Bug hotels in the Tamar valley

These photos were taken at an event at the new Tamar Trails Centre near Gulworthy.  I was invited along to run a guided walk and a session building 'bug hotels' with some local families.  It was, surprisingly, a blazing spring day, and everyone enjoyed themselves in the sunshine (me included).  We made one big bug hotel to stay in situ, and the children made portable ones from plant pots that they were able to take home. 

The idea is to create a structure that provides microhabitats for a range of invertebrates, and even small vertebrates such as frogs and rodents.  I added butterfly feeders made from plastic bottle bottoms to the uprights.  It's not pretty, but I can guarantee it's going to be popular with the creepy crawlies.

 

Jessica names the hotel

Flora adds some butterfly feeders.

The finished article.

Some Dartmoor shots

Okay, this mayfly was photographed in Plymouth, but it was inadvertently transported there from Dartmoor in my car.

More milkmaid - this time at Huccaby

New beech leaves in evening sunlight.

Sharp Tor sunset

The rising sun over a Dart valley mist.

Guided walk in Somerset

Off to new territory on the weekend before last for a walk in Somerset with the good parishioners of Kingston Seymour, near Clevedon. Arranged by my sister Rebecca and billed as an 'introduction to the birds of the parish,' it was a friendly stroll around a landscape very different to Dartmoor, with flat fields for miles, bounded by tall hedges of elm and drainage ditches known as rhines (pronounced 'reens').  We were treated to knockout views of a pair of Kestrels, as well as singing Reed Warblers and more.

Shield bug

Walking the lanes near Kingston Seymour

A Song Thrush's snail anvil

Newly opened Hawthorn blossom

Milkmaid

Buttercup

Bugle

A mystery

These pictures were taken near Prince Hall on a guided walk with Steve and Ann Harris during May.  Droppings and what appears to be rabbit fur were found six feet up in an oak tree, and one set of droppings on the ground.  Another visit the next day revealed more droppings of the same type, containing hair and bones, including another set up in a tree.  More on this soon, I hope.

Glorious bank holiday weather

For once we were blessed with glorious weather over the May Day bank holiday weekend.  Here are some photos of spring foliage and sunshine that cheer the soul, even though for the time being it's gone chilly, windy and gloomy again.

Blackthorn blossom at Huccaby.

Young frog on Joe's finger.

Near sunset, Kinghurst

River Dart Country Park

The Dart at Holne Bridge (and below).

Next monthly walk - Norsworthy Bridge, Burrator - Sunday 2nd June

The next 'first Sunday of the month' walk will begin at Norsworthy Bridge car park (south of stream)at the eastern end of Burrator Reservoir on Sunday 2nd June.  Grid reference SX568693.  Approx 5 hrs.  Birds, Burrator, boulders, beauty and Bronze Age bounties.  Bring suitable clothing and food/drink.    Cost £10.  Please email dartdays@gmail.com for further details or to book.



A field of dandelions near Buckfastleigh

Fernworthy walk, Sunday 5th May

On Sunday was the second in my series of monthly walks  - this time starting at Fernworthy Reservoir.  In glorious spring weather we walked across the North Teign to Teignhead Farm, then up Sittaford Tor, to Grey Wethers stone circles, then back through Fernworthy Plantation.  It was very warm out of the wind, with insects including Peacock butterflies on the wing, but things still looked bleached and wintry on the high ground.

Looking north towards Cosdon Beacon, with Exmoor in the far distance.

Birds seen included Grey Wagtail, Raven, Buzzard, Kestrel, Green Woodpecker, Wheatear, Stonechat and excellent views of a pair of Redstarts in the plantation.

The North Teign, looking upstream towards Sittaford Tor.  A peaceful scene in a wild and lonely spot.

The clapper bridge near Teignhead Farm.

Sedge in flower

Looking north from Sittaford Tor.

The North Teign basin, with Cosdon in the distance and the edge of Fernworthy plantation on the right.

The Grey Wethers - Bronze Age stone circles restored in Victorian times.

A pine spared in a Fernworthy clearfell.

An old spreading beech, near the ruins of Fernworthy Farm.

 Thornworthy Down, looking towards the eastern end of Fernworthy.

Walk participants Helen and Adrian, with contented canines at the reservoir at the end of the walk.