Snow Goose (Anser caerulescens)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Anser ("goose") caerulescens caerulescens ("ceruleanish")

Snow Goose (Anser caerulescens) at Deeping Lakes, Lincolnshire - January 2026

Featured Subspecies: Unknown
Weight: 2-3kg  /  Length: 64-79cm  /  Wingspan: 135-165cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A species that breeds on the Arctic tundra of North America, just tipping over into Siberia, it is notable for coming in two morphs; the snow morph seen here has the bird as entirely white plumaged except the black tail, while the "blue" morph  have only white heads on otherwise dark grey bodies. While this bird was presumably a vagrant as it was associating with whooper swans, typically the Wintering range of Snow Geese is various pockets in the USA and Mexico.

Related Species: 
Order: Anseriformes 
Family: Anatidae 
Genus: Anser
SUBSPECIES: A. c. caerulescens, A. c. atlanticus

 
- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM 
 Rare vagrant and also feral breeding species
-  One bird seen at Deeping Lakes in January 2026 

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Long-eared Owl (Asio otus)

OTHER NAMES: Common Long-eared Owl, Northern Long-eared Owl, Lesser Horned Owl
Latin Etymology: Asio (specific designate of Long-eared Owl) otus ("eared owl")

 Adult Long-aeared Owl (subspecies A. o. otus) at Nene Washes, Cambridgeshire - February 2024

Featured Subspecies: Asio otus otus
Weight: 250g  /  Length: 35-40cm  /  Wingspan: 90-100cm

UK GREEN LIST / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Long eared owls are one of the rarer species of owl in the UK and certainly the most secretive. Your best bet is probably to follow someone else discovery and look for them at a nature reserve where they have been reported as roosting. Keep a respectful distance from the roost and don't go off paths to avoid disturbing them. Photographically, you may, as I have, have to contended with photographing through a thicket producing less than ideal results.

Related Species:
Order: Strigiformes
Family: Strigidae
Genus: Asio
Subspecies: A. o. otus, A. o. canariensis, A. o. tuftsi, A. o. wilsonianus

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - Rare breeding resident (1800-6000 pairs) and rare Winter Visitor 

 - A single bird seen at Rutland Water in 2009, 4 birds at Deeping Lakes, Lincolnshire in January 2021, 2 birds at Nene Washes in February 2024

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, Wikipedia, RSPB, Xeno-canto

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Eurasian Otter (Lutra lutra)

OTHER NAMES: European Otter, Otter, European River Otter 
Latin Etymology: Lutra ("otter") lutra ("otter") 

Adult Eurasian Otter (Lutra lutra) at Market Deeping, Lincolnshire - May 2026

Featured Subspecies: Lutra lutra lutra
Weight: 7-12kg  /  Length: 57-95cm 
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Near Threatened

A very widely distributed species found broadly across most of Eurasia where suitable habitat is available as well as some range in Algeria and Tunisia. Formally extremely rare in the UK due to pollution and persecution it has now reestablished in every county but remains a secretive and difficult animal to connect with.  They are primarily pescivorous but will expand their diet to wider prey as required. 
 
Related Species: 
Order: Carnivora 
Family: Mustelidae 
Genus: Lutra
SUBSPECIES: L. l. lutra, L. l. aurobrunnea, L. l. barang, L. l. chinensis, L. l kutab, L. l. meridionalis, L. l. monticola, L. l. nair
 
- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A widespread but scarce resident

 - Seen at Market Deeping in 2026 

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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