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Beachy Head from the air. © Ian Stannard from Southsea, England cc
Badger Meles meles Family: Mustelidae Habitat: Woodland and scrub. Food: Earthworms, insects, fruit, carrion, cereals and fruit. Season: All year round. IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern Badgers are sociable forming groups of around six adults. They are burrowing animals and construct complicated setts which are passed down the generations. They typically emerge late afternoon.
Rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus Family: Leporidae (Hares and Rabbits) Habitat: Farmland, gardens and parks, grasslands, meadows and orchards. Food: Mainly grasses but also leaves, buds, tree bark, roots, lettuce, cabbage, root vegetables, and grains. Season: All year round. IUCN Conservation Status: Near Threatened Sociable mammals, they dig a network of burrows, called warrens, where they live in medium sized colonies safe from some predators such as birds of prey. Although mainly crepuscular they are also active during the day.
Red Fox Vulpes vulpes crucigera Family: Canidae Habitat: Farmland, gardens and parks, woodland, heathland, grassland, sand dunes and sea cliffs. Size: Height 35-50 cm (14-20 in). Length 45-90 cm (18-35 in). Tail 30-56 cm (12-22 in). Food: Rodents, rabbits, birds, fruit and vegetables, fish, frogs, and worms. Sound: Vocal range of five octaves. Various barks and screams. Season: All year round. IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern
Common Bottlenose Dolphin Tursiops truncatus Family: Delphinidae (Marine Dolphins) Habitat: Temperate and tropical oceans throughout the world. Size: Length 2 and 4 m (6.6 and 13.1 ft). Food: Fish. Sound: Clicking sounds, squeaks, whistles, slapping sounds of tail or body on water. Season: All year round. IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern Live in pods that typically number about 15 individuals.
Common Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) © Pete Markham cc
Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis Family: Procellariidae (Shearwaters and allies) Habitat: Sea cliffs. Size: Length 46 cm (18 in). Wingspan 102-112 cm (40-44 in). Food: Shrimp, fish, squid, plankton, jellyfish, carrion and crustaceans. Season: All year round. IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern
Fulmar (Fulmarus glacialis) © Ron Knight cc
Herring Gull Larus argentatus Family: Laridae (Gulls) Habitat: Coastal, gardens and parks, lakes and reservoirs, beaches and shorelines, estuaries and brownfield. Size: Length 26 in (66 cm) Food: Omnivorous - fish, crustaceans, carrion and plants. Voice: Laughing call, yelping alarm call and low barking anxiety call. Season: All year round. IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern
Jackdaw Corvus monedula Family: Corvidae (Crows) Habitat: Fields, woods, parks and gardens. Size: Length 34 to 39 centimetres (13 to 15 in). Food: Fruit, seeds, invertebrates, insects, young birds, and eggs. Voice: Metallic and squeaky chyak-chyak or kak-kak. Season: All year round. IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern A skilled flyer thatcanmanoeuvre tightly and tumble and glide.
Jackdaw (Corvus monedula) © Micolo J
Rock Pipit Anthus petrosus Family: Motacillidae (Pipits and wagtails) Habitat: Beaches and shorelines and sea cliffs. Size: Length 16.5-17 centimetres (6.5-6.7 in). Food: Insects, beetles, small fish, small shellfish and seeds. Voice: Call pseep. Song Cheepa, cheepa ... gee gee ... trill. Season: All year round. IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern
Rock Pipit (Anthus petrosus) © Steve Herring cc
Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla Family: Laridae (Gulls) Habitat: Sea cliffs. Size: Length 37-41 cm (15-16 in). Wingspan 91-105 cm (36-41 in). Food: Fish, shrimps and worms. Voice: Kittii-wa-aake, kittii-wa-aake. Season: All year round. Resident February until August. IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern The kittiwake (Black-legged) nests on coastal cliffs in large, dense and noisy colonies.
Kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla) © Mmo iwdg cc
Whitethroat Sylvia communis Family: Sylviidae (Warblers and allies) Habitat: Heathlands and woodland. Food: Insects, berries and fruit. Voice: Wed-wed or woid-woid. Harsh tschack. Season: Early April to late October. IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern Winters in tropical Africa, Arabia, and Pakistan.
Whitethroat (Sylvia communis) ♂ © Ron Knight cc
Lesser Whitethroat Sylvia curruca Family: Sylviidae (Warblers and allies) Habitat: Hedgerows and scrub. Food: Insects, fruit and berries. Season: Early April to late October. IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern Builds its nest in low shrub or brambles.
Lesser Whitethroat (Sylvia curruca) © Matt Tillett cc
Stonechat Saxicola rubicola Family: Muscicapidae (Old World flycatchers) Habitat: Coastal, heathlands and coniferous woods. Food: Invertebrates, seeds and fruit such as blackberries. Voice: Weest tack tack and warble song. Season: All year round. All year round. IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern
Stonechat (Saxicola rubicola) © Amurfalcon cc
Corn Bunting Emberiza calandra Family: Emberizidae (Buntings) Habitat: Farmland. Size: Length 16-19 cm. Food: Seeds and insects. Voice: Repetitive sound similar to jangling keys. Season: All year round. IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern
Corn Bunting (Emberiza calandra) © Alastair Rae cc
Yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella Family: Emberizidae (Buntings) Habitat: Grasslands, heathlands, hedgerows and scrub. Size: Length 16-16.5 cm (6.3-6.5 in).Wingspan 23-29.5 cm (9.1-11.6 in). Food: Seeds and insects. Voice: Twick call and tzee-tzee-tzee-tzooo. Season: All year round. IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern Rapid population decline has lead to a red status in the UK.
Yellowhammer (Emberiza citrinella) © Alan Vernon cc
Green Woodpecker Picus viridis Family: Picidae (Woodpeckers and allies) Habitat: Gardens and parks, grasslands, heathlands and woodland. Food: Ants. Voice: Distinctive ringing laugh yah, yah, yah. Season: All year round. All year round. IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern Green woodpeckers spend a lot of time eating ants on the ground. They breed in oval holes they peck in dead wood.
European Green Woodpecker ♂ (picus viridis) © Andrei Stroe cc
Skylark Alauda arvensis Family: Alaudidae (Larks) Habitat: Farmland, grasslands, heathlands and woodland. Size: Length 16-18 cm (6.3-7.1 in). Food: Seeds and insects. Voice: Musical chirrup, prriee and prreet often mimics other birds. Season: All year round. IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern Often hovers or circles while singing.
Skylark (Alauda arvensis) © Daniel Pettersson cc
Peregrine Falco peregrinus Family: Falconidae (Falcons and allies) Habitat: Marsh, sea cliffs and purple moor grass and rush pasture. Size: Length 34-58 cm (13-23 in). Wingspan 74-120 cm (29-47 in). Food: Small and medium sized birds. Voice: Harsh reck-reck-reck. Season: All year round. Hunts at dawn and dusk, swooping down on birds in flight at great speed usually knocking them out with the impact.
Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) © Mike Baird cc
Merlin Falco columbarius Family: Falconidae (Falcons and allies) Habitat: Coastal, grasslands, heathlands, lowland fen, lowland raised bog and reedbeds. Food: Mainly small birds. Voice: Kee-kee-kee. Season: All year round. All year round. IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern The UK's smallest bird of prey has a rapid wingbeat and hovers in a breeze looking for prey.
Merlin (Falco columbarius) ♂ © Ron Knight cc
Red-throated Diver Gavia stellata Family: Gaviidae (Divers) Habitat: Arctic tundra, coastal, lakes and reservoirs, rivers and streams and sea cliffs. Size: Length 55-67 cm (22 to 26 in). Food: Fish. Season: Early August to late April. IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern
Red-throated Diver (Gavia stellata) © Jerry Kirkhart cc
Brent Goose Branta bernicla Family: Anatidae (Swans, ducks and geese) Habitat: Coastal grazing marsh and estuaries. Size: Length 55-66 cm (22-26 in). Wingspan 106-121 cm (42-48 in). Food: Vegetation, especially eel-grass. Season: Early October to late March. IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern
Brent Goose (Branta bernicla) © Martin Cooper cc
Common Scoter Melanitta nigra Family: Anatidae (Swans, ducks and geese) Habitat: Beaches and shorelines and estuaries. Size: Length 43-54 cm (17-21 in). Food: Crustaceans, molluscs, aquatic insects and small fish. Season: All year round. Larger numbers October to March. IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern
Common Scoter (Melanitta nigra) © Jason Thompson cc
Arctic Skua Stercorarius parasiticus Family: Stercorariidae (Skuas) Habitat: Coastal and sea stacks. Size: Length 41-48 cm (16-19 in). Wingspan 107-125 cm (42-49 in). Food: Mainly fish, some eggs, small birds, rodents and insects. Season: Early April to late October. IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern Also known as the parasitic skua as it steals the catches of gulls and terns.
Arctic Skua (Stercorarius parasiticus) © Ron Knight cc
Great Skua Stercorarius skua Family: Stercorariidae (Skuas) Habitat: Coastal, sea stacks and sea cliffs. Size: Length 50-58 cm (20-23 in). Wingspan 125-140 cm (49-55 in). Food: Fish, birds, eggs, carrion, offal, rodents, rabbits, and berries. Voice: Harsh hah-hah-hah-hah. Season: Early April to late July. IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern They steal the catch of gulls, terns and northern gannets.
Great Skua (Stercorarius skua) © Francesco Veronesi cc
Pomarine Skua Stercorarius pomarinus Family: Stercorariidae (Skuas) Habitat: Arctic tundra and sea cliffs. Size: Length 46-67 cm (18-26 in). Wingspan 110-138 cm (43-54 in). Food: Lemmings, fish, carrion and birds. Voice: Which-yew. Season: Early August to late November. Also late April to May. IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern Steals, with great agility, the catches of gulls, terns and gannets.
Pomarine Skua (Stercorarius pomarinus) © Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife cc
Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica Family: Scolopacidae (Sandpipers and allies) Habitat: Shoreline of sandy beaches and bays also sand flats, mud flats and the shores of lakes and rivers. Breeds on arctic tundra. Size: Length 37-41 cm (15-16 in). Wingspan 70-80 cm (28-31 in). Food: Worms, snails and insects. Voice: Kuway-Kuway-Kuway. Season: All year round. IUCN Conservation Status: Near Threatened Its migration is the longest known non-stop flight of any bird.
Bar-tailed Godwit (Limosa lapponica) © Mdk572 cc
Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe Family: Muscicapidae (Old World flycatchers) Habitat: Grasslands, heathlands and beaches and shorelines. Food: Insects and larvae. Voice: Call: chack. Song: crackly whistle. Season: Early March to late October. IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern
Wheatear (Oenanthe oenanthe) ♀ © Martin Cooper cc
Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita Family: Phylloscopidae (Leaf and wing warblers) Habitat: Gardens and parks, woodland and hedgerows. Food: Insects from trees and flight. Voice: Sharp series of chiff chaff sounds. Hoo-eet call. Season: All year round. Migrants late March to September. IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern Olive green warbler that gets its name from its distinctive chiff chaff song. The female builds a domed nest on or near the ground.
Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus collybita) © photo by SOC
Firecrest Regulus ignicapilla Family: Regulidae (Kinglets) Habitat: Hedgerows, mixed scrub, scrub, native pine woods and coniferous woods. Size: Length 9 cm (3.5 in). Wingspan 13-16 cm (5.1-6.3 in). Food: Spiders, moth eggs and other small insect food. Voice: High pitched see notes ending in flourish. Season: All year round. IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern Along with the goldcrest it is the UK's smallest bird.
Firecrest (Regulus ignicapilla) ♂ © PD
Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros Family: Muscicapidae (Old World flycatchers) Habitat: Towns and gardens, sea cliffs and brownfield. Size: Length 13-14.5 cm (5.1-5.7 in). Food: Insects, spiders, worms, berries and seeds. Voice: Call: tick. Season: All year round. IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern
Black Redstart (Phoenicurus ochruros) © Daniela cc
Wryneck Jynx torquilla Family: Picidae (Woodpeckers and allies) Habitat: Gardens and parks, heathlands, orchards, hedgerows, coniferous woods and deciduous woods. Size: Length 16.5 cm (6.5 in) Food: Ants. Voice: Shrill quee-quee-quee-quee. Season: All year round. IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern
Wryneck (Jynx torquilla) © Ron Knight cc
Icterine Warbler Hippolais icterina Family: Acrocephalidae (Warblers) Habitat: Gardens and parks, orchards, hedgerows and woodland clearings and edges. Size: Length 14 cm. Food: Insects and fruit. Voice: Tec, tec, tec. Season: All year round. IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern
Icterine Warbler (Hippolais icterina) © Ron Knight cc
Pallas's Warbler Phylloscopus proregulus Family: Phylloscopidae (Leaf and wing warblers) Habitat: Deciduous forest, scrub, lowland mixed deciduous, coniferous woods and deciduous woods. Size: Length 9-10 cm (3.5-3.9 in). Food: Insects and spiders. Voice: Whistles with interspersed trills. Season: All year round. IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern
Pallas's Warbler (Phylloscopus proregulus) © Stefan Berndtsson cc
Yellow-browed Warbler Phylloscopus inornatus Family: Phylloscopidae (Leaf and wing warblers) Habitat: Deciduous forest, montane forest, lowland mixed deciduous, coniferous woods, deciduous woods and woodland clearings and edges. Size: Length 9.5-11 cm (3.7- 4.3 in). Food: Insects and spiders. Voice: Call: tseeweest. Season: All year round. Very rare visitor. IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern
Yellow-browed Warbler (Phylloscopus inornatus) © Rob Zweers cc
Honey-buzzard Pernis apivorus Family: Accipitridae (Hawks and eagles) Habitat: Woodland, sea cliffs and valley mire. Size: Length 52-60 cm (20-24 in). Wingspan 135-150-cm (53-59 in). Food: Mainly insect larvae of wasps and bees. Season: Mid May to mid August. IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern
Honey-buzzard (Pernis apivorus) © Ferran Pestaña cc
Buzzard Buteo buteo Family: Accipitridae (Hawks and eagles) Habitat: Coastal, farmland, grassland, heathland and woodland. Size: Length 40-58 cm (16-23 in). Wingspan 109-136 cm (43-54 in). Food: Small mammals, birds, carrion, earthworms and large insects. Voice: Cat like mewing. Season: All year round. IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern Takes off with distinctive slow wing beats, often circling or hovering. Frequently uses fence posts or similar as look-outs.
Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo) © Aviceda cc
Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus Family: Accipitridae (Hawks and eagles) Habitat: Marsh, wetlands and freshwaters and reedbeds. Size: Length 43-54 cm (17-21 in). Wingspan 115-130 cm (45-51 in). Food: Small mammals, small birds, insects, reptiles, and frogs. Season: Early April to late October. April to October. IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern It searches for prey by gliding low over flat open ground with its wings in a shallow V-shape and dangling legs.
Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus) © Nick Goodrum cc
Hobby Falco subbuteo Family: Falconidae (Falcons and allies) Habitat: Savanna, farmland, heathlands, marsh and wetlands and freshwaters. Size: Length 29-36 cm (11-14 in). Wingspan 74-84 cm (29-33 in). Weight. 175-285 g (6.2-10.1 oz) Food: Insects, small birds and bats. Season: Early April to late October. IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern Hobbies nest in old nests of crows and other birds.
Hobby (Falco subbuteo) © Ron Knight cc
Osprey Pandion haliaetus Family: Pandionidae (Osprey) Habitat: Lakes and reservoirs and lochs. Size: Length 60 cm (24 in). Wingspan 180 cm (71 in). Food: Fish mainly. Rarely rodents, rabbits, amphibians, birds reptiles. Voice: Cheep, cheep or yewk, yewk sharp whistles. Season: Early March to late September. March to September. IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern Ospreys can see underwater objects from the 40 m above the water.
Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) © Don Miller cc
Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus Family: Accipitridae (Hawks and eagles) Habitat: Gardens and parks, grasslands and woodland. Food: Mainly small birds. Sometimes bats. Voice: Sharp keck-keck-keck. Season: All year round. IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern Males fly up and dive down again to impress females. The female is notably bigger than the male and so can catch larger prey.
Sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus) ♂ © Ron Knight cc
Kestrel Falco tinnunculus Family: Falconidae (Falcons and allies) Habitat: Farmland, woodland, grassland and heathland. Size: Length 32-39 cm (13-15 in). Wingspan 65-82 cm (26-32 in). Food: Small mammals and birds. Voice: Piercing Kee-kee-kee. Season: All year round. IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern Kestrels hover at a height of about 10-20 metres either by flying into the wind or by soaring using ridge lift before swooping down on their prey.
Common Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) © Andreas Trepte cc
Black-throated Diver Gavia arctica Family: Gaviidae (Divers) Habitat: Coastal and lakes and reservoirs. Size: Length 58-77 cm (23-30 in). Wingspan 100-130 cm (39-51 in). Food: Fish, insects, crustaceans and amphibians. Voice: Yodelling high-pitched wail. Season: Late October to mid March. IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern
Black-throated Diver (Gavia arctica) © Francesco Veronesi cc
Great Northern Diver Gavia immer Family: Gaviidae (Divers) Habitat: Lakes and reservoirs, beaches and shorelines and estuaries. Size: Length 70-90 cm. Wingspan 1.2-1.5 m. Food: Fish and crustaceans. Season: Early August to late April. IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern
Great Northern Diver (Gavia immer) © Ano Lobb cc
Serin Serinus serinus Family: Fringillidae (Finches) Habitat: Farmland and woodland clearings and edges. Size: 11-12 cm (4.3-4.7 in). Food: Seeds, buds and small invertebrates. Season: All year round. Very rare visitor. Mostly in April and May. IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern
Serin (Serinus serinus) © Ferran Pestaña cc
Hoopoe Upupa epops Family: Upupidae Habitat: Farmland, gardens and parks, grasslands, heathlands, orchards, sea cliffs, savanna woodlands and woodland clearings and edges. Size: Length 10-15 cm (4-6 in). Food: Insects and spiders, small reptiles, frogs, seeds and berries. Season: Late April to late May. IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern Hoopoes sunbathe by spreading out their wings and tail low against the ground and tilting their head up.
Hoopoe (Upupa epops) © Ferran Pestaña cc
Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio Family: Laniidae (Shrikes and allies) Habitat: Mixed scrub. Size: Length 16-18 cm (6.3-7.1 inches). Food: Insects, and small birds and mammals. Voice: Shrill call. Season: Early May to late October. North: May to June. South: August to October. IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern Named from Old English scríc (shriek) after its shrill call.
Red-backed Shrike (Lanius collurio) © Andy Morffew cc
Ortolan Bunting Emberiza hortulana Family: Emberizidae (Buntings) Habitat: Farmland and scrub. Size: Length 16 cm (6.3 in). Food: Seeds and insects. Voice: Call zrit. Season: Late March to late October. Very rare visitor in spring and autumn. IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern Male sings usually perched on top of vegetation.
Ortolan Bunting (Emberiza hortulana) © Andrej Chudý cc
Bee-eater Merops apiaster Family: Meropidae Habitat: Farmland, rivers and streams and sea cliffs. Size: Length 27-29 cm (10.6-11.4 in). Food: Insects, especially bees, wasps, and hornets. Season: All year round. Very rare visitor. IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern
Bee-eater (Merops apiaster) © Bernard DUPONT cc
Alpine Swift Apus melba Family: Apodidae (Swifts) Habitat: Towns and gardens, woodland, sea cliffs, coniferous woods and deciduous woods. Size: Length 20-23 cm (7.9-9.1 in). Wingspan of 57 cm (22 in). Food: Flying insects. Season: All year round. Very rare visitor. Summer mainly. IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern Remarkably, Alpine swifts can spend over six months flying without having to land, performing all vital physiological processes, including sleep, in the air.
Alpine Swift (Apus melba) © Ron Knight cc
Crag Martin Ptyonoprogne rupestris Family: Hirundinidae (Swallows and martins) Habitat: Sea cliffs and rocky slopes. Size: Length 13-15 cm (5.1-5.9 in). Wingspan 32-34.5 cm (12.6-13.6 in). Food: Insects and aerial spiders. Season: All year round. Very rare visitor. IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern
Crag Martin (Ptyonoprogne rupestris) © Ferran Pestaña cc
Short-toed Lark Calandrella brachydactyla Family: Alaudidae (Larks) Habitat: Farmland and grasslands. Size: Length: 14 cm (5.5 in). Wingspan 9 cm (3.5 in). Weight 22 g. Food: Seeds and insects. Voice: Tchi-tchirrp twittering, tee-oo alarm call, and imitates other birds' melodies. Season: All year round. Very rare visitor. IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern Also known as the Greater Short-toed Lark.
Short-toed Lark (Calandrella brachydactyla) © Francesco Veronesi cc
Rose-coloured Starling Pastor roseus Family: Sturnidae (Starlings) Habitat: Farmland, grasslands and steppes. Size: Length 22-26 cm (8.7-10.2 in). Food: Fruits, berries, flower-nectar, cereal grains and insects. Voice: Mixture of whistling and warbling phrases. Season: All year round. Very rare visitor. Summer mainly. IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern
Rose-coloured Starling (Pastor roseus) © Lip Kee cc
Black-headed Bunting Emberiza melanocephala Family: Emberizidae (Buntings) Habitat: Farmland and scrub. Size: Length 15 cm (6 in). Food: Seeds and insects. Voice: Call zrit. Season: All year round. IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern Male sings usually perched on top of vegetation.
Black-headed Bunting (Emberiza melanocephala) © katya cc
Black-and-white Warbler Mniotilta varia Family: Parulidae (New World warblers) Habitat: Deciduous forest, deciduous woods and woodland clearings and edges. Size: Length 14 cm (6 in). Food: Insects and spiders. Voice: Song: see wee-see. Season: All year round. Very rare visitor. IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern
Black-and-white Warbler (Mniotilta varia) © Bill Chitty cc
Adder Vipera berus Family: Viperidae Habitat: Heathlands, meadows, woodland, hedgerows, lowland calcareous grassland and dune heath. Size: Length 60 cm (24 in). Food: Small mammals, birds, lizards, amphibians and slow worms. Season: All year round. IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern Adders are not usually aggressive, tending to be rather timid and biting only when cornered or alarmed. The venom toxicity is relatively low however there have been fatalities.
Adder (Vipera berus) © Chris Parker cc
Grass Snake Natrix natrix Family: Viperidae Habitat: Woodland and ponds. Size: Length ♀ 90-110 cm (35in-43 in) ♂ 50 cm (20 in). 75 5 7.3 7.5 Food: Amphibians, ants and larvae. Season: All year round. IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern Grass snakes are strong swimmers and are also called the water snake. Some have been recorded over 190cm (75in) long.
Grass Snake (Natrix natrix) © photo by Swallowtall Garden Seeds PD
Slow-worm Anguis fragilis Family: Anguidae Season: All year round.
Slow-worm (Anguis fragilis) © Gail Hampshire cc
Silver-spotted Skipper Hesperia comma Family: Hesperiidae (skipper) Habitat: Lowland calcareous grassland. Food: Sheep's-fescue (larva). Thistles (adult). Flight: Early July to late September. Named after thesilver spots on the underside of its forewing. The male is distinguished from the female by a dark line of specialised scent scales on its forewings.
Silver-spotted Skipper (Hesperia comma) © Gilles San Martin cc
Dingy Skipper Erynnis tages Family: Hesperiidae (skipper) Habitat: Grasslands, heathlands, sand dunes, scrub, lowland calcareous grassland and woodland clearings and edges. Size: Wingspan 27-34 mm (1.1-1.3 in). Food: Bird's-foot trefoil, horseshoe vetch and greater bird's-foot trefoil. Flight: Early April to late August. Swift and low. The caterpillar creates a shelter by spinning leaves together and feeds until fully grown in August. It then creates a larger hibernaculum where it hibernates.
Dingy Skipper (Erynnis tages) © Chris Parker cc
Clouded Yellow Colias croceus Family: Pieridae (Yellows-and-Whites) Habitat: Grasslands, meadows and sea cliffs. Size: Length 24 mm (0.9 in) Food: Clovers, lucerne (alfalfa), vetches et al. Flight: Early April to late October. April to October. Fast-flying butterfly that winters as a caterpillar.
Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus) ♂ © Thomas Bresson cc
Green Hairstreak Callophrys rubi Family: Lycaenidae (Blue) Habitat: Grasslands, heathlands and scrub. Size: Length 15 mm (0.6 in). Food: Many shrubs and herbs also gorse, broom, heather, bilberry, rock-rose and others. Flight: Early June to late September. June till September. The upper side is brown but can never be seen at rest as it always closes its wings. In flight the green and brown flashing of the wings camouflages it well.
Green Hairstreak (Callophrys rubi) © Hectonicus cc
White-letter Hairstreak Satyrium w-album Family: Lycaenidae (Blue) Habitat: Woodland and hedgerows. Size: Length 16 mm (0.63 in). Wingspan 25-35 mm (1-1.4 in). Food: Elm honeydew, creeping thistle and bramble blossom. Flight: Early June to late August. Winter is spent as an egg on an elm tree. The caterpillar hatches in march and feeds on the elm flowers and seeds. Named after the W shaped white line on its underside.
White-letter Hairstreak (Satyrium w-album) © Frank Vassen cc
Adonis Blue Polyommatus bellargus Family: Lycaenidae (Blue) Habitat: Lowland calcareous grassland. Size: Length 17 mm (0.7 in). Food: Horseshoe Vetch (Hippocrepis comosa). Flight: Early May to late September. Females are chocolate brown. Both male and female have black and white borders.
Adonis Blue ♂ (Polyommatus bellargus) © Harald Süpfle cc
Dark Green Fritillary Argynnis aglaja Family: Nymphalidae (Brush-footed) Habitat: Grasslands, heathlands, woodland and sand dunes. Size: Length 30 mm (1.2 in). Food: Violets (viola). Flight: Early June to late August. The underside of the hindwing and underside tip of the forewing are greenish. A fast flying butterfly.
Dark Green Fritillary ♂ (Argynnis aglaja) © Banco de imágenes del CNICE - MEC cc
Small Skipper Thymelicus sylvestris Family: Hesperiidae (skipper) Habitat: Grasslands, field edges and woodland glades. Size: Length 14 mm. Wingspan 25-30 mm. Food: Yorkshire fog almost exclusively but sometimes Timothy, Creeping Soft-grass, False Brome, Meadow Foxtail, and Cocks-foot. Flight: Early June to late August. The undersides of the tips of the antennae are yellow orange, distinguishing itself from the very similar Essex skipper where they are black.
Small Skipper (Thymelicus sylvestris) © Frank Vassen cc
Essex Skipper Thymelicus lineola Family: Hesperiidae (skipper) Habitat: Grassland. Size: 14 mm. Wingspan 2.5 to 2.9 cm. Food: Cock's-foot, creeping soft grass, couch grass, timothy-grass, meadow foxtail, false brome and tor-grass. Flight: All year round. IUCN Conservation Status: Not Evaluated Almost identical to the small skipper but has black-tipped antennae. The caterpillar is green, with yellow incisions between its rings.
Essex Skipper (Thymelicus lineola) © Gail Hampshire cc
Large Skipper Ochlodes sylvanus Family: Hesperiidae (skipper) Habitat: Grassland, hedgerows, woodland clearings and edges. Size: Length 16 mm. Food: Cocksfoot mainly but also purple moor-grass, false brome, tor-grass and wood small-reed. Adult - bramble flowers. Flight: Early May to late September. The hook-shaped antenna tips distinguish it from other skippers. On hatching the larvae constructs a shelter by curling a leaf up with silk and begins to feed.
Large Skipper (Ochlodes sylvanus) © M.Albi cc
Large White Pieris brassicae Family: Pieridae (Yellows-and-Whites) Habitat: Farmland, gardens and parks and meadows. Size: 32 mm. Food: Adults - brassicas, radishes. Larvae - buddleia or thistles. Flight: Early April to late October. April to October. Migration is atypical, they fly towards the poles in the spring, and towards the equator in the autumn. Migratory paths are over 800 kilometres but individual butterflies may not cover the entire path. Caterpillars eat plants which make them distasteful to predators.
Large White (Pieris brassicae) © Gareth Williams cc
Small White Pieris rapae Family: Pieridae (Yellows-and-Whites) Habitat: Open areas and flowery places. Food: Cultivated and wild brassicas. Flight: Early March to late October. Also called the small cabbage white as its green larvae feed on cabbages.
Small White (Pieris rapae) ♂ © photo by Chaos911
Green-veined White Pieris napi Family: Pieridae (Yellows-and-Whites) Habitat: Flowery meadows, gardens and hedgerows. Damp grassy areas. Size: Length 25 mm (1 in). Food: Wild brassicas such as watercress. Flight: Early March to late October. The underside hind wings have veins with a greenish tint, hence the name green-veined white.
Green-veined White (Pieris napi) © photo by Dave Dunford
Small Copper Lycaena phlaeas Family: Lycaenidae (Blue) Habitat: Grassland, heathland, woodland and lowland calcareous grassland. Size: Length 14 mm (0.6 in). Food: Sorrels and docks. Flight: Early February to late November. In two or three broods. A very active little butterfly that moves from plant to plant feeding and occasionally basking in the sunlight. Males are very territorial.
Brown Argus Aricia agestis Family: Lycaenidae (Blue) Habitat: Grasslands, heathlands, woodland and lowland calcareous grassland. Size: 14 mm (0.6 in). Food: CommonRock-rose (Helianthemum nummularium), Dove's-foot Cranesbill(Geranium molle) and Common Stork's-bill (Erodium cicutarium). Flight: Early May to late September. Both male and female are brown in colour.
Brown Argus (Aricia agestis) © Hectonicus cc
Common Blue Polyommatus icarus Family: Lycaenidae (Blue) Habitat: Farmland, gardens and parks, grassland, heathland, meadows and orchards. Size: Length 17 mm (0.7 in). Wingspan 29-36 mm (1.1-1.4 in). Food: Common bird's-foot-trefoil (Lotus corniculatus) and other legumes. Flight: Early April to late October. Females are dark brown with bright orange spots near the wing tips. Both male and female have black and white borders.
Chalkhill Blue Polyommatus coridon Family: Lycaenidae (Blue) Habitat: Lowland calcareous grassland. Size: Length 18 mm (0.7 in). Wingspan 33-40 mm (1.3- 1.6 in). Food: Horseshoe Vetch (Hippocrepis comosa). Flight: Early July to late September. Females are dark brown. Both male and female have black and white borders.
Chalkhill Blue ♂ (Polyommatus coridon) © Gail Hampshire cc
Red Admiral Vanessa atalanta Family: Nymphalidae (Brush-footed) Habitat: Gardens and parks, meadows, coastal and sea cliffs. Size: Length 30 mm (1.2 in.) Wingspan ♀ 70-78 mm (2.8-3.1 In.). ♂ 64-72 mm (2.5-2.8 In.) Food: Stinging nettle and ivy. Flight: Early May to late October. Both a resident and a migrant butterfly.
Painted Lady Vanessa cardui Family: Nymphalidae (Brush-footed) Habitat: Gardens and parks and meadows. Size: Length 30 mm. Food: Stinging nettle. Flight: Early April to late October. April till October. A fast flying butterfly that has a spectacular migration from Africa to Europe each spring, flying at altitudes of up to 3,000 feet, and speeds of up to 30 mph.
Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui) ♂ © photo by Tetzner Thomas
Small Tortoiseshell Aglais urticae Family: Nymphalidae (Brush-footed) Habitat: Gardens and parks, meadows, arable field margins and hedgerows. Size: Length 25 mm (1 in). Wingspan ♂ 45-55 mm, ♀ 52-62 mm. Food: Adult: Nectar. Caterpillar: Stinging nettle. Flight: Early March to late October. One of the earliest butterflies to appear in spring after winter hibernation.
Comma Polygonia c-album Family: Nymphalidae (Brush-footed) Habitat: Woodland, gardens and parks and hedgerows. Size: Length 24 mm. Wingspan 50-64 mm. Food: Hops, stinging nettle and elm. Flight: Early April to late September. The comma is given its name by a white comma shaped mark on the underside of its hind wing.
Comma (Polygonia c-album) © photo by Dave Dunford
Wall Brown Lasiommata megera Family: Nymphalidae (Brush-footed) Habitat: Coastal, grasslands, hedgerows, scrub and woodland clearings and edges. Size: Wingspan 45-53 mm (1.8-2.1 in) Food: Various grasses. Flight: Early March to late October. March to October. The wall brown is named after its habit of resting with wings two-thirds open on walls (and other surfaces). Basking like this raises its body temperature sufficiently high for it to fly.
Wall Brown (Lasiommata megera) ♂ © Jörg Hempel cc
Marbled White Melanargia galathea Family: Nymphalidae (Brush-footed) Habitat: Grasslands, woodland and arable field margins. Size: Length 22-28 mm (0.9-1.1 in). Food: Grasses (larva). Thistles, Knapweeds, Clovers, Marjoram, Thyme and Yarrow (adult). Flight: Early June to late August. Winter is passed as a small lime-green caterpillar.
Marbled White (Melanargia galathea) ♂ © jacinta lluch valero cc
Gatekeeper Pyronia tithonus Family: Nymphalidae (Brush-footed) Habitat: Arable field margins, hedgerows, scrub and woodland clearings and edges. Size: Length 19 mm (0.7 In). Food: Grasses. Flight: Early July to late September. Also known as the hedge brown, it is often found near country gates and styles, hence the name.
Gatekeeper (Pyronia tithonus) ♂ © Duncan cc
Meadow Brown Maniola jurtina Family: Nymphalidae (Brush-footed) Habitat: Grasslands, meadows, woodland, arable field margins and hedgerows. Size: Length 25 mm (1 in). Food: Grasses (larva). Thistles, Blackberries, Daisies, Cow Parsip, etc (adult). Flight: Early May to late September. Males are less colourful and more active and range furtherthan the females. Winter passed as a small bright green caterpillar.
Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina) ♀ © David Short cc
Small Heath Coenonympha pamphilus Family: Nymphalidae (Brush-footed) Habitat: Grasslands, heathlands, meadows and steppes. Size: Length 14-20 mm (0.6-0.8 In). Food: Grasses notably sheep's fescue and rough meadow grass (Poa trivialis). Flight: Early April to late October. April to October. The caterpillar is of a clear green colour.
Small Heath (Coenonympha pamphilus) © Celan Remus cc
Monarch Danaus plexippus Family: Nymphalidae (Brush-footed) Habitat: Rivers and streams. Size: Wingspan 8.9-10.2 cm (3.5-4.0 in). Food: Adult: Nectar. Larval: milkweeds, crown flower and white vine. Flight: Early June to late October. Monarchs defend themselves against predicators by feeding on milkweed as caterpillars and ingesting cardenolide aglycones which are both foul-tasting and poisonous.
Monarch (Danaus plexippus) ♀ ©
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