Thursday 27th May: River valleys

 Another glorious day and we were determined to make the most of our trip. Most of us were up early for a pre breakfast walk from our accommodation, departing around 6am. We took a track up the hill and found a small group of Swallows perched on the wire, truly beautiful birds, gleaming blue feathers shimmering in the bright sunshine and a deep rufous chin. We found some Llamas and Alpacas owned by our accommodation providers and used for Llama Walks on the moors. Next we returned down past the cottage and out onto an area of common land, with short, nibbled grass strewn with rocks and dotted with brilliant golden-flowered gorse bushes. Set against the blue sky and in the morning light the scenery was spectacular. A few Linnets and plenty of Blackbirds dominated the scene, Willow Warblers called from scattered trees and a Buzzard was found sat in a low tree, before lazily taking a short flight to a further perch. As we neared the road there were a few more trees around, and this proved a productive area. We found Blackcap, Nuthatch, and our first Marsh Tit and Bullfinch before returning for breakfast, content that our early start had been worthwhile.

After breakfast we set off for the River Webburn, which our host had told us was a good spot for Dipper. The first part of the walk was extremely wet, basically with a stream running along the path, and the adjacent grass effectively a bog. Needless to say my ‘well-past-their-best’ trainers were not up to the task and I soon had soggy feet. However, the conditions gradually improved, the woodland was beautiful, lined with Bluebells and Stitchwort, and to top it all we found our Dipper! In fact we found two - an adult and juvenile, so we were very pleased and it was worth the wet feet.

Dipper

We returned to the accommodation for lunch, then visited nearby Sharp Tor, where a Meadow Pipit, Wheatear and Cuckoo gave reasonable views. From here we continued on to the Dart Valley, this time taking a different path on the opposite side of the river. A couple of Pied Flycatchers and some Bullfinch gave us neck ache in the highest branches of the trees, but we were pleased to encounter a family of Mandarin Ducks, initially mum and three chicks, then on our return two males were present.

Mandarin (female)

Dipper in beautiful setting

Male Mandarin Duck

We ended a very busy day with a drive to Trendlebeare Down in search of churring Nightjars, but sadly there were none to be seen or heard. Nevertheless, we had enjoyed a fabulous few days on beautiful Dartmoor, finding most of our target species, with the exception of Wood Warbler. Maybe next time...