(Photograph by Vasaparrot)
Join us for a short walk in the dark to a clearing in the woods where we sit and listen to 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 more. If we are lucky, we may even hear the pre-dawn churring of nightjar.
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)
LOCATION: 'Middle Trendlebere Car Park’ - National Grid Reference SX 78219 79303.
Driving directions/any final details will be emailed approximately a week before the walk; please remember to check your junk email folder.
Please car share where possible. Parking is limited on Dartmoor and sharing lessens our impact on the environment. Thank you.
Tickets
FEE: £25 per person. £10 for older, engaged children. Group size is limited so pre-booking is essential.
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.
If you cancel after the six weeks, we would advise you please try to resell/pass on your ticket and/or we can try to re-sell your ticket (we sometimes have a waitlist although there is no guarantee) we can then offer a credit note for the ticket price (minus the £2 booking fee and minus a £5 admin fee).
You will receive a confirmation email after booking from ‘noreply@bookinghound.com’ - please check your spam/junk folder and email info@dartmoorsdaughter.com if not received
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.
RISK: Walks and activities are at your own risk. No liability accepted for accidents or incidents.
FACILITATORS: 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.
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.