Guided walk with Ann and Stephen Harris

A fantastic walk, this one, on a very warm and still evening.  I met the Harrises at Prince Hall Hotel and took them on a leisurely three hour walk up the West Dart to Prince Hall Rocks and back in time for dinner.  Some of the highlights of a hugely enjoyable evening included Tortoiseshell butterfly, Common Lizard, an early Swallow and some late Fieldfares, Raven and Siskin, as well as a beautiful sunset (see below).  My guests were lovely company and seemed to enjoy their evening as much as I did.  

If you would like to arrange a guided walk like this one please contact me on 

dartbirds@gmail.com .

Sunrise, 28th March

 The sun comes up over the sea beyond Teignmouth

 'Brownhead' Goosanders at Venford Reservoir

 Combestone Tor

Guided walk with the Gebhardts

Here are some pictures from my guided walk on Monday with Karsten and Renate Gebhardt, from Bielefeld, Germany.  The Gebhardts were excellent company and we had a very interesting cultural exchange - not least in working out the names of birds and flowers in the other language.  My favourite was Wren -  Zaunkönig - which translates as 'fence king.'  What an apt name - the tyrant of the fence!  Goosander is Gänsesäger - 'saw goose.' Mistle Thrush, once we established the fact that it wasn't 'Missile Thrush', is Misteldrossel, which translates as the same.  Jay is Eichelhäher  - 'acorn jay.'  I love the functional yet poetic nature of these words.


We walked around Huccaby and the O Brook, and saw Goosander, Mandarin, Dipper (Wasseramsel), Grey Wagtail, Siskin and Buzzard, among others.

March birdsong and new arrivals

Birdsong is really gaining momentum now, with up to 16 species singing in my area in the recent warm days.  A welcome addition were two Chiffchaffs yesterday, newly returned from the Mediterranean (or perhaps Torbay - increasing numbers have been spending the milder winters in southern coastal areas).  It's always a thrill to meet newly arrived migrants, signalling the constantly changing seasons.  The first Blackcaps should be any day now, with Willow Warblers not far behind.  I've been looking out for Wheatears on the open moor, but haven't been lucky yet.  Still looking for that 'white arse.'  Linnets, Greenfinches and Goldfinches, which are 'altitudinal migrants' on Dartmoor (meaning they go lower down in winter), are starting to return to the higher areas, and Skylarks have been back for a while.


I'm taking part in the Dartmoor Study Group's birdsong survey, which involves making a note of who's singing, when and how often.  It makes you really listen and tune in for even the common species that you might not take much notice of usually, just to check if everyone's present and singing.  The thrush family are trying to outdo each other, with Blackbird, Song and Mistle Thrushes belting it out daily, proclaiming their territories.  It's delightful to have the Blackbirds singing again - they are among the very best singers - rich, fluty, mellow and throaty.  The next virtuoso to return will be the Garden Warbler in late April.


Bumblebees, hoverflies and butterflies on the wing; flowering violets; spring is very much underway.

Joe and Grace's first visit to Luckey Tor, Sunday 11th March

 A natural lichen and moss garden in a fallen tree at the old farmstead under Sharp Tor.

 Geographical graffiti - definitely my kind.

 Mel Tor from above Luckey Tor.

 The curious case of the boy-headed boulder.

Luckey Tor - a spectacular tor at valley bottom level with a pony-grazed lawn and a stream.  Made for children.  Luckily it's fairly inaccessible, or it would be even more visited than it is.  

The gorse blossom is starting to smell of coconuts.  Spring is here!

The Dart gorge from Waterworks Hill, 4th March

 Mel Tor with Rippon Tor in the background, looking from Waterworks Hill.  The birch trees still have that amazing purple winter tinge to their twigs, as you can especially see on the slopes of Bench Tor to the right.

 Looking down to Luckey Tor from the Holne Moor leat.  This S-bend in the river is one of my favourite Dartmoor views.

 Sharp Tor and Rowbrook Farm

 Ingra, Swell, King's and Great Mis Tors from Sharpitor.

Fox eyes reflected in the camera flash, Buckland Woods.  This fine looking animal strolled across the road in front of the car at dusk, and then looked back at me unconcerned.  It was too dark to get a decent shot, but I quite like the eeriness of this picture.