Chagford – Murchington – Throwleigh – Shilley Pool – White Moor Stone – Wild Tor – Hangingstone Hill – Quintin’s Man Cairn – Sittaford Tor – Kestor Rock – Frenchbeer Rock – Yardworthy Farm – Meldon Hill (21 miles)
Spring flowers, ferns and buds along the lanes up to Murchington and across to Shilley Pool and open moorland up to the White Moor Stone circle – all in bright, overcast but fantastic walking weather. Then, having decided to loop up to Hangingstone Hill and beyond, driving rain and murk all the way across to Quintin’s Man cairn and then afternoon sunshine back across Kestor via French Beer, Yardworthy and Meldon. All the usual birds put in an appearance – skylark, meadow pipit, wheatear, reed bunting (but not stone chats) and a blackcap, a redstart and hen harrier which ticked the ‘looks a bit odd’ box at the time but, with retelling, will become a convincing example of my moorland prowess.
[An RSPB friend has got back to me…. “Yep, hen harrier, and small size suggests a second year male”]
