BIKING BIRDER I March 2nd 2010 Dartmoor, Stone Circles, Standing Stones and a Ride to Launceston, Cornwall.

 

2^nd March 2010

Tie a Yellow Ribbon Around the Old Oak Tree     [Tony Orlando and Dawn]

 

Everywhere was white with heavy frost in the morning and the smashing breakfast at the youth hostel set me off nicely. No cloud and no wind. Perfect. Also no noise still from cars for the first time this year and only the sound of Chaffinch, Siskin, Carrion Crows and Song Thrushes, with the occasional dog to be heard.

               I cycled and stopped at the many picturesque points along the way. Bridges and moorland, Dartmoor prison and a stone circle with stone lines and a high standing circle. 

All the latter were at Merrivale on the road to Tavistock. 

       On arriving in Tavistock I immediately saw a Dipper [147] from the bridge there. Another one for the year list.

Over to Launceston and a visit to Malcolm and Sylvia, the birding couple I met a few days ago at Exminster Marshes. Lovely people, they talk of their work in Uganda and invite me there.

26.4 miles

1,867 feet up                2,428 feet down