Trip reports

Visit to Yarner Wood - 18th May 2008

Sunday, 18 May 2008

After a couple of days of miserable weather, the rain stopped and the sun came out for the 13 members who met up for the field trip to Yarner Wood in Devon. Soon after setting off into the woodland area, a wood warbler was heard and then seen well, followed by a pair of spotted flycatchers. Many of the nest boxes were occupied by pied flycatchers and we had good views of both males and females. A great spotted woodpecker, a party of long-tailed tits, marsh tits, coal tits, chiffchaff, nuthatch, blackcap and a raven overhead were all noted during a leisurely walk through the wooded habitat. In a coppiced area by the Yarner Stream some fritillaries were found and, after some debate, final identification was confirmed as Pearl-bordered Fritillary, quite an endangered species due to habitat loss. The group was pleased to have seen them at this favoured spot.

After lunch a pair of male goldcrests made their presence known by their noisy territorial confrontation near to the path. A wonderfully close view of these birds, both with fully raised crests, was enjoyed by all, apart from possibly the birds themselves!

Later we walked out onto the heath and found stonechat and heard yellowhammer. Unfortunately there was no sight of any tree pipits but some hirundines and a sparrowhawk were spotted overhead. On returning to the car park, Stan found a grey wagtail by the wardens' houses and three mandarin duck on the pond, (a pair and a single male - possibly his mate was occupying the nest box nearby). A high note to end the day, during which 31 species were recorded."