Pokerbird: Avian Travels

Burrator Reservoir, Dartmoor, Devon

My route to the Tamar valley skirted Dartmoor National Park – sorry, Dartmoor Rural Exploitation Zone. That seems to be the purpose of the designation. Screw as many dollars as possible out of a scenic landscape, even if it means destroying its looks with quarries, reservoirs, car parks and all the paraphernalia of industrial civilisation.

Still, Burrator Reservoir at least could be a magnet for waterbirds. Not at this time of year although the surrounding woodland was alive with passerines. The sweet song of willow warblers filled the air and a blackcap belted forth near where I parked the motor. The actual moors brooded over the scene and rain threatened. The weather forecast had advised clearer conditions in the north of the county and I wended thence.

My wending led me deeper into uninspiring farmscape. The odd belt of bright green trees was a welcome relief but nowhere seemed to promise birds. Through Tavistock and Launceston up to Holsworthy (Port – how was that ever a port?), the entire border with Cornwall was devoid of interest. It will have to remain a gap in the British Birding Year. Bodmin Moor, further west, will probably provide more joy.

And of course the coasts to north and south. Humanity is trying its best to fuck those up and their only hope is that the oil or finance runs out before it succeeds. The politicians and business moguls will have their way otherwise.