The Best of Dartmoor (Day Trip)

Tour Code: GBR83

A walk through some of Dartmoor's wildest landscapes in search of an exciting array of wildlife.

We hope to run this tour in the future, but have not yet finalised dates and prices. To be added to a waiting list and be informed when details are confirmed, please click on the register interest button, or phone 1-844-433-9473.

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Tour Itinerary and Reports

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Tom Mabbett

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Highlights

Walk along the beautiful River Dart, home to Dipper, Kingfisher, Grey Wagtail and Otter
Enjoy beautiful scenery, comprised of steep river valleys, ancient oak woodland and acidic moorland

Summary

Autumn: This season of change sees the last of any summer migrants and the arrival of Dartmoor’s winter visitors, including the first Fieldfare and Redwing. Autumn offers one of the best chances to see Ring Ouzel and our focus will be on intercepting some of these migrants, as well as residents including Yellowhammer, Crossbill, Siskin and Redpoll. Another notable arrival is the Golden Plover, who begin to gather in flocks numbering from several hundred up to a thousand! We will spend time searching out these flocks as we are keeping our eye out for any raptors which might be on the move including Goshawk, Merlin and Hen Harrier, whose numbers increase at this time of year.

Winter summary:Visiting East Dartmoor Woods & Heaths National Nature Reserve (NNR) in winter offers excellent opportunities to see hardy wildlife, particularly birds, lichens, and mosses. We shall explore the best places for birdwatching, such as Yarner Wood, where well-stocked feeders attract numerous woodland species viewable from the hides, including residents like Nuthatch, Siskins, and the four common tit species (Marsh, Great, Blue, and Long-tailed), along with Great Spotted Woodpeckers. As the leaves fall, we hope to see the elusive Lesser Spotted Woodpecker which becomes easier to spot in late winter. On the open heathland of Trendlebere Down, we shall keep an eye to the sky for raptors like the Merlin and the scarce Hen Harrier, along with the resident Dartford Warbler. Along the River Bovey valley, the vibrant Kingfisher and the bobbing Dipper are often visible. Winter is also the ideal time to appreciate the NNR's areas of temperate rainforest where the damp conditions and ancient oakwoods support an internationally important abundance of lichens and mosses, clothing the trees and boulders.

Spring: This is a magical time, as a whole host of spring migrants return and flowers bloom. We will split our day between open moorland and neighbouring ancient woodlands draped in Bluebells. Dartmoor is a national stronghold for Cuckoo and home to breeding Grasshopper Warbler as well as Whinchat, Tree Pipit and Yellowhammer. Redstart, Pied Flycatcher and Spotted Flycatcher frequent many of the woods and, if we’re really lucky, we may encounter one of the pairs of Lesser Spotted Woodpecker who breed here. Breeding raptors such as Goshawk and Peregrine Falcon are also at their most active in early spring and can be a frequent sighting during this time.

Summer: Exploring the oak-covered valley side of the Dart Valley, our focus will be a mix of species including rare butterflies such as High Brown Fritillary (mid-June – early August), Purple Hairstreak and White Admiral. The walk will focus around the River Dart, following its meandering path, as it cuts through the steep valley sides comprising of ancient oak woodland and acidic moorland. These valleys are home to Grey Wagtails, Dippers, Kingfishers and Otters as well as Golden-ringed Dragonflies and dancing Beautiful Demoiselles. We also have a good chance of Redstart, Cuckoo, Firecrest and Spotted Flycatcher, as well as Adder and orchids.

Day Trip Location

Why Naturetrek?

At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:

The widest choice of wildlife holidays worldwide
Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
Outstanding value and exceptional customer service

Furthermore, as a Naturetrek client, our office team are always to on hand to help you – so if you have any queries about your holiday, whether before or after you have booked, we will be delighted to answer them on the phone. Please just give our team a call!