A visit to Venford starts with a drive past St Raphael’s Chapel at Hexworthy and a look at the notice board for pearls of wisdom. On this visit it was “A mind of peace is better than a piece of mind!” How appropriate as the group of 19 birdwatchers chose to spend VE80 enjoying the peace and serenity of the glorious Devon countryside, observing the national two minute silence with views of the River Dart and tors of Dartmoor.
Having joked that a distant plane vapour trail was the Red Arrows we had our own fly past as two Swift soared overhead. Some of the group were lucky enough to see the amazing sight of birds mating on the wing.
Everyone was present on the parade ground – all the birds you hope to see were present and correct. While peels of bells rang out from church towers, the call of Cuckoo from the top of a tree welcomed us to the moor. Initially the bird was so close that we could count the stripes on its underside like the gold braid on officer’s epaulettes. The call echoed around the valley all the day long.
The band was made up of many players with Goldcrest on descant and Redstart and Pied Flycatcher with the melody. The soloists were Blackcap and Garden Warbler with rich song choices to compare and contrast. The constantly moving tails of Pied and Grey Wagtails were beating like a conductor’s baton.
The parachute regiment put on their display with Tree Pipit flying vertically into the air and falling with wings spread wide. A small flotilla consisting of Tufted Duck and Little Grebe set sail on the reservoir.
VIP arrivals, just in time for the occasion, were Spotted Flycatcher. Basic catering arrangements were overseen by Yellowhammer. Flying red, white and blue were parties of Swallow accompanied by House Martin looping the loop overhead.
A very special day, enjoyed to the full with good friends.
46 species were seen or heard (H)
Tufted Duck, Little Grebe, Grey Heron, Red Kite, Buzzard, Kestrel, Great Black-backed Gull, Woodpigeon, Cuckoo, Swift, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Skylark, Swallow, House Martin, Meadow Pipit, Tree Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Grey Wagtail, Robin, Redstart, Stonechat, Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, Blackbird, Garden Warbler (H), Blackcap (H), Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Goldcrest (H), Wren, Spotted Flycatcher, Pied Flycatcher, Coal Tit, Blue Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Carrion Crow, Raven, Chaffinch, Redpoll, Goldfinch, Siskin, Crossbill, Yellowhammer
Small Whie, Green-veined White, Brimstone, Speckled Wood, Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary
Oil Beetle
Report by M Johnson
