Dartmoor Nature Tours

22/09/2024

Last Friday morning was threatening rain that never arrived. Gradually the mist cleared and the sun tried to break through. Wonderfully atmospheric for my Dutch visitor followed by some under-nourished Ceps, a Blusher and an Adder.

09/09/2024

Having seen the weather forecast on Sunday morning I tried to make an early start at Emsworthy Mire but the forecast was only 50% correct. Apart from a few Meadow Pipits and Linnets not a lot of bird life but plenty of atmosphere and botanical interest. As I was finishing the walk t about 12.00 the mist started to clear on the distant moorland but it was only a temporary respite and most of the afternoon was wet!

09/08/2024

After the recent hot weather (by Dartmoor standards) it was a fine sunny morning today (9th August) with a cool breeze blowing from the west. Not many birds around at this time of the year and butterflies were hard to pin down. Highlight today (apart from the colours) was the abundance of Common Dodder which is parasitic on a wide range of plants and shrubs, but especially members of the pea (Fabaceae) and heath (Ericaceae) families and Western Gorse.

27/07/2024

I managed to get an early start yesterday morning for a walk round Emsworthy Mire Devon Wildlife Trust Reserve. Nice to see some house Martins whizzing around but not many birds - I should have been out at first light!

21/07/2024

Last Friday was a near perfect rain-free day on Dartmoor. Finally got my first decent sighting of Whinchats this year feeding young off the nest - likewise several Wheatears collecting food. But then it rained for most of the day on Saturday.

20/06/2024

Just made my annual visit to Norfolk - all the trains were on time and I was lucky with the weather. Big storm at Strumpshaw was avoided whilst sitting in the hide until it passed over - same thing happened at Hickling on Sunday where there was enough sunshine for the Swallowtails to be out and nectaring on bramble. I hadn't see Black Horehound for a few years until I walked some of the Coast path between Morston and Wells.

16/05/2024

16/05/2024

Very wet walk through Skaigh Wood and Belstone Cleave yesterday. Wonderful Western Atlantic Oakwoods (now apparently re-branded as Temperate Rain Forest!) with Cuckoo, Redstart and Tree Pipit on the grazed Common and Usnea (probably U.articulata) lichens on the Hawthorns. Not forgetting the Bluebells.

13/05/2024

Having failed to see ‘The Emsworthy Cuckoos’ on my previous visit and aware of the imminent change in the weather I headed up there on Sunday evening and what an astonishing performance! I have been watching birds for over 50 years, but this was like nothing I had ever previously witnessed. To see and hear so many of these mysterious and wonderful birds calling, displaying and feeding in a relatively small area was remarkable. To have them flying over my head was even better. Even with my basic camera I had some recognisable photos – no match for the folks with expensive kit but you get what you pay for! And it wasn’t just the Cuckoos – the Bluebells were stunning and not forgetting the wonderful plants growing in the mire. The finale was a Cuckoo settled to roost in a Hawthorn bush as the light faded and the rain clouds started to move in from the west. Truly awesome.

10/05/2024

Pearl Bordered Fritillaries this afternoon. Used to have them in my garden but we have recently moved off the moor so now 10 minutes drive away. Bugle is their favourite nectar plant!

09/04/2024

Very obliging Pied Flycatcher at Yarner Wood this afternoon.

20/03/2024

Wow! This afternoon it was suddenly Spring! The garden Primroses finally showing well plus Oil Beetles, Dark-edged Bee Flies and Brimstone Butterflies.

14/11/2023

The unrelenting wet weather has continued but warm temperatures mean lots of fungi to go with it! A few of 'the locals' in these pictures - all close to home.

02/11/2023

We are in the process of selling our house and 'downsizing' so I have been a bit too busy to keep up with the posting. I spent last weekend visiting Norfolk - mainly Strumpshaw Fen, Dunwich Heath and Minsmere. Weather was OK at Strumpshaw on Saturday but was very wet and windy at Minsmere on Sunday. Most of the fungi photos were taken on the edge of Dunwich Heath where there is an ideal mixture of Birch trees, Oak and other species.

23/09/2023

Some more pictures from last Thursday!

23/09/2023

Up until the recent deluges I hadn't found many fungi. Last Thursday's moorland walk had to be cancelled due to the dense layer of mist and fog and so it was decided to check the lower reaches of East Dartmoor for fungi. Number one on the annual list (rather like the first Swallow in Spring) is the Violet Web Cap and amazingly it was the very first one we found! Despite the rain the ground was fairly dry and the recent cold nights seem to have inhibited the growth of the fruiting bodies. Surprisingly not a single Bolete was seen. Photos are all captioned.

06/05/2023

St Georges Mushrooms at undisclosed location on Dartmoor yesterday. There were loads of them so I felt I could pick a handful for myself.

01/05/2023

While most of you were still fast asleep this morning I was up at 05.30 doing my Spring Breeding Bird Census. Two weeks later than normal due to either rain, very cold mornings or a combination of both. 29 different species recorded including Cuckoo.