(Photograph by Vasaparrot)
Join us for a short walk from dark to dawn through the extraordinary soundscape of the waking chorus of birds. Yarner Woods is a bird haven so we hope to hear, and possibly see redstart, pied flycatcher, wood warbler, blackbird, song thrush, mistle thrush, great spotted woodpecker, raven, jay, blackcap, and many many more. If we are lucky, we may even hear the pre-dawn churring of nightjar.
Tickets
FEE: £25 per person. £10 for older, engaged children. Group size is limited so pre-booking is essential.
£3 per person of your fees will be donated to Natural England for use of site. Yarner Wood is part of the East Dartmoor Woods and Heaths National Nature Reserve managed by Natural England. Dominated by the internationally important western oak wood, there are also birch, scots pine, beech, and larch. Take a look at their blog and website.
We need to retain contact details for 21 days post-walk so please include your contact details (email and mobile/telephone when booking/paying.) And check your emails 12-24 hours before the date.
Location
3.15am for 3.30am walking start. Finish at 7.00am.
'Middle Trendlebere Car Park’ at SX 78219 79303. Directions - By car from Bovey Tracey take the B3387 to Manaton (don’t left fork to Haytor). After about 1.5 miles, you will see the Yarner Wood car park signs on the left. Continue up to the top of the hill over the cattle grids. At the top you will see a car park on your right. Ignore this one and carry on to the second car park on your right.
Car Sharing - Please car share in your ‘bubbles’ where possible. Parking is limited on Dartmoor. And sharing lessens our impact on the environment. Thank you.
Further Information
WHAT TO WEAR/BRING: Sturdy walking boots; PLENTY of warm layers including hat and gloves (a sleeping bag can be good for additional warmth whilst we’re sitting); something to sit/lie on; waterproof jacket & trousers (whatever the forecast); binoculars if you have them; red lamp torches (we will mainly be walking in the dark so our eyes adjust. A rear bicycle light can be good for this); drinks/hot flask and picnic breakfast/snacks.
Dogs - Sorry no dogs.
We also recommend bringing personal masks, a pair of disposable gloves, and a personal first aid kit. (From a safety perspective, this offers additional protection against Covid-19 if there were to be an accident and first aid is required by me or the rescue teams. Sorry we know it seems onerous but, given current government guidelines, these are currently being proposed by all guides.)
LEVEL: EASY. We will walk on well-maintained paths for up to 2 miles with some gentle hills. And we will sit for 1/2-1 hour in the woodland at dawn to listen to the dawn chorus. You will need to be comfortable walking in the dark with no/limited light - we want to create as little disturbance as possible for the birds and wildlife in the woodland.
Route is dependent on weather conditions and group pace.
CANCELLATION: The event will go ahead come rain or shine. Payments are refunded (less the booking fee) for cancellations no less than six weeks before your walk or experience.
Dartmoor’s Daughter has received the ‘We’re Good to Go’ Industry Standard Certificate. If you have a cold, flu, cough, temperature or are diagnosed with COVID-19 please do not join the walk. You will be able to transfer your booking to another walk.
RISK: Walks and activities are at your own risk. No liability accepted for accidents or incidents.
ORGANISERS: Dartmoor’s Daughter creates walks and nature-connection experiences to enhance health, wellbeing, and performance. We have invited Tony Whitehead to co-faciitate this Dawn Chorus Walk. He has had a lifelong interest in birds and wildlife. And has worked for RSPB for over twenty years in a variety of roles from managing nature reserves, running environmental educations projects to managing the charity's communications in the south west. His passion is for the sounds of birds and how people can be encouraged to connect to nature through listening to and learning the 'language' of wildlife. Tony also runs the field recording label Very Quiet Records.