I woke up early, around 6am, Day 2 in Devon.
The dawn chorus had already begun all around me as I snoozed contentedly in the van.
There had been big thunderstorms to the west and the east in the night but they had thankfully missed the little patch I was ensconced in. It was dry as I put the kettle on for some green tea and ate my muesli.
I was determind to head out early this year as last year the rain had denied me this early start.
The morning was cloudy which was a relief from the intense heat of the previous day although it was still mild, enough to venture out in just a T-shirt.
It also gave a different light for photography, especially on the river through the dappled light amongst the trees, less intense dark and light from yesterday.
I found my favourite Beech tree once more and couldn't resist a hug.
The open glades had a more subtle light too. More refreshing in the early morning.
Yesterday's encounters with the Dippers was good but I was hoping for some closer encounters today especially as the light was better.
At first I wasn't having much luck so I decided to stop at my favourite bench for a cuppa. I always like to think I'm sitting with my Dad here for a bit of a catch up. Within seconds of my posterior making contact with the wood, the adult Dipper zipped into view with food for its young immediately opposite me, thanks Dad.
Although the begging seemed endless, the adult will feed it's young out of the nest for about one week before it feeds for itself. Every so often it would try hunting alone but not with much perseverance.
In the glade behind me, the incessant robotic tuneful Song Thrush rang out...
All the while the Dippers went about their business in front of me.
Dippers are monogamous and the pair bond between adults last the season and sometimes through successive seasons.
Breeding sites can last many years. One has been known to have been used for 123 years, obviously as some river habitats change little over the years, especially here on Dartmoor.
They usually produce a clutch of 4 to 5 eggs. The adult here only seems to be feeding the one chick. Predation could have been a result of such a poor return of fledged young or the position of a nest site as they fledge. They can be washed away if they fledge in rapid water.
The youngster has been ringed so I would assume it had been caught by members of the Devon Wildlife Trust.
After a few wing stretches after being fed I finally left them and continued my morning river walk.
After much effort I was finally rewarded with a lovely view of a male Grey Wagtail, hoorah !
It was heading into late morning by now. I had other places on my mind so I headed back to the van for a refuel and headed west.
If Dunsford is a definite on the must visit places of the year then Meeth is another....
A disused clay quarry now run by the Devon Wildlife Trust. The old industrial workings still retain a tangible feeling about their previous use, as Nature slowly reclaims the land.
This is a specialised habitat. Some species abound here while they are in national decline.
One such species is the Wood White Butterfly. Possibly the most delicate of Butterflies in the British Isles, they pervade the pathways here dancing like gossamer on strings....
If fairies existed (or perhaps they do?) then maybe the Wood White can be mistaken for them?
This individual was feeding on Herb Robert
They love the Ragged Robin flowers that are in abundance here too.
I rounded the corner after the car park. There is a patch here full of low growing wild flowers where I usually encounter Common Blues, and there they were, right on cue!
The males occasionally stop to feed when not fighting with the opposition.
Over the back of this patch was scrub with one of many Speckled Wood I saw here. It seems to be a good year for them.
Orchids do very well. I have visited at around the same time in the last few years but they seem to be a bit slow in emerging this year. The Southern Marsh Orchids were the most prominent at this time and still in short supply.
Green Veined Whites' popped up here and there, their defining lines marking them apart from the Wood Whites along with their more robust style of flight.
My mate the Beautiful Demoiselle are abundant around the rides and pools and I cannot resist another photo opportunity of this jewel while the sun shines.
Meeth's biggest draw in Spring and Summer has got to be either Damselflies or Dragonflies. There are so many it's always a concern not to step on one, especially Damselflies as they are much slower on the wing and inhabit the paths and bushes in large amounts.
Dragonflies have inhabited this Earth for some 325 million years and although through fossil examinations they have reduced in size,(Fossils show them at 750mm/30 inches) their shape and structure have remained the same. Why change something that doesn't need changing? The perfect flying, hunting and breeding insect.
Here, a Large red Damselfly
Azure Damselfly
Beautiful thingy again!!
High up in the trees I located a female Broad Bodied Chaser Dragonfly. Their abdomens pulsate in and out at rest giving the impression of breathing
Female Common Blues were showing well too.
The Dingy Skipper... my first ever sighting of one was here several years ago. Easily missed and mistaken for a moth
Talking of moths, some day flying species are here. This, a clandestine Burnet Companion
and back to the Skipper...
Along with the female Common Blues, the males were in good condition and battling with rivals for their undivided attention
As I continued my stroll, all sorts of things were popping up before me in the myriad of pools, ditches and lakes.
I disturbed a Kingfisher as I rounded a corner and I cussed myself for not paying better attention as it shot off into the distance.
I was rewarded however with some top views of Four Spotted Chasers on the ponds...
More Azure Damselfly
and a Common Blue Damselfly too. This is a Drab form immature female.
Large Red...
and more Four Spotted Chaser
I had thoughts of turning back to the car park now. The day was lengthening and I had friends to catch up with not far away.
Ragged Robin seemed to be having the best year I've seen as I walked back.
The Marsh Orchids although not in full flower always give me such a buzz as do the other Orchid species, so beautiful, that sets them apart from the other flowers.
I'm not saying the others aren't as good, even a buttercup can shine through, but Orchids hold a special divinity for me.
My time here was done for today. My plan is to visit here again in a couple of days given the opportunity. There is so much to see but I had a date with my good friends down the road, I hadn't seen them in a year, far too long, so I set off contented with another day's immersion in Mother Nature.
The title of this post is taken from the poem 'Sweet Dragonfly' by Janet K Rauch
