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.

Bench Tor, Sunday 26 Feb

 Early frogspawn in a peaty puddle

 Heron footprint - evidently from a bird hunting frogs.  Lone birds are quite often to be seen on the open moor at this time of year, waiting to impale preoccupied amphibians. A pair appears to be nesting at Venford again this year - I heard the strange, sticky-sounding bill clicking sound that they make at the nest on my last visit a week ago.

 Gus and Joe on Bench Tor

 Lonnie enjoying himself 

 Grace and Dot exploring the rocks

 Gus with Sharp Tor as his hat

 Grace contemplating time and geology, no doubt

 Joe photographing me photographing him

 Close-up of a rowan trunk

 Lonnie in light

Some photos from the West Dart, Sunday 19 Feb

Drops falling into a water butt.  The first photo was taken by my son Joe.

 Pioneer plants...

 Joe by the river.  I love this spot where the water warps before entering the riffles.

 One of the Week Ford stepping stones.  The vertical marks you can see are where the iron spikes were inserted to split the granite apart using the 'feather and tare' method.

 Lichens on blackthorn

 A newly cut willow stool where work is being carried out to improve the river habitat for Salmon and other wildlife.

 Mixed messages?  

'String of sausages' lichen on a sycamore

Bird news

Birds seen in the last week include a female Merlin at Prince Hall, two Hen Harriers in to roost (can't tell you where) and three Woodcock at Lower Dunnabridge Plantation.  


Below are some photos from a beautiful evening in the lower Cherrybrook area on Saturday.  Very cold - my trousers went rigid with ice by the end of the walk, and Dot had ice dreadlocks on her chest (falling in the Cherrybrook didn't help).