctive bill and essentially black and white plumage. Swims well and flies on whirring wingbeats. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has black head, neck and upperparts, and white underparts; note white wingbar. Bill is large and flattened with vertical ridges and white lines. In winter, similar but throat and cheeks are white and bill is smaller. Voice Mostly silent. Status Locally common on rocky coast seabird colonies in W and N. Nests under boulders and in crevices on cliff ledges. Pelagic outside breeding season; healthy birds seldom seen close to land. Vulnerable to oil spills.
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  • HONEY-BUZZARD Pernis apivorus Wingspan 135-150cm. Feeds exclusively on larvae and adults of bees and wasps. In flight, recalls Buzzard but has proportionately longer tail, with wings held slightly downcurved when soaring. Adult plumage is variable but typically has brownish upperparts, pale underparts, a grey head and evenly barred grey tail. At close range, note yellow eye and longish, narrow bill. In flight from below, note evenly barred tail, dark carpal patch and conspicuous barring on underwing. Juvenile is similar to adult but usually browner overall and with less distinct barring on underwing coverts. Voice – mainly silent. Status and habitat – Summer visitor to Britain, present May-September. Favours mature, open woodland and New Forest is a stronghold.
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  • HONEY-BUZZARD Pernis apivorus Wingspan 135-150cm. Feeds exclusively on larvae and adults of bees and wasps. In flight, recalls Buzzard but has proportionately longer tail, with wings held slightly downcurved when soaring. Adult plumage is variable but typically has brownish upperparts, pale underparts, a grey head and evenly barred grey tail. At close range, note yellow eye and longish, narrow bill. In flight from below, note evenly barred tail, dark carpal patch and conspicuous barring on underwing. Juvenile is similar to adult but usually browner overall and with less distinct barring on underwing coverts. Voice – mainly silent. Status and habitat – Summer visitor to Britain, present May-September. Favours mature, open woodland and New Forest is a stronghold.
    141321.jpg
  • HONEY-BUZZARD Pernis apivorus Wingspan 135-150cm. Feeds exclusively on larvae and adults of bees and wasps. In flight, recalls Buzzard but has proportionately longer tail, with wings held slightly downcurved when soaring. Adult plumage is variable but typically has brownish upperparts, pale underparts, a grey head and evenly barred grey tail. At close range, note yellow eye and longish, narrow bill. In flight from below, note evenly barred tail, dark carpal patch and conspicuous barring on underwing. Juvenile is similar to adult but usually browner overall and with less distinct barring on underwing coverts. Voice – mainly silent. Status and habitat – Summer visitor to Britain, present May-September. Favours mature, open woodland and New Forest is a stronghold.
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  • Razorbill Alca torda L 41cm. Bulky seabird with distinctive bill and essentially black and white plumage. Swims well and flies on whirring wingbeats. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has black head, neck and upperparts, and white underparts; note white wingbar. Bill is large and flattened with vertical ridges and white lines. In winter, similar but throat and cheeks are white and bill is smaller. Voice Mostly silent. Status Locally common on rocky coast seabird colonies in W and N. Nests under boulders and in crevices on cliff ledges. Pelagic outside breeding season; healthy birds seldom seen close to land. Vulnerable to oil spills.
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  • Common Gull Larus canus 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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  • Common Gull Larus canus 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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  • Red Grouse Lagopus lagopus scoticus L 37-42cm. Familiar moorland gamebird. If alarmed, takes to the air explosively; flight comprises bouts of rapid wingbeats and long glides on bowed wings. Both sexes have uniformly dark wings. Sexes are separable with care. Adult male has chestnut-brown plumage overall; fine feather markings visible at close range. Note red wattle above eye. Adult female has paler, more buffish grey and marbled plumage than male: well camouflaged when sitting on nest. Juvenile resembles adult female but with less well-marked plumage markings. Voice Utters a distinctive, go-back, go-back, go-back. Status Confined to heather moorland and feeds primarily on shoots of Heather and related plants. Moors are sometimes managed by selective burning for grouse (encourages young plant growth).
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  • HONEY-BUZZARD Pernis apivorus Wingspan 135-150cm. Feeds exclusively on larvae and adults of bees and wasps. In flight, recalls Buzzard but has proportionately longer tail, with wings held slightly downcurved when soaring. Adult plumage is variable but typically has brownish upperparts, pale underparts, a grey head and evenly barred grey tail. At close range, note yellow eye and longish, narrow bill. In flight from below, note evenly barred tail, dark carpal patch and conspicuous barring on underwing. Juvenile is similar to adult but usually browner overall and with less distinct barring on underwing coverts. Voice – mainly silent. Status and habitat – Summer visitor to Britain, present May-September. Favours mature, open woodland and New Forest is a stronghold.
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  • Common Gull Larus canus 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.
    143373.jpg
  • Common Gull Larus canus 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.
    143378.jpg
  • Osprey Pandion halieaetus W 145-160cm. The classic fish-eating raptor. Can look gull-like in flight but fishing technique is unmistakable: hovers, then plunges talons first into water. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly brown upperparts, except for pale crown; underparts are mainly whitish with darker chest band. In flight from below, looks pale overall with dark carpal patches, dark band along base of flight feathers and dark terminal band on barred tail. Juvenile is similar to adult but darker markings are less distinct. Voice Utters various whistling calls. Status Migrant visitor, seldom seen far from water even on migration. Nests close to large waterbodies, mainly in N. Breeding range is gradually extending S; also introduced in places (notably Rutland Water). Passage migrants sometimes linger for a few days at fish-rich lakes and flooded gravel pits.
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  • Razorbill Alca torda L 41cm. Bulky seabird with distinctive bill and essentially black and white plumage. Swims well and flies on whirring wingbeats. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has black head, neck and upperparts, and white underparts; note white wingbar. Bill is large and flattened with vertical ridges and white lines. In winter, similar but throat and cheeks are white and bill is smaller. Voice Mostly silent. Status Locally common on rocky coast seabird colonies in W and N. Nests under boulders and in crevices on cliff ledges. Pelagic outside breeding season; healthy birds seldom seen close to land. Vulnerable to oil spills.
    143498.jpg
  • Razorbill Alca torda L 41cm. Bulky seabird with distinctive bill and essentially black and white plumage. Swims well and flies on whirring wingbeats. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has black head, neck and upperparts, and white underparts; note white wingbar. Bill is large and flattened with vertical ridges and white lines. In winter, similar but throat and cheeks are white and bill is smaller. Voice Mostly silent. Status Locally common on rocky coast seabird colonies in W and N. Nests under boulders and in crevices on cliff ledges. Pelagic outside breeding season; healthy birds seldom seen close to land. Vulnerable to oil spills.
    143522.jpg
  • Razorbill Alca torda L 41cm. Bulky seabird with distinctive bill and essentially black and white plumage. Swims well and flies on whirring wingbeats. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has black head, neck and upperparts, and white underparts; note white wingbar. Bill is large and flattened with vertical ridges and white lines. In winter, similar but throat and cheeks are white and bill is smaller. Voice Mostly silent. Status Locally common on rocky coast seabird colonies in W and N. Nests under boulders and in crevices on cliff ledges. Pelagic outside breeding season; healthy birds seldom seen close to land. Vulnerable to oil spills.
    143752.jpg
  • Razorbill Alca torda L 41cm. Bulky seabird with distinctive bill and essentially black and white plumage. Swims well and flies on whirring wingbeats. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has black head, neck and upperparts, and white underparts; note white wingbar. Bill is large and flattened with vertical ridges and white lines. In winter, similar but throat and cheeks are white and bill is smaller. Voice Mostly silent. Status Locally common on rocky coast seabird colonies in W and N. Nests under boulders and in crevices on cliff ledges. Pelagic outside breeding season; healthy birds seldom seen close to land. Vulnerable to oil spills.
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  • HONEY-BUZZARD Pernis apivorus Wingspan 135-150cm. Feeds exclusively on larvae and adults of bees and wasps. In flight, recalls Buzzard but has proportionately longer tail, with wings held slightly downcurved when soaring. Adult plumage is variable but typically has brownish upperparts, pale underparts, a grey head and evenly barred grey tail. At close range, note yellow eye and longish, narrow bill. In flight from below, note evenly barred tail, dark carpal patch and conspicuous barring on underwing. Juvenile is similar to adult but usually browner overall and with less distinct barring on underwing coverts. Voice – mainly silent. Status and habitat – Summer visitor to Britain, present May-September. Favours mature, open woodland and New Forest is a stronghold.
    143861.jpg
  • HONEY-BUZZARD Pernis apivorus Wingspan 135-150cm. Feeds exclusively on larvae and adults of bees and wasps. In flight, recalls Buzzard but has proportionately longer tail, with wings held slightly downcurved when soaring. Adult plumage is variable but typically has brownish upperparts, pale underparts, a grey head and evenly barred grey tail. At close range, note yellow eye and longish, narrow bill. In flight from below, note evenly barred tail, dark carpal patch and conspicuous barring on underwing. Juvenile is similar to adult but usually browner overall and with less distinct barring on underwing coverts. Voice – mainly silent. Status and habitat – Summer visitor to Britain, present May-September. Favours mature, open woodland and New Forest is a stronghold.
    143860.jpg
  • HONEY-BUZZARD Pernis apivorus Wingspan 135-150cm. Feeds exclusively on larvae and adults of bees and wasps. In flight, recalls Buzzard but has proportionately longer tail, with wings held slightly downcurved when soaring. Adult plumage is variable but typically has brownish upperparts, pale underparts, a grey head and evenly barred grey tail. At close range, note yellow eye and longish, narrow bill. In flight from below, note evenly barred tail, dark carpal patch and conspicuous barring on underwing. Juvenile is similar to adult but usually browner overall and with less distinct barring on underwing coverts. Voice – mainly silent. Status and habitat – Summer visitor to Britain, present May-September. Favours mature, open woodland and New Forest is a stronghold.
    143862.jpg
  • HONEY-BUZZARD Pernis apivorus Wingspan 135-150cm. Feeds exclusively on larvae and adults of bees and wasps. In flight, recalls Buzzard but has proportionately longer tail, with wings held slightly downcurved when soaring. Adult plumage is variable but typically has brownish upperparts, pale underparts, a grey head and evenly barred grey tail. At close range, note yellow eye and longish, narrow bill. In flight from below, note evenly barred tail, dark carpal patch and conspicuous barring on underwing. Juvenile is similar to adult but usually browner overall and with less distinct barring on underwing coverts. Voice – mainly silent. Status and habitat – Summer visitor to Britain, present May-September. Favours mature, open woodland and New Forest is a stronghold.
    143864.jpg
  • HONEY-BUZZARD Pernis apivorus Wingspan 135-150cm. Feeds exclusively on larvae and adults of bees and wasps. In flight, recalls Buzzard but has proportionately longer tail, with wings held slightly downcurved when soaring. Adult plumage is variable but typically has brownish upperparts, pale underparts, a grey head and evenly barred grey tail. At close range, note yellow eye and longish, narrow bill. In flight from below, note evenly barred tail, dark carpal patch and conspicuous barring on underwing. Juvenile is similar to adult but usually browner overall and with less distinct barring on underwing coverts. Voice – mainly silent. Status and habitat – Summer visitor to Britain, present May-September. Favours mature, open woodland and New Forest is a stronghold.
    143863.jpg
  • HONEY-BUZZARD Pernis apivorus Wingspan 135-150cm. Feeds exclusively on larvae and adults of bees and wasps. In flight, recalls Buzzard but has proportionately longer tail, with wings held slightly downcurved when soaring. Adult plumage is variable but typically has brownish upperparts, pale underparts, a grey head and evenly barred grey tail. At close range, note yellow eye and longish, narrow bill. In flight from below, note evenly barred tail, dark carpal patch and conspicuous barring on underwing. Juvenile is similar to adult but usually browner overall and with less distinct barring on underwing coverts. Voice – mainly silent. Status and habitat – Summer visitor to Britain, present May-September. Favours mature, open woodland and New Forest is a stronghold.
    143865.jpg
  • HONEY-BUZZARD Pernis apivorus Wingspan 135-150cm. Feeds exclusively on larvae and adults of bees and wasps. In flight, recalls Buzzard but has proportionately longer tail, with wings held slightly downcurved when soaring. Adult plumage is variable but typically has brownish upperparts, pale underparts, a grey head and evenly barred grey tail. At close range, note yellow eye and longish, narrow bill. In flight from below, note evenly barred tail, dark carpal patch and conspicuous barring on underwing. Juvenile is similar to adult but usually browner overall and with less distinct barring on underwing coverts. Voice – mainly silent. Status and habitat – Summer visitor to Britain, present May-September. Favours mature, open woodland and New Forest is a stronghold.
    143866.jpg
  • Osprey Pandion halieaetus W 145-160cm. The classic fish-eating raptor. Can look gull-like in flight but fishing technique is unmistakable: hovers, then plunges talons first into water. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly brown upperparts, except for pale crown; underparts are mainly whitish with darker chest band. In flight from below, looks pale overall with dark carpal patches, dark band along base of flight feathers and dark terminal band on barred tail. Juvenile is similar to adult but darker markings are less distinct. Voice Utters various whistling calls. Status Migrant visitor, seldom seen far from water even on migration. Nests close to large waterbodies, mainly in N. Breeding range is gradually extending S; also introduced in places (notably Rutland Water). Passage migrants sometimes linger for a few days at fish-rich lakes and flooded gravel pits.
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  • Osprey Pandion halieaetus W 145-160cm. The classic fish-eating raptor. Can look gull-like in flight but fishing technique is unmistakable: hovers, then plunges talons first into water. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly brown upperparts, except for pale crown; underparts are mainly whitish with darker chest band. In flight from below, looks pale overall with dark carpal patches, dark band along base of flight feathers and dark terminal band on barred tail. Juvenile is similar to adult but darker markings are less distinct. Voice Utters various whistling calls. Status Migrant visitor, seldom seen far from water even on migration. Nests close to large waterbodies, mainly in N. Breeding range is gradually extending S; also introduced in places (notably Rutland Water). Passage migrants sometimes linger for a few days at fish-rich lakes and flooded gravel pits.
    143994.jpg
  • Osprey Pandion halieaetus W 145-160cm. The classic fish-eating raptor. Can look gull-like in flight but fishing technique is unmistakable: hovers, then plunges talons first into water. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly brown upperparts, except for pale crown; underparts are mainly whitish with darker chest band. In flight from below, looks pale overall with dark carpal patches, dark band along base of flight feathers and dark terminal band on barred tail. Juvenile is similar to adult but darker markings are less distinct. Voice Utters various whistling calls. Status Migrant visitor, seldom seen far from water even on migration. Nests close to large waterbodies, mainly in N. Breeding range is gradually extending S; also introduced in places (notably Rutland Water). Passage migrants sometimes linger for a few days at fish-rich lakes and flooded gravel pits.
    143995.jpg
  • Razorbill Alca torda L 41cm. Bulky seabird with distinctive bill and essentially black and white plumage. Swims well and flies on whirring wingbeats. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has black head, neck and upperparts, and white underparts; note white wingbar. Bill is large and flattened with vertical ridges and white lines. In winter, similar but throat and cheeks are white and bill is smaller. Voice Mostly silent. Status Locally common on rocky coast seabird colonies in W and N. Nests under boulders and in crevices on cliff ledges. Pelagic outside breeding season; healthy birds seldom seen close to land. Vulnerable to oil spills.
    144675.jpg
  • Razorbill Alca torda L 41cm. Bulky seabird with distinctive bill and essentially black and white plumage. Swims well and flies on whirring wingbeats. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has black head, neck and upperparts, and white underparts; note white wingbar. Bill is large and flattened with vertical ridges and white lines. In winter, similar but throat and cheeks are white and bill is smaller. Voice Mostly silent. Status Locally common on rocky coast seabird colonies in W and N. Nests under boulders and in crevices on cliff ledges. Pelagic outside breeding season; healthy birds seldom seen close to land. Vulnerable to oil spills.
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  • Goshawk Accipiter gentilis W 100-115cm. Impressive, buzzard-sized raptor. In flight, note broad, rounded wings and relatively long but thickset barred tail. Soaring birds fan their tails and splay white, fluffy, undertail. Close view (an unusual event) reveals orange eye, yellow legs and feet, and striking pale supercilium. Xexes are similar but male is smaller than female. Adult has mainly grey-brown upperparts; pale underparts are marked with fine dark barring. Juvenile has brown upperparts; buffish underparts are marked with dark, teardrop-shaped spots. Voice Utters a harsh kie-kie-kie in breeding season. Status Scarce but easily overlooked. Favours wooded habitats with adjacent open country.
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  • Goshawk Accipiter gentilis W 100-115cm. Impressive, buzzard-sized raptor. In flight, note broad, rounded wings and relatively long but thickset barred tail. Soaring birds fan their tails and splay white, fluffy, undertail. Close view (an unusual event) reveals orange eye, yellow legs and feet, and striking pale supercilium. Xexes are similar but male is smaller than female. Adult has mainly grey-brown upperparts; pale underparts are marked with fine dark barring. Juvenile has brown upperparts; buffish underparts are marked with dark, teardrop-shaped spots. Voice Utters a harsh kie-kie-kie in breeding season. Status Scarce but easily overlooked. Favours wooded habitats with adjacent open country.
    144856.jpg
  • Goshawk Accipiter gentilis W 100-115cm. Impressive, buzzard-sized raptor. In flight, note broad, rounded wings and relatively long but thickset barred tail. Soaring birds fan their tails and splay white, fluffy, undertail. Close view (an unusual event) reveals orange eye, yellow legs and feet, and striking pale supercilium. Xexes are similar but male is smaller than female. Adult has mainly grey-brown upperparts; pale underparts are marked with fine dark barring. Juvenile has brown upperparts; buffish underparts are marked with dark, teardrop-shaped spots. Voice Utters a harsh kie-kie-kie in breeding season. Status Scarce but easily overlooked. Favours wooded habitats with adjacent open country.
    144857.jpg
  • Goshawk Accipiter gentilis W 100-115cm. Impressive, buzzard-sized raptor. In flight, note broad, rounded wings and relatively long but thickset barred tail. Soaring birds fan their tails and splay white, fluffy, undertail. Close view (an unusual event) reveals orange eye, yellow legs and feet, and striking pale supercilium. Xexes are similar but male is smaller than female. Adult has mainly grey-brown upperparts; pale underparts are marked with fine dark barring. Juvenile has brown upperparts; buffish underparts are marked with dark, teardrop-shaped spots. Voice Utters a harsh kie-kie-kie in breeding season. Status Scarce but easily overlooked. Favours wooded habitats with adjacent open country.
    144858.jpg
  • Goshawk Accipiter gentilis W 100-115cm. Impressive, buzzard-sized raptor. In flight, note broad, rounded wings and relatively long but thickset barred tail. Soaring birds fan their tails and splay white, fluffy, undertail. Close view (an unusual event) reveals orange eye, yellow legs and feet, and striking pale supercilium. Xexes are similar but male is smaller than female. Adult has mainly grey-brown upperparts; pale underparts are marked with fine dark barring. Juvenile has brown upperparts; buffish underparts are marked with dark, teardrop-shaped spots. Voice Utters a harsh kie-kie-kie in breeding season. Status Scarce but easily overlooked. Favours wooded habitats with adjacent open country.
    144859.jpg
  • Goshawk Accipiter gentilis W 100-115cm. Impressive, buzzard-sized raptor. In flight, note broad, rounded wings and relatively long but thickset barred tail. Soaring birds fan their tails and splay white, fluffy, undertail. Close view (an unusual event) reveals orange eye, yellow legs and feet, and striking pale supercilium. Xexes are similar but male is smaller than female. Adult has mainly grey-brown upperparts; pale underparts are marked with fine dark barring. Juvenile has brown upperparts; buffish underparts are marked with dark, teardrop-shaped spots. Voice Utters a harsh kie-kie-kie in breeding season. Status Scarce but easily overlooked. Favours wooded habitats with adjacent open country.
    144864.jpg
  • Osprey Pandion halieaetus W 145-160cm. The classic fish-eating raptor. Can look gull-like in flight but fishing technique is unmistakable: hovers, then plunges talons first into water. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly brown upperparts, except for pale crown; underparts are mainly whitish with darker chest band. In flight from below, looks pale overall with dark carpal patches, dark band along base of flight feathers and dark terminal band on barred tail. Juvenile is similar to adult but darker markings are less distinct. Voice Utters various whistling calls. Status Migrant visitor, seldom seen far from water even on migration. Nests close to large waterbodies, mainly in N. Breeding range is gradually extending S; also introduced in places (notably Rutland Water). Passage migrants sometimes linger for a few days at fish-rich lakes and flooded gravel pits.
    145422.jpg
  • Osprey Pandion halieaetus W 145-160cm. The classic fish-eating raptor. Can look gull-like in flight but fishing technique is unmistakable: hovers, then plunges talons first into water. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly brown upperparts, except for pale crown; underparts are mainly whitish with darker chest band. In flight from below, looks pale overall with dark carpal patches, dark band along base of flight feathers and dark terminal band on barred tail. Juvenile is similar to adult but darker markings are less distinct. Voice Utters various whistling calls. Status Migrant visitor, seldom seen far from water even on migration. Nests close to large waterbodies, mainly in N. Breeding range is gradually extending S; also introduced in places (notably Rutland Water). Passage migrants sometimes linger for a few days at fish-rich lakes and flooded gravel pits.
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  • Common Gull Larus canus 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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  • Common Gull Larus canus 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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  • Woodcock Scolopax rusticola L 35-38cm. Dumpy, long-billed wader with short legs and cryptic plumage. Mainly nocturnal. Sexes and ages are similar. Adult and juvenile have marbled chestnut, black and white plumage, palest and more extensively barred on underparts. Note large eyes, located high on head, giving bird almost complete all-round vision. Voice Male utters soft duck-like calls and explosive squeaks at dusk. Status Associated with wooded habitats; both mixed and deciduous woodland is favoured. Needs mosaic of open areas and dense canopy cover in breeding season. Migrants from as far as Russia boost winter numbers and then very locally common. Sadly many are shot. Observation tips Easiest to detect in spring: visit likely looking woodland at dusk and watch and listen for roding birds. Prolonged close views are tricky because bird is so difficult to spot.
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  • Woodcock Scolopax rusticola L 35-38cm. Dumpy, long-billed wader with short legs and cryptic plumage. Mainly nocturnal. Sexes and ages are similar. Adult and juvenile have marbled chestnut, black and white plumage, palest and more extensively barred on underparts. Note large eyes, located high on head, giving bird almost complete all-round vision. Voice Male utters soft duck-like calls and explosive squeaks at dusk. Status Associated with wooded habitats; both mixed and deciduous woodland is favoured. Needs mosaic of open areas and dense canopy cover in breeding season. Migrants from as far as Russia boost winter numbers and then very locally common. Sadly many are shot. Observation tips Easiest to detect in spring: visit likely looking woodland at dusk and watch and listen for roding birds. Prolonged close views are tricky because bird is so difficult to spot.
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  • Woodcock Scolopax rusticola L 35-38cm. Dumpy, long-billed wader with short legs and cryptic plumage. Mainly nocturnal. Sexes and ages are similar. Adult and juvenile have marbled chestnut, black and white plumage, palest and more extensively barred on underparts. Note large eyes, located high on head, giving bird almost complete all-round vision. Voice Male utters soft duck-like calls and explosive squeaks at dusk. Status Associated with wooded habitats; both mixed and deciduous woodland is favoured. Needs mosaic of open areas and dense canopy cover in breeding season. Migrants from as far as Russia boost winter numbers and then very locally common. Sadly many are shot. Observation tips Easiest to detect in spring: visit likely looking woodland at dusk and watch and listen for roding birds. Prolonged close views are tricky because bird is so difficult to spot.
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  • Woodcock Scolopax rusticola L 35-38cm. Dumpy, long-billed wader with short legs and cryptic plumage. Mainly nocturnal. Sexes and ages are similar. Adult and juvenile have marbled chestnut, black and white plumage, palest and more extensively barred on underparts. Note large eyes, located high on head, giving bird almost complete all-round vision. Voice Male utters soft duck-like calls and explosive squeaks at dusk. Status Associated with wooded habitats; both mixed and deciduous woodland is favoured. Needs mosaic of open areas and dense canopy cover in breeding season. Migrants from as far as Russia boost winter numbers and then very locally common. Sadly many are shot. Observation tips Easiest to detect in spring: visit likely looking woodland at dusk and watch and listen for roding birds. Prolonged close views are tricky because bird is so difficult to spot.
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  • Lodgepole Pine Pinus contorta (ssp. latifolia). Similar to Beach Pine (ssp. Pinaceae) Columnar with a less dense crown; usually grows on a much straighter, but sometimes divided trunk. Needles are broader than those of Beach Pine, and more spread apart. Grows in the mountains well inland away from sea. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS All trees have male flowers in dense clusters near the tips of shoots. Female flowers grow in groups of up to 4 close to the tip of the shoot. Cones are rounded to ovoid, up to 6cm long and 3cm in diameter, and usually a shiny yellow-brown. Each cone scale has a slender, sharp tip, which easily breaks off.<br />
STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native to coastal western North America, widely planted here for timber on poor soils and exposed, often upland, sites.
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  • Ivory Gull - Pagophila eburnea - Juvenile. Length 41-45cm. An elegant and distinctive high Arctic gull. Adult has pure white plumage and black legs. The rounded head, dark eye and dainty bill create an almost dove-like appearance. At close range, note the bluish base and yellow tip to the bill. Juvenile is similar, but the face is grubby-looking and the wings are adorned with neat black spots. The Ivory Gull is typically discovered in the dead of winter and records from our region (a couple in a good year) have a northerly bias. The species often feeds on beached seal and porpoise carcasses in our region.
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  • HONEY-BUZZARD Pernis apivorus Wingspan 135-150cm. Feeds exclusively on larvae and adults of bees and wasps. In flight, recalls Buzzard but has proportionately longer tail, with wings held slightly downcurved when soaring. Adult plumage is variable but typically has brownish upperparts, pale underparts, a grey head and evenly barred grey tail. At close range, note yellow eye and longish, narrow bill. In flight from below, note evenly barred tail, dark carpal patch and conspicuous barring on underwing. Juvenile is similar to adult but usually browner overall and with less distinct barring on underwing coverts. Voice – mainly silent. Status and habitat – Summer visitor to Britain, present May-September. Favours mature, open woodland and New Forest is a stronghold.
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  • Common Seal Phoca vitulina Length 1.2-1.9m Has a ‘friendly’-looking face. Hauled-out seals are easy to observe. Adult is greyish brown but variably mottled with darker spots. Underside is paler than upperside. Dry coat looks shiny if coated in sand. Bridge of nose has concave outline (convex in Grey Seal) and muzzle is blunt, creating a dog-like appearance. Seen from front, nostrils are close together at base and splayed in V-shaped fashion (separated from, and more parallel to, one another in Grey Seal). Front flippers have claws and powerful hind flippers effect propulsion when swimming. Males are larger and heavier than females. Pup is born with marbled grey-brown coat. Widespread on E coast of England and around Scotland and Ireland generally.
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  • European Beaver Castor fiber Length 120-150cm including tail. Large, aquatic rodent with proportionately large head, water-repellent fur and broad, paddle-like tail used for swimming. Once hunted (for fur) close to extinction across its temperate European range. Now re-introduced in places and recovering.
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  • European Beaver Castor fiber Length 120-150cm including tail. Large, aquatic rodent with proportionately large head, water-repellent fur and broad, paddle-like tail used for swimming. Once hunted (for fur) close to extinction across its temperate European range. Now re-introduced in places and recovering.
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  • Red Grouse Lagopus lagopus scoticus L 37-42cm. Familiar moorland gamebird. If alarmed, takes to the air explosively; flight comprises bouts of rapid wingbeats and long glides on bowed wings. Both sexes have uniformly dark wings. Sexes are separable with care. Adult male has chestnut-brown plumage overall; fine feather markings visible at close range. Note red wattle above eye. Adult female has paler, more buffish grey and marbled plumage than male: well camouflaged when sitting on nest. Juvenile resembles adult female but with less well-marked plumage markings. Voice Utters a distinctive, go-back, go-back, go-back. Status Confined to heather moorland and feeds primarily on shoots of Heather and related plants. Moors are sometimes managed by selective burning for grouse (encourages young plant growth).
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  • Common Scoter Melanitta nigra L 44-54cm. Male is our only all-black duck. Rather long tail is sometimes raised when swimming. Gregarious outside breeding season. In flight, looks mainly dark but paler flight feathers can sometimes be seen. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has uniformly black plumage. Head sheen only visible at close range. Bill is mostly dark but with yellow ridge; base is bulbous base. 1st winter male has browner plumage are all-dark bill. Adult female has mainly dark brown plumage with pale buff cheeks. Juvenile resembles aadult female. Voice Mostly silent. Status Rare breeding bird, found on vegetated N lakes and lochs. Locally fairly common in winter, found on coasts with sandy seabeds.
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  • Osprey Pandion halieaetus W 145-160cm. The classic fish-eating raptor. Can look gull-like in flight but fishing technique is unmistakable: hovers, then plunges talons first into water. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly brown upperparts, except for pale crown; underparts are mainly whitish with darker chest band. In flight from below, looks pale overall with dark carpal patches, dark band along base of flight feathers and dark terminal band on barred tail. Juvenile is similar to adult but darker markings are less distinct. Voice Utters various whistling calls. Status Migrant visitor, seldom seen far from water even on migration. Nests close to large waterbodies, mainly in N. Breeding range is gradually extending S; also introduced in places (notably Rutland Water). Passage migrants sometimes linger for a few days at fish-rich lakes and flooded gravel pits.
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  • Golden Pheasant Chrysolophus pictus L 60-100cm. Male is gaudy and unmistakable; female is superficially similar to female Pheasant but separable on close inspection. Typically secretive. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has mainly red body plumage with golden-yellow crown and barred ‘cape’, yellow rump and blue on wings and back; tail is buffish with intricate dark markings. Adult female is buffish brown with distinct dark barring all over; note contrast between pale brown face and darker crown and nape. Juvenile recalls a small, short-tailed female. Voice Territorial male utters a shrill, disyllabic call. Status Native of China. Introduced and now very locally established; favours dense woodland.
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  • Razorbill Alca torda L 41cm. Bulky seabird with distinctive bill and essentially black and white plumage. Swims well and flies on whirring wingbeats. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has black head, neck and upperparts, and white underparts; note white wingbar. Bill is large and flattened with vertical ridges and white lines. In winter, similar but throat and cheeks are white and bill is smaller. Voice Mostly silent. Status Locally common on rocky coast seabird colonies in W and N. Nests under boulders and in crevices on cliff ledges. Pelagic outside breeding season; healthy birds seldom seen close to land. Vulnerable to oil spills.
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