This shows the habitat of the Yellowhammer and Warblers that were so common here today.

Spring has sprung! The warblers are coming thick and fast, some cuckoos have been heard and no doubt the rest are not far behind.  I love Dartmoor in the summer and spring so today, I drove past the river and the Dippers nest (but of course I went back in the evening), but instead, I made my way out to a lovely spot that is not actually on Dartmoor but  geologically has all the same features.  Last year when I discovered this beautiful unexplored site I had seen Yellowhammer, Linnet, warblers and lots of insects.  I want to get photos of Whitethroat and I know that they are about to arrive and when they do they will be singing to establish territories, and this is the time to get a good photograph or two, at least that's the plan!  I was a bit early for Whitethroat but there was at least a dozen Willow Warbler  singing and showing beautifully.  As you can see from the photograph above,  it's a very special place.  I noticed that a Willow Warbler was regularly flying to the tree in the foreground of the picture.  I hid behind a gorse bush and waited for it to reappear. A bird landed on the tree in front of me…… it was a gorgeous female Yellowhammer, one of my favourite birds.  I managed a few photos but apart from that, it was quite a treat to see this really nice species and so close. 

Female Yellowhammer, note the rusty-coloured rump, in the much rarer Cirl Bunting, the rump would be grey.

A female Yellowhammer looking her best at this time of year, the male is bright canary yellow. 

Willow Warbler, just arrived on migration.